Fun in the Sun

This past weekend we went down to Phoenix to spend sometime with my family. It was such beautiful weather, you wouldn't think it was fall for sure. We went down early on Thursday so that we could be with my sister on her days off, and then stayed until Sunday to go to Henry's, my nephew, 3rd birthday party. It was a fun weekend for the girls filled with cousins again! There is not much more that they enjoy more than hanging out with their cousins. Needless to say they were not happy campers on the drive home! We went to some of Kaylee's softball tournament, had lots of time jumping on the trampoline, and then of course Henry's birthday party at Peter Piper Pizza! On the way home we where blessed to get our trip extended some. Instead of a two and half hour drive home, it became a 4 hour drive due to some awful traffic! Thank heaven's for those little travel TVs!

It's so fun to have cousins to climb on!

The snugglers!Kolton's going to get this one!So, the kids thought it was great fun to imitate the statues. Can you guess what Taylin's doing?Tramplin all over each other on the trampoline!Taylin's driving Kyler in the ice cream truck!Henry's going to get that last candle!

Moments for Sharing

Today, while I was putting laundry away, I heard Rayna yelling for Taylin, trying to figure out where she was. I heard Taylin call for her telling her she was in the bathroom. Once Rayna was in the bathroom Taylin says to her, "Rayna, look at my poo poos." A moment later I hear from Rayna, "Oh, wow!" Taylin says, "I know its a big one." Then Rayna comes running to me, "Taylin's a big girl, she went poo poos in the potty!" What a cherished moment. I'm so glad my children feel so comfortable sharing their bathroom moments!

Fall Festivals!

Today we went with our friends the Gomez's and took the kids to a little fall festival at one of our local nurseries. The kids had fun getting their faces painted, playing in the hay maze, making crafts, and riding the pony's! However, I think their favorite part is just having more buddies to do all the stuff with! They love their friends.

Taylin in the hay maze

Rayna getting her face paintedTaylin getting her face paintedThree posing girls! Gracie, Taylin, and RaynaTaylin and Gracie coloring their masterpieces Rayna making her pine cone bird feederRayna loved her pony ride!It took some encouragement for Taylin to get on the pony, but after seeing everyone else ride and finding the little ponies, she mustered up her courage.Rayna had a hard time saying good bye to her pony.Family poses are so fun to try to capture!

What Taylin Came Away With From Last Weekend

We have been blessed this week from Taylin carring on her previous weekend. After spending several days with Kaylee and playing with her phone this is what Taylin has had in her head.

Weekend with the Cousins!

I'm a little late, but this past weekend the girls got to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house while Daniel and I had to work. You might think it was a bummer for them because we had to work, but they couldn't wait to get into Grandma's car! I'm glad they like to go to her house, but it does make me a little sad to think that they really don't need me! They got an added bonus at Grandma's house with there cousins arriving there too! Oh, how they love their cousins. I don't know how much Grandma actually took care of them, or if really it was the kids! Anyways, they had a blast! I came on Monday morning and stayed the night and we didn't go home until Tuesday. It was nice to be able to hang out with my sister and her family for a little bit. We mainly stayed at my Mom's house for most of the time, but we did go and hang out at a nearby lake, Granite Lake, and had a BBQ, and made banana boats and all (if you have never heard of banana boats, they are a good change up from smores!).

Our Sleeping Beauties

Rayna and Kaylee all kisses!

Taylin's Bud (Kolton)

Their adventures in rock climbing (Kyler, Kolton, Kaylee, and Taylin)

Their on top of the world!

Fall Colors

Today we drove up to Lockett Meadows to enjoy the changing colors of the trees. There is something about fall that is all to inviting for me. The leaves changing, the cool brisk air, the apples and pumpkins showing up everywhere, the smell of cookies baking in the oven, and a warm cup of tea all are things that I love to cherish about this time of year. This year I am really seeing Taylin's memory come out. We usually drive up to Lockett Meadow at least once a year around this time and its been a year since the last time we were up there, but Taylin remembered the drive even before we got there. It is fun to see her be able to remember something. It was a really windy day, and was actually quite cold when we were there, but we still had fun having a picnic and walking around the woods. My little hikers were not as motivated as Mommy would have liked them to be, but I guess I can't really expect that yet.

Fall Traditions

I am definitely a person who likes tradition. Therefore, it's really not that surprising that I desire to instill them in my children! So, one of my traditions that I am attempting to put in place for us is making caramel apples in the fall. Today was our third year of making caramel apples. Taylin has gotten the hang of it and remembers making them now. This was Rayna first year to be able to help, and she loved being a big girl! From taking off stickers, washing and drying the apples, putting the sticks in, unwrapping the caramel, stirring the pot, to putting the goods on the apples, the girls were all in. Its cute to see how well the girls work together when we are doing a constructive activity. It's a nice change from the bitter sibling rivalry that often happens! Here are the pics of our day.

Unwrapping the caramels

The apples are ready to be decorated

Taylin is working hard at stirring.

It's Rayna's turn to stir.

Their yummy creations!

Anybody for a bite?

Enjoying the fruit of their labor!

Crazy Hair Day!

What is about little girls that they all like to cut their hair? Does anybody know? Is it the joy of taking their own hairs' destiny and being the one in control of it? Is the nostalgia of how beautiful they dream they will be after its done? Or is it just the curiosity of cause and effect? I'm at a loss! And yes, if you are wondering, my 4 year old daughter has done it again. She has gotten her little hands onto a pair of scissors and cut her hair. The really sad thing is, that just the other day I was telling my mother-in-law that Taylin's hair was finally starting to even out (from other incidences) and I didn't think I was going to have to cut it anymore. Boy, did I speak to soon! Its not like I was a negligent mother and left her in a room by herself full of scissors and she just happened to stumble upon a one. Oh, no, she was sneaky, and intentionally deceitful, she knew it was wrong! Although, after a rough afternoon of punishment, she says she will never cut her hair again. Well, I hope shes right. As a mom, I'm tired of covering up hair problems! Its funny, I keep thinking God must be trying to teach me something with this whole hair thing? Is my pride to big for my children's looks? I always thought that was just one of those natural biases that every parent has over their children. Or is God trying to teach Taylin something? Is it just a normal part of her learning about life and growing up. Maybe it's all of the above, but personally right now, I feel like God is working on me!