Smores!

So there is nothing too special about roating marshmellows in the backyard. I am just putting them on the blob because I like how the pictures turned out! I like the sky in the first couple. And for some reason (that I can't really explain), I love to take pictures of fire. And yes, I know I am weird.

The Accident

Many of you already know this, but last week Scott was in a nasty car accident on his way to work. The good news is that no one was hurt more than sore muscles. Someone was definatly watching over Scott that night.

So he was driving down Hunt Highway (which is only 2 lanes, super busy and under construction) when he and the 4 cars ahead of him came to a complete stop to wait while a car made a left turn. The car behind Scott also came to a stop. Sadly, the huge truck behind her did not stop. He his her going about 50 mph. The force made her car fly off the road. By the time Scott saw her car on his side, he had already been hit by the same truck. The impact caused Scott to hit the person in front of him who then hit the person of front of them. There were 5 cars involved.

So I was at home reading the kids a story when my phone started ringing. I saw that it was Scott and my heart stopped. He doesn't call me 15 minutes after he leaves for work to say that he misses me. It is always bad news. I answered with "What's wrong?!" I am still not allowed to drive, but really what choice did we have? I loaded all the kids and we went to pick Scott up. This is not what any wife wants to see! Scott was all shaken up and when I saw the car, so was I! If Scott had had a passenger, they would have been injured. This truck was in his back seat!

The night went from bad to worse. But in the end, everyone is safe! His car was a total loss. But the other guy's insurance company accepted complete responsibilty in a matter of just 36 hours. So they got Scott a rental car. Then we got the call yesterday that they have already cut him a check for his car (that is higher than we expected!). It only took a week!!! I am actually a little bummed about that. We only get the rental until Monday. That means we need a new car by Monday!!!!

Scott and I have had plans for quite some time for a weekend get away to celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary. I will be so bummed if we have to spend the weekend car shopping! I HATE car shopping with a passion! Too bad they don't have car coupons. Then it would be more fun!

More posts coming! I want to catch up (instead of doing homework!).

Sneak Peak.....

I have lots of pictures and stories I want to blog about. But I got so excited when I saw this picture, that I just couldn't wait to share!

We hired a photographer to take our family Christmas pictures this year. She took them at the Royal Palms Resort in Scottsdale. This is the first "sneak peak" that I have seen and I love it, especially since Scott and I will be celebrating our 8 year anniversary in just a week! Now I am just crossing my fingers that we captured a decent family photo. I have a kid or two that don't stand still and smile! You would think that by now, they would be trained.

Now I should really get back to my homework. Only 3 1/2 more weeks of classes and I am DONE!!!

Halloween Fun

We had a a very busy Halloween weekend. I was still recovering from Friday's school festivities. But Saturday we had 2 soccer games, tumbling, shopping, and a big costume block party. The party was so much fun. It was just down the street from us so we could walk. They had a DJ, band, bounce house, fire truck, and TONS of food. And everyone, even adults, were required to wear costumes. It was fun seeing what the adults came up with!

Then Sunday we had church, pumpkin carving, portraits, and trick-or-treating. So here are some pics from the pumpkin decorating/carving...

And here we are ready for trick-or-treating....

Not many pics of the kids in their costumes because they were way too anxious to get candy and we had just had portraits done! But Kyler was an astronaught, Danika was a rock start, Makenzie was a cheerleader, and Laynee was a ladybug.

The kids scored big time trick-or-treating! We never had much luck in our old neighborhood because no one was ever home. But this was a whole other story. There were just hundreds of people sitting in drive way, amazing decorations, and kids galore!!!! We went through 2 1/2 bags of candy in 10 minutes and I was only giving one piece per kid!

And the pumpkin all lit up...

Everyone went to bed exhausted!!!! (And thus we were all cranky the next day! lol)

Literature Parade

Since kids are no longer allowed to wear Halloween costumes to school, the big kids' school came up with an alternative: a Literature Parade. The kids dressed up as their favorite character from a book and paraded around the school while parents cheered. It was cute. (But since the girls are only in school for 3 hours on Fridays and they also had a harvest party- it was a super overwhelming morning! I cancelled the rest of our plans for the day and took a long nap!)

I had planned out all the kids characters and costumes before I got sick. But in the end, Scott had to put most of it together. He did a great job!

Kyler picked to be Ralph S. Mouse. He read all three Ralph books a couple months ago so it was a perfect choice. Scott made his helmet out of a white mixing bowl.



Makenzie picked to be Pinkalicious. This was no surprise to anyone! She found this book at the library sometime last year and made me read it over and over! So we got her a copy last Christmas and it continues to be a favorite! We already had a tutu, wings, tights, and a crown so this a super easy one. We just had to spray her hair pink. It took an entire can to make her hair look pink!

I tried to talk Danika into being Fancy Nancy since we have 3 sets of Fancy Nancy costumes....but she is strong willed and the moment she knew that I wanted that- she picked a different character! She decided to be Angelina Ballerina. Since we already had the tutu, tight and ballet shoes- it was pretty easy. It just took a while for Scott to figure out how to make good mouse ears. But in the end- it looked awesome!

Keep in mind that the kids leave for school at 6:50 in the morning! This was quite a lot to accomplish by that hour of the morning! I was actually ready for my nap by 7! lol

Kids Say the Darndest Things.....

Danika: "Mommy, when people call you a scaredy cat baby, they really dip into your bucket. I like to fill people's buckets."

Makenzie: "Mommy, we don't play with drugs at school. Or guns."

Kyler to Danika: "Noah built an ark because God told him to. Everyone who wasn't on the ark died."
Danika: "Why did God kill them?!"
Kyler: "Because the were bad. Like the mean guy on the smurfs that looks like Columbus."

We were having a discussion about what talents we all have to share. Makenzie said her talent is dance. Danika said her's was singing. Kyler said his is skipping. Laynee's was running. I said that mine was stamping and scrapbooking. Makenzie said "Mommy, that is so boring."

I love those kiddos. They make me laugh like crazy every day!

Pumpkin Patch

So aparently, the entire time I was in the hospital I kept asking when we were going to be to the pumpkin patch. I don't remember this! But, none the less, Scott took me and the kids to the farm a few days after I got out of the hospital. We didn't stay long (it was HOT) but the kids had a great time. It is a highlight for them every fall!

More Fall/Halloween pics coming soon!

Playing Catch Up

Now that I am not busy doing homework every night, I thought I may as well get the blog updated with more pictures from September and October.

So the next pictures are from the twins' hat day at school. They were instructed to make a hat using a paper plate. We decided to paint their plates and decorate with ribbon, buttons, and pom poms. I think they turned out pretty darn cute.

And since Laynee and I had to spend the morning at the school (I am the class Photo mom for both the twins' classes.) she just HAD to make a hat as well. Just in case you are wondering....I skipped hat day!

In September, we celebrated Scott's 29th birthday. I can't remember what we did, except we went to Olive Garden for dinner. Scott insisted.

So all 4 of the kids are playing soccer this year. The 3 girls are all on the same team and Kyler is in the one age group above them. Kyler is doing SO much better this year. Last year, he refused to run and complained that games took too long. This year he does really well as a defender and I think his team has won all but one game.

Love this pic.....

Laynee and Danika will probably never be professional soccer players. And I say that with lots of love. Laynee just might be too young. She gets bored and is more concerned about what the snack will be than she is about playing. Danika tries, but just doesn't seem to have much luck. But Makenzie is a whole different story! She is awesome! Especially as a defender. The coach usually has her in most of the game!

I mentioned that Kyler is a boy scout. He LOVES it! It is his special time with daddy and he likes working towards the badges. He has alread earned a few things! Now isn't he handsome in his uniform?

Back in June, my girls did a cheerleading camp at a high school. And in October they got to go back and perform at a football game with the high school cheerleaders. The girls were so excited. They have been asking about it since June! And they were too fun to watch!!! First, they looked adorable with their fancy pony tails. And then their were the dances! I loved watching them shake it! I will always remember how Makenzie just lit up and came to life when she was handed a set of pom poms. Scott has it on video and if I can ever get him to work on it, I might have a video to share :)

My twins are right up front....

I will try to get the pumpkin patch and fall pics up soon!