Next to the happiest place on earth....

....would be playing in the snow, for my children at least! New Years Eve we took off early, going the long way to Flagg. (Cass had work stuff he had to do.)

If Gavin could live on a sled in the snow, he'd be the happiest kid ever. He didn't stop the WHOLE time, smiling and laughing along! The older 4 children were brave enough to go down this huge hill, it looked like it would hurt if you wrecked (we saw a few of those). I videoed the girls going down, I think they could have done this all day long as well.
Gavin refused to get out of the sled, Brooklin was kind enough to pull him all the way back to the truck.

Brighton's baby had to have her turn, Uncle Justin helped.

Cousin Daisy

Gage totally threw this at me!

Chandler

I think Bright was so cute in her snow clothes

Woo hooo!

So happy

Wish we could have played longer, but it was so worth it. I'm glad my children have this memory!

10 years, WOO HOO!

Ten years have flown by! For our anniversary, we thought it would be fun to go on a hike! Cass had hiked Flat Iron before so we decided on that one. Not even half way up! Didn't know or care... at the time!
We made it to the top. This hike was probably the hardest that I have done, aside from the Grand Canyon (I think).
I loved getting to do this alonside Cass, he is so fun to be with, still!

Later that evening, we took the kids out to eat. We don't do that often and when I told the kids to get nice clothes on, the girls came up wearing their baptism dresses! Oh, they are so cute.

It was a wonderful day. Thank you to my parents who watched our children so we could go on the hike!

Baptism Day

Bridgit and Brooklin were baptized on November 14, 2009. It was such a special day for them! They were excited about it for quite some time before! They are so beautiful to me on the inside and out. They have always been quite good girls and I love them more than words can say. they made a good choice today and I hope they will always remember how they felt and how much they are loved. Bridgit

Brooklin
One of the coolest things about their day was that they were able to share it with one of their very best friends/cousins, Shaye! They all get along so well and love eachother to pieces! They sang "When I am Baptized" all together before their confirmations, it was so sweet.

Cass did a great job, I'm so lucky to be married to such a wonderful husband and father.

Gavin had been giving me such a hard time all day for some reason and by the time we arrived in the chapel to sit down for the program, I didn't know how I was going to handle it. My wonderful dad came to the rescue and took him to help settle him down, Pappa has the magic touch (thank you)!

Brooklin whispered to me after her confirmation, "Mom, when daddy was giving me that blessing, I looked at Gage and he was sticking his tongue out at me."....so Gage.

We had a family dinner party afterward and enjoyed everyone's company. Thanks to all our friends and family who helped us celebrate this day!

It's Great to be Eight!

I can't believe the girls are 8 already! I remember the day they were born like it was yesterday. They were itty bitty little things and had a rough start, but were little fighters and today you would nerver know that by looking at their tall figures! There are so many memories from even before they were born, I'll have to make sure they are all written down in my journal!

We couldn't be happier to have them as daughters and we are proud of what they have become already, we love you Bridgit and Brooklin! Happy Birthday!

The girls decided this year they wanted a cosutme birthday party, since it is close to Halloween. Brooklin loves Hanna Montana so much, she didn't want to do the Harry Pooter theme, and the boys both decided on Harry, not Ron.

Noni and Pampa were kind enough to let us use their pasture for the party, which was perfect. We had some races. some were on foot, some were hopping, even a crab-walk race!

Then we had the pinata, each of the kids were able to have a turn, whew!


We had so much fun and played so hard, we almost forgot to sing Happy Birthday and eat the cake! We did forget to open presents for friends though, I felt bad about that, but I think they all had a good time anyway!

Late-over party!!

The girls and some friends were begging for a 'late-over party' so Angie and I decided to throw one for them over the Oct. break. (A late-over is like a sleep-over, but instead of sleeping over, you get to do all of the fun party things, and then go home to sleep in your own bed!)

This is the girls all dancing to Hanna Montana! Angie brought stuff for 'fancy drinks' and they were yuuummmy!

the girls made their own journals, and ate delicious snacks.
They even got to watch Hanna Montana! (when will this phase be over...j/k it's fun!)

Brighton and Rylie playing nicely, cute girlies!

Thanks Ang for the super fun night, I think it was a hit!

Gavin's 1st fieldtrip

Gavin is in preschool with Miss Rachel and I. He loves it, most days! Today was the fieldtrip to the zoo! Only, little did we know that the zoo was having 'free day' and there were more people there than I think could fit, and they were having plumbing issues.... so after a quick change of plans, we ended up at the 'Train Park'!

He was ready to go quite early that day!

Posing for pics while we were deciding what to do, at the zoo
Right when we got to the train park, we ate lunch, Bright got to come too!

Watching th train ride by

Riding the train! Most of the kids climbed into the animal cage in back for the ride, so they aren't in the picture!

They even got to ride the carousel. Afterward, LeAnn and I stopped at Sprinkles for some yummy, overly-priced cupcakes! Now I know where it is at least!

All in all, it was a great first fieldtrip day for Gavin which I'm so glad for. I had fun too, if that counts!

Cinders

This was one of the the very most fun trips we have been on. We probably brought home a load of dirt in our laundry (and teeth & ears & noses) but we would do it again in a heartbeat!

The Houstons were generous to haul this HUGE trailer up with everyones toys (thank you). Right where we were camped, there was a big open space that the kids could go ride around and we could see them and not have to worry about them getting lost, it was great.

View from one of the top of the hills.

Dirty Cass, we were so filthy!
Cute dirt-face!

This is a memory that I will NEVER forget. Long story short, it will be a while before I climb a big hill again!

Right before we headed up the hill....still smiling.

Trevor and Angie

I had to post this picture of Brooklin. You don't feel like you are this dirty until you look in a mirror (or someone points there finger and laughs!)

We all congregated here while we took turns riding up the big hill.

Trevor and Angie rounding the top

Shalyse and Kael (he is adorable)

Gavin and Boe dug in the dirt a lot

Rylie thought Brighton's face was a little messy so she helped out like a big girl

Gage and Mitchell ready to ride.......again

Brighton and I (I think i didn't want to look at the camera because I was stuffing my face with cookies)

Trail rididng was something we could all do as a group.

Angie and Becca

Chase, Shalyse and Kael

Brooklin and Devyn

The boys

Digging in the dirt some more

Angie and I (pre-dirt)

That's a full load!

The kids were so good to all pile on and take turns when we drove.

Cinder Hills is a blast, it's not far from the city of Flaggstaff, in case you need to make a quick trip into town, and the riding is so great. We would do this again any day, even with the crusties that follow even a week later!