our last RV adventure

For our last RV adventure, we traveled down to Tombstone and Bisbee AZ this past weekend. Our friends Jeff and Adrienne own the RV and asked us last year if we wanted to share it with them for a year. We have had so much fun on our travels and have made some great memories with our kids. How will I ever go back to camping in a tent?! I've been spoiled! We traveled down to Tombstone in January, we had so much fun we decided to go there again. (and we wanted to stay south where it's warm)

the fam


When we came in January, we saw a show about the famous OK Corral shootout. This guy plays Doc Holliday. He was by far the best actor in the show and he was in full character when Braden asked for his picture. We saw him on "The Colbert Report" a few months ago, you can check it out here, it's pretty funny
in front of the famous Bird Cage Theatre

Allen Street

the kids wanted a picture in the coffin...

we were cracking up...

and Heston is just doing what his brother and sister are doing

Howdy pardner

Braden in Bisbee (can't see the B on the mountain very well)

downtown Bisbee. They had this great antique store there. We found a "Pigs in Space" lunch box like the one Aaron had as a kid.

us in Tombstone

one word sums it up...

my heart is full of love and gratitude for all my blessings

I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving

what's up this week

The holidays are fast approaching and like many of you I've been running like crazy just trying to keep up with everything. I love the holidays and I'm looking forward to some relaxing family time.

This week, I had the pleasure of attending a defensive driving course. A few weeks ago on my way to take H to preschool, I was going 46 in a 35 through an intersection and was caught by the photo cameras. The speed limit is usually 45 on most roads here but I didn't realize this certain area was 35. The ticket was $210 (um, yeah that's not cheap) so I opted to pay $198 and attend a 5 hour class so that it doesn't go on my record and change my insurance rates. Good times...I have vowed to become a slower driver. I was telling Aaron that it was actually kind of nice in one aspect...I could sit for a couple of hours just focusing on 1 thing and not having anyone yelling for 'Mom'. :0)

This week at school, Braden received the Jaguar Award from his principal at flag ceremony. It was for being kind and respectful. I'm so proud of him :)

(hey Mom, you'll have to tell Gary and Maryann that B is representin' DD in AZ for them, he loves that shirt)

The weather here is beautiful so it's back to playing at the park. Our sweet little Paigey kinnny kin kins...my little buddy and crafty partner in crime :)

H had his preschool program yesterday. I told him to go get his shoes on, we hopped in the car and when we got there, I realized he had his Buzz slippers on. I laughed and thought he would be in the back, no one would see them. I bet you can guess where they put him on the stage...you guessed it...the front row. The curtain was closed and the kids were shuffling into place and I could see his slippers, in all their glory with lights blinking, under the curtain. It was cute...those are the things you don't want to forget.

JoJo Henry

The kids have wanted a pet for a long time. We've hesitated because they are a lot of work. (I've got my hands full with the 3 munchkins we have as it is) Last week, a cat started coming over. We're pretty sure it belongs to one of our neighbors because we've seen it around. We don't know if it's a boy or a girl but the kids have named it JoJo Henry. He/She (we're pretty sure it's a girl) waits by the patio for the kids to come home from school. It's cute to see the kids interact with Jojo.
Aaron's not convinced. He hates cats. Always has. Always will.
My mom on the other hand thinks it's adorable :)

Mission Beach, CA and BYU football game

I'm a little behind here...story of my life!
Last month, we took the RV down to San Diego for the BYU/San Diego State football game. On Friday, we spent the day at Mission Beach. The weather was absolutely perfect! Aaron bought some boogie boards for the kids and they had a blast. It was a fun day hanging out as a family. (I'm cherishing every moment of this stuff because these kids are growing up way too fast)

We went to Qualcomm Stadium on Saturday and did some tailgating before the game. When we went to find our seats, we were pleasantly surprised how close we were to the field.

my poor children...Aaron's turned them to the dark side (the Yankees)
No one tell my Grandma :)

some of the players came by after the game to say Hi to the fans. This is Harvey Unga.

OK now it's time for a helpful tip for all you parents out there that have little ones.

Nacho cheese is a good thing when you want your child to be good during a football game.

Hes will now demonstrate:

MarShel

MarShel-

Thank you

for your friendship

your laugh

the fun times...we had lots of those

your positive energy

for your courage

You will be greatly missed!

love ya!

k

Our Grand Canyon adventure

I've been a slacker when it comes to blogging lately. The last 2 weekends we've been gone and I'm just trying to catch up on some things. Last weekend (October 9-11) we joined Aaron on a trip to the Grand Canyon. He usually goes with some friends and hikes every year...this year we decided to go with him. He hiked from the South to the North Rim along the Kaibab trail. We stayed at a lodge on the South side the first night and then the kids and I drove around to the North Rim to meet him. It took us about 4 hours but we really enjoyed it. I'm one of those people who like to stop and get out of the car, take pictures and just enjoy the drive and that's what we did. We stopped at every lookout and just enjoyed the scenery. We can't wait to go back!

Us at the North Rim

the boys

North Rim
can you believe this?!
Moran Point- South rim
Grandview Point- South rim
this is inside the Grand Canyon lodge on the North rim. This is the only hotel on the North side. The seats are facing these huge windows that overlook the canyon. This place was built in the 1930s...I loved it! They just don't build things like they used to! the lodge from a lookout point
I took this right outside our room. Those little black and white squirrels are called Kaibab squirrels and the only place they're found is on the North rim.

Bison on the North rim...sorry you can't see them very well. Someday I'll get a zoom lens...someday...

Aaron at the North Kaibab trail after his hike. 22 miles...he said the last 4 were brutal. I'll take his word for it

the Watch Tower- South rim

the little munchkins

on the way there, we saw this Fred Flintstone RV park and thought we'd stop. My kids only know who this is because they take Flintstone vitamins. They've never seen the cartoons, how sad it that?!

If you're wondering what Yabba Dabba Do means...the mystery has been solved

Dancing with the Stars

I haven't blogged in a while and I can't believe I haven't blogged about this season's DWTS! I watched last season but I couldn't get into it like I have in the past. There wasn't one person that I was really excited to watch. I am so excited for this season and my hands down favorite celebrity is....

Donny Osmond and Kym!! He is so fun to watch and they're doing awesome so far. I'm hoping they win it this year.

My other 2 favorites are...

Mya and Dmitry

and

Kelly and Louis

Who are your favorites this season?

Zenhabits

I found this great website through Ali Edward's blog. There are so many great things I've read here and I just wanted to share it with you. I'm always (like everyone) striving to live a balanced life...trying to juggle all the things that I love in my life without dropping anything. I loved this article I came across today.

"Do Interesting Things"

“Whatever you dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.” - Goethe
Post written by Leo Babauta.

We live in interesting times. We’re blessed that way.
The world is changing rapidly.
The way we work is changing, the way we live has already changed. Entire industries are crumbling, and more are growing on their ruins. People are empowered to express themselves, to create, to become a part of a global conversation and transformation, in a way that has never existed before.
What will you do with that?
What will your place be in this new, interesting world? Will you have a voice? Will you be a creator, or just a consumer?
Do something.
Do something interesting.
Be a part of the conversation, and say something remarkable. Create something unique, new, beautiful. Build upon the works of others and transform it into your own.

How to do this?

Write a book. Or an ebook. Write poetry and publish it on the web. Create interesting, lovely or funny videos, put them on You Tube. Be passionate. Write a web app that will solve a problem in people’s lives. Become a watchdog to replace the faltering newspapers. Explore the world, and blog about it. Try something you’ve always been afraid to try, and put it on video. Be yourself, loudly. Start a new company, doing only one thing, but doing it very well. Start a business that does a service you’ve always wanted, or that you are frustrated with in other companies because the service sucks. Put your heart into something. Say something that no one else dares to say. Do something others are afraid to do. Help someone no one else cares to help. Make the lives of others better. Make music that makes others want to weep, to laugh, to create. Inspire others by being inspiring. Teach young people to do amazing things. Write a play, get others to act in it, record it. Empower others to do things they’ve never been able to do before. Read, and read, and then write. Love, and love, and then help others to love. Do something good and ask others to pass it on. Be profound. Find focus in a world without it. Become minimalist in a world of dizzying complexity. Reach out to those who are frustrated, depressed, angry, confused, sad, hurt. Be the voice for those without one. Learn, do, then teach. Meet new people, become fast friends. Dare to be wrong. Take lots and lots of pictures. Explore new cultures. Be different. Paint a huge mural. Create a web comic. Be a dork, but do it boldly. Interview people. Observe people. Create new clothes. Take old stuff and make new stuff from it. Read weird stuff. Study the greats, and emulate them. Be interested in others. Surprise people. Start a blog, write at least a little each day. Cook great food, and share it. Be open-minded. Help someone else start a small business. Focus on less but do it better. Help others achieve their dreams. Put a smile on someone’s face, every day. Start an open-source project. Make a podcast.

Start a movement.

Be brave.

Be honest.

Be hilarious.

Get really, really good at something.

Practice a lot.

A lot.

Start now.

Try.

lazy sunday

Here are a couple of pages I did today. There's still so much to learn in Photoshop! I'm enjoying the learning process though. I've been doing digital scrapping for a year now and I really enjoy it. If you like to play on the computer, it's a lot of fun!

I just realized the journaling is all messed up on Braden's page but I'm too lazy to post the fixed one :)

change is good

After 2 1/2 years of service, I was released as Primary President. It was a great learning experience filled with ups and downs but I'm thankful for the opportunity I had to serve in that calling. Last Sunday, our stake was reorganized. It was something that desperately needed to be done. (the wards were really small) We're in a new ward and new building, it'll be fun to meet some new people. Change is good...