Thursday, October 31, 2013

September and October fun stuff!

Morgan had her Young Women in Excellence program this month, and it was so well done!  This comes as no surprise, since the leaders in our ward are so amazing, as are these beautiful girls (inside and out)!  We love Morgan and are so EXTREMELY proud of her and the young woman she is becoming!  Even more so, we know her Father in Heaven is so proud of her and loves her beyond anything we mortals are capable of understanding.  Thank you Morgan for being such a great example to all those that know you!











Colton's scout leaders hosted a swim party for all the 12 and 13 year old scouts to celebrate all the work they had been doingAll the families were invited.  It was too hot to sit out and not swim, so me and my friend Janae decided to do backflips together off of the rocks!  I think the kids were amazed that adult women would do that! I also took the opportunity to test the waterproof camera I bought to take to Hawaii with us...it works!  Can't wait to try it out in the ocean!


 

October means HALLOWEEN!  We cut out some pumpkin shaped sugar cookies and the kids had fun decorating them.  I also made pumpkin pancakes one morning...


Fall means SOCCER for my boys, even if it is still breaking 100 degrees every day!  Kyle is and AWESOME soccer player...








We carved our pumpkins 2 days before Halloween.  Any earlier and the heat turns them moldy pretty quick.  We set up a table in our driveway and the kids went to town!  It's nice that I only really have to help Kyle now with a couple things - I can just sit back and watch and take pictures!


I set my settings on my camera the way I wanted them and had Bryan take some pictures of Morgan and I.  Her Young Women leaders had asked for a mother daughter picture for a program they were doing.  We did one serious one, but the others Morgan wanted us to ham it up!




The big night! Bryan and Morgan went out with friends Halloween night, and I only had Colton and Kyle.  All I could think about that night was how we were all split up because my kids are outgrowing me (literally - the only one shorter than me now is Kyle).  I know that is as it should be, but it's hard as a mom to see your kids leaving.  Right now it's just for the night, but all too soon they'll be going off on their own.  Not ready for that yet!  I've still got a little time thank goodness!  Love all these kids!!  Thank you to my friend who sent me the pictures of Morgan with her friends...



Colton is the blue man, and Kyle is the Ninja on the right...

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Trip to Hawaii - Day 9 (The Big Island)

This day was bittersweet because we had a beautiful time at this beach, but we knew we were LEAVING that night!  Our time in Hawaii was WONDERFUL!  We all want to come back!

Today we went to Pololu Valley.  It was a very pretty drive through pine forest to get here.  From the parking area, we hiked down on a switch back trail, about 1.5 miles to get to the black sand beach.  The waves here were pretty powerful, so we got our feet wet, but didn't plan on swimming.  We just walked the beach and played in the sand, and enjoyed this BEAUTIFUL valley and beach.  Here are some pictures from the trail walking down...
 




















I love the expression on Kyle's face here as the wave destroys part of his creation...