An Aussie treat for Halloween

We were very lucky this year to have some great company for Halloween. John's Australian missionary companion, Chris Cross brought his two daughters to the good Ol' USA for some trick or treating fun. We had a little pumpkin carving dinner with he and another Aussie Mission friend Neil and his family. Jeffy started preschool this month and got this little pumpkin at school and couldn't wait to carve it. Getting started on our carving

Trent loves cleaning out the guts

Neil discovers the joy of using power tools for carving

Chris just wants to stay warm. They had the all time low temp this winter back home in Austalia at a chilly 54 degrees.

Really, if you have not carved your pumpkins with power tool you are missing out. As you can see I really enjoy this part.

Kelsie's spider webb eye

Jason and Trent the stick man

Siobhan, Siena and Kelsie

Drama {vampire} queen

Brad the dread pirate Roberts

My little Knight in shining armorBrad and his buddies out scaring the hood

5 Days with the little ladies

My friend Angie invited me to California again this year over the UEA school holiday. It was her daughters 16th birthday and we had quite the party. The first day we spent the morning in Old Town San Diego shopping and sight-seeing. The girls dipped these lovely candles.
Here is Alyssa's birthday dinner at a great little mexican resurant in Old Town.

Then we headed down to the beach to see some sea caves and do a little snorkling. This is Hailie standing in the cave.

Here is the gang on the cliffs. We were hanging out watching the seals and pelicans.

Me and my Hailie...ya I pretty much adore her!

There were a ton of seals all over on the rocks and in the water swimming and barking at each other. We discovered interesting facts like seal pooh is red, and mountains of bird pooh really reaks!

It was evening by the time we got down to the beach and COLD but the girls swam anyway.

The next day we went to Magic Mountain...here we are on our way.

Hailie and Leesha killing time in line for the X-2

Love this pic of Hailie and Leesh The last day we spent shopping in old town Temecula. This was our favorite store.

We topped it off with mexican fried ice cream {mmmm my favorite} Sorry no pic of that. Then we went to Seaside for the girls to do some skimboarding and body surfing.

Hailie was a natural, of course.
She could not get enough even though it was freezing! Hang loose little lady.

I believe my little Rapunzle may have yelled out a time or two "BEST DAY EVER!!!" Here's to a great handfull of days with some fun girls.

A great weekend in St. George

I went to St. George with my sisters and mom to see Grease at the Tuacahn. It was so much fun and we had a great time shopping and eating too much food every day! Thanks for a great weekend ladies. Afterwards we walked around the plaza and just watched the people meet the actors...then we decided that we needed in on a little of the action. Angie couldn't resist Kinicky so we asked him if she could lick his muscle for our pic, he very graciously agreed.

Ahhh...It's that time of year again.

You know that time of year that you just look forward to all season long? Yea, well this ain't it! Family picture time. We didn't do pictures last year, just couldn't pull it together. So this year it was a must. I am after all a picture freek! So yesturday was the big day and I just wanted to share some of our special moments with you. Enjoy!

Were those not just the most delightful pictures of our darling family? What's not to love about all them great kiddos! I hope you enjoyed browsing our Conover family album.

First date and Homecoming

Ahhggg...could my little Hailie really be old enough to date? Two weeks ago she got home from work at 10:30 p.m. to a bag of gold fish and a note! It was fun to watch her try and figure out who had asked her. It took us about an hour to unscramble his name. Calvin Griffith, a very nice guy from school. Too bad all the fish died in the first 3 days...so sad!

I help Hailie out here with the pinning so as not to draw blood.

Here they are before they took off for the night. So fun! I think I just felt my whole world shift.

Eagles

Last month my two amazing boys received their Eagles. I am so pround of the young men they are becoming. I am so greatful to all our family who love and support us and help to guide our children. Thank you to all of you for your examples to them and all of us. We had a great night and lots of family to help us celebrate!

Raingutter regatta

Trent and his boat...what fun was had by all!