Mt. Charleston

A few Saturday's ago we decided to take a one hour drive to Mt. Charleston for a hike. We had heard that there was a little bit of snow on the mountains, so we didn't know quite what to expect. We didn't see any snow, but they were getting all of the ski slopes ready for the winter season. It was still fun to see the ski lodge and get more familiar with the area.

Where we chose to hike wasn't the most beautiful in terms of tall trees with fall leaves, but we made the most of it. It was the perfect temperature outside for hiking. My favorite part of the hike was eating pine nuts right from the pine cones on the ground. The girls had so much fun picking out the nuts and eating them all along the trail. It reminded me of my cute Grandpa Kent who would always have pine nuts at his house whenever we would visit. It was so fun to remember him and share some stories about him with my girls while we hiked.

Even little Lizzie did great on the hike. She only asked for Micah and I to carry her through a small section. She loved picking out walking sticks all along the way. She would walk with one for awhile and then discard it for a new one.

We always have to squeeze in a silly picture.

Halloween Continued.....

Our Halloween festivities felt like they just kept going and going this year. I didn't realize how much I really do love Halloween. I was just as excited as the kids to figure out their costumes and decorate the house. We started out the festivities with a school trunk or treat and carnival. Their new school really does know how to throw a party. I'm always shocked at how much time and money they put into all activities.

Aliza had her face painted at the festival. She was thrilled with her kitty whiskers. We also attended a ward trunk or treat, and Aliza's nursery teacher was kind enough to invite us over for a little get together.

Because we didn't head home to visit family for Halloween like I had originally planned, we decided to have a little party for the girls instead. We had so much fun planning and buying fun supplies for the party.

We had pizza, breadsticks that looked like fingers w/blood dipping sauce, and cupcake eyeballs.

The mummy wrap was very popular this year considering they did it at each of the school parties too. Each group decided who they were going to wrap. It just so happened that they picked Abbie, Avery and Aliza to be mummified. I had to keep checking to make sure they could breath.

Avery the mummy.

Abbie the mummy.

It wouldn't be a Halloween party without the doughnut on a string game. Micah tied three at a time on a stick. It was so funny to watch each of them try to eat the doughnut.

It was taking them so long that we finally had to give a time limit and then decide between the three which was the winner.

Aliza was begging and begging to give it a try. We finally tied one for her and this is what she did. Smart girl :)

Bobbing for apples was fun, but wet. I didn't expect them to get as wet as they did. We had a great Halloween, and the girls are already talking about what they want to dress up as next year.

Halloween Costumes 2010

It's so hard when the stores start putting out the Halloween costumes in August. My kids start thinking about Halloween way too early, and change their minds several times in those few months. So this is what we ended up with after all was said and done.

Abbie was a very cute witch for a few of our Halloween parties, and then after her tights ripped at school she was a pirate (from last year). I really loved these tights that she picked and couldn't resist buying them really early. It's a good thing she didn't change her mind.

Avery was originally going to be Hannah Montana, but then switched to her vampire costume from last year when we pulled it out of our Halloween costume bin. I was happy to take the Hannah costume back and save some money by reusing an old costume. She did have some great vampire teeth for the parade at school.

Our little Lizzie wanted to be a mermaid for months. I finally caved and bought her this Ariel costume when I realized she was not going to change her mind. It must be a popular costume for her age because three out of the six girls in her preschool class were mermaids. She was in heaven with this costume on. She was even caught several times walking with quite a little sway in her step while wearing it. She was too cute!

Carving Pumpkins

I love how every year when we carve pumpkins getting all the seeds out is quite an experience. There is a constant Ewwww and Yuuuuck coming from the girls. Aliza was especially grossed out by the glop inside. She finally politely asked if we could just do it for her.

It is a yucky mess, but Micah makes us toasted pumpkin seeds which makes all the digging and yucky hands worth while.

Abbie was insistent that we take a pumpkin head picture. Very nice!

This is Aliza trying to smile like her pumpkin. She told Micah she wanted a happy pumpkin with triangle eyes. Unfortunately with the triangle shape eyes he doesn't look so happy. We just won't tell her that.

The final product is always fun to test out with all the lights off in the house. They did a great job carving their pumpkins! Yeah for the yummy toasted pumpkin seeds!

Giant Post

Well, it has officially been over a month since my last post. Life has been CRAZY to say the least. I finally feel like we are all adjusted to school, pre-school, and extra activities. Here is a quick overview on what's happening here in Henderson.

Abbie is doing well in fourth grade. Her teacher warned us that this year would be very different, and it is. A lot more is expected of her, and she is learning to step up to the plate of responsibility. We were really proud of her this year for trying lots of new things. She decided to run for class representative in her class which was a fun experience. We made the posters (which I'm now thinking I should have taken a picture of) and she wrote a adorable speech ending with "You won't be crabby if you vote for Abbie". It was kind of discouraging when we found out that practically the whole class was running, but she did it anyway. She originally didn't win, but then the winner from her class had to move classes and she was the next runner up. So, she now is officially her class representative. She attended her first meeting last week, and is excited to help out. She also was courageous and tried out for her school choir which she is really enjoying.

This is Avery's picture pose lately. She finally got her wish of starting ballet the past few weeks which she has enjoyed. She has also been busy taking a fun class at the library called "I can read to animals." Every week they have been learning about different animals and then they actually bring the animals into the library for the kids to read to. She read to chickens, cats, dogs, and turtles. The last week of the program they sent her home with a giant stuffed animal dog which she is responsible to take care of. Now Buster the dog is part of our family which is perfect because he is the perfect pet. :)

Our little Lizzie started pre-school and ballet which has been so fun. There just happen to be six little girls her same age in the ward, so we decided to do a little pre-school co-op. Each of the moms take turns teaching on Tuesday mornings for a few hours. I had my turn last week and they were just soooo cute. She is also really enjoying her ballet class too. She also has a little class at the library that she looks forward to every week.

I had to stick Micah in here because he celebrated his 33rd Birthday on September 30th. We had a fun dinner together as a family with lemon bars for dessert rather than cake (he doesn't like cake.) With us only being five months apart in age he teases me relentlessly those five months that I am older than him. We are now officially the same age!

We went on a fun hike up Red Rock canyon yesterday. The girls had school off so a friend and I took our kids for a fun day out. We have done this hike a few times now, and love it more every time. It's the perfect hike for all ages. There are lots of fun rocks to climb on, and it's not too long. Even Aliza can do the whole thing herself.

I really did not expect Vegas to be so beautiful. The temperatures have finally cooled off, and it is really gorgeous. Last week Abbie took a few pictures on a walk of all the beautiful flowers in bloom this time of year. It really is amazingly beautiful to see all the desert plants.

Like this one.....

and this one.....

and this one!

Although I think I will never get used to seeing scorpions, I don't freak out as much as I used to. I really do enjoy the occasional visit of these little lizards in our back yard. They are so cute!

First Day of School

The typical first day of school post. Although I wasn't ready to send them back, they seemed ready to go. Both Abbie and Avery had a great first day of school yesterday. They were so excited to see friends and get to know their new teachers.

Abbie has her first experience with a male teacher this year. Mr. Giacomino seems like a good fit for Abbie. From what we have heard he has a great mix of fun and learning (what she needs). I still can't believe that she is in 4th grade. When I dropped her off her little group of friends were so excited to see each other. So cute!

Avery has a great teacher this year named Mrs. Jones. We kind of already knew her because Abbie is friends with her daughter. We were able to meet her even before school got out last year, which I think has helped with Avery's anxiety. She even mentioned to me yesterday that she just felt comfortable in her class. I can't believe that she is in second grade already.

Aliza had to get in on the picture taking too. She will start a one day a week preschool next week with six of her friends from church. Although it is only one day a week for only a few hours I won't know what to do with myself with everyone in school. Crazy! So cute that she even did the same pose.

Did I ever mention how great school uniforms are. They are FANTASTIC!!!

The Volcano

Abbie loves science. At the library a few weeks back she checked out a bunch of science books and even started taking notes in a new "science journal."

I figured that before school starts back into full swing next week we should do an official science project. She wanted to make an erupting volcano.

Voila!!! I love the surprised look on her face. I'm just glad it really worked.