Monday, November 16, 2009

Christian's scouts!

Christian has an amazing scout leader! We as a family have been able to enjoy so many fun activities that have been planned by her. Saturday we were able to attend the Gateway Museum by Bidwell mansion in Chico, the Satuday before that they went on a 3-mile hike and last month we went to Durham to the Wildlife refuge (I forgot the exact name of it).

GATEWAY MUSEUM
Meliah showing all the different kinds of pinecones.

This is a picture of all the kids looking at the different types of scat (poo) of animals in our area. (pretty gross)

Christian loved the telescopes!

BIDWELL PARK - 3 MILE HIKE

The 3 scouts!


WILDLIFE REFUGE IN DURHAM

Christian, Meliah and Lizzy checking out all the animals

The whole group at the Wild Life refuge. A really great place in Durham that takes in animals that need extra care and treatments, or that just can't go back on their own because they are too used to being with humans.

Christian petting a snake.

The Bengal tiger right as she sprayed us. I was getting ready to take a picture of her face but it shocked me so bad I took this picture right before running. Not many people can say that a tiger has peed on them. YUCK!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Friday Date Night!

Aaron and I had all the kids take pictures of us before our date night last Friday night. This was the best one... Lizzy was the photographer! Yeah Lizzy! I do love my husband... he is such a great man.

NBA Fit Challenge!

Elizabeth waiting in line to jump rope

Christian and his cousin, Becca

Meliah racing her cousin, Sierra


The kids had a really great time on Saturday at the NBAFit Challenge at the school. There were several stations that they were tested and timed. It was so cute to watch them be competitive and do their best! Lizzy was the youngest there but really showed some determination. Christian placed 1st in his age group and Meliah placed 2nd. Christian gets to move on to the next level.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Halloween weather! WHAT?

Yesterday was a really nice day. I could not believe the perfect weather! Aaron and I were able to go play sand volleyball for a couple of hours in the middle of the day... may I add that Will and I smoked Aaron and Brian! Okay, well, maybe not smoked but that sounds a ton better than barely beating them. We only played 3 matches and it took us almost 2 hours. One of the games went all the way to 30, so it was a pretty good match up! I'd much rather get my exercise in doing something fun, and I love volleyball! Playing 2 on 2 in the sand is exhausting but it's so much fun.

We were able to take the kids to trunk or treat last night. They got so much candy it's ridiculous! I only have 3 kids... what do you all do with all that candy, expecially if you have 4, 5, 6, 7 kids? I'm really debating on whether to just have them eat it all until they get sick of it (I think that may shut down their immune systems though) or just put it in a ziplock bag and put it up in the cupboard (but I get so tired of the begging for candy). I read in family fun magazine that you can do scientific experiments with some of it. I think I may have to try it. Any other suggestions?

Lizzy(purple fairy) with her friend, Maddie (cinderella)

Aaron, as a nerd, with part of Christian's target costume too

My mom with the girls! She came by to give the kids a special treat.

Meliah with her friend Samie. (They both dressed as Mulan) They must have called each other... ha ha!

All of us at the trunk-or-treat

My friend Becky and her husband Jon came by to help us give out candy

I did dress up, it was just a couple of weeks ago for a get together

Families are Forever!

Families are Forever!
What a great blessing

I sure do love my family!

I sure do love my family!

Our 3 little ones!

Our 3 little ones!
We have been so blessed!!!

My parenting plan!!

I have been thinking a lot lately of what I need to teach my kids to help them become independant physically, spiritually and mentally so when they turn 18 they will be able to survive on their own. The last 9 years has flown by so quickly I can't believe it. Nine more years and my first child will be old enough to be on his own. That is a real wake up call for a mother who hasn't prepared her children for those important days. I realize that I have gone on way to long without a list of what needs to be learned and done by what age so that my kids will not be horrified when they get out into the world alone. So, I've come up with a list of most everything I can think of that would be important for my kids to know and learn and what ages they should be capable. Of course, every child is different and is capable of different things at different ages. Some learn things faster and are more motivated. Others would like to just live in the home cave for the rest of their lives and have no motivation to do any of it. So, I am including my fairly flexible plan. But if you let too many years slip by, you may need to up the work to fit everything in. I got most of my ideas from a very experienced LDS author (Merilee Boyack) who has raised several children successfully! So, hopefully you find this as helpful as I do!