Fall is Here!

Fall the best time of the year! In Danville that means crisp sunny days, chilly nights, and the trees are in varying degrees of change. I find so much hope and promise in this time of year. If Spring is the inhale then Fall is the exhale. So take a deep breath and let it out slowly so you do not miss anything!

Thanksgiving Day 2011

In an effort to keep up with holiday events I am journaling out of chronological order, (I will catch you up on summer in the near future).
This year we joined forces with the Miner family, the Stout family, and Nora for a good old fashioned Thanksgiving meal. It was the perfect combination of old friends and new friends. We had more food and dessert than we could possibly finish, football games, board games, and great conversations! We even had a sleepover with the Miners and Nora. It was sooo perfect to wake up Friday morning to people sleeping on couches and the floor, my home has never felt so full & happy. We stayed in or pajamas and watched movies. and played games while Nora discovered the American tradition of Black Friday, she had a great time in Target and bought as much as she could carry! A trip to the San Francisco creamery, the movies, and then home to watch the Cal vs, ASU game ended the perfect holiday.
We have some much to be thankful for, most of all each other.

Many Hands Make Light Work...

I was grateful to have many willing hands to assist with dinner and clean-up! I think my house was actually cleaner after entertaining 18 than before they arrived!

Craft Time!

We had 11 children in our home for thanksgiving this year, and I think they were thankful for turkeys made out of candy and plenty of new and old friends to keep them entertained.

Thanksgiving Day Football!

I know that the men (and boys) were thankful this year for a big screen tv and a constant stream of football games.

Danville 1st Wards Boy Scouts

The first of summer always starts out with a week long trip to Camp Oljato for Cyrus. I think that it is truly the highlight of the summer for Cyrus. He comes home completely filthy, covered in bug bites, and grinning from ear to ear! Oh, and the best part is all the merit badges he earns while he is there. Sadly his mom does not sew, but Grandma Pam came to the rescue and helped us get caught up.

A visit from Scotty Potty July 2011

We were very lucky this 4th of July to have a visit from Scott, Tarah, and Rowen!
We tried to keep them busy with parades and trips to Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, and the Muir Woods. We even had a private tour of the Pixar studio! (I think that was Scott's favorite part.) We had allot of fun showing them around our neck of the woods and hope they come visit again really soon!

July 2011 trip to Alcatraz

Check out Brodie in this picture... Yes, it really was that windy!

The cutest convicts ever!

J.D., Talen and Brodie leaving Alcatraz

Muir woods July 2011

Big Sis Little Bro

Scott, Rowen and I pause in this beautiful forrest for a quick pic.

Cyrus Swim Team Summer 2011

Another fun summer full of early morning swim practice and long swim meets. The boys worked hard and were able to beat their personal bests even on their last meet of the season! All their hard work (plus a little bribery) paid off!

Talen Swim Team Summer 2011

Snow cones and ribbons make long swim meets worth it! (At least according to Brodie)

Brodie Little Stingers Summer 2011

Old Fashioned Fun

Talen and Brodie compete in the 3-legged race at the school's county fair.

May 2011 Vista Grande's County Fair

After the entire third grade read Charlotte's Web they put on a county fair complete with hand made crafts and homemade treats! There was even a pet parade. Talen made this watercolor of Cannon Beach and received a blue ribbon!