HALLOWEEN 2009

MASTER CHEIF!!! HUAH!

Ashlyn the Fairy Princess

Brutus becomes a MONSTER....muuuaaahahaha

His transformation is almost complete...

Brutus (the pumpkin) was such a brute that Jason had to call in reinforcements!

A pumpkin....a skill-saw....what could possibly go wrong??!

No, he's not "feeling" Brutus up... :-)

We had a great time having Grandma Andi and Papa Rod come up and spend Halloween with us. We went to a haunted corn maze.... carved pumpkins..... made sugar cookies. The kids dressed up as a fairy princess and "Master Chief" from Halo. Needless to say, about a dozen middle-aged men saw Brenden walking up the street and said "MASTER CHEIF!" Apparently "Halo" is a very popular game.... Unfortunately, he scared several younger children and one unsuspecting elderly door opener handing out candy! On the other hand, Ashlyn was the most beautiful fairy princess in all the land. She LOVES dressing up very girlie-girl!!

Memorial Day fun!!

This Memorial Day we went boating with the Bloxham family on the Yakima River. They have this amazing boat and were generous enough to take our family along for a day of fun in the sun (never-mind that the water was a balmy 54 degrees!!!!). We all slept like babies that night!

Brenden and Berek catching some air!!

Brenden, Makenna (she's in Brenden's class at school), Jason and Jared

Ashlyn and Tayler enjoying the boat ride...


....and the heaters!

Ashlyn loved riding in the tube.

Marianne, Tayler and Bailey Bloxham--that Bailey is adorable!

Jason's feet were too big (SHOCKER) for the wakeboard. Jared pulled so hard to get his foot out that Jason fell off the boat!

Hmmmmm....what do I say about this one?? Got wood, anyone??

Ashlyn's 6th Birthday Party!!

Okay, so a lot of people think that I am the one who wanted to have a "Twilight" party for my daughter. To set the record straight--Ashlyn LOVES Twilight and anything to do with Edward. It was her choice, her idea...and she had an awesome party!! She and her friends enjoyed the Edward cut-out more than I thought possible. Two of the posters pictured in these photos are now safely tucked away in her room where she can say goodnight to Edward every night. Who knew a 6-year old could have such a crush on someone--Yikes...makes me worry about the next 12 years!!!

Ashlyn and Edward

Nikki and I had such a great time decorating for this party!!

We made these great cupcake-pops. They were sinfully good!

The goody bags for all of Ashlyn's friends.

OUR NEW HOUSE!!!!

Okay, I am finally posting the long-awaited pictures of our house! We are loving it in every way. Heavenly Father has truly blessed us in so many ways--our family, our home, our friends--old and new. It's amazing how things work out according to His will. Enjoy the pictures. Sorry it's taken so long......We love you all!!!

The irrigation "pond" right behind our house.

Ducks, frogs and toads call it home--AWESOME!!

Our living room from the landing on the stairs.


The living room looking in to the dining room.



The dining room looking in to the living room.

Dining room.....

Kitchen...looking in to the dining room...

Kitchen....Love cooking in this thing!!!

Brenden's room

Ashlyn's room--she's girly-goth...who knew!!?

Brenden was recently awarded for his awesome learning abilities!! He made the "Principal's List" for having straight A's. We are so proud of him!! We moved to a new state, and he started a new school in mid-December. To achieve straight A's your first quarter at a new school is just awesome! Way to go, Brenden!!

Brenden and Ashlyn on school picture day!

Brenden looking "not so sure" waiting to get his Principal's List Award.

Brenden's teacher, Mrs. Perry and the Principal, Mrs. Melenbacher, gave Brenden his award.

Brenden with his fellow STRAIGHT "A" classmates!!

TWILIGHT DVD RELEASE PARTY!!!!

So, my niece (Madison) is totally in L-O-V-E with Edward from the "Twilight" movie. We attended the Hot Topic DVD release party. Brenden went with us--even though he'd never read the books or seen the movie. (It was sooooo cool to be in the mall after closing!) During the party we all entered our names in a drawing for a life-size cardboard cut out of Edward...and guess who won?? BRENDEN!! He looked at me and said, "What am I gonna do with that?" His first though was to use it for paintball practice, but I knew Madi would DIE if her precious Edward were used in such a fashion, so we (Me, Brenden, Ashlyn and Edward) made the trek to Moses Lake to take him to his new home. Now he has taken up a permanent residence in Madison's room. Oh, to be a tween.....

Visit to Elko!!!

We visited Elko in late February. The kids had a great time seeing their family and friends!!

Brenden, Joey and Lucas

The boys enjoying some pizza!

Ashlyn and Haven

Nee, Andrew and Kallista

"I feel pretty, oh so pretty...."

Papa and Brenden playing a mean game of ping pong!

Haven and Ashlyn were Grandma Julie's big helpers...poor grandma! :-)

Papa played marbles with Ashlyn for hours. Of course, he let her win every time...

Time to haul in some more fire wood....

Ashlyn LOVES helping her "papa".

Ashlyn and Kallista enjoying some home cookin'!

Wonder where that ping pong ball is headed.... poor Kallista!