SLC

November was the month of traveling. For Thanksgiving we travelled to SLC to spend time with my sister and her family. We had a great time and love spending time at her house. One of the highlights of our trip was going to see the lights at temple square. Probably my most favorite place to go to. Even if it's freezing and there is a mass of people (it was opening night) you still feel the spirit of the Lord and realize that this house is so sacred. My sister made us ride the Trax up to the temple which is like a subway type thing.

We also did lots of shopping and saw some great movies, plus ate some really good food. It was a quick trip, but one that my family and myself love to do.

The Polar Express

I've always wanted to take my kids to the Polar Express so I finally did it and we drove to Williams, AZ. to ride on the train. LOVED it and I'm wanting to make it a yearly tradition. The kids and myself (Paul was a wuss) wore our pj's and boarded the train around 8:00. They served hot cocoa and cookies and then read the story The Polar Express. Santa surprised everyone by boarding the train and passing out huge silver bells to all the kids. Christmas carols were sung and enjoyed by all. Jaxon was even a trooper, yet he did cry a bit while we waited to board the train. Once he realized that it wasn't a scary ride he was fine. Although dad did tell him to "put his hands up!"









On the way home we stopped at Hoover Dam and took a tour. It's really sad to see how low Lake Mead is and extremely scary to look over the dam and then look up to see the daunting huge bridge.

Disney for the Last Time

We said goodbye to Disneyland. Our annual passes expired in the middle of November so we wanted to visit our favorite place one last time. It was a great time to go to Disneyland since it was between holidays and the lines weren't bad at all. We even got a bench for the parade!! When does that ever happen. Unfortunately, Jaxon does not have the Disney blood in him since he cried on almost every ride. He loved the train and the carousal. Probably didn't help that we made him go on Space Mountain. Good times and I am already having withdrawals from my favorite place in the world. See you again in the future sometime Mickey!

Halloween 09

I love Halloween and all the fun fall things that come with it. It just seems that it's finally time to make the hot cider, bake some pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, and eat yummy soup. It seemed too that my kids were at endless dress up parties, as myself also, which made Halloween so fun.

Camryn decided to be Batgirl for Halloween. She loved posing and playing the part. How excited she was to be able to wear her costume to school and march in the school parade. Unfortunately, mom didn't get to see her, but I'm sure it was fun. She loved going house to house, but after one block she was tired and done.



I bought Jaxon a batman costume so he would match his sister...but it was too short. He loves pirates (is always saying arrrrgh to his dad's tattoo)so I bought him a cute pirate outfit. Nope, he refused to put it on. Finally, on Halloween I went and bought him a Thomas the Train outfit since he loves that cartoon. Yes, he wore it trick or treating finally. After 1/2 a block he insisted that someone held him so he was pretty much done really soon. Darn!


Maddie was off with her friends strolling the neighborhood and I didn't get a glimpse of her costume. Maybe a punk rock ballerina?



We also went to Track a Treat to get free candy. Camryn wore her costume, but Jaxon refused. Such a happy, fun, party type child!



We carved pumpkins...yes, I make my mother do the things I don't like to do!



Yes, I too dressed up for endless parties. Unfortunately, these are the only ones I can find of "Alice in Wonderland." My tights were way cute!

A New Month is Here!! Yay!!

Buh bye October. This month sucked...was horrible and I am glad to see it leave. It's crazy to sit here and try to type as the main reason as to why the month was yucky, yet it's difficult to do when you really don't know. I'll try...in a nutshell.
It all started a month ago on my birthday (Sept. 17) when I was sick and nauseated all day. After a couple of days of this I assumed I had a stomach bug, yet after a week of feeling sick every time I ate anything I went to the doctor. My doc thought maybe it was pancreatisis (sp?) and gave me medication to try to help, plus drink lots of water and take an antacid pill every morning. More time went by and still no results and now I got to deal with a horrible pain on my right side.
I then went to a gastroenterologist who ordered me to undergo an upper and lower GI to see what those tests showed. In the meantime I'm told to take pain meds and try to go on my merry way while not able to eat and now in excruciating pain. Twice I made trips to the ER since I just knew my appendix or something was going to burst in my side, but I was informed that the cat scans show nothing is wrong with my inner organs. Frustrating to know end!!!
I finally have my upper and lower tests (loads of fun...did I mention that I asked the doctor if I had a cute a** while groggy from medicine? I know...nice!) and they finally revealed what possibly could be wrong. Due to lack of fiber in my system I've developed diverticulitis and suffer from gastritis. It was nice to be told what could be wrong, yet extremely disappointing when my Dr. says, see you in two weeks to go over test results. Continue with pain meds and increase your fiber is all that he said. This I did and after five days I FINALLY became pain free and feel much better. Not perfect, but better.

Camping Again

We made another trip to Cave Lake which is now my favorite camping place to go. The weather was mild, yet no fish were biting at all. But we enjoyed the serenity of camp life and just being together as a family. Until mom found out that there was a hole in the air mattress. Then I wasn't happy!! All in all...good times!


Sitting with daddy trying to catch a fish.

But, all we came up was SEAWEED! Run, Jaxon, run!

An entire field of cat tails. I was amazed to see them and just as amazed to see Paul cross into the swamp to get me some. Thanks babe!

The rare moment when Jaxon is sitting holding his pole.

Yes, I'm allowing my daughter to vandalize a tree.

WATKINS permanently etched in a tree. Handcuff me now....I know.

Tanner was really happy. Really, he was!

At nighttime getting ready for bed and everyone in one stall.