Pumpkin Patch

Our annual family trip to the pumpkin patch was a lot of fun. All of the kids once again decided to get individual pumpkins instead of one huge family pumpkin. I keep thinking that one year they will see the huge ones and change their mind...maybe next year.I would love for one year just one year to go to the pumpkin patch and need a sweater. Once again this year it was very warm and all the kids faces were flushed and they were looking for some shade. Don't get me wrong I love our Southern California weather I just would like a cool down in October every once in a while.
Sorry for all of the collages. I was having a hard time choosing which pictures to use.

Happy Halloween!

6 minutes and 40 seconds

Brooke got Student of the Month at her Junior High School this week. I got a letter in the mail last week letting Mike and I know that she was getting this award. However the mystery was in what class was she getting it for. We are used to her getting awards for her academics so we assumed it was for Science, Language Arts, or something in that nature.

When they called her up to present her award it was for PE. Her PE teacher told everyone how awesome and athletic she is. Brooke got this award because of her time in the mile. 6 minutes and 40 seconds that was her time and it is the fastest girls time at the school. I'm so proud of her she amazes me everyday.

Bathroom Duty

Each day our kids have different chores to do. The chores rotate through the kids so they don't have to do the same thing everyday. One day last week Spencer had bathroom duty and I decided to go check on how he was doing and this is what I found...Jake cleaning the toilet and having a good time doing it.
Got to love being the youngest :o)

Jake's Field Trip

This was Jakes first field trip to the Pumpkin Patch. He was so excited about going and picking the perfect medium sized pumpkin. I thought it was very funny that he told me he wanted a medium pumpkin...I didn't even no that he knew what size medium was. Jake is a total crack up and is so much fun to be around right now. Well I should say fun and exhausting to be around :)
The Pumpkin Patch that we went to was a lot of fun. There was a ton of stuff for the kids to do. They started off the day going on a hay ride through the maze of sunflowers and then they were dropped off to pick out their pumpkin. There was also a fun park to play at, animals to feed, and a hay stack to climb what more could a three year old ask for. Jake and his friend Mina had a great time together.Picking out the perfect pumpkin was the highlight of the day. Jake ended up picking a green pumpkin. I was a little surprised and I asked him why he chose a green one. He told me it was because it was my favorite color. What an awesome little guy choosing a pumpkin in his Moms favorite color.

Party for Grandma

Sunday night I had everyone over that could make it for a birthday dinner for Mom. Everyone seemed to have a good time. We had a great dinner...beef stew in sourdough bread bowls, salad, and 2 yummy desserts that Tera brought. Andi made an awesome chocolate bundt cake and Tera made cinnamon rolls. The desserts looked very yummy and everyone wanted seconds. I love getting together with my family we always have a lot of fun together.Brooke and Andi made Grandma a birthday tiara.
So Cute!

Cousin Swap

So for the past couple of years every General Conference Tera and I are talked into a swap of kids for a sleepover. It has kinda of become a little tradition that the kids love. This year Andi and Nate came back with us to our house while Tyler and Spencer stayed and Scott and Tera's house. The kids of course always have a fun time, but at the same time we do try and get them to watch most of conference. We usually print out Conference packets for them to do or make a game of bingo with key words that are usually discussed.
After conference Mike and i decided that it would be fun to let the kids all make their own personal pizza. Jake and Nate were very excited about putting on the peperoni. They played all day and got along perfectly it was awesome.
I had nothing but problems with Brooke and Andi the whole weekend J/K. Of course they were nothing but perfect as usual.

My Mom

(I love this picture of Brooke and my Mom)

Today is my Mom's Birthday and I thought it's the perfect time to let everyone know how awesome she is. I don't even know where to start because the list is endless of how awesome she is. I am so blessed to have the worlds best example of how to be a great Mom. My Mom is the most selfless person that I know. It doesn't matter what she has planned if one of us kids call and needs something she drops everything and comes to our rescue. She has taught me so much but most of all she has taught me how to serve. She has served her whole life whether its been in the church, her friends, or her family. I have never known her to complain about anything. Not only is she the best Mom, but I think she's an awesome Grandma. My kids ask me weekly when they can go see Grandma and Grandpa. My Mom has the knack to make you feel so special that you are the most important thing in the world. No wonder why we all gravitate to her.

Thank you Mom for everything you have taught me and for the example you are to me.

I asked the kids what they love about Grandma and this was their responses...

Brooke ( a total Grandma's girl) - She's the best ever ever ever! I love everything about her especially spending any and all spare time with her.

Spencer - She is happy and always wants to spend time with me. She uses her own time to do stuff with me like I'm the only thing that matters at that moment.

Tyler - I love my Grandma she likes to play Uno with me. I love it when she invites me for sleepovers at her house. I know she loves me.

Jake - I Love Grandma's purse and all the candy I finds in it. I love giving Grandma HUGE hugs.

Love You Mom and
Happy Birthday!

Brooke the Cook

All I can say is YUMMY!

I bought Brooke this amazing cookbook (Martha Stewart's Cupcakes) filled with over 200 recipes of just cupcakes. What was I thinking how can I stay on a diet with all her amazing desserts...a whole lot of self control on my part. However the boys and Mike are absolutely thrilled with her new cookbook and are constantly asking for more cupcakes.

So far she has made: Streusel cupcakes (Mikes favorite), raspberry marble cheesecakes, flourless chocolate cupcakes, mint filled brownie cupcakes (her favorite), and Boston cream pie cupcakes (shown above). She amazes me on a daily basis at how well she can cook and follow complex recipes.

So if anyone has a craving for a great cupcake just ask Brookie.

Tyler is Student of the Month

Monday was the first awards assembly of the year and I got an email from Tyler's teacher to make sure that I would be there because Tyler was getting an award. Both Mike and I were able to be there and watch Tyler get a little embarrassed as his name was called for Student of the Month. Tyler is really enjoying first grade and loves his teacher.

This is what Tyler's teacher wrote about him which was read in front of the school as he was getting his award...
"Tyler is polite and kind to others. He turns in all his homework and class work on time. He is very neat and cooperative. I love having Tyler in my class."

Way to go Tyler!

Brooke's Team Soccer Pictures

Well it was time for the annual soccer pictures for Brooke's team and all the girls were having a great time. I don't think anyone was camera shy that day. The girls couldn't get enough of the camera and of course that made me very happy since I love taking pictures.