Grammy's here!

Just in time to start the Christmas fun! Grammy, Braden and I headed out on a date to see "Junie B. Jone's Jingle Bells, Batman Smells." Childsplay put it on and it was hilarious for both kids and adults. We checked out the APS Light Parade... along with way too many other people. And Jeanine invited us to attend the Gingerbread Ball at Silverleaf where she lives. A nice weekend start to the Christmas festivities! 

 Grammy and Braden outside Tempe Center for the Arts.

 Mommy and Braden got some quality time.

 The empty "canvas" at the Gingerbread Ball. Hunter was invited, but we decided it would probably go better for everyone if Hunter stayed home with Daddy until he got a little more patient. We did bring Hunter's house home for decorating.

 Before getting to the gingerbread houses, there were plenty of other exciting things to do... giant bubbles.

 Homemade snow globes. Braden's was a rocket and he made Hunter one with Santa.

 The serious work began. Braden was definitely in charge of the design. Grammy and Jeanine were great helpers. 

 It's starting to take shape.

 There was fun for the adults, too. Grammy and I were able to enjoy a mimosa... and of course some candy and other goodies.

 Getting close!

Braden met some new kids playing human bowling rolling down the hill towards the 18th green! Maybe someday he'll get a chance to golf there!

 Let's just say the gingerbread man was less than motivated for his task. He spent most of his time sitting in the corner... it was additional entertainment for the adults seeing what he was up to. 

 Jeanine made him get to work though! Thanks so much for inviting us to the Ball! We had so much fun!

And since Braden didn't get enough candy and sugar at the Ball (including downing his second cup of hot cocoa with a straw!), we had a fire to get rid of the chill at the end of the night.

So thankful!

We have so much to be thankful for and are grateful that Thanksgiving allows us to slow down and appreciate those things. Yesterday I read George Washington's original 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation. What a nice reminder of where our thanks should be directed. 

We took our annual Thanksgiving hike. The boys built this cairn on an early hike and added to it.

We are so thankful for great friends who feel like family. Holidays with the Paz/Combs family always makes being away from home easier.

 Especially when they have electric trains to occupy busy little hands and grace when things go off track.

We're also so very thankful for the ability to remodel our house to make the space more livable for our family and also our friends. We are getting there!

And I'm thankful for a cabinet maker who took this picture that I gave him and did a great job copying it! :-)

Festivals

It's festival season in Phoenix! So we've been taking advantage. This past weekend we went to Local First AZ's Certified Local Festival and the Chili and Chocolate Festival at the Botanical Gardens. 

Braden gave the rock climbing wall a try.

Hunter got in on the action, too.

The Science Center was there doing experiments.

Hunter got in on the action, too.

Culinary Dropout was doing a prostate cancer picture fundraiser.

Hunter got in on the action, too.

Actually, Hunter is ALWAYS in on some sort of action!

This little hummingbird lives in the tree on the way in to the Botanical Gardens and is very friendly. Braden tried to get it to land on his fingers.

There were 4 of these rather strange sculptures at DBG, one for each season. This was Spring.

We checked out the monarch butterflies while we were there.

And made chilis and ristras out of Tootsie Rolls. Of course those didn't last long!

On to the fun ones.

We've made it through Halloween. A day that the kids love, but doesn't rank too highly on my list of special days. But, what kids don't love going door to door for candy. I actually was scheduling an appointment a few weeks ago and asked about Oct 31st. They told me they were closed for the holiday. What!!! I'm ready to move on to the real holidays - Thanksgiving and especially Christmas!

 Braden had a group come into his school and do some character lessons that led up to a Harvest Walk fundraiser on Halloween. Here they are getting ready to go. Can you find an interested little brother in the background?

 Hunter did participate.

 Running through the cool tunnel! He did about 25 laps and was pretty worn out after!

 Hunter helped me with my volunteer job of keeping track of the number of laps the kids ran... although it didn't really count for PreK and was a bit like herding cats.

 Mrs Smalls' Superstars!

Part of the crew. No comment on Spidey's need to use the restroom...

 Oh so silly.

 Hunter's wondering what's happening with the pumpkin.

 Anthony saw us off but felt that it was his responsibility to stay back at the house and hand out candy.

 One super cool astronaut.

 We have one neighbor who goes all out each Halloween. This was part of his creation this year.

Not even a sugar high can sustain them after all that walking!

Hunter still likes to go right on in to houses when trick or treating. When he saw some nickels in one ladies basket he dove for them... she said she didn't think little ones would be interested. I had to explain that their Daddy always has them looking for coins wherever the go!

Fair and Pumpkin Festival

Yes, we went to the AZ State Fair. Oh my! We went early on a Sunday and it wasn't crowded. The kids loved it. Anthony and I were glad to be close to Cibo to go have a yummy lunch after. 

 The view from the top of the grand Ferris Wheel! We got to stop right at the top and the kids loved that. 

 The boys loved this monster truck ride.

 They couldn't stop laughing!

 Hunter was tall enough to go on the small roller coaster. Braden and I went on the "big" roller coaster. We both agree that the one at Schnepf Farm is much better!

 So we headed to the Pumpkin Festival the next weekend at Schnepf Farm. 

 And we all took a ride on the awesome roller coaster! 

 Then we checked out the corn maze (here's a little preview of Braden's Halloween costume!)

 Hunter found some corn...

and we also found some pumpkins!

Happy Fall!