lovin' lagoon.

All Hallow's Eve

 Happy Halloween!!

We had witches #1 and #2, an astronaut and a 

teenage party girl this year!

 Of course we had to end our night with a visit to see our 

favorite little skunk,

Taya - she LOVED Braden's astronaut helmet.

It was a highlight when Jared had her say 

"Luke, I am your father."

through the microphone.

She hammed it up for us.

 This would be witch #2 and our teenage party girl that went all out this year, as you can see!

The night ended with the ever popular- candy sort!

 

 

 Hope your Halloween was delightful!!

(And not frightful,like the snow this morning...)

pumpkinfest

 Fun times.

Gooey pumpkin parts.

Kelly's tasty pumpkin seeds.

Good clean (or not) fun.

 The preparation.

 Tracing red bird to perfection.

 Madison's intense look. :)

 Kenna's nod to texting...

 Cruz loves Mad's goofy jack.

 Braden's angry bird.

Really?  Could it be anything else? :)

And Kimbel's moustache jack... she seems to have a fascination lately! :)

...and off they go!

I do NOT like back to school!

I know, I know, most moms whoop and holler

when the school supplies appear in stores...

not me.

I like my kiddos close ~

going to the pool.

staying up way too late.

crazy summer projects.

family reunions.

I love summer.

...and I don't love that they are growing up.

But.. ready or not..

here we go!!

 So, this year we have a 

Junior,

a junior-higher,

and 5th and 2nd graders.

 And they are all looking pretty dashing for their

after-school photo shoot!

 

Oh, how I adore these amazing kids! :)

tubing = happiness

 Monday was a scheduled short day for our school district.

What better way to spend it?

 I loaded up the car,

picked up the kids,

 and we headed to Park City!

 I LOVE this picture of Braden being towed up the hill...

nothin' but boots!! :)

We had a REALLY good time at Gorgoza Park.

Beautiful day.

Lots of snow.

Cute kids.

The only thing missing from a perfect day...

was Kelly!!

No half day from work, unfortunately!

homemade gifts... kid to kid

This year we started a new Christmas tradition...

the kids drew each others names and had to come up with something unique and homemade to give on Christmas morning.

Very fun.

Next year dad and mom will be in the bowl, too!!

 Braden made Mad a custom pencil box.

Complete with an "M" made from legos glued to each side.

Spectacular!

And for Kimbel - a special frame made for her by Madison.

Kimbel promptly inserted a picture of her and her bestie, the other Mady!

Kenna presented Braden with a duct-tape wallet.  She has some seriously creative juices flowing!  Pockets and all!

Last, but not least..

Kimbel made Kenna a totebag with some iron-on decals and customized the back, too... with Ken's initials.

I am so proud of how they all worked so hard and love the unique gifts.  
We had an absolutely amazing Christmas around here!

I'm sure there are more Christmas pics to come! :)

Happy New Year!!

the santa parade .. and a really big baby!

one of the benefits(?) of having a dad who runs a hospital..

2 santas + banks + duffins = party on a float!

LOTS of candy.. and ONE really big baby on the back!

Hey big guys!

not sure if he's sharing his Christmas list.. or honking Santa's nose. hmm?

the REAL big guy.  Merry Christmas!

A little bit of this...

 Halloween at our house brought 

a "japanese princess", 

that 70's girl, 

wolverine and 

one who just dragged in from an all day volleyball tournament 

(they took 4th).

Hope your Halloween wasn't too spooky.. and maybe just a little goofy.. like ours.

first day.

Report from first (and second) days of school:


Up with puppy at 6:30am - I get to go out with him, because everyone else has to "get ready!!"
Madison to SHS at 7:50am, Kenna in her snazzy uniform off to Excelsior Academy at 8:05am.
  
Great!  Right on schedule..


Back home to get my other two going..


Kimbel is ready and looking cute for her first day of 4th grade and Braden, (oh so handsome) with his Ben 10 backpack.  They are ready and we are out the door by 8:40am.
Excellent!!


Where is my camera?!?  Wait.. really. Where is it?  Last time I saw it was Saturday night when I ran to my car to get it and MISSED Kelly in the dunk tank.. yes, DUNK TANK!!  at the annual hospital party.  Bummer.


First day of school and no camera. 


Fabulous. 


Oh well, I will take some tomorrow.


Yeah, right.


Just know that they looked adorable and grown up and way too big to be marching off to the world. 


9:05am:  I was in my car with a few prayers and tears.


Whew.  Back to school 2010.

Christmas Past..

I just came across some pics from December of '02.. I couldn't resist sharing them.

Mad, Kimbel & Kenna - I was trying to get a shot for our card that year.

Lil' Miss Rudolph after a day at preschool. (0h, how I miss Baymonte!)

...and sweet baby Kimbel kissing Grandma Braithwaite's moose. She loved that thing!

Hope you enjoy.. I just couldn't resist!

Happy Busy Days Before Christmas!!