Deck the Halls? To Get You in the Spirit!

Fa La La La La.....La La La La!

 (He knows the best part!)

Silly photos

 Sometimes, you just gotta laugh at yourself!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We spent Thanksgiving in Apple Valley with the Hubbards.  I made pie crusts with Mom Hubbard and was quite good at it!  Surprised?  I was!  They turned out well!

The boys made turkey sugar cookies and frosted them and Cameron took a special interest in all the food preparations and peeled sweet potatoes.  We took a few sides and pies over to cousin Brian's house and met up with family and had a lovely time!  We have lots to be thankful for!

I am thankful for.....

Our yearly Thanksgiving poster is in full swing.  This year has lots of treasures on it: friends, family, shelter, and warm blankets.  Of course, it's never complete without things like legs, fridge and other items that make you go hmmm......  It's always a great project as we prepare our Christmas lists, focusing on what we want instead of what we already have.  I love my family!

School choir performance

I had the kindergarten thru 2nd grade sing at the Friday flag ceremony last week.  Ashton chose not to be a part of the choir this year which I supported but I think he'll be back in the spring.  Derrik was on hand to run sound for me and I had Cameron play bells on "Over the river and through the woods."  Derrik took a few photos of me in full director mode.  :)

Books, Pillows and Pajamas!

Our school had a pajama story time tonight!  We read and listened to stories and had a great time!

Growing and growing

We were all the school tonight and I had the three boys stand in front of the flag.  Then when I compared the photo against the one taken last year at this time.  Wow....they sure are growing!

Halloween Night

Cameron organizing his loot

Derrik, Cameron, Ashton and I attended the church fall festival ALL in costume - a first!  Derrik dressed as a soccer referee, I was Dorothy, Cameron was Jango Fett, Ashton as Spiderman.  We had a lot of fun trunk-or-treating and the Swarm band did a few songs for the kids.  I didn't get as many pictures as I'd like, but you get the idea.

Ethan with his "Steve" head and pickaxe because the character builds things

It was a little creepy!

Ethan went trick or treating with his friends and dressed as a character from his favorite game, Minecraft.  You'll be proud to know we made the costume ourselves out of cardboard and printouts.  I felt very crafty.  :)  His friend, Austin bought his online so I'm proud of us for saving some money.  Happy Halloween everyone!

Halloween Carnival

Ashton and I attended the Halloween Carnival at the school tonight.  Cameron had soccer practice and needed to be there so he didn't get to go.  :(  But, we had fun and shared all the candy with the rest of the family.  Mom made me a Dorothy costume, complete with shoes!  I did give the shoes a bit of a makeover but I was so thrilled to have a new costume to wear this year!  Thanks, Mom!

Ashton gets an "E" for Effort

Ashton got an award at school today!  We're so proud of him!

Win or Lose Ice Cream Cone

The four of us went to Cameron's soccer game today (minus Ethan at a friend's house).  His team is still growing in their skills and it has been tough to lose games.  We decided to set a new rule: win or lose, you get an ice cream cone.  It's all about the experience, anyway.  :)

Nose boo-boo

Ashton got his nose a little too close to Grandma's candle and burned his nose.  The band-aid provided just the right amount of comfort and a ton of laughter.  Soon, Ashton was laughing too!

Back to school

I've officially started back at Santa Clarita Elementary doing music.  It's going great and the kids are glad to have music again!  Things are busy at home between laundry, dishes, homework, lesson prep and church.  We haven't taken many pictures lately so there isn't much to show.  I will show you my new bulletin boards in my classroom!  I love it!

More soccer

Taking a turn as keeper/goalie

 Cameron and his team played well today winning their game 4-1.  The highlight today was Derrik starring as assistant referee!

Nice socks....he had to change his shirt since there already
too many blue shirts on the field.

Heading to the game!

Cameron Soccer Star

Cameron had his first game last Saturday!  He sure learned a lot and we enjoyed watching him play.  The team lost the game but it was just a practice.  He had fun so we're happy.  We got his pictures in the mail tonight and had to share!

Me and the Boys

I don't get in photos much.  My role is behind the camera.  I take that role willingly because I love taking photos of my family.  But, every now and then, I get in a photo and those photos are so special to me.  They're also special because if I'm lucky, the boy won't be making a goofy face.

Cameron hits the big 1-0!

We celebrated Cameron all weekend long with a sleepover on Friday and dinner out last night in honor of his birthday!  Is he really 10?  Wow.  Happy Birthday buddy!  We love you!

First Days 2011

We successfully survived our first days back at school!  Both Cameron and Ashton returned to our familiar campus and Ethan stepped onto the junior high campus.  Everyone had a great first few days.  We're still struggling to get out the door on time and getting into a routine after school, but we'll get there.

Soccer Clinic

Cameron went to his first soccer clinic last week.  He got a good workout learning new drills!  Tonight he finds out more about his team, the practice and game times and meet his coach.  Here we go....it's soccer time!

Golfing and Driving

Dad took us out to the golf course to practice his game.  :)  Cameron and Ethan got to drive the golf carts around while we hunted for the ball!  They had so much fun!  Ashton and I were on the cheering squad.