Truckee/Tahoe Weekend

Back in April, our Stake had a HUGE fundraiser to send all our youth to EFY for Youth Conference. We were able to get in on a newly built cabin and split the cost with our friends.

The weekend that worked for all the families was the one right before school started at the end of August. It turned out to be a nice weekend weather wise and one last thing to do with the kids before school started. It was perfect. Our family ended up getting to the Cabin late Thursday night/Friday morning. (however you look at it.) Friday we drove all the way around Tahoe. The Lake is beautiful -- just freezing cold. We stopped for lunch at Big Daddy's Burgers in South Lake Tahoe, a nice hole in the wall joint and then stopped at Zephyr Cove and let the kids play at the beach for a few hours. They loved it even though the water was so cold. The sand was course and rocky but the kids didn't care.

The kids got a time out for wrecking each others sand areas.

Kyle, Riley and Caden in their "hot tub." Kyle found the big log floating in the water and pushed it over to shore.

 Miles got buried in the sand courtesy of Tyler and Michayla. They even gave him some sand boobs.

Miles unburied himself and probably had sand in places that we don't want to know about.

The next day we went to Sand Harbor. The water was still cold but the sand was so soft. The "Big Kids" swam over to these big rocks and jumped off. Miles, Caden and Tim all jumped off.

John, Tim, Miles Tyler and Caden are all standing on the rock.

Ethan and Lincoln - what cuties.

 Unfortunately my camera died while at Sand Harbor. I did steal a few pictures from Tara. and I know April has some great pictures of Tim jumping off the rock.

We had a great rest of the weekend. We stayed up late and played games while the kids slept. Sunday we hiked down to Emerald Bay and then hiked up to some beautiful waterfalls. We hiked about 3 miles total. On the way back up to our car Avery and Zani were touching the water run-off and Avery slipped and fell into the ice cold water with her clothes on. We had to strip her down to her shirt and diaper and carry her the rest of the way up. 

 No trip is complete without a Tim & Chris picture.

Monday morning we got up and cleaned the cabin and headed home.
We took pictures with our friends before leaving.

December 18, 2011 ~ 13 years

December 18th. Our Anniversary. We have been married for 13 years!

Our Anniversary was on a Sunday this year. So Tim took the girls with him to Safeway on Saturday and they helped him pick out the flowers for me and a card. (He came home with 3 cards!)

 The night of the 18th we went up to the Oakland Temple, and watched Behold the Gift dance performance. Then we walked around the temple grounds and enjoyed the Christmas lights. It was kind of cold that night so we didn't stay too long.

I still can't believe it has been 13 years and soon after 

these 4 turkeys came into our life:

Even though we didn't get married in the Oakland Temple, I love this temple and the temple grounds. There is something unique and special about the Oakland temple.

I am grateful for my eternal family!

Christmas Card 2011

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Our baby is 3!!

 Avery is officially 3! 

We had a crazy day of traveling, football and baseball practice and school starting the next day we didn't do much celebrating. We did have brownies and sing "Happy Birthday" to her before we went to bed.

 She had a hard time blowing out the candle. 

(Yes she has no pants on - that's how it goes when it is the 4th kid!!)

 Talking to Grandma and Grandpa Redding on the phone and trying to get all 3 fingers up!

 Avery got money for her birthday from both sets of grandparents. 

What 3 year old gets cash?? She did!

I'm thinking she is easier to let her pick out what she wants.

The day after her birthday Avery, Zani and I went shopping.

We first hit the Disney Store. The obvious choice since Avery loves anything Mickey or Minnie Mouse. Avery picked out a stuffed Mickey and Pluto right away. Then we found princess jammies. Of course, Zani thought it was her birthday too so she got jammies too. Then we went to Ross and went through every shelf of toys we could find. We ended up getting a princess cash register and a tinkerbell cell phone. Then we had to go pick up Caden from his first day of 3rd grade! The girls had fun birthday shopping and had a hard time just picking a few princess items.

 Being silly in their new PJ's.

Happy Birthday to our Avery! We love you so much!!

Avery's funny ...

The other night I finally cleaned out Alexandra's room. It was overflowing with toys - and after watching a few episodes of Hoarders - it was time to clean up. I did it while Zani was taking a nap so there was no protest of toys that should be gotten rid of. I threw away one bag of toys/junk and have another 3 bags to donate. 

While I was clearing out Avery and I found this baby doll that 

was purchased by my mom at Wal-mart for $3:

This is the following conversation I had with Avery after she picked up the doll and took off it's hat:

Avery: "It's Tim."

Me: "What did you say?"

Avery: "It's Tim baby."

Me: Started laughing because I figured out why she called the baby "Tim."

A perfect resemblance of her daddy's bald head! 

Tim still doesn't believe me that she said it - but it was quite hilarious.

Avery

This little girl will be 3 at the end of this month. She is our biggest sweetheart; coming up and giving Tim and I hugs & kisses without being asked. It melts your heart.

She is also very shy and does not like any attention pointed to her. 

Here is an example:

Last week we went to Utah to visit with family for the week. We went to Liberty Park with Grandma Redding and our cousins on Wednesday. We were riding the rides (which have been there since I was a young girl). Avery got her turn on the little cars. She was happy at first and enjoying herself.

 

 Then we all started waving and cheering for Avery as her little car passed us.

Then her expression turned to this:

She was so embarrassed! Her expression turned from smiles to a frown and wouldn't look and anybody, just the ground. Poor little girl. Saddest face ever!

And then she has a big sister who LOVES the attention:

We have two little girls who are opposite in every way!

But we love them both the same.

Miles @ Camp Loma Mar

Miles had the opportunity to go to a week long education camp with his 5th grade class.
They went to Camp Loma Mar; May 16-20.
Playing Ga-Ga ball.
He bunked with his buddy Brock.
They got fed well and did some school work.
He dressed up crazy for the "Barnyard Boogie" on Wednesday night.
I think Miles enjoyed the dancing.
His 5th grade class.
At the tide pools.
He said he had a lot of fun.
He told us that he didn't even miss us because he was having too much fun all week.
I'm glad he got to go. It was a great week.

Straight Hair?!?

This week at preschool was "career week." So today they had a few cosmetologists come in and style the kids hair. I knew that they were coming so I didn't do Alexandra's hair before school -- I just combed through it. I thought that they would style her hair and make it curly.

But when I picked her up it they had straightened her hair! I was shocked. They said it took a little while to do it. It makes her look older.