November Catch Up!

It's been so long, I'm doing some major catch up! So here goes...

Last week we took a 3 1/2 hour quad ride in the desert mountains! I love it there! Garrett is all smiles and Nick is tired of having his picture taken.

Em, Jess and Jordan

Emily's-a-strippin! She decided that she didn't want her shirt on anymore - so she took it off and put it in my pack!

Silly Girl!

Thanksgiving Dinner. It was just the 7 of us this year. We had a wonderful weekend and although I missed being with our extended family, it was nice to have a quite (or not so quiet):) weekend at home.

Jessica made our cute name tags for Thanksgiving Dinner.

Goofballs!

More goofballs!

On Veterans Day, (and Jordan's Birthday) our ward held a little parade in our neighborhood. We began at our house. The kids decorated their bikes and we made quite a little sight as we wound our way through the streets that morning. We ended at the Primary Presidents house for cinnamon rolls and juice. It was a fun way to start the day. There's Jessica in the corner!

Getting ready to leave...

Cheesy Jordan!!!

This year, Nick played soccer for the first time since he was 4. He had a blast and loved it! These pictures are from his soccer award party. He's the cutie in the middle! Can't you tell??? :)

Nick is receiving his trophy. He earned the "Most Improved Player" award. His coach is in the military and expected a lot from the kids...they really responded to all of his yelling :)!!

Garrett is in pre school this year. He loves it!! We went a beautiful new fire station in Gilbert for a field trip. This is their "Theater Room". Actually, they called it some sort of a conference room...We thought it was pretty amazing! There are 3 cascading rows of leather recliners.

There is the screen...

Garrett and his class standing in front of the fire truck.

Garrett and Ezra are in the same class. I love this pic! Typical! They always have to be wrestling!

Garrett and I are waiting for our turn to get in the fire truck! We left Emily behind on this trip. I love to be able to spend alone time with my babies!

Sitting in the fire truck! We'd make awesome firemen!

This picture was taken at pack meeting. Nick and Riley are playing an Indian wrestling game. Nick got his little tail kicked. It's not fair when the other boy is twice your size! He did use up every ounce of strength he had though!

Jordan received his "Arrow of Light' award! We are so proud of him. It is the highest award that you can receive in cub scouting! Don't you love the face paint! He wasn't thrilled! (with the paint that is:))

Emily Ann...I'd just gone grocery shopping and she had to make a tower! Love her!

And last but not least...you know you are a nascar fan when your 2 year old insists on sleeping with her big brother's nascar underwear over her mismatched pajamas!

Thanksgiving Recipe

Yes, I'm sooooo behind on my blog, and yes I promise to do better! :) So, with that said, my friend gave me this thanksgiving recipe and I thought I'd post it! It looks yummy and she is an amazing cook and said that though it sounds a little strange, it is delicious!

Cranberry Salsa

4 crisp apples chopped small

2 jalapenos (or to taste depending on how strong) seeded and chopped

3 green onions chopped

handful of cilantro chopped

1 can of whole cranberries (not the sauce)

Dash of balsamic vinegar

Salt and pepper

Mix and serve. Especially good on a turkey sandwich with some good bread and some muenster cheese or cream cheese!

I can't wait to try it! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'll post soon! I promise:)

Okay...I'm officially tired! Really I am :). It's been quite a week. A week ago Saturday, Jordan fell on his bike and hit his shin on his pedal. It caused a little scrape that I didn't find out about until a the next day. A few days later, he started complaining that it was bothering him and by Thursday night, it was warm to the touch and looking a little strange. Mark and I both looked at it and thought it was odd. On Friday morning, he got up and went to school as any other normal day. But the time he got home, he was a mess. He had a fever and a splitting headache and his leg was a MESS! It was burning hot and covered with little boils. By Saturday night, after going to both the Dr. on Friday and the Emergency Room on Saturday, we found out that he had a nasty staph infection! YUCK. So, needless to say, he is on some strong medication for the next 20 days. Fortunately, the medicine has kicked in and he is doing soooo much better. Thank goodness.

Nick on the other hand is on the down hill slide! He hasn't been himself for over a week now and I had him to the Dr. today. He's had fevers off and on and constantly wants to sleep. Strange for my little one that has NEVER needed sleep! :) His Dr. couldn't figure out what was going on and I took him in for a series of blood tests today. Hopefully in the next few days we will be able to solve our mystery!

On top of it all I still need to clean my house, get my grocery shopping done, get to the fabric store for a project that I'm working on, finish my project :), Organize a meal for 600 at our school next Saturday (I just found out about it last week - I even have a budget of $200...hooray:)), help get ready for the primary activity on Monday, make cupcakes for the soccer party on Thursday, get ready for Jordan's Arrow of Light ceremony on Wednesday, etc., etc., etc., and make sure my husband and children are healthy and happy! I know I can! I know I can! I know I can!!!!

5 Days in Paradise

Cannon Beach, Oregon

Yes, it really was paradise..wet, rainy,sunny at times and absolute paradise! There were 6 of us for the weekend doing a whole lot of nothing and laughing so hard that we pulled a few tummy muscles! I am eternally grateful for these women in my life! They are the epitome of true friends! Here are some picture from our trip!

My bedroom...I called Mark after the first night and told him that I needed an ocean in our backyard! :) What a sound to fall asleep to!

Cleopatra - No..really Tiff..we'd just had an afternoon and evening in front of the big front ocean window making cards and needed some FOOD!

Haystack Rock...we tried to brave the waves and reach the rock - not a good idea ..even at low tide. I'll save the near drowning story for another day! :)

Haystack Rock again! So pretty!

The six of us...Tina, Shawna, Stacy, Tiffany, Luanne and Me..holding little Rachel (Stacy's new baby)

Shawna feeding the seagulls!

In the hot tub overlooking the ocean!

Luanne and Shawna at the Cape Mears Lighthouse...I love the Rocks in the background!

At the Cape Mears lookout point.

We spent a day in Portland and visited the Portland Temple. This is taken at the Atrium inside of the temple!

Yes, that is me in front of the prettiest tree at the temple! I miss those colors!!!

Multnomah Falls! It was freeeeezing cold!!! Brrr!

Mom and Dad were at the coast for a Judicial Conference. They came up to Cannon Beach and we were able to meet for dinner! It was soooo good to see them!