First Week of Christmas Vaca!!! (delayed)

We flew into Oakland Thursday (December 18th). It was a LONG day! First we drove 3 hours to Kansas City, and then our flight was delayed 2 hours. Luckily we had signed up for text alerts and we just found a McDonalds with a playplace and hung out. Then we had a 4 hour flight to endure! The kids were pretty good! The plane was completely full, and it was a turbulent flight, which meant a lot of seat belt time. But we finally got here and we are having a blast hanging out with cousins, and Nana and Papa Conn. Here's a glimpse of what we've been up to.

The first time I curled Avery's hair!!

Avery with my cousin Christopher at the fish hatchery in Sacramento

Avery with my Aunt Reinalda

Ethan checking out a display with daddy at the fish hatchery.

More pics to come of the fish hatchery! And everything else we did in Cali for Christmas!

New Tag

If you want to play along just bold what you have done!
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a school band/orchestra
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis, eww NO, those things are creepy
10. Sang a solo, nope
11. Bungee jumped, no
12. Visited Paris, no
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea, no
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch, piano
15. Adopted a child, no
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty, no
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France, no
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked , no.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill Mental health is just as important!
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (in general)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke As long as video game Karaoke counts!
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling snorkeling in hawaii.
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud all the time as a child.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business I owned my own daycare!
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone-
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

It's been a while!!!

Things have gotten so busy, but are now starting to calm down (a little). We just had our final Enrichment of the year, and now that that's over with, a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders :) I think it went well, and we had a great turn out. Friday was our ward Christmas party, and that was great too. The kids got to see Santa, and Ethan was very excited to tell Santa what he wants for Christmas, luckily it's actually what he's going to get, and not something he decided last minute. Avery was NOT so excited to see Santa. I thought she was going to pass out, but I made her stay on his lap long enough to get a picture. Here are some pics from the past month.

Our first snow! The day after Thanksgiving!

Picture with Santa!

Enjoying a little Andy's Frozen Custard, after the ward party.

Another attack of the crazy hair. Some days it just has a mind of it's own!

Rainy Day Schedule

Wasn't it supposed to rain? Usually our weather guy is pretty accurate! But one Tuesday he disappointed us! I had a fun rainy day schedule planned for Tuesday, since we had to pass on a play day with friends due to runny noses and sore throats. BUT GUESS WHAT?! NO RAIN!! Well, I stuck to my rainy day schedule anyway, since it did look formidable outside. We pulled out the bounce house and bounced away! I have a feeling we will put it to a lot of use this winter. Avery is finally not afraid of it anymore, and that gives Ethan someone (the right size) to jump with. Here are some fun pics. I LOVE the scary faces. (If I do the scary faces back, Avery freaks out) HA HA!

Once Upon A Time...

Time for another Ethan moment...

Ethan usually goes to bed pretty easily, meaning without much of a fight. However, he likes to procrastinate however he can. Sometimes it's claiming he's hungry again (after his teeth are brushed, prayers are said, scriptures read, and storytime is over) AHHHH! Sometimes, he just says "Mommy, can you tell me something?" Over and Over again, To which I usually say something like "Do you know what? Pigs can fly!" Which HE thinks is hilarious, and that's what counts. The other night, Ethan asks Jesse, "Daddy, can you tell me something?" So Jesse says sure, "Once upon a time, there was a little boy. His name was Ethan. He was a brave boy...etc.etc." Ethan interupts him, and says, "No, No, No Daddy. I am going to say it." "Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Avery, and she was a good girl. She's a was a going to Sonics, and she eated there. THE END." Every night now, he tells us a new story. I know you all are on the edges of your seats awaiting the next one. Be patient they are coming.

Quality Time With Papa

Here are some pics taken with our new camera! I was excited to use it and was able to capture some cute pictures of Avery playing with Papa. It's nothing incredibly FANCY, but I love it still, and I don't claim to be a great photographer so...most of all I'm just glad it does the job. There really wasn't anything wrong with my old camera besides the screen being cracked from a tiff with the baggage loader guys of Southwest Airlines, but it didn't effect the quality of pics. It's like 5 years old, and NOW Ethan is the proud new owner. It will still get plenty of use.

Quality Time With Papa

Happy (Be-lated) Halloween

I have been putting off posting about Halloween, I don't know why, just a blogging slump I guess. But, here goes! This year I didn't want to buy any costumes. So, for Ethan, we borrowed a Buzz Lightyear costume. We had to borrow the movie too so that he would know who Buzz Lightyear is. After watching the movie (every day the week before Halloween) he could hardly wait to dress up as Buzz. Avery luckily still fit in her costume from last year. It was 3-6 mo. size costume, but it WAS huge on her last year. It fit nicely this year. She was a ladybug, she wouldn't keep her cute hat on though, it had little antennas on it.

Since it's not very possible to go trick or treating in the neighborhood, due to the fact that houses are really far apart. Almost every business offers "trunk or treating". First we went to ISD -Wal-mart (where Papa works), and we trick or treated amongst the cubicles. The kids caught on right away. Avery knew her candy bucket would be used for something she would like, she carried that thing the whole week before Halloween. She needed NO instruction whatsoever to get going. Ethan was mostly preoccupied with the decorations, but managed to fill his bucket nicely. Next, we went to Unilever and trick or treated, and they also had a costume contest and fed us pizza and cupcakes. THEN, we went to our ward "Trunk or Treat". We had great chili, and cornbread, and the kids got to play some fun games and then parade their costumes across the stage. We were beyond tired by the time we got home. OH, did I mention what Jesse dressed up as...A MOOSE! It was hilarious when he walked into the church in full get-up, how many kids ran up to him to give him hugs. It's not like he was even a well known moose, ya know, like Bullwinkle, NO he was just a moose! But he did look pretty awesome. He got his costume from Unilever. Don't ask why Unilever had like 10 moose costumes??? Anyway, enjoy the pics.

Ethan and Avery in a cart they found at Daddy's office!

Ethan immediately found his best friend "New" Ethan (ie Ethan Hughes)

These two are kindred spirits! "New" Ethan could even pass as Woody, we didn't plan that either!

Ethan doing the "cake" walk!

Back to Back with his other best friend Ruby Messick!

Avery, being a good sport about being held prisoner in the stroller! There was way too much chaos to let her loose!

Jesse (the moose), Ethan and Avery in the costume parade!

Good Morning Sunshine!!!

Gotta LOVE the morning hair on the kids! Especially my little princess! What a beauty huh?!

I promise you I did NOT tamper with her hair in ANY way! She REALLY did way up this way! (she had pigtails the night before)

This one is less drastic but still gorgeous isn't she?!

Leelou is having a re-launch party! They are having a give-away for every day this week until Thursday! They've got some great stuff! Good Luck everyone!

Another Ethan Moment! (Journal Entry)

Setting: Eating snack in the kitchen, late afternoon.

Ethan: Mommy, I don't like Daddy-Anta-non.

Mommy: Huh?! Who's Daddy-Anta-non?

Ethan: He's in nursery, I don't like him he's mean to me!


(Now I'm concerned)

Mommy: Well who is he? What did he do to you?

Ethan: Mommy, he's in nursery!

Mommy: OK, what did he do to you?

Ethan: (getting frustrated) NUF-FING!!! (ie. nothing)

Mommy: Ethan, you don't talk to mommy that way. Now, who is this Daddy-Anta-non?

Ethan: (sigh) I don't know!

( So I give up, and go on with planning dinner, and cleaning up snack)

About 10 min later.....

Mommy: (Thinking), that name sounds like Gadianton, maybe that's what he's talking about.

Ethan! Are you talking about Gadianton?

Ethan: Yeah Mommy, I don't like him, he's mean to me, he throws balls at me! I don't like any of them! ( I think he means the robbers)

Mommy: (Now I start testing him to see how much he knows). OK, how about Nephi, Ethan, is he a nice guy?

Ethan: Yeah, he's nice.

Mommy: What about King Noah? Is he nice?

Ethan: No Mommy! He's MEAN!

Mommy: Who else is a nice guy?

Ethan: All of the missionaries, they are nice guys!


So, my little Ethan is actually hearing some of what is being taught. We do read scrips with him each night, and that might help, although we really don't go too in depth. But, here's a shout out to Bro and Sis Hansen!!!



Yesterday we had our primary program for sacrament meeting! It was very well done, and as usual the kids were great! Ethan was paying a little more attention than usual because of the little kids voices, and the singing. He was playing with one of his file folder games, when one of the children said something about the Holy Ghost. Ethan's head pops up and he says (loud enough for 3 rows up AND behind us to hear) "OH, the Holy Ghost is our FRIEND!"



In August we had an Enrichment that we focused on making a variety of things to keep kids occupied and quiet during sacrament meeting. I made a bunch of different file folder games for Ethan. His favorite is one about the word of wisdom. You separate food items either onto a plate for yummy food, and into the garbage go the alcohol, coffee, and drugs. Ethan will often tell me, out of the blue "We don't eat garbage food!". Yesterday, as he was playing this game, he held up the picture of the pills (ie. drugs) and said "Mommy, these are Yucky M&M's". I think I may need to clarify some things for him. I don't want him testing colorful pills to see if they are "Yucky M&M's".

4 Seasons

This morning we went out to play and since it's FALL leaves were everywhere. So, as the kids were playing on the swingset and in the sandbox, I started raking! Ethan jumped in to help (with a pronged hoe) every once in a while. It wasn't long before we had a huge leaf pile. This kids had a blast playing in it. This is something that even if I had had the opportunity as a child I would have refrained. I'm a little OCD when it comes to getting dirty, or the thought of having leaves clinging to my clothing or hair . I actually have to try really hard not to drag my kids out of the leaf pile hyperventilating, watching them play actually was making me feel some anxiety. They were having so much fun though and I got over my issues and took some pics. I think I may have confessed a little too much right now about my wierd-ness. Oh, well!

This big pile was made by raking what is not even 1/4 of the BACK yard! There are still leaves everywhere!

I've lived in AZ nearly all my life and never had the privelege of enjoying what 4 seasons are really like! My FAVORITE is still summer but FALL comes in a close second!

Aren't We Lucky?!!!

Yesterday we decided to take advatage of some of the beautiful hiking trails we have here in Bella Vista. Our favorite one is one that leads to some waterfalls. Avery, of course, LOVED seeing all the doggies along the way. And, Ethan has a facination with waterfalls. It was a beautiful fall day, and since the water was a bit low we were able to climb right up to the top of the falls and almost get in. At one point I picked up Ethan and pretended to toss him into the falls, and Avery gave a little scream and pinched the back of Nana's arm ( she was scared for him). I think this is where we will take our family pics for Christmas cards this year.

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Celebration City

Craft Fair Fun!!!

On Friday, my good friend Jill and I packed up the kids and headed out to the "world famous" craft fair. We decided on one that was quite the drive, but it was supposed to have pony rides, hot air balloon rides, and some other fun stuff for the kiddos. Unfortunately we were tricked! It took us 2 hours to get there (and like 3 hours to get back due to traffic). However, the kids were great, thanks to Laurie Berkner, and McDonald's. Can you imagine 5 hours of Laurie Berkner?!

HOWEVER...

It was a beautiful day, and we were able to enjoy some wonderful pig races! Where Sam and Ruby's pig won!!! We also got to enjoy yummy roasted corn on the cob, and funnel cake! Each kid got to pick out one thing to take home. Ethan chose a "bobble head" dragon made by a native american lady (too bad he changed his mind half-way home, and decided he wanted the snake instead). Thanks Jill, for convincing him that his dragon WAS cool!!! Avery got a magnetic bracelet, she only keeps it on for a few minutes at a time, but she LOVES twisting her wrist around to look at it! She's such a GIRL!

Avery freaking out when the pigs came out!

Sam, Ethan, and Ruby

The pigs!

It was a long day for us, but REALLY fun! I always have fun with my friend Jill, and even though the crafts were a little disappointing because of the lack of vendors there, it was fun to get out with our friends, and I got to experience my first craft fair, and it was a BEAUTIFUL drive.

I don't want it to get too cold for this!!!

They can be sooooo needy, and drive me sooooo crazy when we are cooped up inside the house. I REALLY don't want it to get too cold to be able to let them play outside. It's been such beautiful weather, and they play so nice together outside. I don't know what it is, but Ethan turns into the PERFECT big brother when we are outdoors :) Avery doesn't feel the need to be held, and she HAS to wear her sunglasses! I hope our FALL weather lasts a little while longer!!!!

Theme of the Week

I have been using http://www.letteroftheweek.com/ to do some preschool activities with Ethan. This week our theme is Rainbows. I had a lot of fun doing research this weekend finding some fun activities to support the theme. Monday I introduced the theme by having Ethan help me make "rainbow" sugar cookies. I love how he gets so excited about stuff like this. He was totally into it, and made most of the rainbow shapes all by himself.

When it was time to put him to bed last night he was really fighting me (more than normal), so I told him that I would make him rainbow pancakes in the morning. It always helps him if he has something to look forward to. Here's what they turned out like!

Another TAG!

I know...my Heavenly Father loves me

I want...to win monopoly at McDonalds

I have...a waffle in the toaster waiting for me

I wish...I had already won monopoly at McDonalds :)

I hate...pie

I miss...family in CA, CO, Utah, Idaho, and AZ

I fear...dying first, dying last

I Feel...relaxed

I hear...the lawn mower, and football on TV

I smell...Carress soap

I crave...chocolate all the time

I search...the Internet for new books

I wonder...what Ethan's going to want to be for Halloween

I regret...nothing!

I love...My wonderful hubby, and two beautiful chillin's

I care...about what others think of me

I always...make my bed

I am going...to see a movie tonight (it's been a while)

I believe...I can do anything if I try

I dance...ONLY in front of my kids

I sing...in the shower to entertain Avery

I fight...if I feel I have to defend myself or my kids

I write...lists for everything

I lose... any game I play against Jesse

I win...when Jesse and I play as a team

I never...get sick of chocolate

I listen...to what my kids have to say and try to respect them.

I am scared...of losing anyone in my little fam

I need to clean...nothing, I just finished

I hope...I can learn to be more patient

I tag...everyone who reads this, and that means you!

4th Picture Tag

Go to your picture file, find the 4th folder and post the 4 picture in it. Explain a little about the picture. Everyone's tagged!

This is an ariel view of Washington D.C. Jesse took a business trip there a few months ago. He gets to go a lot of places, too bad we can't go with him.

P.S. NO CHEATING

FHE Pumpkin Carving

Last Monday we carved our Halloween pumpkin. Ethan is always excited about stuff like this. I hope he always is! I love the face he makes when he first makes contact with the "goop". He chose the spider design for daddy to do, he loves spiders, even though he is scared of them. Avery wouldn't stick her hand in the pumpkin, but she took the goop willingly out of my hand, and then asked for more, by opening and closing her fingers and motioning (yes, I know I am great at reading her own version of sign language). The picture of the actual finished masterpiece is from a week later, so it is a bit shriveled from being outside. I think we may have jumped the gun a little. Maybe we'll do another one next week!

Win a Free Handbag

www.handbagplanet.com is have a free handbag contest. It's totally free, meaning you don't even pay for shipping. They are giving away one free bag every hour for 24 hours until the launch of their new website in 4 days. GOOD LUCK!!!

Right Choices Pumpkin Farm

Yesterday for playgroup we drove about 45 min away, to Anderson, MO to go to Right Choices Pumpkin Farm. We (Ethan and Avery) got to ride the "cow" train (so cute), and we all took a hay ride. Then we had fun going down the long hill slide, playing the duck race game, seeing the farm animals, and playing in the corn box. I should have taken more pics, but I wanted to come back anyway with Jesse, so I figured I would save some picture taking for then. It was really fun, and not to mention cheap. Yeah for Fall, and cooler weather. I am so excited that in the past year I have been able to experience what 4 seasons are really like. What a difference from just the 2 seasons in AZ :) We had so much fun at the pumpkin patch, Ethan has been talking about going back from the moment we left. He even woke up this morning wondering where Jesse was because he had assumed that we would go back to the pumpkin place when "daddy got home". Poor guy! I guess we will have to take him back another time.

***See slideshow below***

Right Choices Pumpkin Farm

Guess What?!

Ethan: Guess what Mommy? I have a pee pee bat!

Mommy: What? (looking around to figure out what he means)

Refer to picture...

Make your own conclusion...

Accountability Board

For Ethan's birthday Nana Conn sent him an accountability board (like a chore chart). First Ethan had to paint it and decorate it. He had a blast, he loves doing "art". And he is excited about doing his "chores", and earning some of his own money ($.25/week). He's only 3 but I figure he can start learning about money, and saving for things that he wants to buy, because he wants/needs EVERYTHING no matter where we are, or what it is (as long as it's colorful). Thanks Nana Conn!!!

NEWS!

I just started teaching violin lessons at a local music studio. I am very excited about it. I had one student in AZ, and I loved it. I am so glad to be back at it. So far, I have one student, he's a college student, and I am excited because he's there for himself and not being forced by a parent. I also like that the studio takes care of getting me students. Hopefully I will have a full load soon. I am happy that I am able to do something in the evenings to contribute to our income and still stay home with the kiddos during the day! Just thought I would share my happy news!