We're not driving all the way out here so you can buy one of those stupid ties with the Santa Clauses on it, are we Dad?

That thing won't fit in our yard, Dad!

It's not going in our yard, Russ, it's going in our living room.

Looks great! Little full....lot of sap.

The day after Thanksgiving we made our now annual trip to cut down our own Christmas tree. They look a lot smaller outside, just saying.

just in case you hadn't heard...

IT'S 11:33 A.M. AND THE YANKEES ARE STILL CHAMPIONS.

Halloween '09

We had an excellent Halloween this year. On Thursday Bobby and Tara had a Halloween parade at school, followed by their class parties. They got to wear their costumes and everything. Friday night we had our first annual Halloween party. We invited friends and family and had a blast. Saturday, due to the cancellation of Trunk-or-Treats valley wide, the kids actually got to go trick or treating for the very first time. It was awesome and I hope no one gets it in their head to start those Trunk-or-Treats up again. (I'm not a fan of those, can you tell? lol) On Halloween I also got out of the house kidless for a few hours. I went to lunch with my mom and sisters at Samurai 21, and even got Lara to try sushi, which she liked. We then went and saw Paranormal Activity, which is the scariest freaking movie, for real. Also, the lady at the box office asked for my ID. Made my month.

P.S click the pictures to see the whole thing. This is what happens when you hotlink from facebook.

School pics!

Bobby (or rather Rob, as he told me he wants to be called) 1st grade.

Tara, kindergarten.

First day of school

Today was the first day of school. Bobby started 1st grade and Tara kindergarten.
The day went fairly well. Got Bobby off to school on time and he found where he was going pretty easily. His teacher this year is Mrs. Eide. Tara...well, the bus showed 15 minutes EARLY and she missed it. We took her to school and she found her teacher, Mrs. Cameron. Bobby had her last year. We really like her and are happy Tara has her too. All in all it went well. Both adjusted pretty quickly, but were shocked to discover that by the time they got home it was nearly dinner time. Mattie was not impressed with the length of Bobby's day. As soon as she woke up from her nap she informed me that she wanted to go get Bobby. Even handed me the remote to turn off the TV so we could walk to the bus stop. And when Tara got her hair done, Mattie wanted hers done too.

Our Disney Trip

Yankees Baseball

This month we went to the Yankees/Angels game in Anaheim. It was a lot of fun, but really hot, and the Yanks lost both games. Oh well.

Crawfish boil

I'm finally getting around to posting the pictures from the crawfish boil aka my birthday party. Yeah, only about a month late.

MAY DAY!

Making sure I'm still watching.

He cheeses it for the camera

Bobby spots us in the crowd.

It's been a busy week. Tonight was the elementary school's May Day dance. It's a tradition that's been going on forever. The kindergarten class does a parachute dance. When Bobby spotted us in the crowd, he cheesed it up and made it very easy to get good pictures of him.

Bobby's Let's Play Music Recital

Tonight was the recital for Bobby's Let's Play Music class. We saw the things they learned, from the major scale, to classical music appreciation.

New pics of the kids

My friend Monica is a photographer and my sister raved about her, so we decided to take the kids to get portraits done.
Bobby was very cooperative. So cooperative in fact that there weren't very many pics to choose from because he just sat as told and smiled big.
Tara, once she got over being a little shy, was typical Tara. Did a lot of posing.
Mattingly did NOT want to cooperate AT ALL. She cried a lot and and wouldn't sit still. And getting a picture of all of them together? Haha not so much.
But Monica was great with the kids and I am really happy with the way they turned out.

Easter Sunday

Bobby, Tara and Mattingly at Grandma's
for the Easter Egg Hunt

The Clark County Fair (The most exciting event in our small town). We're all "fair'd out", and already counting down to next year.

Easter egg hunt

Bobby, Tara and their loot.

Bobby on a swing. (der)

Tara reaching the bottom of the slide.

Mattingly swinging.

Our ward had it's Easter egg hunt two Saturdays ago. The kids were pretty excited. They got to play in the playground and hunt for eggs filled with candy.