Happy Birthday, EMERY!

 My babe is FOUR!

She has been so anxious for her birthday this year.  We had a little family get together with Clint's fam and the following day went to dinner with mine.  She opened her few presents and was on cloud 9 all day.  We did birthday pancakes, took Oreo's to her friends at preschool, and enjoyed being the center of attention.  I sure love this brown-eyed-beauty.

Honor Roll

 I'm so proud of these two beauties.

Despite being tossed from school to school, they work hard and are doing great at school.  Sage made all A's and Charlotte made all A's and B's.  I hope they can continue to care about their grades and start to understand what it all means.

Field Trip

 I love going on field trip's with my girlies. 

For the first few hours, anyway.  

After that, I'm pretty much done.  ha!

Charlotte and I had so much fun together at the Phoenix Children's Museum.  It was our first time going there, and I'll definitely have to take my other kids there.  It was awesome!

{GARTH BROOKS}

So, Garth Brooks came to town.

I tried to ignore it.

I tried to pretend that seeing everyone go to his concert and have the time of their lives wasn't killing me inside.

It didn't work. 

So?

I bought tickets for Clint and I as a birthday gift to myself.  Holla!

It was AMAZING!  I'm not much of a concert person, but I grew up listening to Garth and all of his songs are basically my favorite.  We had so much fun and it was so nice to get out!

Our seats were in the VERY top row, right behind the stage.  haha.  The worst kind of nose-bleed seats you can find.  But we danced our hearts out (well, I did.) and had so much fun.

November

 visiting Great Grandma's house

 Clearly, I've given up too soon.

I dressed this kid and don't even care that she doesn't match at all.  Her feet are warm, and that was my goal.

 Every time these cousins play together, I am so so thankful that they have each other and LOVE each other.

 These two.  

They are little rascals when they're together!  You literally cannot stop watching them for two seconds, or they are up to something like this:

All things Halloween

 Our Halloween weekend started with our new 

ward's trunk or treat!

Despite not knowing anyone yet, 

we all had a great time and the girls made out like bandits.  

Olaf, Anna, Elsa, aaaaand- a bumble bee.  

Because it's what I had, people.

  

  

Halloween morning we went to a neighbor friend's birthday party and got our sugar high started out first thing.  I see pictures like these and think I've got the prettiest little girls ever created.

 And, finally.

Halloween night!  We trick-or-treated at my mom and dad's neighborhood again because it's the best place ever.  BJ and Kat and their girls came so all these chicks were in heaven.

ALA Halloween Parade

 Another year, another silly school parade.  

Sorry.

I hate these things!

I've never been a huge fan of Halloween but since my girls love it, I try to smile about it.  Classic Elsa and Olaf. 

Pumpkins

 I had all these big plans for fall this year.   Schnepf farms.  Vertuccio farms.  Pumpkin patches galore.  Well, turns out I suck at all things that require planning and/or paying money.  So, one Wal-mart pumpkin it was for us this year!  haha.  We let the girls draw the face and Clint carved it out.  Done and Done.

Hodge Podge

 Let's play catch up.

Again.

OCTOBER:

 This third child of mine thinks she is done with naps.  And yet most days, I either can't wake her up or can't help but laugh at the drool pouring out of her mouth while she naps in the van.

 And then there's this kid:

who thinks she can help herself to my computer at 6AM while I'm still sleeping.  What the?

 Practicing her nail skills on mom.

 Another General Conference weekend in our tent, being reminded of our many blessings and reflecting on the life of my Savior.

 Lots of park days and nights and MOSQUITOES.  When will they ever disappear?  We are all covered in bites.

 Family walks on Sundays are never quite as they seem. 

 Someone always ends up traumatized. 

 Popsicles with friends and cousins!

 These two continue to steal my green smoothies every day.  

I continue to let them cuz it keeps them pooping on time.  :)

 Oh, Emery.

I think there's hope for us after all.

 Apparently the whip-nay-nay is a big deal.

 Sage and her pal Lilly at school.  

Sage is OBSESSED with the thumbs up smile!

 On her non-pre-school days, this chick paints for HOURS.  

She loves it and I love it.

 On this day, I was full of energy and wanted to tackle my list of ever-growing projects and jobs and to-do's.  I wanted to be back in the work force and feeling successful.  I was reminded instead, to let my kids be little and enjoy these moments with them.  I often get in too big a hurry and in my own head thinking I'm not accomplishing enough; but in my heart- I know I am and that my job as a mom is the most important one I can be doing right now.