Roast-a-doro!

We celebrated the colder weather with a roast and invited our neighbors and some families from our ward.  It was so much fun, and even though my personal favorite was the chili topped with Frito's (who doesn't love Frito's?!?), I think the favorite by far was the s'mores with dark chocolate!   

Dora and Alan (not pictured)

 

Zachary

 

 

 

Olivia, Samuel, and Gabriel

 

Tammy and John

 

 Crystal and Brandon

 

The kids had a blast roaring around in the car.

 

Overcast Day = Perfect Park Fun

 

 

We met up with a good friend of mine, a fellow school mom, for a park play date and had just the best time.  Nothing beats an overcast day that's perfect for playing while you keep toasty with a warm sweater!

Field Trip: CSUS

The kids love that dad is back in school just like them.  One night I took the kids to see what it was all about.

 

They couldn't believe the size of the campus and loved seeing dad when his class let out for break.  Samuel even took them inside to see what his classroom looked like and where his desk was.

 

All was well until we left got a flat tire on the way home!  Luckily Samuel was able to reach us quickly and get us off the side of the road.  What an adventure!

An 'Ensign to the Nations' and to my sons...

What a sight!

Laundry Fairies

At the close of each day we gather someplace within the house for family scripture study, song, and prayer.  Sometimes there's a mound of laundry nearby, and it never fails that my laundry fairies are eager to help.

Sometimes the help is really that:

Help.

And other times, it's anything but!

Either way, I love it!  And I will surely miss these little hands when they are grown and gone!

Experience

It's been 2 months now that I've updated my blog and I'm missing it. So many memories are created every moment of every day. It is a blessing to look back and see what transpired...
both the good, the bad, and yes, even the sad.

"...all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good."
Doctrine & Covenants 122:7

Such is life!

And yes, it is very much, a blessed life.

Owen's Big Boy Bed

What happened to my baby?!?

He's all grown up and sleeping in a bed all his own.  He has surprised us all by doing so well too.  He runs to bed when it's naptime or bedtime and literally conks out everytime.

I love you sweetheart!

Sleep tight!

Happy Halloween!

This year we lined our walk with pumpkins.  My favorite part of carving them is getting all those yummy seeds out to toast!

 

My girls!

 

Ava and Isabella with their cousin, Abby!

 

Lennon and Jacob looking pretty scary!

 

A sweet kitty and a ghost!

 

 

Did you ever meet Sam's twin sister?

 

My sister-in-law Red and her sweet baby girl Miss V.

 

All wrapped up!

 

Aunt Leah, aka Pirate Booty, escorting the kids on their walk!

 

Later we stopped by my parents house and visited for a bit.

 

Grandma Lopez all decked out in her Halloween earrings!

 

 

It's neat to see Grandma telling stories to the great-grand kids.

 

Happy Halloween!

We hope you had a great time too!

Ward Halloween Spooktacular!

Our Ward Activities Committee put on a fantastic Halloween event!  This year Bella went as Mulan, Ava a zombie, Iris a princess fairy, and Owen went as either Diego or a fisherman (depending on who you ask!).

 

Everywhere you turned there was something fun going on!

 

Who doesn't love a donut on a string?

The best part of the evening came later during the Trunk or Treat.  Our kids love hitting each car one right after another-it's a candy bonanza!-so much so that it spoils them for the real thing when they actually have to walk from house to house!

Yesh!

Happy Halloween everyone!

My Monkey

Ava's class donned their monkey t-shirts to the pumpkin patch!

Looking good Ava!