Red Rock at last!

The summer was too hot for hiking, and October was so busy... so I was really excited when we finally found a day the beginning of November to take our kids to Red Rock Canyon! This was Casen's first time walking... not in the hiking backpack. He loved it and did really well. These pictures are all from my phone cause I didn't feel like carrying the big one :)








Ready, set, JUMP!



This was Brinley's first time to wear these pants, and last! Good thing I got them at Target for $4!


Climbing up is always easier then getting down... one of the many times Ryan rescued the kiddos!


Up, Up, Up

They made it!

Natural rock slide, the kids loved this :)

So many of the canyon walls have cool little holes in them, the kids had fun filling in the holes with rocks.

One of many little tunnels

THANKSGIVING!

Despite not being with family and having Ryan work til 2:30 on Thanksgiving... it was still wonderful! It is always good to remember all that I am thankful for. We truly do have so very much to be thankful for!

Brinley and Casen helping me make breakfast in the morning


Casen enjoying the eggs and toast he made.


Brinley was pretty proud of their accomplishment!


My little "helpers" mashing the sweet potatoes... I tried to give myself plenty of time for my dinner preparation so I could be thankful for their help :)


Brinley and the roll dough


We hosted Thanksgiving at our house with a couple of friends and the meal turned out great! Lots of yummy contributions! Ryan carving our turkey.


Ava, Madison, Dresden, Brinley, and Casen -- the kid table


Raquel, Eric, Dane, Camille, Becca, Ryan

Brinley stood on a stool across the room to take this photo for us, I wish I had a video of her holding the big camera and taking a dozen shots to try and get a good one! Good job Brin! Thanks Wilburs and Kinghorns for a fun Thanksgiving Dinner!

Time Out For Women!

I FINALLY got to attend "Time Out for Women" this year (the weekend before Thanksgiving)! It was amazing! I am so glad I got to go! Despite being sick, pregnant, and driving 6 hours Friday afternoon to SLC and 6 hours back to Vegas Saturday night, it was still great and worth the trip! It was so fun having Raquel and Dayna make the trip with me! Us Moms needed a break and we had a great time chatting during our long drive! I also loved getting to see Tiffany and Val... two of my favorite girls... ever!


Val, Me, Raquel, and Dayna. Day 1 - amazing speakers and great company!


Tiffany picked us up on her lunch break and we all headed to CPK for lunch. It was great to see her... we're kinda like sisters :)

Dayna and Raquel - LOVE these girls!

Authors Linda Eyrie and Shawnie Pothier are a mother/daughter "team" that spoke on some secrets of Motherhood. They had some great advice. One thing they talked about was being your own "best kind of Mom." I also loved the quote they shared, which I had heard before, but it is still a good reminder.... "I wish I had enjoyed the DOING a little more, and the getting it done a little less." This is a good reminder for me, especially at bedtime :)


Author Marlama Kallon told her incredible life story from Africa and spoke about her conversion to the LDS church. Her testimony was an amazing reminder of all we have been blessed with.


We also got to meet Brad Wilcox and the fabulous singer Hilary Weeks. Everyone was so nice and it was great to feel their support for us as young mothers.

AZ here we come!

While Ryan headed to South Carolina for a couple of days (beginning of November) to visit our friend Derek Pegg and the Duke campus, the kids and I headed off to AZ to visit family and do a couple Shelf Reliance Parties.

Brinley playing blocks with Grandpa and Aunt Jessie


Poor Casen wanted to ride this scooter so bad! He actually did pretty good... he LOVES scooters!


Picnic with cousin Hannah, Aunt Madeline and Aunt Brooklyn.


Brinley had fun chatting with Great Grandma Judy, I am glad she got to spend some time with her.




The 3 youngest boy cousins.... Blake (3.5), Landon (1.5), and Casen (2).


Brinley had fun jumping off the monkey bars onto the trampoline. I remember doing this when I was a little girl, crazy to see my own little girl doing the same thing!


Clarrissa and I at about 26 weeks... we are due just 4 days apart with little girls!






Here is Casen with his Great Grandpa Charlie. They were so cute together!


I remember being my Grandma's little helper when I was just Brinley's age. She is a great gardner! Brinley had so much fun helping Great Grandma Schoenberg and Grandma loved having her help!



My Mom took the kids on a ride to see some horses...


By the time we headed back the kids were off! This is the street I grew-up on, crazy how different it looks!

Casen decided to give Grandma a ride :)

I don't think we can take a trip to AZ with out the kids getting a ride on the 4-wheeler with Grandpa!

Brinley had a lot of fun trying to ride Grant's bike with no training wheels, thanks for helping her Uncle Brian!


What Mom? I am going to enjoy this "sugar cereal" while I can!


My Mom has always loved getting her hair brushed... she used to pay me to do it when I was little :) Once again, it was fun seeing Brinley doing what I did as a little girl.


Dad and Mom :) Thanks for letting us come visit! We always have so much fun spending time with you guys!