It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Okay, this is my favorite time of year for several reasons. Needless to say, I enjoy family togetherness, teaching my children about the true meaning of Thanksgiving and Christmas.......but come on, I am only human.......and female on top of that!

So Here is my Top Ten List for why this is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

10. It is chillier, so I can hide my chubbiness in some great jeans and not be too hot.

9. My kids don't want to run around naked (as much) because it is too cold, so I look like a better mother in my neighbor's eyes.

8. School is in session! Need I say more?

7. All new shows on TV.

6. Yummy warm homemade soups and rolls.

5. Hot cocoa and whipped cream.

4. The Gym is not (as) crowded as it usually is.

3. Motorcross season is down for a couple of months, which means Jared is home more often!

2. Shopping, Shopping and more Shopping. And if it is window shopping, it counts as a workout too!

1. I can trick my kids into thinking it is really late at night just because the sun has gone down. "Look how dark it is outside, it is way past your bed time, hurry!" little do they know that it is only 6 pm! (However, this does seem to backfire in the summer, when the sun doesn't go down until 9 pm)


So back to reason number two.......Shopping! We just returned from a glorious trip to the newly remodeled Galleria Mall. It is amazing! I am so excited about all the new stores. However, this does pose one small problem. All the stores that I used to shop from online, are now in our mall, which means that everyone else will be wearing the same stuff we are. shucks! but it does make window shopping a lot more fun. Some of my old favorites have moved in, like H&M, Delia's, Pumpkin Patch, Janie and Jack, and we are even getting a Tiffany's,(I don't plan on shopping there, but it will be fun to look) The family restroom is so cool too, there are private nursing rooms, a big flat screen tv and plenty of toys for the older kids to play with. there are little tiny pottys and they even supply lotion and a microwave. I can't wait to go back without the kids. Jared is even excited about it, which shows how great it is, because Jared is tough to impress when it comes to shopping. Good thing gas prices are 1.89$ a gallon!

The End of a Soccer Season

The Big Trophy


Apple Smile


Kick it in, way in!


Sleeping Grant


The Walker Boys


Nothing is getting past Me!


Do a little Dance!


Gooooooo Cheetahs!

Ah, it is the end of the soccer season, no more weekly practices, and Saturday games. Shucks, I really enjoyed going to them too, I think I enjoyed it more than Maddie did. Here are some great pictures from Maddie's Last Game. We hosted a party at our house for the Trophy ceremony. It was so much fun and it was a great excuse to clean the house up. I made homemade baked potato soup and chocolate chip cookies. I really looked like "super mom". Little does everyone know that I reserve my "super mom powers" for when I know everyone is looking. On average days I disguise myself as "completely overwhelmed mom"! Last night we signed Maddie up for Pony Baseball for in the Spring. It should be fun too!

Happy Birthday Sophie!

All the girls! and Maddie's Friend, Aiden too!


Sophie and Claire


Sophie's favorite present, Dora Princess movie.

Our Little Sophie is not so little anymore. She is officially 4 years old! She is really getting good with her letters and all the sounds they make, and writing her name and screaming - she screams really well! It's her not so subtle way of letting us know she is unhappy. Her favorite color is blue, she loves dancing and Her hair is still a gorgeous shade of auburn - she is getting prettier everyday.

We had a great birthday for her, a pretend slumber party......all the girls went home around 8 pm. We celebrated with her friend Claire, who's birthday is also in October. It was a great way to get everyone together and save money too. We all dressed up in our Jammies, made our own pizzas, painted nails, did our hair, and watched Barbie Movies. It was great fun. And it went a lot faster than I thought it would!

Happy Birthday Sweet Sophie!

Trick or Treat, Smell my Feet, Give Me Something Good To Eat!

four little pumpkins


little monkey


grrrrrr! Only in California, do Dragons wear Flip Flops!


little princesses

Maddie has been Singing this song for the past 3 weeks. "Trick or Treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat......." It is pretty catchy, and brought me a good youthful feeling as I sang it with her. She was surprised that I knew it. "Of course I know that song, I am a cool mom!" I explained to her. The kids had a blast at the Church party, and super fun trick or treating. However, Logan was so tired, that he only had enough energy to go to a few houses. Maddie was Sleeping Beauty, Sophie was Cinderella, (because the dress is blue and blue is her favorite color) Logan was a dragon, and Grant was a sweet little monkey, banana and all! we had a great time carving pumpkins too, we made one for each kid and then we toasted the seeds, yummy!

5th Annual Trip to Bishops Pumpkin Farm

Maddie was more excited about the bus ride than the field trip!


On the train.


Okay, this is my before picture! Grant is super cute though.


This was our 5th annual trip to the Bishop's Pumpkin Farm. And as usuall, it was super fun. We tagged along with Sophie's Preschool class and the weather was perfect this year. We danced the chicken dance at the chicken show. We took a hay ride to pick our own pumpkins and rode the train. Logan's favorite part was the train, it was all he could talk about for weeks.

Maddie was fortunate enough to get to go twice. She returned with her kindergarten class a couple of weeks later. It was her first real field trip. I am not sure what she enjoyed more; the school bus ride or the actual trip. She had a blast!