Leaves are falling all around...

The kids love all the leaves on the ground. A couple of times they have tried to rake the leaves into a pile but with the wind blowing (almost constantly) they have yet to find success with this task. Jacob decided to help more leaves to fall using a different tactic...a sword. To him, a sword is like duct tape...it can fix anything. From getting something in a hard to reach spot to protecting himself from his brother.

Emma's Christmas Moosical

Every year, the third grade at Mesa Elementary puts on a Christmas musical. This year they did a play about Marty the Moose, a moose who really wants to be able to fly. It was really cute! Emma was Elf #3 and she had performed her 4 lines perfectly. :) It was so fun to watch her!

After the play with her brothers and sister...some were just ready to get home.

So proud of our 'leading lady.'

Christmas time!

Yesterday we had a friend come over and snap a few pictures in an attempt to get a useable family picture for our Christmas card. The kids were pretty good, and even more cooperative after being bribed with a Frosty from Wendy's. After taking over 50 shots I found one or two acceptable pictures of me. (I never claimed to be very photogenic...thus I always hide behind the camera.) We also got some really cute ones of the kids. Here are some of the pictures that didn't make the Christmas card cut.

Abby's soccer days

Though I was very unimpressed with the soccer "academy" for the four-year-olds this year, Abby had a lot of fun on the Saturdays she got to go. They don't have games for this age group now...only training. (What!?!) The weather was beautiful and she loved running around with her "friends." And just so you know, everyone she meets is her friend. :)
Running down the field.

Taking a water break. Boy she looks tired! Jacob loved running around too.

Emma loves "babysitting" Jacob. I can't wait until she's old enough to really babysit for me. :)

Stake Activity Days

This past weekend Emma, her friend, Isabel, and myself made the trek down to Roswell for a Stake primary activity for the Activity Day girls. It was pioneer themed and the girls even wore pioneer outfits. They had four workshops planned and the girls and their moms rotated around to each of them.
The first one we went to was line dancing. The girls learned the electric slide. Emma practices all the time now. Only 6 more years till she can use it at dances. :)

Next we made 'pioneer' cornbread which we ate with our chili at lunch. It was pretty tasty!

Then we went on a little handcart trek. Emma was so excited to pull that cart around.

Our final stop was making hankerchief dolls. Emma got to sew which made her very accomplished. She made one for Abby too.

All-in-all it was a wonderful day (despite the long drive without cell service). Emma really enjoyed out 'mother-daughter date' and I'm really glad that I made the time to do. It was definately worth it. When we left after lunch, Emma and Isabel were tired and decided to 'doze' for a bit...which meant they slept the entire 1 hour 45 minutes back home. :) Thanks to all the ladies who put in the work to make the activity a success!

Painting!

One of the things we have to do before we can move out of base housing is to repaint any walls that we painted. Since I have 3 rooms to paint, I decided to put the kids to work on Columbus Day. Afterall, what good is a holiday if you can't get some slave labor. :) They were so excited...for about 1 hour. Thankfully, they didn't last too much longer because supervising four children with paint brushes took a little work than I had planned on. They had a blast and are so proud of the walls they covered! After they left, I finished priming everything (well almost) and Josh helped put a second coat on.

Today I'm going for the finish. I just want to be able to check painting off my list. Wish me luck!

Parachute time!

I remember playing parachute games during P.E. in elementary school. It was one of my favorite activities! The other weekend, Josh and the kids did some backyard camping. When they were putting the tent up the next day, somehow the rain guard was transformed into a parachute. They had a lot of fun with it. Being in New Mexico, there was plenty of wind...in fact at moments, too much. The kids would hold on and hope it didn't blow away.

Riley wasn't quite sure what to make of it.

Abby liked to run under the parachute.

Emma and Aaron were pros. If only every chore (putting away the tent), could lead to so much fun. Then again, we might never get anything done. :)

What a puzzle he is!

Aaron has always loved puzzles. Earlier in the year he did his first 100 piece puzzle. Then this summer he bought a Disney puzzle set that had 4 150-piece puzzles, 2 300-piece puzzles, and 2 500-pieces puzzles. He did the 150 piece puzzles while we were at the cabin this summer. After school started back, he decided he needed to finish ALL of his puzzles. He did the 300 piece ones by himself, but he wanted my help on the 500 piece puzzles. Luckily, I love puzzles so we had some very enjoyable bonding time. Not only does he enjoy puzzles...he's quite good at them too. Once he was finished, I was grateful to get my dining room table back. :)

Little helpers

This evening, after family prayers, I told the kids they could read a bit. I usually read to Abby and Jacob during the daytime, but for some reason, at night they like to 'read' by themselves. I guess they just want to be like their big brother and sister. I usually don't mind because it gives me a chance to finish picking up. Sometimes I'll catch Emma or Aaron reading to one of the younger ones. It's so nice when they help each other without having to be asked.

Tonight, Jacob was a little more tired than usual. With watching conference, and having a different schedule, he did not get a nap (something that has become a part of his routine lately). And by 7 o'clock it was obvious that his nap had been missed. He was throwing a tantrum and telling me 'No!'...so I put him in bed. I guess Emma had a bit more compassion than I did because a few minutes later I heard her singing to him. It was so sweet that I had to capture it on camera!
Everyone should have a big sister!

I know Jacob is glad he does!

Since I was taking pictures, I walked over to the girls' room and caught Abby 'reading' to herself. She is such a character. I think she could read/sing to herself, make crafts, or do 'schoolwork' all day long. She is one independent girl!

Aaron was reading a Junie B. Jones book to Josh. Aaron is such a good reader that he put Josh to sleep!

I love all my little helpers!

On the lake

Don't worry...I've almost finished posting pictures from our summer adventures. :) Before we left Georgia, most of Josh's family got together at the lake. The kids, of course, had a blast. I think they could live in the water...most of them anyways.
Jacob liked playing up in the house or walking around on the dock. He's such a silly boy!

They took the boat out tubing for a bit. Emma was so excited to be out on the water again.

This year Abigail braved the slide. They have a slide on the dock that goes out over the water. I guess after jumping off of a bridge this didn't seem so scary.

Aaron spent a lot of his time perfectinv his 'dive.' By the end of the day he was actually doing very well. However, Emma got very upset every time I let him take his life jacket off. At least that shows that she loves her brother.

This is Jacob playing on the dock while everyone else is out on the boat.

Time with Nana

This summer the kids got to hang out with my mom. They loved being "country kids" for a bit.

Adventurous eaters

Last night Josh went to visit someone and they sent home some jalapenos from their garden. Being the boys they are, he and Aaron decided to each eat one.
Getting ready for the bite.

Recovering from the bite.

Taking a second bite to finish it off. Why!?!

Feeling the burn.

The remnants of their eating adventure.

The aftermath of man vs. food

After that second bite, Aaron drank and drank and drank.

He kept saying that his throat was hurting. I wonder why. :) I really don't know why he took that second bite...I would never have taken the first one.

He was so pitiful for a few minutes. I think he stomach hurt more from drinking so much than from eating the jalapeno.

He said he'll never eat another jalapeno, but Josh is trying to talk him into making it an annual tradition. Boys!

Aaron was so sure he was sick that he spent a little time in the bathroom. Fortunately, nothing ever happened. Man beat the food this time.

The Dixie Staaaaampede!

One of our favorite places to go is the Dixie Stampede! The food is good and the kids are captivated by the show. It's so fun to watch them clapping their hands and cheering for their side. And they love to drink out of their boot cups all year round. Here's a few pictures from the pre-show.
Jacob his popcorn and drink more than the show.

Abigail loved to see all the animals.

They loved it!

We think it's funny how 'into' it Aaron gets. Last time he was moving to the music. This time he was a little more subdued but nonetheless enchanted. Can't wait till next time!