This was the massive group of kids the big girls went trick or treating with this year.

I am incredibly grateful they have so many friends. 

They are likable and they welcome others openly.

 I am quite proud of the people they are becoming!

Alaska

8:15pm

The first real snow of the season.

 I think this picture really shows my kids personalities right now.

Cali is very excited about the snow. 

Cori is taking pictures which she does often.  

Cassi wants to feel it!

Love these girls!

Alaska

12:00 pm

Grandma bought me a new tv for the kitchen while she was here. 

Scott was able to get it hung today and we've been using it ever since!

Love it! Thanks Grandma!!

Alaska

4:00pm

The second night of sleepovers and these two made a big ol' mess in the kitchen!

However, the cupcakes were good!

Alaska

9:00pm

Two days off from school means the house is buzzing with sleepovers.

These two were stuffing grapes in their upper lips and making goofy faces!

They are very good at it...right?

Alaska

10:00pm

A friend of Cassi's from cheer owns two bearded dragons. 

Her mom brought one to cheer for Cassi to see. 

Unfortunately I promised her a lizard of she landed her standing back tuck on the floor.

She got it the other day and now she is in the process of choosing  which lizard she wants.

Oh dear Lord in heaven, please help me!

Alaska

7:00pm

I had the big job of creating 100 goodie bags for the gym to give out. 

I bribed Cali with candy (of course) to help me.

Alaska

6:00pm

Cali has a habit when taking pictures to snap every second.

On this day, I was chatting with someone and she wanted to leave so she started snapping.

It was very funny and I was teasing her but it made for some horrible pictures of me!

Alaska

4:30pm

After a long weekend of cheer and soccer, a cold beer was a great way to end my day!

Alaska

10:00pm

Since the big girls always keep her so busy, she demanded we go somewhere she wanted to go for a change.

She used the whole "this is my reward for doing so well at the competition" card and it worked!

The thing she loved doing most at Chuck E. Cheese; making her own fresh cotton candy!

Alaska

8:00pm

Several of Cassi's cheer friends met us at the pool the night before the first competition of the season.

Alaska

9:00pm

The morning was beautiful so Annie and I took a drive down to the beach 

so I could get a few pictures of the sunrise.

Alaska

8:45am

My girls still like me to read to them. It helps with comprehension sometimes.

 I think we were reading Rumpelstiltskin.

Alaska

 7:00pm

THIS is what 7 looks like!

I can't believe she's my baby. I'm hanging on and trying to savor every moment. 

Happy Birthday my sweet, sweet girl.

Alaska

8:30pm

Shhh! It's a secret.

 The birthday fairy swept through our house once more to delight Cali Bay on her special day tomorrow.

I am hoping these light up balloons will be a BIG hit! Can you see the doughnut tree? 

I am sooo proud of that. It's going to school with her tomorrow in place of cupcakes!

Alaska

11:45pm

Shannon's Baby Shower.

Florida-Kelly

2:45pm

  Most of these are Cassi's and Cali's- I think they got this habit honest.
It reminds me of my childhood; my mother left her shoes all over the house all the time. :)

Alaska

5:00pm

We left for Anchorage at 5:30am and 

even though we were back on the road home by 12:00

she was whipped and slept a good part of the way back.

Alaska

12:30pm

Cali has been waiting for this day. 

She wanted to go to open gym at cheer last Friday but I had obligations and couldn't let her.

This week I made a point to pick up her best friend Joe and take them both.

She was a VERY happy camper!

Alaska

6:30pm

Cori and Cassi had a choir concert tonight. 

One sings soprano and one is alto.

Can you guess who's who?

Alaska

8:00pm

In an effort to change things up and do something different for my girl, 

I took her to the beach after school and we did her homework there before heading home.

 She loved everything except me taking her picture to document our outing.

Alaska

4:00pm

So proud of this girl! She learned a new tumbling skill that is very difficult and a bit painful. 

She worked at it with one of her coaches in a private lesson. 

I have high hopes for her in her upcoming competition but regardless of where she places I couldn't be more proud of how far she keeps going in cheer!

Alaska

7:30pm

Cori purchased this pillow as a gift to take to our annual crazy gift Christmas party.

There is real competition as to which gift will be the most coveted crazy gift. 

I know no one who attends reads this blog
so I'm safe to show you the chicken feather pillow,
the best gift of the season according to Cori.

I'll be sure to update you!

Alaska

3:00pm

This is one of the many lizards that hangs out on my porch. It likes to be close to me and I am always afraid I am going to step on it.

Florida-Kelly

4:00pm

Sometimes I think I should research how many times I've posted pictures of the moon but then I think

it doesn't really matter anyway. It never ceases to amaze me, the horizon of blizzard white mountains with a

pastel hued sky and a perfectly round full moon. I truly love it so!

Alaska

7:45pm

5th Annual Weird Beer Party at Ryttse's house.

Florida-Kelly

3:20pm

Umm, yeah! Sister's are awesome aren't they?

Alaska

5:00pm

This is Brodi. He is currently one of Cori's closest friends.

They look like hell but to be fair we'd been up all night long at the middle school lock-in.

Alaska

11:59pm

I think I would give all I have to see this view everyday.

Loved seeing Grandma outside my kitchen window on her way into my house!

Alaska

9:30am

I taught Aunt Debbie how to make hats on the loom.

Alaska

10:00pm

This doesn't really need any words, does it?

Cali was taking our picture.

After looking through all of them, this outtake cracked me up. 

I'm fairly sure we have the same expression.

Alaska

1:00pm

Things got a little tight, too much shopping for souvenirs. :)

Not really, Grandma decided to go to the laundromat to do her laundry all at once.

Alaska

10:30am

I have foolish children!

She was tired, so she laid down in the restaurant across the chairs.

I was so embarrassed. :)  Do you see the lady in the background looking at us?

Alaska

4:00pm

A big day for my 8th grade girl. 

She had a great day and she was FAST!

I am so proud of her.

Alaska

11:00am