Oldest is Best!

I grew up complaining that there were no perks to being the oldest child (i.e. pushed the hardest, full-time babysitter, the guinea pig, ...you get the idea). But hey, I'll admit it, I'm wrong! My sister just reminded me of one more reason I love my lot in life...



I have siblings that willingly choose to make a mess like THIS with my kids! I can't say the same for myself.



Thanks Vess!

I Heart Arizona Cardinals

You better believe it, baby!Kirk and I have been Card fans for the past 3 years, despite the anger, heartbreak and glares we have had to endure. It is FINALLY oh so sweet to be groveling in the glorious success of the NFL's biggest underdog!

I don't want to jinx anything, but after the big victory over the Cowboy's (bonus perk: breaking the fingers of Jessica Simpson's boy toy) and beating the 49ers last night for their 1st Monday Night Football game win in 20 years, Cards are about to be the great comeback story of the year. I just might pull out all the stops and purchase a Boldin Jersey.

Come join the Cardinal Bandwagon...this is as good as it gets!

OCTOBERFEST 2008

This October has been crazy, ooky, spooky and fun! Here is a glimpse of what we have been up to:

Grant and Carsons 3rd Annual Halloween Luncheon

miss diva held her own with the boys

Black and green.... the new Halloween colors?

Hot dog mummies, spider crackers and ghost cookies made for quite the kids meal, along with crafts, games and goodie bags.

Greene's Spookilcious Recipe Club

The Ladies

Excellent food, as usual, and the Greene's really decked the place out. Dave had some games up his sleeve for some serious competion and good laughs to end the night.

The fellas

Halbison Men "Roughing It"

Kirk's Dad pulled the troops together for a trip up to Payson.

No Girls Allowed!

Parker was super excited to hang with his cousin Jacob from Joseph City

Parker also got to go with Grandpa Nielsen to his ward campout at Canyon Lake. He had a blast with his buds Evan, Max and Colton...the 4 yr. old brat pack.

Arizona State Fair:

My lil' piglets feeding the pigs

Should I be concerned that the ride operator thought Parker would be an appropriate guardian for Gracie on the Bumper Cars? Probably.

Can't tell who is having more fun, Mom or the kids?

HALLOWEEN

Started the festivities a couple days early at the Ahw. 1st Ward Trunk or Treat. Grandpa served up his homemde rootbeer.

Gracie posing with Grandma to show off her face painting.

The kids went gaga for candy on Halloween night. They would literally walk right into strangers' homes. We stayed at home and were able to go to a block party, see lot's of our neighbors and have family over for pumpkin chili bowls. Wouldn't of had it any other way.

Ready...Set...Go!!

A gorgeous morning on South Mountain, the best running partner/coach next to my side, fresh legs, steady pace and then...MILE ELEVEN. Some genius decided that the last 2 miles of the race should be uphill!!?? I was not physically, emotionally or mentally ready for this! Not to mention, my stomach was getting the best of me. The last 2 miles were nothing short of a NIGHTMARE! As slow as the last mile was, I ran till the end and all things considered I am happy with my time. This was the 1st Half Marathon for my Dad and I. At 51 he is still the one leading the way and helping to push me through the race. Just emailed me with 2 new races he thinks we should do...I can't even think about it yet.

This is the form of someone who doesn't know if they can even make it 5 more feet to the finish line. After a few days of recovery I can finally admit this whole ordeal may have been worth it.

Back to School Night

Recipe Club has kicked off it's 3rd year! Molly and Jimmy started things off right with a fun theme "Pickett Cafeteria" where we enjoyed the fine cuisine from the good old days.Putting the invite in the pencil box was so cute and clever. I was assigned an appetizer, so of course I made the childhood classic "pigs in a blanket".

Things were official when Molly and Jimmy rocked hair nets while serving up our food on the same lunch trays we all remember from grade school.

We played the Elementary School picture game. Kirk was cute and awarded "Mama's Boy". However, my 1st grade photo resembled a girl right out of Colorado City. Being only 7 yrs. old I am blaming this fashion faux pas on my mom.

Who doesn't like getting a party favor? These apples were every bit as good as they look!

Labor Day

Thanks to great friends we went spent the holiday with some families at a nearby Lake House. I couldn't imagine a better way to have one last summer hurrah! Cheers to big laughs, perfect water, yummy food and good friends!

My Baby is Growing Up!

Yep, Gracie turned terrible two! Fortunately, she is the most lovable, happy, little girl which compensates for her uncanny ablility to put me in a panic attack in 2.5 seconds flat.

What Gracie looked like a year ago...(thank goodness she finally has some hair!)What we hope she will outgrow:

-hating nursery (still!)
-bossing boys twice her size
-scaring mom by climbing EVERYTHING (including her dressser which fell on her)
-taking her purse, cell phone, wallet, everywhere! Aunt Vess just got her a little couture fake dog carrier so now we have got a little Paris Hilton on our hands.
-invading personal space, this girl is not shy

What we hope she never outgrows:

-being a Mama's Girl (secretly I kind of like it)
-her vivaciouness and love of life
-her ENERGY...well, maybe a toned down version
-being a good napper and eater
-adoring her brother
-her cute curly locks

Parker's B-day Bash

Parker turned 4! We celebrated his big day by inviting some friends from 'Copa to Parker's grandparents house for a little swim party. Parker had a ball! The Hit of the night (literally and figuratively) was the two motorized bumper boats grandpa got Parker for his birthday. We couldn't get the kids out of the pool!

Parker's favorite color is ORANGE so Nemo was the theme of the night. His creative Aunt Heather made this adorable and delicious cake!

Parker and his buds, he loved the attention!

SHOCKING! Grace ending up with her clothes off once again...

Last Minute Escape to UTAH

On a whim my mom and I took the kids to Utah to catch the tail end of the July 24th Celebrations and G's (my hip grandma) birthday! It was worth the 11 hour car ride...my relatives are that cool! First things first, the Bountiful Park Days of 47 Carnival!

Peas in a pod! Parker and his cousin Ellie are quite the pair...her gentleness is the perfect compliment to his craziness!

Grandma Nielsen gave the kids their first Rootbeer floats...Parker is now requesting I buy rootbeer for the icecream in our freezer.

No fireworks in AZ! Had to take advantage of sparklers while in Utah!

G's party was the highlight! She turned 39 once again and here are her original grandchildren (minus my siblings and a couple missionaries) surrounding her. Thanks G for letting us stay with you. We had a blast!

LP Summer Vacay

Nothing better than spending a week at Powell with great friends and family...

The WHOLE crew!

Cramped Quarters

A bit of nostalgia: Loved tubing, wakeboarding and catching up with my BFF since childhood, Krista. (thumbs up to the new idea of jumping between tubes..ADRENALINE RUSH!

Coincidence? Had to flaunt the fact that we all packed a brown swimsuit!

Good Old Rainbow Bridge

Looks like the oldest and the youngest needed a rest along the way...

Yes, my little bro jumped into the disgusting swarm of carp at "Dangling Rope" ($5 was all it took)

Group Cliff Jump

Captain Grace

Beautiful hike above where we were docked

Parker learned to SKI! Okay, he squatted so low that it looked like he was sitting but he held on and kept going. Hate to write Sammy the harsh news, his 4 yr. old record is broken!

Guess the Target Boardshorts are a hit, I bought them and next thing you know my sisters both have a pair. 15 years ago he fought tooth and nail to not match and now we giggle and take pics!

Show off!

Great slot canyon we explored (found a scorpion and small snake along the way)