It's a small world

Today at Walmart I ran into two old friends from my singles days from two different singles wards. I was at the bank and the first friend and I were catching up, she has five children and her baby girl and mine were born on the same day! She has been wanting to have a Horizon singles ward reunion and I told her that I would help her to organize it. Then as we are talking another friend shows up and she knows both of us! She is from the ward that I was going to when Jake and I met. Gotta love the singles wards!

Great to be Eight!

Kimball turned eight years old on the 16th. He had two friends, Hyrum and David go and see Alvin and the Chipmunks the Squeekquel. Then they picked up Taco Bell and brought it back to the house. We sang to him and had brownies and they played on the trampoline and Kimball opened his presents. I cant believe my little guy is eight! He started scouts and loves it. He gets so excited for Tuesdays and had his first Pine Wood Derby. He was so excited to make and race his car. Kimball is getting baptized in February and it will be a very special day.All the boys!

Solome Jug Hike

Jake took the kids on a day hike last Saturday to Solome Jug Creek. He likes to find new hikes and the kids complain they dont want to go hiking sometimes ,but after they can't wait to go on another one. I stayed home with Makenna but now wish I would have gone. Next time I am going to make myself do it anyway. Sammi had her camera and took these pictures and she did a great job. I love that Jake will plan fun outdoor activities for our family. He wants our kids to be "tough" and they learn early to hike and camp. Kimball had a scuffle with a prickly bush as you can see from his face. It looks like a cat got him but he was proud of his hiking wound!Tanner on the way home all smiles!
Kimball showing off his scratches

Crazy Dad who takes five kids hiking

Tessa was all worn out

Tessa with her fruit snack

Resting time for Rebecca

Willy Wonka

Sammi, Rebecca and Kimball were in the Willy Wonka play in November. It was such a good experience for them and kept them really busy. Makenna was born during the rehersals and my kids got many rides with the Smith kids which was a lifesaver, thanks Chelsea and Laurie! Sammi and Rebecca were Oompaloompas and Kimball was a squirrel. It was such a cute play and they did a great job!Tanner didnt make it to the end of the play
Rebecca with Tessa

Kimball and Rebecca took off their cosumes before I took their pictures

Audrie and Sammi after the play

The whole cast

The bigger baby

I watched my friends kids the other day and Trevor told his Mom later that "the bigger baby kept following me around" and she said Oh, you mean Tessa and he said " I didnt know girls liked me". I thought it was so funny because I hadnt thought of it that way but it is true I do have a little baby and a bigger baby. It is so fun to have the two of them home with me during the day and Tessa just loves Makenna and is really sweet with her. At times I have both of them on my lap and the time goes so fast so I am trying to enjoy the moments.

Casa Grande Sprint Triathalon

Jake participated in the Casa Grande Sprint Triathalon this past Saturday. He and his friend Glade went together early and Jake's parents came and took Sammi, Rebecca, Kimball and Tanner. The race includes a 400 meter swim, 10 1/2 mile bike ride and a 3 mile run. Jake did the swim in 8:42 minutes and the bike ride in 33:17 minutes and the run in 20:44 minutes. So, it took him 1 hour and 2 minutes. He came in 25th place out of 442 participants. He was really happy with his times. He and Glade are training for a full triathalon in July in San Fransisco. He ran in the St. George Marathon in October and this weekend he is biking in the Tour de Tucson. The kids love to go watch him when they can and when the baby is a little older I will too! The whole gang


At the finish line


Way to go Dad!

Jake and Glade ready to swim

Halloween

Halloween was a little crazy this year with the new baby coming so I did'nt buy any costumes and we made do with what we had already. It all turned out ok and they were happy with the outcome. Jake took them to the ward Trunk or Treat for chili, games and of course candy! Jake said that he went to the car to hand out candy and it was gone, and we had had a huge bag from Costco. Rebecca and her friend had "passed it all out" in huge amounts to the kids who had come around. He was not thrilled but then it was gone so his job was done. Sammi had taken the robe off and what was underneath, a cheerleading skirt and so now her costume had transformed. She said "I got hot." So, that is what happens when Mom isnt there. Kids! They all had a great time and came home with smiles and lots of candy! A few days later Kimball and Tanner dumped it all out on the kitchen floor and sorted it all. They had a great time and all the kids posed for a picture. Tessa was funny, she would reach her hand in grab a sucker and have it in her mouth in record time. I love this time of year and all the memories and family time it brings with it!