Lovin' Denver and Halloween

We are having fun in Denver. We are enjoying being closer to family--even living with some of them:) Trent and I even have some guilt being here because there hasn't been a lot required of us like there was in North Dakota; however, I have a few experiences to share about how we are turning lots of moments into teaching moments for the kids. I got a flat tire last week. I guess I could have driven on the spare but decided to try walking more to help us all appreciate having a vehicle. So we walked nearly a mile to and from school. I think I ended up being the most thankful as I had to walk there three times to take them and again to pick them each up at different times. We even walked one day in the snow storm.

Here are the kids washing grandpa's truck.

This was candy from Dallin's Homecoming Parade...they all got more than at halloween but it worked out great because they let me buy it from them and then I gave it all away for halloween trick or treat!

Hiking the trails around our house

Jump Street--a big room filled with big trampolines...Dallin and I did our first back flips. Not bad for a 31 year old. Dallin actually did 6 in a row...Nice!

Up to the Mountains

Me and my sissy...and our babies.

Love this country!

First Snow --Savanna hated it.

Fun Uncle Dallin

Snowball Fight

Halloween Festivities...Carving Pumpkins, decorating cookies, etc

Trent worked pretty hard on his pumkin...

Darth Vador

Happy Witch

Princess on a Unicorn...but later she stole Savanna's witch costume so Savanna had to be the Elephant.

Love this Pic

School Parades and parties

Trick or Treat with Dallin

The Stash

Savanna figured it out quick but luckily I didn't get her a bucket so she didn't make it too far.

Amelia would rather pass it out

Grandpa took the girls

One last story I need to fit in. I know there is more I need to write about but can't remember. Anyway, the other night I sent the kids to bed without their bedtime snack because I had asked them multiple times to start getting PJs on. After about 5 minutes, I changed my mind...that is unusual for me because I usually follow through with my consequences. As I went up to get them and tell them they could calmly come down and enjoy some Brazillian Lemonade with us for a night snack, I found them in their room, both on their knees praying that mom would "be happy and let them have their night snack." It was humbling experience for me because I knew then that it was the Spirit that had made me change my mind in order to answer their prayers. Trent and I had been asking for faith-building experiences for our kids and that is just one of many but very powerful for me and I hope for them. I know it seems so silly, but it was a very special experience for me. Anyway...now on to that crazy time of year.

Month of Birthdays

I got smarter this time and am just posting a little at a time...September was a fun month. My little Lane is now 6 going on 26. He is such a fun kiddo. What I love most about Lane is his smile and his stories. He is so fun to talk to. He is also the best sharer of anyone I know. He has such a big heart, he is a thinker, a problem-solver, and doesn't wait for others to act. He thinks outside the box and goes for it. He has taught Trent and I a lot and is the reason for a LOT of good changes we've made as a family. Without Lane, we would have missed out on a lot of learning, growth, and happiness. We love you Lane! Happy Birthday.

I've avoided having to have birthday parties for my kids by asking them if they would rather have a party or pick any fun outing that they want...they always go for the family outing. He chose Chucky-Cheese this year! The other kids were just as excited! We all love birthday time.

Grandpa's Turn...Hmm, have to think how old he is but I think it's 62. Kids woke him with breakfast in bed and decorated a little. Then we went to the zoo. And I made him a homemade carrot cake with his carrots from the garden. Hopefully he felt special that day.

My Turn...I turned a big 31. The RS Broadcast was the night of my birthday and they always have a very elegant cake buffet, so I told Trent not to make a cake. So, the kids were visited at school by Krispy Kreme a week before and were begging to go, so we went and they were in heaven watching through glass windows at how the donuts were being made...barf. I am not a donut person, but it was totally worth it because the kids were so happy. Don't you just love what your kids learn at school...

47th times a charm

Well, if I had half a brain, I would never have tried to put all this in one post. This post has caused more anxiety than the last year of parenting...and that is saying A LOT! It will still be in some random order I am sure despite my best efforts of trying to stay chronological, but hopefully it is close. So, I am starting out back in May and we are traveling super speed through the summer. Sorry to Britt in advance because somehow her pics got deleted. OK...here we go.

Savanna just before getting tubes in ears

Last days in Minot before moving

Uncle Dallin and Aunt Cori came to help move...oh and Grandma

Flooding in Minot

Making the Split...

Trent and I took the U-Haul and moved everything to New Hampshire while

my family took the kids with them and headed west.
Trent's first time at Niagra Falls

The Sacred Grove

Hill Cumorah (they were setting up for the pagent)

The Smilth House

Unloading the U-haul into storage

The House we plan to buy in New Hampshire

4th of July (1st set)--we flew back on the 3rd and met

up with lots of family in Idaho at parade in Rexburg

Emmy's birthday

Sorry Chris...won't comment on this one

Hike to Jenny Lake in Jackson...Brrrr! Backtracking a little

These next ones are when the kids went with my family to Cody and

then Idaho while Trent and I were back East.

Sweet babies Ty and Savanna

Thanks to Cori for keeping my little girl cute

Fun in Cody

Random Jenny Lake Hike Picture...Poor tired little girl

Finally made it to Vale...Dad decides to build a tree house with Grandpa Shelton

The Waterboy

Grandpa's Playground

My kids still talk about Grandma's cupcakes and how they are the best ever~

Hiking the "V"

Starting Trent's Dream Vacation--Our RV trip down the West Coast

In Seattle...Aquarium, Science Center, SPace Needle, Pikes Place

This is one of my FAVORITE pictures

Grandpa spoiling the kids with things their parents won't buy

Long, hard days make for a quiet RV ride

Taking the ferry to Canada...that's our boat above, but we lost Rainbow Dash down below...it was a sad moment for Amelia.

Butchard Gardens in Victoria, Canada

This was our favorite...the Sunken Gardens

Random Seattle Aquarium picture but very cute

Down the coast by Olympic National Forest

Loved watching the kids in the waves...one of the highlights for me!

Tillamook Cheese Factory

Sea Lion Caves

Dune Buggy Rides...Sweet!

Building sandcastles with Grandpa

The Redwoods

Crater Lake...Final Stop...I think we were about over the RV

Mom, the disciplinarian

This was supposed to be at the very beginning with the moving pics:)

Now back in Colorado where we will most likely be for the next year

Trent's Birthday...34...your getting up there honey:)

Camping at Devil's Head...Savanna's first real campout! She loved it as you can see.

love having family around...it's great!

First day of school!

2nd Grade for Brayden!
KINDERGARTEN FOR LANE!

Cute boys don't ya think!

Okay, so this is where I started two months ago thinking I wasn't too far behind.

But, maybe next week I will post about Lane's birthday, my birthday, my dad's birthday, our trip to Cody over Labor Day, and the awesome time we are having here in Colorado. Yeah right. It is almost 1am, nearly 4 hours past my bedtime, and I'll be lucky if I get back to this within a month. We'll see:)