Dickens Festival & Father Christmas

How the time has flown by and the Dickens Festival is already here.  The coloring pages were the only prep we needed to get us in the mood to attend. They worked really hard on them this year and gained entrance into festival.  We were on a mission to visit Father Christmas, but of course he is in the back corner so we must stop and look around.

Of course the line was long so the kids were off to scout out fun stuff while we waited in line.  They found a doll clothes store that made clothes for American Girl Dolls.  Maybe if their good Santa will bring them one for Christmas.

Waiting our turn in line.
Patiently???

Happy Thanksgiving

No shopping this year on Black Friday.  Instead we headed to Salt Lake to visit family for the holidays.  Also went to Jordan River Temple to finish Dave's Parents temple work.  Afterwards we were off to downtown to see the lights and to ride Trax.

This sign marks our stop.

Don't forget were we parked.  It's too cold to walk back to the hotel.

Waiting for the train

Pretty in green.
It is really cold tonight.

Looking at the temple with all the people.

Another angle of the temple and lights.

Candy windows a memory from the past.
They were pretty amazing and very sweet with all the candy used.

Time to get back on Traxs and head back to the hotel to get warm.  Up early the next day to make sure we got all our visits in before heading home.  We are grateful for good weather the whole way home.

Jubilee of Trees 2013

After a very busy week we finally found time to enjoy the Jubilee of Trees.  It is the perfect way to start the holidays and support the Foundation.  We walked through the doors to find our favorite volunteer Nancy.  She is an amazing person and we love her.

Winter Wonderland

Another volunteer showing the kids her favorite tree.

My favorite....I love Chick-fil-a!!!

The kids couldn't resist sticking their heads into this picture.
Oops Ryder went to the wrong picture.

All together

We love it!!!!

We had a great time and it was a perfect way to end the weekend.  Time for a treat and make it an early night.

Wonderful News.....

Shawn and Christiana were going to be baptized on Saturday and we were all invited.  We were all a little anxious, nervous, and excited to see them and be a part of their special night.  Cedar City had a huge snow storm on Friday night and it continued for most of the day.  

The Haynie Family

The kids together again.

Being Silly

Finally, a good one.

It was a wonderful night and great to see how happy they are.  They were so excited to see the kids and play together for just a little while.  Snow was the entertainment of  choice.  Ryder was freezing and crying on the way home.  

Oops One More

Before the season is over....  It was time to play!!!

And play they did.

I made that Goal!!!!
I am really glad that Rylee got this picture.
Can't you feel his excitement?

Playing their hearts out.

So much enthusiasm!!!

We walked off the fields and headed to the car.  Everyone had smiles on their faces it was a good day.

I had one more surprise up my sleeve.....NEW FISH.

TGIF Getting The Wiggles Out

Another busy week comes to an end.  We all need to get outside and get our wiggles out.  Giving Rylee the option of swimming, rock wall climbing, or taking the dogs to the park to run and play.  She chose the park and we were off.

Love that smile if only Harley survives.

Doggy in the Middle

Wait a minute Dexter can jump really high and grab that ball.
So much for Doggy in the Middle.

Come on Harley let's play.
Too bad he is feeling his age and can't keep up with the puppy or Ryder.

It was getting dark and wiggles were turning into shivers time to head home.  Let's do this again soon came the shouts from the back of the van.  Time for dinner.

The Final Game for Fall

The weather held out for this final game and it was great.  What wasn't great was both games were being played at the same time.  Each one begged me to be at their game.  However, I stood between the two fields trying to watch both.  This proved impossible so I left a camera with Rylee and wrapped my arms around Reganne and gave some mom support to her.  After a few bruises and a couple of scrapes she needed a little extra love.

She decided to get in and play her heart out.

And even more!!!

The Sharks!!!!

Goofy kids
All kids enjoy goofy faced pictures.

It was a great fall season and the kids are ready for a break.  Yet as they wondered off the field there was a little sadness that it was over.

See ya in the spring.

Adoption Celebration

WOW!!! what a crowd we missed the celebration last year so we had to go this year.  Past celebrations have been rather small and very cold.  They changed it afternoon and what a difference there were people everywhere.

First stop for Ryder a must see the fire trucks.
Awesome men that took time to play with the kids and let them explore.

Rylee & Reganne's first stop climbing the wall.
She is a regular pro making it almost to the top. Ryder only made it up one step.  Reganne got crowded out and was unable to move.

Musical Chairs with the high school volunteer group.

We saw many people that knew from our various groups over the years. It is an amazing celebration made possible by wonderful people that gave us the opportunity to become parents through their sacrifices.

Game Seven, Game 1

It's a beautiful day but chilly enough to wear jackets or at least long sleeves.  They were slow to get started and needed a little more time to warm up.

And she scored her goal of the season.
She was beaming!!!!

A hug from Dad or a snuggle to keep warm?
Either way a great picture.

We have an hour between games.  Rylee was off to ref a u8 team.  Not enough time to run errands instead lets relax and let the kids play on the jungle gym.

Game Seven, Game Two

Another beautiful day for soccer games.  It was a little chilly but Ryder refused to wear long sleeves because he gets to hot.  After a quick practice the game started.  These boys were ready to play.

Dang!!!! I looked away just as Ryder made his first goal by head butting the ball into the goal.  So much for arguing with Rylee neither one of us won.

We have time for one more activity..... 

6th Grade Star Party

Another busy day at school.  Rylee had her final theater performance and parents were invited.  Dave was able to attend since I was on kindergarten duty.  She did an awesome job and aced the performance with an old lady accent that the teacher loved.

Same day but at night was the 6th Grade Star Party for parents to help students have hands on with telescopes.  They were also able to make rockets and with a tennis ball show the parents what they have been learning.  My only complaint is when you look through the telescope I want to see it life size not just a spot even a glowing spot.

Rylee had fun with her friends and didn't want to go home.

Look What Followed Dave Home!!!!

Well so much for catching up on boring chores instead Dave had other ideas.  He found another car and this time it was a local one.  It only required a 20 minute ride to Winchester Hills.

He has caradar (car radar)

The kids were in love.
Ryder waited in the driveway with his sunglass, Capt America Shield, and no shoes.

Pretty nice looking.
However, Dave is the only one who can drive it.  The rest of us can't see over the dashboard,

They are in love.

Dave better watch his back.  They are all planning on which car they want when he dies.  Ryder asked what the next car would be?????

Goalie Saturday

Surprise!!! Reganne volunteered to be goalie this week not one quarter but 3.  The rest of the team let out a breath of relief they were free to play.

Most of the game they stayed well away from her.

Will this hold me?

Watch my dance moves!!!
They scored 2 goals off her.  One sailed right over her head and landed neatly behind her.
Pretty amazing, but she felt really bad.

Love that face and how proud she was.

Afterwards she inform me that she had done her duty on goalie and could now play the rest of the season.  When did she get so smart?

Same Time Again

The second game happened at the same time but different end of the fields.  Lucky for us that Dad was off work so he watched Ryder's game.  However, he didn't have a camera to take pictures so this was all we had.

Getting instructions.

That is how it's done!!!!

Games over and time to play catch up or time for lunch.  Everyone voted for lunch.