Colorado!

 Check us out!  

For Thanksgiving this year, we loaded up and made the trek to Colorado.  My girls were counting down the days for months.  They were so excited!  We moved Ivy from a rear-facing seat to forward facing, so she could watch movies during the 14+ hour drive.  Probably a little too soon for her, but she loved it and was so content.  She fell asleep right away and then partied all night. 

 We stopped in Albuquerque around 8PM on our way-it was so nice to break the drive out up into two days.  The girls all slept great and we headed out around 9 the next morning.  Once we made it to the Copple house, we said so long to our kids who we hardly saw for the next three days.  They were in cousin heaven!

 

One night we went to the mall where they had reindeer, hot chocolate and cookies, and a special visit from Santa. 

 

The girls learned some sweet  dance moves from Audrie.  This one was to Taylor Swift's "Shake it Off"- and man they have not stopped dancing since they learned it.  It's so cute.

 We spent one afternoon wandering around and playing.  It is so beautiful up there.

 Emery became OBSESSED with Chance on this trip.  She basically refused to leave his side.  They wanted a family picture, and she was determined to be in it.  Pretty freaking cute.

 

One day we drove up to Este's Park in hopes of hiking.  Little did we know that when we got there it would be like negative 10 degrees.  It was so so cold.  We walked around and got hot chocolate, played at a park for a few and then drove home. 

 Our last night there we went to Casabella's (I think?) with the Copple's and Kris and Brenna who were in town.  It was a pretty swanky place that I don't care to ever go back to.  ha! 

Overall, such a fun trip.  My kids had a blast and it was nice to spend some time with my sis.  Next time we will plan to stay a few days longer!

photo attempt

FAIL!

I decided to take the girls out by the cotton fields to try to take some pictures of them.  It was freezing, windy, and we went too early so the sun was too harsh.  It did NOT go as planned.  Oh well.

Charlotte cooperated for about thirty seconds.

 But basically, we looked like this.  Me flipping off Clint and the girls screaming because they were cold.

 Oh.  And the sun blinding us.

 If only Ivy were in this one!

Hiking!

Another perfect day for a hike in the San Tans.

 This kid gives THE best open mouthed kisses!

Happy Birthday {EMERY}!!!

This little rascal turned THREE!!  She is still my handful child with a mind of her own and a streak of stubborn that just won't quit, but MAN.  We love this kid!  She is constantly cracking jokes and getting her way.  She got an Elsa dress for her birthday and was completely satisfied.  I'll be sad when the days of easy, one-gift birthdays are over!  

She had rainbow pancakes for breakfast and after church and naps we all had dinner and cake at Grandma Laurie's.  She LOVES being the center of attention!

November

 More letters from Sage:

 

She started doing this when we were changing into pajamas last week. When I asked what she was doing, she said...

"Just lovin on my boobies mom".  

Like it was totally normal.

 We got a bike trailer!  Found a great deal from a friend and these two have been loving it.  We usually go for rides after S and C are at school, so it's awesome with the weather finally being cool enough to go outside.  Ivy falls asleep EVERY time.

 Family Home Evening around the fire pit!  I can't for the life of me remember what our lesson was, but I do know the girls had fun.

Phoenix Temple Open House

We love to see the Temple.  

We are going there someday.

Just maybe not on the very last day of the open house walk through.  

No, we will not do that again.

The two hour each way drive plus the hour long wait to get in plus the hour long tour made for a loooong day with four tired girls.

Little C

 This chick had two teeth grow in behind her two front bottom teeth, long before they were supposed to.  After several months of wriggling and pulling, they finally fell out.  I probably should have taken her to the dentist, but I'm too cheap.  She'll need braces later anyways, right?  

Charlotte continues to be the sweetest, most helpful little thing. She is in the best stage right now.  So happy and pleasant and easy-going.  We sure love her.

Halloween is tough work.

 She had her first field trip to Vertuccio Farms and got to bring home a pumpkin.  She got busy painting it right away.  I was so so sad that my name didn't get drawn to go on the field trip with her, and was worried about her the whole day. But she had such a blast and loved every second of it.

 Her Harvest party at school!  Love this little ham.

 

Soccer season is almost over already.  What?  I feel like we just got started!  She seems to be really picking things up now and her little team is starting to play better together.  Still a mass of 4-5 year olds all fighting for the ball, but so fun to watch!