To the AZ

Ryan's work was holding a convention at the Montelucio Resort in Arizona, so I decided to come along and my mom watched the kids for a couple of days. It was also my high school reunion, so I got to meet up with a couple of friends for lunch. My sister Michelle took our family pictures for my birthday present. She did an awesome job!!! Check out her blog here: http://greerphotography.blogspot.com/2009/12/mg81882-by-robdare1-on-flickr.html

I met up with the McBeth family. I used to babysit for them when they were babies... it is crazy how old they all are.
Tatum holding the her little cousin, Luke.

Grandpa Nelson and Davis.

SeaLife Aquarium

We decided since there was no school we had to do something special... so we went to The Sealife Aquarium to check out some awesome sea creatures. The favorite of the day was the zebra sharks who kept coming up to the glass to "kiss" the kids. On our way home, we decided to take an impromptu detour to Oceanside Beach. No suits or sand toys, but they kids still managed to have a good time digging holes, finding sand crabs, and chasing the waves.

Yippi Yi oh Ki Yah

Chocolate Pudding Painting

Messy, fun, and Delicious! A nice Sunday afternoon acticity... next time, we will remember to change out of the dress-clothes first.

Ryan's Company Picnic

Some of the highlights...


They had a bounce house, money dig, sack races, and so many fun activites, but my kids were most interested in poking sticks in the nearby swamp.


Tatum got her daddy nice and wet in the dunk tank.


Tatum was devestated when I mentioned that her face painting was beautiful, but would have to be washed off for the primary program the next morning. She came up with the idea of taking a picture of it, so she can see it anytime she wants to.


Making yet another escape to the swamp.

Fire Station Fieldtrip

When the Grandparents Come...

Ryan's parents came to visit a few weeks ago and the kids were so excited to show off their soccer skills and loved having their grandma and grandpa their to watch them.


We enjoyed a nice evening out in San Diego. We went to the temple and a seafood restaurant from a food network show that Ryan has been wanting to try. Yummy stuff... it was just a hole-in-the wall place, I never would have stopped there on my own.


Grandma Nelson and Lyric at the park.

Tatum put on her much anticipated art show. She is in an art class and keeps busy creating her latest masterpieces.

The artist... enjoying some hors D'oeuvres.

The artist... getting in a snuggle with gramps.

Halloween Bash 2009

The Thompson's hosted the halloween party this year and it was so much fun. Everyone had creative costumes. We were cowfolk, keeping in tune with our children's costumes. I have to say, Ryan does make a pretty good looking cowboy...

And the Brokeback version.... Kim the Goth, Emily the Moose, Kati the Rocker, Suzie the Fairy, Niki the Pirate, and me.

Kyra as Daphne, Sarah as a witch, me, Amy as Princess Leia, and Niki as a pirate.

Word to the Wise... Don't ever get in a paperbag fight with me... or Emily.

Sleepless in Seattle

As an early birthday present, I got to visit one of best friends, Shelley in Seattle. Lyric-Lu got to come along and relished having mom to herself. We had so much fun catching up and seeing the gorgeous sights of Washington in the autumn. The trip was much, much too quick, and sleep was not really part of the agenda. We were sad to leave and can't wait until next time. Ryan and the kids seemed to survive... Once we were back home Daivs blurted out "mom we had Ding-Dongs!" Tatum quickly blurted out, "Davis, you are not suppose to tell mom we had Ding-Dongs for breakfast!"