Epic Ride

Carleton has been planning this trip on the San Juan Trail with his buddies for a long time. If you look closely at the pic below, you can see the trail they went up. He's a happy dad and husband when he gets to play.

Pumpkin Patch

Cavity. I told him I could be with him the whole time but because of the gas Apollo would get, I had to leave. Apollo was sad until they gave him the laughing gas. He came out of the chair super happy, chipper, and loopy. He had to get a shot too. In the car a few days later we were talking to the kids about not eating too much candy because they'll have to go back to the dentist and get their cavities filled. The whole idea backfired on us. Apollo said, "I don't care if I have to go back. I don't care. I liked getting that bump (cavity filling) in my mouth."

Tea Party.

Letter D this week with Annie.

About every week, the kids choose a meal out of a "Kids meals made Healthy" book. Apollo chose cornbread and tomato soup (straws are great for this for kids) and Annie chose salsa and chips.

This is what I woke up to this morning-yummy breakfast, happy kids. Couldn't get the greatest pic but it was delish. Whole-wheat waffles, cheese, egg, and sausage. A breakfast sandwich. Thanks Carleton!

When the student becomes the teacher. Apollo and Annie are eating some "trunk or treat" candy right now. Apollo told Annie, "You don't have to eat fast. Just eat it slow and enjoy it." Where have I heard that before.

Annie really misses Carleton when he goes to work. She calls him and says..."I miss you so much...Come home...I miss you so lot." I want to cry and say the same thing. Carleton's been so busy with the yard and other things, I miss him too.

What are we doing for Halloween? After taking the kids trick-or-treating, Carleton and I are going to light the fireplace, drink hot chocolate, and read some Edgar Allan Poe.

Happy Birthday Apollo! Big 4

I have been decorating shirts for Christmas. Apollo wanted to make his own. Turned out cute.

Preschool field trip to the petting zoo.

Apollo's Birthday Bash.

Seth dressed up like Marlon. Beautiful fam.

Apollo's b-day gift. Last night during gratefuls he said he was thankful for his presents. I know these pics are hard on the eyes. Apollo likes to pick his own outfits and run out to surprise me (Annie does the same thing). Today he was so happy that he could get his socks on by himself.

Even though Annie has her own double bed, she and Apollo sleep in Apollo's new bunkbeds. They love it. We can hear them laughing and talking in bed. Apollo passes out first and Annie rolls around until she falls asleep.

New skates.

I have been making (and freezing) cakes, cookies, and cupcakes for weeks preparing for Apollo's party. He has been receiving gifts from others and packages in the mail. Annie kept bringing up how she would have a party too. The other day in the car, after Apollo received a package, she said "Annie's present?" many times, even after I explained it was Apollo's. She later said, "I don't want Apollo's party" and that she wanted Annie's party. So, we got her some skates too.

Annie and I worked on letter C this week. Poor girl had a rough week-we were up all night with her throwing up. One time after Carleton had helped her barf and get settled, she said "Sweet Dreams Daddy."

These pictures are for Heidi and Ken and others who wanted to see how the grass is doing.

Apollo and Annie are very good play buddies. Yesterday they were playing with cars and talking to each other like they were the cars. With cars facing each other, Annie's "car" said to Apollo's "car", "Thanks for being my friend." Imagine this with Annie's sweet high little voice.

Carleton's highlight of the week: Fun seeing Apollo so happy at soccer.
Robyn's: Staying up late (after a barf night with Annie and throwing Apollo's b-day bash) singing with Carleton as he played the guitar.

Go Team Elephants!

We've had fun with some Halloween projects at our house. I'm posting on my growmegrowyou blog today about some of the projects we've been working on if you want to check it out. Ann always likes joining in the preschool fun-this week's theme was Halloween.

Apollo's last game is tomorrow. Apollo and another kid head-butted last game so he came out for a while. He had fun playing with his buddy Deacon. Apollo got in and scored goals (even if one was for the other team) and worked hard.

Here's Carleton very late last night after being up since 5:30 am when he finally finished laying the grass. It looks so so beautiful! He got on the scale last night and lost 8 pounds in one day. He has been working like crazy every night for weeks. We are so thankful for all who helped.

Carleton and I were invited by our Muslim neighbors to go to their open Mosque today. They had booths and friendly people to explain things. Carleton and I like learning and were glad for the opportunity. I was surprised to learn that they look at Jesus Christ as a prophet and messenger and they believe that he will come again in a final judgement. One man talked about how 99.9% of Muslims are peaceful but sometimes the actions of a few can give them a bad rap. I talked about our religion and how some people judge us as well, just because of some sects of people that do not belong to our church. I also got to learn about how highly they regard women and why they wear what they wear. Cool experience. It reminds me of the quote from Maya Angelou, "We are more alike than we are unalike."

Home Beautiful...on its way!

Carleton vs. the lawn (really just weeds).

Dollar Store. Annie and Apollo have been saving their money from doing their jobs. Annie got a chair and loves it. We watched Apollo on his bike (he loved the attention). Every time he went by we had a new way to cheer for him.

Love her little shoes. She picked them out at Old Navy for $1.95-already a savy shopper.

Our living room is full of Christmas crafts. Apollo wanted to paint his shirt-he did a cute job. This has been his quiet time fun.

We've been making our own almond butter. So yummy and healthy. I think I might make our own peanut butter from here on out.

Carleton has been spending the last many nights after work prepping the yard for the sod we'll be putting in. Thanks Marlon for all your help!!!! They used a machine to get all the weeds skimmed off and now need to till the dirt. It's rocky and full of weeds-I don't think a blade of grass could be seen. We have really enjoyed working on our house. Many projects.

Just for fun: Annie was sitting at the table by herself and nonchalantly put her hand on her belly and said, "the baby's kicking".
Not so funny: Apollo pointed to a kid next to him and said "that's a boy/girl." I whispered to him that he was a boy but just had long hair.

Highlights of the week
Carleton: shoveling dirt with the kids
Apollo: going to church
Annie: shoveling with Daddy
Robyn: Girl's night out. Pedicures, good food and conversation, and full body massage (only 15 bucks!) with very good friends. I'm a new person. Thanks Girls!

Welcome Halloween

We love Halloween and even decorated the house early last week. We started quite awhile ago with Christmas projects. Apollo has started making ornaments, Annie's gifts are mostly bought, stockings are being made, Carleton and I bought some Christmas decorations, and I have a craft table in my living room full of gifts I'm working on. This is a fun time of year. With all that's going on, it makes the wait to meet baby easier.

While Apollo is away at preschool, Annie and I have started playing school and she loves it! We're doing a letter of the week including learning games and fun activities. This week, along with our learning activities, we're going to "bike" for letter B.

We have this bowl on our kitchen floor. Annie's spider is growing and Apollo's dinosaur is hatching. There are funny little projects and kid things all around the house (like any house with kiddos). I walked by the bowl and was saddened for a minute thinking that some day my house won't be full of kids and kid things. I felt better thinking, that I'll always be a mother, and some day a grandma etc. even after I die...I'll always be a mom. I love being a mother and feel great joy every day teaching, playing, laughing, being an example, reading, and planning fun things to do or ways to be a better mom. Maybe I'm being a pregnant sappy mom, but I'm a happy mom. I'm really enjoying this stage of my life.

Annie and Apollo have been bike riding a lot this week (even in the house for awhile). We just got Annie a big girl bike not to long ago and she's a pro now and can do it all by herself (even getting off it to turn the bike around to come back to the house). She is very independent with everything. She proved to be pretty coordinated in what she does, including gymnastics. I was thinking this week about how the kids are potty-trained, can buckle themselves in the car (besides the bottom buckle for Annie), can dress themselves...so I think it's time for a new one to start up everything again. We are all getting so excited to meet our little baby. He is already very much loved.






We watched general conference this weekend (where the leaders of our church speak to the world twice a year). Apollo colored each leader as they spoke.

Elder Cook talked about loved ones passing away and how people are saddened by missed opportunities or talents that cannot be shared. He quoted 1 Corinthians 2:9 "...Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." I know that my mom is sad that my sister, Amberly is missing out on all the wonderful things my family does and that she is not a part of right now. Elder Cook's talk gave me comfort as he talked about the great joy that will one day come. I believe she is in a place of beauty, love, and light and I know it will be a great day when we can be with her. I have been inspired by so many messages this week and want to put some things into action.