November

There is nothing more beautiful than a Happy Homecoming

My friend, Amy Kroff (a friend since junior high) asked me to

document Lola's homecoming.  She and her husband Paul have made 2 trips to Ethiopia 

to adopt this special girl.  On the second trip, they were able to bring her home.

It was so sweet to see how excited her new brothers and sister were to meet her.  

So much love.  It was touching.

It still puts a smile on my face just thinking about it.

  There may be more posted on her blog here

Isaac and his friend Ryan, started a little business of making duct tape wallets.

As you can see by the leaning tower, they offer quite a variety.  

By far, the most popular one is the ASU wallet.  This is devil country.

Again, thank you to those that support this budding entrepreneur and his
latest business venture. 

Meg turned 14.  I can't believe our nutmeg is this old.

We share a birthday and this year she was 1-4 and I was 4-1.  

When the sky is so beautiful on the eve of your birthday, one must jump into it.

Since her aunt Janet is now back from Peru, we roped her into planning 

a birthday party.  She is the party guru.  If you need a good idea, you call Janet.

 Meg and her cousin Pete are referred to as the "twins" because they were born 2 minutes apart.
 So, we thought this would be a good time to do a combined party.

Meg brought 10 friends and Pete brought 10 friends so that we could pair them up for competitions

We drew out of jar for partners

Good practice for these 14 year old strangers to learn to talk and compete together.
The 14 year olds' communication skills need a little practice and prodding.

Each pair got matching bandannas

They did several competitions:

1. Darts

2. Ladder Ball

3.  Egg Toss

4.  Most creative cookie decorating

5.  50 piece puzzle 

They ended with a frisbee dodge ball game

 Some of the losers had to eat suicide buffalo wings

Thank you Janet and family for all the help in making this a memorable 14th birthday!

Ike has officially taken over all the mowing and trimming.  

After he gets his lawns done on Saturday morning, we head to his flag football games.  

I finally grew up and hosted my very first Thanksgiving 

I enlisted the help of these 3.  

For their Young Women 10 hour project, they helped me plan,

decorate, learn how to stuff and prepare a turkey, set-up and clean-up.

We had my my mom and Jack, my two brothers and their families, the missionaries and 

a couple of Tom's patients that did not have any family to celebrate with. 

My brother Adam and Carlee

Grandpa Jack and Nana

My brother Clint and Meghan

It was another beautiful Arizona Thanksgiving 

Jack held our traditional turtle race.  

He never forgets his trusty megaphone and official clipboard.

The neighbors got in on the action and things got a little physical...whether Cole wanted it or not.

Don't ask us what turtles have to do with Thanksgiving but

it is a fun tradition that we all love.  

October

Well Tom surprised the family,
including his wife and decision-making partner,
with a new ride.
I think he knew what my answer would be, so he didn't ask.

They call it Philmore.

Ike had a part to play in Griff's Ninja Turtle party.
 He was "Shredder" the arch nemisis to the Ninja Turtles.
The turtles were sent on a quest to retrieve all of Griff's lost birthday presents.

 This determined band of super heroes were armed with weapons.

I did hear a little yelp escape from Shredder when he saw what was heading his way.

They tied him up with ropes and brought their prisoner home.

Back at home and in the bounce house, 

Ike realized he better get out of this Shredder costume.

My sweet and fun Grandpa B

 has been having a few health problems this month-

but what a trooper. 

He never lost his great sense of humor through the hospital stay. 

In fact, he loved all the different nurses and doctors he could tell his jokes and one-liners to.

We will be celebrating his 90th birthday in January with a big family party.

   

We are right in the thick of Cole's club volleyball season and you can find us at the tournaments almost every Saturday afternoon.

 Setting for Right Side Hitter

Pumpkinpalooza 

We had a family carving party on the Monday night before Halloween.

This was the only way pumpkins were getting carved this year.  

It is not my thing, but if you make a party out of it - I'm on board.

Carving is not really my kids thing either but

 every childhood must include this 

peculiar tradition.  

Ruth was a genius for taking this approach...no stinky goopy stringy mess.

Just a white pumpkin, black sharpie, and plastic spiders.

Hollyn Cowley and Summer

Dave and Sophie Collins

Our line-up of misfits

Cowleys, Collins, Frosts, Halls, Norbergs, Ahlstroms, and Breinholts

Halloween Carnival

For over 15 years, our neighborhood has held a carnival on the evening of Halloween.

There is always a great turn-out and it is the perfect way to see all your neighbors in their costumes.
It is usually held from 4:30-6 so you can be home to pass out candy to the trick-or-treaters.

Hot Dogs and Chili are complimentary

Our church youth run several game booths:

Basketball and Football throws, Fishing Pond, Bounce House,

Ghost Target Shoot with nerf guns, and a cupcake walk.

This is what nightmares are made of.  

I made eye contact (at least it seemed like I did) with Chewbacca from across the street.

This is Scarlett the kitty cat ballerina princess and she belongs 

to my cousin Blake Bunker.

Tom told her that he threw this whole big party in her honor and she believed him.

He'll do anything to be the favorite.  He'll probably buy her a VW bus when she is older.

No pictures of Ike dressed up this year.  

He had a high fever and was out for the whole weekend. Booo.