Hunting!

Hannah and BJ got to go pheasant hunting in Kansas in the middle of November.  It was Hannah's first hunting experience...she came home wanting to go again, so it was a successful trip!

They stopped in Denver and got to see Papa!

Hannah LOVED driving this HUGE combine.

Who needs boys??
Hannah actually enjoyed playing with (and hugging) the  pheasants.

 

Daddy-Daughter Fun

The Mighty Hunter!

Uncle Travis, Aunt Rachael, and BJ

They stopped to see Great Grandma Rice

Aunt Rachael and adorable cousin Caleb

 







Hannah loved the train at DIA









It was an experience both Hannah and BJ will always remember and cherish and now all the girls are awaiting their turn to hunt with Daddy!

Happy Birthday Brynlee!

Every day for the last few months Brynlee has been telling everyone it's her birthday...she finally got to celebrate last week!

Her "Three" fingers and the dinner she chose:
Spaghetti with steamed broccoli? Yep she did!

New dress from Nana...she cries when I try to wash it!

Instant cuddle love with Grandma's blankie...

Thank you Grandma!

Brynlee has culinary flair...she asked for lemon cake with lemon frosting. No boring chocolate for this girl!
She was so afraid of the candles that she asked Janessa to hold her and help her blow them out.

We did it! 

Happy Birthday our sweet, fiery little lady! We love you!

San Francisco!

BJ had a conference in San Fran October 15th through the 17th and, because of a dear friend who was willing to watch my crazy kids on top of her own four, I was able to go with him. We met up with some of our dear friends and old neighbors.  The boys went to work and Kristen and I got to play; 

NOT FAIR!  But SO fun! We did see the boys at night, so don't feel too bad for them! 

Probably not too P.C., but we thought this was a hilarious name!

Kristen and I took a bike tour around the city and into Sausalito and Tiburon.
We saw so much of the city this way!

Hey! We're on the Golden Gate Bridge!

The Bay Bridge

Our new friend, Torbin, from Denmark, took our pic and allowed us to introduce him some to very important American treasures: Salt Water Taffy and Root Beer.  He stuck with us for most of the 17-mile ride.

Our boys were there to meet us at the dock and rode our bikes back  for us to save our weary legs (and tooshies!)

Name that movie! 

We visited Fisherman's Wharf, saw (and smelled) the Sea Lions,  ate clam chowder in a sourdough bowl, saw Lombard Street, China Town, rode the trolley and in a cab, and walked around Golden Gate State Park.
We even saw the "Silver Man."  The "Gold Man" must have taken a day off!

All in all a very thorough introduction to San Francisco!

Camping in October

 We took a weekend and went camping with BJ's Training Officer and his wife for the weekend.  Four adults, five kids, and 3 dogs made for a great time, filled with entertainment!

And beauty!

The ATV ride begins...

A little later

Addie recovered and invented a "green" broom!

We interrupted this guy trying to catch a daddy long leg

Daisy was in heaven with her two new friends! Is this really considered play?

Happy Birthday Hannah!

 So a month late isn't bad, right? I can honestly say I don't know where the last month and a half went!  Every day had been so full!

Hannah had a party with friends this year for her 9th birthday.  What a fun age for parties!  The girls swam, danced, ate, swam, danced, decorated cupcakes, and ate again! They were a lively bunch and filled out afternoon with smiles and laughter. Hannah enjoyed having friends to goof around with and enjoyed some down time from all the school work that has accompanied the move to 4th grade from another school. Let's just sum it up using 2 words: challenge& tears!  She is thriving now however, but her party was a welcome break from all the catch-up!

This old warrior was here to surprise Hannah as we prepped for the party!
What a commotion he caused!

Rocky enjoyed the party too

Sugar Zombies!

Say, "Cupcakes!"

Strike a pose...Freeze Dance!

What could be better than a pool party?!

August Catch-Up: Tami has a Birthday

This is the last of the posts for August! Last but not least, I celebrated my 32nd birthday!  BJ made his sinfully delicious caramel bars and we had a quiet family celebration the Sunday before as BJ was out of town on my "real" birthday.  The real day was great too, complete with lunch out with friends, and I felt very loved from everyone who sent well-wishes!

I am so blessed!

August Catch-Up: Celebrating 11 Years!

Yep, BJ and I have now been married 11 years.  To celebrate this year, we were given a trip to a resort in beautiful Sedona, AZ!  It was beautiful and we had such a great time.  Thanks to Kathy for traveling from Southern UT to watch the zoo for us.  We kept her hopping and she took it all in stride with a smile on her face!

Token Cheesy Picture

Natural bridge at the end of a nice hike

Ancient ruins

A mountain biking tour kindled a new passion for mountain biking in Tami and gave us a new activity to love doing together

August Catch-Up: New Family Member

Our house is more like a Zoo these days.  We have a new addition...Meet "Rocky" our 3 year old bearded dragon:

Janess begged for a lizard for months!
I told her if she could earn the $ she could have one;
It only took her a few days of working sun up to sun down and she had it,
much to my chagrin (I thought I'd have longer to prepare)! But she is in lizard love!

Janessa thought it was funny for "Rocky" to have rocks on him

The Zoo Keeper