Happy Halloween!

It seems this year that Halloween has become a week long event rather than just a night of trick or treating. We had a few Halloween Parties, dress-up for dance classes, fall carnival, and then Saturday we had the trunk or treat and the trick or treating. So we have ended up with a lot of candy and a few hyper kids who absolutely loved the week. Here are a few different pictures of the kids in there costumes.

Mud Pies

Little KJ loves her big brother that she calls "I-ya" and tends to follow him everywhere. Today she managed to get out the front door and they ended up in a neighbors back yard where KJ found the most amazing entertaining substance. Mud!! I was outside less than five minutes after the two had left and she was having the time of her life making mud pies. So while her dress soaks in bleach and she soaks in the bath I figured I could do a short update.
Summer started out a little slow. I guess winter doesn't really end here until the middle of June (I have discovered that this is not the best tomato growing climate as the last frost isn't until June and then the first frost of the fall is in the end of August). Summer has been a blur of fun outings, trips and family time. The life of a professor is great. We may not make the most money, but the time off is so great! We loved having Hyrum with us for the last 6 weeks of summer. Below are a few pictures from our summer which included picnics at the park, swimming at grandmas, fourth of july parade, water skiing, camping trips, family reunions, wedding of aunt Tiff, and lots of other fun things. If I ever get the time I want to do a detailed write up of our Southern California trip and Disneyland adventure in April and then the rest of our summer adventures, but that may never happen.

Kira's Birthday

I know it is a few months late, but I wanted to remember Kira's special day. She was so excited to turn four and was even more excited when Grandma Williams and Uncle Tucker showed up to help her celebrate. Her b-day fell on the last Saturday in March so we packed up the van after an egg and toast breakfast per her request, and headed over to Jackson. We all enjoyed the fudge and a McDonalds "Happy Meal" (a birthday tradition is the kids actually get to eat at McDonalds on their b-day and their siblings b-days.) After lunch we head to the Jackson rec center and spent hours in their great swimming pools. Hyrum and I were ready to leave after a few hours, but the kids could have stayed there all day. That evening we did cake and presents. We adore this little girl and are so grateful to have her bubbly, happy and sometimes stubborn personality as part of our family. She is my helper and is very quick to obey, she loves her little sister and gives her dad the best hugs and she is Mage's best playmate. They get along so well and are constantly make believing (she is an awesome sister who plays transformers, star wars and all other kids of "boy games") We love Kira!

Opening presents

Kids eating their happy meal

Family at the antelor arch in Jackson, WY

One of the many dressed up looks we get in our house. It is always a surprise to me what they will ascend up the stairs in.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of our wonderful Mothers and Grandmothers and those who we have adopted and have adopted us. I am so grateful for the amazing women in my life and in my children's. I often think about the amount of love my children receive from others and the many examples they have to look to. I realize how imperfect the above clip was, but I figured that a grandmother would excuse the horrible piano playing, unlady-like behavior and the sibling rivalry. We love you!



This is a duet that Mage played with Matthew Tolton (friend of ours and son of our very good friends Dallas and Justin)

Spring is coming...I think????

Hurray!!! things are finally starting to melt here and I am so excited!!!!!!!!1 (do you think I used enough exclamation points.) It is always so refreshing to see the little running streams outside. We however have missed the last 3 decent days because of this horrible cold virus. Mage came home with it on Tuesday and by Thursday all 3 kids had a fever, headaches, nasty nose and cough. We are almost through it and I think Mage can return to school. Other than that KJ is finally walking. Mage was able to do the monkey bars today at the park and Kira rode a two wheeler for 5 seconds by herself. Mage and Kira love their gymnastic class and swim lessons. Both are working really hard and being brave which is nice to see with my more timid children. I really don't know what I do with my time, but I do stay busy. I get to be the "Art Mom" for Mage's class which is kind of laughable given that I don't have any artistic talent. I do love being able to go into his classroom and get to know his teacher and friends. He has also started a blog (keep asking to have a website for himself so Hyrum started a blog for him. See the link on the list to the side) Kira and a little neighbor girl do a "dance school" where myself and the neighbor girl's mom work with the girls on dancing, art and letters. Kira loves to dance and it is fun to see her creativity. KJ is just cute and sweet. She gives lots of kisses, loves to be held by me and can throw the most amazing temper tantrums when I don't pay attention to her as she would like.