Basketball

In the fall, both Jacob and Claire were in basketball. Chris coached both of their teams! He did great, but it was a lot and he's glad to be done. I think he really made a positive impact on the players and got in some real bonding time with the kids.
This was Claire's 3rd season and Jacobs first. I can't believe how competitive it is here. I was so impressed with Claire. She really struggled at first because she was a little behind because most of these kids play 3 seasons a year and she has only done 1 per year. But she worked so hard and by the end she was really doing great! She made great progress! Jacob on the other hand, well he was there to have fun! lol. He's definitely got more of the natural athleticism but none of the drive. Such is life I guess. Well, it was fun watching them both, and I think they learned some great life lessons from it.

Idahome

We had such a fun trip home. Home. Man we miss Idaho so much. We played at Grandmas, picked chokecherries and had a picnic up Kelly's canyon. I was also able to meet up with some of the best YW in the world. I miss those beautiful girls so much! We can't wait to get back there soon... you know when the weather is nice again, in nine months.

We also had fun in Utah with family. We went to the zoo, made yummy chili rellenos, played with cousins and kissed on sweet Hudson cheeks, and picked apples too.

Island park excursion

I can't express how much this little trip up to Island park to hear the elk bugle meant to me. It's something that's been on our bucket list for a few years and we finally decided to just make it happen. It was supposed to rain and be cold, but it ended up being one of the best things I experienced in 2014. It really is climbing the "of all times" chart too. It was beautiful. We were coming back home from the ugly Arizona summer and it just meant so much more! Not to mention this was my first time on a horse. That is just sad in and of itself. But we had the best experience. Chris and I went with his dad and brother. The elk put on an amazing show for us with a large buck being the main event, it staying just a few hundred yards away, which I guess is pretty rare. It was so peaceful. The ride back was quiet as we watched the sun set over the mountains and lake. I felt Heavenly Fathers love for me that day in the beauty of my surroundings. So glad we went!

Kid pictures.

Yes, I'm just getting around to editing some pictures I took of the kids when we did family pictures clear back in October when we went to Idaho. All I can say is, that's the life of a photographer. Your own pictures are always on the back burner. I hope to do better with that in 2015. For now, enjoy the few I did edit!

This week from my iPhone.

I'm just a puddle of injuries. Hurt my elbow super bad and thought it was dislocated. Luckily it was just really sprained and I got to wear this cute sling for a few days. Then I messed up my bad foot. Still can't walk on it very well. I'm sick of feeling old! 

The kids got "snackeeze" for working hard in school. Trying to reward good behavior over here! And Sam got one well cuz he's cute :) 

Asleep with a hot dog in each hand. 

Pudding. Or a creepy clown. 

Grand Canyon awesomeness. 

Hiking up the white tank mountains to see some cool petroglyphs. 

Lots of baking over here. Garlic knots, rolls, cinnamon rolls, bread sticks . I swear even though it doesn't feel like fall around here my brain KNOWS. 

Jake is finally DONE with the dentist for awhile. After a somewhat traumatic appointment where they almost made us LEAVE because jake was crying and they wanted to put him under,  I talked them in to letting us get it done. (I was not making Jake do this again, he was too upset!) And Jake did great once they got started. Bless the person who invented laughing gas!!

Merry go round at the zoo. It's been fun to have one on one time with my man baby.