A different Halloween

Halloween was spent a bit different this year. We pretty much skipped it entirely. Not only did we not participate in trunk or treats but they chose not to go trick or treating. The end of October for our family is inundated with sweets. With Zoe and Maeley's birthdays just days before Halloween every year all the sweets become way too much. For the past 4 years we kept only a small amount of Halloween candy and donated the rest to a nearby orthodontist. 

By the end of September the kids were talking about what they wanted to be for Halloween. We suggested that if we skip Halloween we'd do something fun. I was surprised when there wasn't much hesitation and they said okay. Throughout the month of October I kept asking and they were still on board. We went to dinner at Smash Burger then went shopping at the Chandler mall and they each got some money to spend. We had a great time as a family. They even said the liked it better than trick or treating! I never had to deal with the sugar coma that happens after they eat way too much candy. I love spending time with my family. 

Awards ceremony

Awards ceremony at school for the first quarter of the school year.

Primary program

Maeley turned 12 the day before the Primary Program so she choose not to participate. Zoe and Chase did a great job as usual. Love watching them recite their parts and sing all the songs. 

Maeley moved up to Young Women's so she was thrilled about that! 

Maeley's Birthday Party

Maeley turned 12! I'm still processing that because it just doesn't seem possible. She's so happy to be in Young Women's now at church and primary behind her. She is eager to grow up.

Maeley's birthday was on a Saturday this year which meant that it was crazy busy. Zoe had a soccer game, Maeley a volleyball game then getting ready for Maeley's friend birthday party.

Laurel did another amazing job on the sugar cookies. Maeley absolutely loved them.

Derek built this faux brick wall as a back drop for selfies. 

(This wall has been put to good use since then)

The kids played some fun games out back.

She looks so grown up

She got some great gifts from her friends. 

Then back to plying more games. 

We under estimated how loud a bunch of 11 and 12 years old can get. Wow! They have a lot of energy. Maeley loved her birthday party so that's really all that matters.

Zoe's 9th Birthday

Lucky girl got to open one present before school.

She is so animated when opening gifts.

Ready for school! 

After going to Jesterz a couple weeks before and hearing you get in for free on your birthday this is all she wanted to do! If you can't tell they had a great time! 

Chase and Zoe won tickets to come back. 

They won thumb wars. 

Because it was Maeley and Zoe's birthday they got to come up on stage a be apart of a skit. 

One Jester describes what is happening in the "picture". 

It was a great day to celebrate Zoe's birthday. 

She really is the sweetest and most sincere girl. She loves art, Lego's, and soccer. She has some great friends. She's a great hiker and loves the outdoors. She always wants to do whats right.

We love you sweet Zoe! 

Bearizona

The beginning of fall break the kids and I went to Bearizona with some of my friends and their kids.

10 kids came between the 4 of us. 

Me, Shannon, Carly and Elizabeth

We haven't all gotten together in years so it was so fun being together and having our kids get to know each other. 

We went of the bus so all the kids could be together. 

The Raptor show was really cool. The birds flying so low over us was amazing. Zoe said the owl grazed the top of her head.

Avery and Maeley had a great time! 

None of us had been there before. We all had a great time. It was a short trip but totally worth it!