Halloween 2013

Mr. Zander got to be with us this Halloween and we all had so much fun!  He chose to be Honest Abe and Lance and I were Mr. and Mrs. Waldo.  Since Where's Waldo is a semi-disappearing character, I figured the majority of my younger students wouldn't know who he was.  So, about two weeks before the holiday, I got two Where's Waldo books from the city library and let my kids look at them as a reward.  It was such a hit!  Those simple books were so much fun, and a simple way to get students to work harder.  I rechecked them out a couple times, and it didn't get old for some time.  

 For as long as I can remember, Halloween has always been my favorite holiday.  My best friend growing up and I would always go to extremes with our costumes and have so much fun trick or treating.  Some of my most favorite childhood memories come from Halloween nights.  Now, as an adult I love to celebrate with my little family and students.  Being an elementary school teacher is the best around Halloween time!  

This year we went trick or treating with the Evans around the Provo Temple.  It was perfect!  

Special Delivery...

It has been a long journey, with many tears, prayers and fasts.  But alas, we are so happy to announce that Zander officially lives in Utah!  He has been living here since the summer, in a city called Fairview.  It is about an hour away, and what this means is that we will ge to see our little guy every weekend with the exception of one a month.  We are still a bit in shock, but ever so happy!  The Lord answers prayers.  

Zander himself spares no time telling us how happy he is to be here.  He has wanted this for a long time as well.  Our little family has loved being able to be together.  The Lord is so great!  

California Trip Summer 2013

We love California!  Here are more pictures from our awesome trip this summer. 

The kids LOVE the iPad!  Zander showed his different games off to Ricky and Eden.  

Twice we got to go to the beach this summer!  The weather was so beautiful and the water was cold but felt great.  I love California.  

This little guy is not so little anymore.  Look at those adult teeth!  Hard to believe just how fast time goes. 

Ricky and Zander got along so well this year!  They both love a lot of the same things.

Eden is as sweet as ever.  We love hanging out with her.  She reminds me of Jessi so much at that age.  

Beach babes!

Knott's Berry Farm was such a blast this year!  That's definitely one thing I do love about Zander getting older-being able to enjoy more older kid activities with him.  We love Knott's!

Zander showing off his wetness after our ride on Big Foot Rapids.

Wowzers!  That's quite the turkey leg!

I dragged Zander on Ghostrider thinking he would love it, and unfortunately I was wrong.  Very wrong.  And I had a little guy frustrated with me for a good little while.  I guess I deserved it.  Anyway, here he is with his toy of choice-two little cats, a bangled tiger and a black panther.  And he's happy once more!

My favorite.

The kiddos love Papa and Grandma Lisa's pool.  

So innocent:)

Lance has always had a knack for drawing an awesome ninja turtle!  I found an exact replica in his mother's basement that he made back in his childhood.  

Zander didn't want me to take his picture.  Here we are celebrating his 8th birthday.  Aunt Kathryn was so sweet to make Perry the Platapus cupcakes.  Aren't they so cute!

Once we arrived at the hotel in Vegas, Zander got out and all this wonderful garbage spilled out with him.  He was pretty proud.

The traditional jumping on the beds in the hotel room.  He always insures he gets the most comfy one.

Spanish Fork 5K

Melissa and I had a blast running the Spanish Fork 5K.  It was her first one ever, and she did great!  I don't think it will be the last one we run together.  Until next time...