UPDATE #2

At the end of July, Craig was sent to Carson City to attend the POST Academy and to become a CAT 1 Police Officer. I would have never guessed in a million years I would be married to a cop. He was gone for 16 weeks, July 26th - November 10th. In which he missed a lot, Kayla starting 1st Grade, Kayla playing her 1st sport, Soccer, Halloween

1st day of 1st Grade

Soccer

Halloween: Austin is a Park Ranger, Ashley is Cinderella, and Kayla is a bride

and ANOTHER MOVE. That's right!!! On one of his visits home, we decided to move from the top on the hill to the bottom of the hill. Of course he had to go back and I was dealt with the move, by myself. Although he did come back to paint the house but I did everything else...of course I did have some help. After the move which was quick, I think 10 days. I flew to Texas with Sandy, Heather, Brock, Stephanie, Juan and my mom for my uncle and aunts wedding anniversary. Which was a blast!

The world biggest wind chime

The Schlitterbahn

Juan having fun with an ice cream cart we found

The masquerade party

Hernandez cousins

Then right when I got home, I flew back out this time to Carson City for Craig's graduation.

It was good having him back home, especially for the major holidays and birthdays.

UPDATE #1

I am really bad at blogging. I think it has been over a year since my last post. As most of you know a lot has happened. I will break this up so it is not too much. Back in January 2011, Craig was offered a job as a LE Park Ranger in the Valley of Fire. With an extensive background and several tests, Craig was hired in March. As part of being hired, one of the job requirements was to live at the park. So now the Valley of Fire is our new home and we have a lakeside view.

At the top of the hill!

We moved our family here in May. Our neighborhood consist of 5 homes, 4 in which are rangers and 1 as the regional mechanic. We love our cute neighborhood. The kids love it out here. They're always going outside and exploring, taking hikes on the hill behind us, collecting rocks and sticks, finding all kinds of animals, birds and bugs. So far we have seen: snakes, lizards, roadrunners, eagles, coyotes, big horn sheep, random cats, ground squirrels (which I can't stand), rabbits, quail, mice and many more. I tell the kids

all the time, they have the biggest backyard.

The hill behind our house that the kids nicknamed Volcano Rock

A stick they found.

Halloween

What a busy weekend! Friday our local grocery stores Lin's was having a Halloween Carnival in the parking lot. The kids had a lot of fun and a great way to start the Halloween weekend. Although it was a little warmer than I would have'd liked it. I can't believe how big my kids are getting. This year all the kids picked out their own costumes, which to my surprise Kayla decided not to be any Disney princess...WHAT! She loves all the Disney Princesses. I think school has changed her a little, just a little. Definitely in a good way. Well, here they are at the Lin's Carnival.

Ashley is Tinkerbell, Kayla is a Stitch Witch and Austin is Bumblebee

Group shot: Austin, Ashley, Kayla, my sister-in-law Tracie and her daughter Cassi

Ashley fishing

I love that other kids want to help pass out candy...it makes me happy.

Kayla and Austin

After Lin's we had a couple of hours before the next one. Luckily for me I got them to take a nap...well Austin didn't but I did. They woke up just in time for the next round which was at the Old Gym in Overton. They were celebrating 70 years and having a fun low-budget carnival. I wasn't to impress just because I had to pay for every game, which was 50 cents x3 and since I have small kids, of course they didn't win anything but a small piece of candy like a tootsie roll or smarties. So needless to say we didn't stay long, but it was OK we went home and carved our pumpkins.

Austin and Kayla wondering if they dare put their hands in the pumpkin

This year Kayla wanted to do her own pumpkin. Here she is cleaning out the inside.

Kayla putting her pattern on

The finished look: Kayla's is the rose, Austin's the big happy face and Ashley's the goofy face.

Saturday morning we went to the Valley of Fire. It was a lot of fun. Austin really liked the bowling.

Ashley bowling

I'm surprised that Austin let the man put that mask on him.

Ashley throwing balls in a pumpkin

Waiting for the witch's brew (7-up/sherbet drink)

Enjoying the cookies they got to decorate. The cookies were a little too cooked because Tanya, my mother-in-law, chipped her tooth on one and she just had it fixed a few weeks ago.

And then last but not least, the trunk or treat at the fairgrounds. Waiting to go in.

Kayla was so excited to see her kindergarten teacher Mrs. William's

Ashley happy to get some candy

Kayla relieved to be home

It was a busy weekend but it was filled with fun. The kids had so much fun and more than enough candy.

Heather & Brock Chappell

They did it...they decided to tie the knot. I am so happy for them. It's finally great to have a BROTHER-IN-LAW on my side of the family, Brock is a great addition. The good thing is the kids and Craig really, really like him. It was a busy week. First starting things out with abridal shower but I forgot my camera so I have no pictures and I forgot to get some from my mom before leaving. I'll have to post that later. The bridal shower was on Wednesday evening. Thursday Heather took her endowments out and Craig and I had the pleasure of attending. Thursday evening some of us went and got pedicures and then had dinner.

Left to Right: Ceele, Susan, Me, Craig, Heather and Brock

I funny thing was that this was Craig and Brock's first time. I think Craig really enjoyed it and can't wait to go again. I think Brock enjoyed it as well.

Craig couldn't stop looking. He needed to know what was going on the whole time.

The two love birds

The sealing was Friday morning at 9:00am, although I think it was more like 9:15am. Grandpa did an amazing job (like alwaysl) and reminded me when Craig and I got married more than 6 years ago.

Brock & Heather coming out of the San Diego Temple. Look how happy they are!

Heather is so beautiful...so is Brock.

Kayla and Princess Heather

Two big losers j/k

My two favorite men...ain't they handsome

Left side: Brock's Family and some of Heather's Right side: Heather's Family

Kira and Austin having some fun in between pictures

Heather and Brock

Kayla and Austin

Stephanie, Michael, Heather, Sandy and Me

My whole family with spouses or boyfriends and kids

My family without spouses or boyfriends or kids

My favorite picture: Three new sister-in-laws

It was a long busy week but definitely worth every minute. I now have a new brother-in-law. Just 4 more months and I will have another. I am so happy that the family is finally starting to get bigger. I am so happy for Heather and Brock. I love you both!

Birthday's, Retreats and Fundraisers

Oh, my gosh so much has been going on this month. Let's see, Ashley turned 2 on the 1st. I can't believe my baby is growing up so fast.

Ashley loves Mickey Mouse and she got her very own dress up dress. She was very excited!

I think the BIGGEST news is that Austin is potty trained...Hooray!!!

While everyone was enjoying the fair, my mom and I were enjoying ourselves in St. George at a quilt retreat at ScrapApples. It was a blast. It was my first one of many to come. Our teacher was Carrie Nelson, she is the designer of Schnibble quilts you may also know her as Miss Rosie.

This is her new book Schnibbles times two

This is the class room, on the far left you can see some quilts hanging on the wall, the big quilt is my moms and the small one next to her's is mine

It was a two day quilt class, there were about 15 of us. Most of us were doing a quilt from the new book. I chose to do the quilt "Imagine" using the Civil War line by Moda. Although I did a small quilt it took me just as long as the other gals who did a large quilt.

My quilt(without the border)

Later in the evening on the 1st day ScrapApples fed us dinner and then after we had a trunk show. First Carrie showed us all the original quilts from her latest book both the large quilts and the small quilts and some others. After she was done everyone else could show off they quilts.

This is Carrie holding a small version of Open Season

After the trunk we had dessert and continue our projects. And the 2nd day was many sewing, sewing, and sewing. Not to mention all the wonderful prizes that were given away. Carrie gave us all 3 patterns, some bobbin bikinis, some wonderful tips and advice and she autographed our books. Some of the prizes I won were a layer cake (Martinique by 3 Sisters (Moda), a turnover (Kansas Winter by Kansas Troubles Quilters (Moda) and 3 fat quarte rs. This was so much fun and I am excited for the next one.

I finished the top of my quilt before leaving...What do you think?

On the 17th, Lexie had a fundraiser for her ONH. Here are some Pic s for it

The quilt that was being raffled

Kira and Michaela helping with rock climbing and bungee jumpingThe wonderful goodies for the Bake SaleBeside doing all for these wonderful things, Craig and I managed to paint his mom's master bathroom, help Gary and Chanell tile they floors, make shelves for they pantry and move some furniture in they house, view they blog to see the pics. Finished the quilting machine (it needs a few parts). Have stuff!!