day trip

It occurred to me about a month ago that in two and a half years we had never taken the kids down to see the Dallas Temple.  Shame!  We had to do that before we left, so we drove down Saturday.  It was closed!  But at least they got to see it and it was a beautiful day, so we still had fun.

(This is fabric I got for a cape for Emma's Halloween costume, and she liked it so much she wore it all day.)

Little daredevil.  Justin brings out the wild in him.

Ever seen one of these before?  Duck crossing?  It was my first time.  If we have time, maybe I'll try to take the kids down again so they can see the grounds.  If not:

This is the Newport Beach Temple, the one we will go to in California.  It is a beautiful temple, with such beautiful landscaping too.  We will just visit there!

Halloween 2010

The Flapper--picked out her own necklaces, and loved them.  Then she ended up taking them off to be wild in the bounce house.  But they did look cute while they lasted.

The Movie Star--Looked so cute the first party we went to, I did her hair up and it was so sophisticated.  But we ran out of time the second night, I still think she is fashionable.

My adorable niece Rosie, with her Mr. T necklaces.  I don't know what is up with that but it's working for her!

Buzz Lightyear--Nate thought, wait, thinks he is Buzz Lightyear.  I borrowed this costume, and he has worn it non stop.  Especially the wings, which he has had on at all times since we got them.  I don't know how I'll give it back, he will be devastated! 

"Dad can I eat this one?"  And I love the response face.

Emma is growing up.  Really, it amazes me sometimes.  I'm not ready for her to be so big, but she sure is.  She was upset with me for not letting her tie her cape so it dragged on the ground.  Hence the mad face.  She can really get the teenager attitude going!

Buzz Lightyear, shooting his laser at Justin.  He is so cute because he looks for the button on his costume and pushes the exact spot, while making his own sound effect.  I love this kid.  He is growing up too, he can really throw a tantrum...very persistant.

My double adorable niece Natalie, with half a smile.  Love this kid!  I took her from her Dad after the party so he could help clean up.  She nuzzled up with her soft little head right under my chin and went to sleep.  Sigh.  This is why we get conned into having more.  I will sure miss her!

And lastly, my favorite costume of the night.  If you don't know who this is, you don't read enough.  The Paper Bag Princess.  I heard that this cutie, niece Aurora, decided on this costume a year in advance and kept reminding her mom about it.  Carrie says it was the easiest costume ever, and so perfectly adorable!  It is so fun to be able to see cousins.  After the trunk-or-treating the kids gathered around our car and traded hugs and candy.  I had fun watching them all enjoy each other and rubbing my cheeks on little Natalie's fuzzy head while she slept.

Countdown...

We are officially moving, finally!  That is, the rest of us are.  And now that I have a D-date, I'm happy, but SAD!  I'm actually leaving now, and not just in limbo.  There are so many great people here that I will miss...and wish I had spent more time with.

But we are out of here, and back to making new friends in two weeks.

They're coming!

About this time of year, when the weather turns and it's cool, the leaves start to change, and I get my fall decorations out...I feel so excited!

THE HOLIDAYS are COMING!  Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, my birthday, Valentines Day...

The long drought is over.  I can't wait to spend time baking, eating, visiting with family, planning for Christmas, holiday shopping, making costumes--okay not that, but the rest is good!  It is time to eat soup, start layering clothes again, maybe even wear socks.  I love fall!

Came, and went...

I wish I knew why good times pass by quickly and bad times linger.  The weeks have dragged on, but the weekends Justin comes home fly too fast!  He came late Friday night, and we had fun all weekend doing nothing special.

Saturday morning we slept in, got up and got word of a showing for the house (Hoooray!) so we hustled to clean up and get out.  I did the inside and Justin mowed the lawn.  Then we took the kids and went for ice cream, at 10:30 am.  Braums is such a great place!

After that we went to the pool, then came home and had afternoon naps.  At least, the grown ups did.  Saturday night Justin and I left Emma in charge--thanks to my sister in law Michelle's ingenious babysitting strategy--and we went out for a quick dinner.

Sunday was business as usual, church, lunch, more naps, and chicken tacos for dinner.  But somehow, just because he was home, everything was more fun.  I miss him teasing the kids, and me, or helping out around the house.  Telling the kids to stop fighting, or to get ready for bed.  It is...just how it should be.

Nate came into our room Sunday morning, and ran right back out shouting, "DADDY'S STILL HERE!!!"  Ahh, cute kid.  I thought the same thing!  This morning we got up early and I took him back to the airport.  And tonight when the kids are in bed I'll sigh.  It's just not the same without Dad!

Other Summer Affairs

A new fire station opened less than a mile from our house.  They had an open house for the public and we went to check it out.  We got a tour of the firehouse, got to see the dorm rooms and the kitchen and lounge area.  They had four fridges!  One for each team that works there.  Also a huge professional gas stove.  And a giant flat screen TV with 6-7 reclining chairs, complete with game systems for those dull nights.

They had the trucks all out and let people climb in and on them.   The kids had a great time climbing in and out of the cab and pretending to drive.  We even got to climb into the emergency medical truck and explore.  It was cool to see all the medical supplies tucked neatly into locked cupboards for a wild ride.

They had firemen all over to answer questions and pose for pictures.

Makes you feel proud, huh?

We all had a great time.

Starting with my little man...

We all dote on him, ESPECIALLY Justin, ahem, not to name names. He actually hates baths, despite the happy face. He hates to have his hair washed, because he doesn't like getting water in his eyes.

One of the things we did this summer is go to the movie theater at the mall for the summer movie camp movies.  This day the kids conned me into staying for lunch and letting them ride on the carousel.  They are getting so big!