Family Hiking Fun!

Sam has been asking if we could go on a hike. We finally relented and told him yes. Now when I say hike not a hike like my bro Richard hikes. I am soooo not doing those. My idea of a hike is a nice and easy trail. We looked up San Tan Regional Park and found some nice and easy trails to start. We only did one today but it was alot of fun. The kids enjoyed it and the day was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! We decided that we enjoyed it so much we will have to keep on doing them. Heck maybe one day I will actually be in shape. Bwahahahaha JK! I know I must of scared some of ya with that statement:)

Here we are getting started

Hmmmmm....What left that scat on the trail????
So pretty

Taking a break

Thank heavens Sam was there to help his poor mama out!

Love the views

Utah Bride pose for Lesa and Marcy

More pretty views

Matt and Riley wouldn't wait for self portrait time

Love it!

See....I told you Matt and Riley wouldn't wait

Here we are pulling up the rear

Sam had to have a hiking stick

Poor butterfly didn't make it

Riley's 11!!

We do celebrate Valentine's Day somewhat but at our house that day we really like to celebrate Riley's birthday!! Our Riley girl turned 11 on Sunday, Valentine's Day. She's my special Valentine. I can't believe how grown up she is getting. Why oh why does time not stand still sometimes? She had loads of fun and loved her day. Happy Birthday Riley-Roo! We love you:)

Tucson after Christmas

The day after Christmas we headed to Tucson to go visit Grandpa Richie and Grandma Junie. With the kids getting older it just seems harder and harder to get away anymore. It was nice to go hang out with them even though it was just one day.

Look there is snow and that there mountain!

I love the mountain views as we drive in. They are just beautiful.

Almost there kiddos!

Check out Matt's concentration even with me annoying him

Grandpa Richie got a Mr. Bill doll...Oooohhh Nooooo!!!!

Heading in to unwrap gifts

Sam is playing Santa

Grandma Junie checking to make sure she got everything

Grandpa doing what he does best:)

On a side note, we did attend other Christmas parties and such but my camera never seemed to go with us. This holiday season was busy but loads of fun. I am sure going to miss all this fun and going back to the real world...ho hum.

Christmas

Christmas Eve we did our family tradition of going to look at Christmas lights and to eat at the Village Inn. Sam was very concerned that we would not be home in time to get into bed before Santa arrived informed me he was hungry at 1:30 in the afternoon. After much convincing he finally decided to go ahead with our normal plans for Christmas Eve. After coming home the kids got to open their traditional present of new PJ's. Then a plate for Santa was made and it was off to bed!

I did threaten the kids that they were not allowed up before 7 and they came in to wake me shortly after 7. They were so excited to see what Santa had left. All the kids got a brand new bike and they were so excited. We opened presents and made a big breakfast. After that we hung around for awhile and then went off to my Mom's house for dinner. Christmas was very nice this year. We got to relax and really enjoy each others company and remember the real reason of celebrating CHRISTmas!

Sam finally got Lego Architecture! Hurray!!

Opening of the NY Bucko gift. Guitar Hero World Tour!

Riley was so happy to not get just one Shaman but two!

Lego Empire State Building

Swoon!! Kristina got Edward for Christmas:)

We of course had to have the Yule Log

Cool new bikes

Our groovy new night light. Do you love it?!

Our house at night

I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

Neighborhood Christmas Party

This year our neighborhood had it's first annual Christmas party. They had a band, some face painting (courtesy of Kristina), fun crafts, firetrucks, and SANTA!!! It was a warm day and lots of people turned out. The kids seemed to have fun:)

Check out the Sexy Wrangler:)

line for face painting. Hurry Kristina!!

Riley was off having fun with her friends so only Sam got to see Santa. By the time Kristina was done with face painting everything was closed up. Bummer!

Car Show

Over Thanksgiving weekend the Car Show was in Phoenix. Kristina seems to have this weird obsession with cars lately so Matt said he would take her and her buddy Ryleigh. I took Sam and our Riley to the movies and Matt ventured out with the girls. They had loads of fun there. At one point the girls were able to go behind the ropes by the expensive cars when no one else did. They were in HEAVEN!! They even got to take a crazy jeep ride. It was loads of fun for them.

Kristina doing her best soccer mom impression while screaming at Ryleigh

Silly Matt

Taking a look inside the stretch Hummer

Inside the Transformer car

Utah Bride pose

The Hero!!