FINALLY rotations are here!

I took this picture a few weeks ago when Caleb started his first day of rotations and then I got sick and I forgot to post it. Say goodbye to book work and classes--finally! He was very ready to be done with all that and move on to clinical rotations. Podiatry students start their rotations much later than all the DO's (they started this summer while the Pods still had to go to class) so needless to say, Caleb's been really jealous of all his DO friends who have started to "progress" with their education. So far he has really enjoyed them and learned a lot. I don't like it as well because he's no longer on campus to be able to walk home for lunch every day like he used to. ( We were getting spoiled I know!)

Kiki wanted a picture with her dad. (You have to excuse her hair--it was early morning and we hadn't gotten ready yet!)

Here's a picture from when I was so sick. While I was lying on the couch all day, Caysja and Caleb built a very cool fort under our kitchen table. Caysja was in heaven! What a good dad.

We had a GREAT Halloween and hope you all did too! I can't believe how many fun parties we went to. I'll post pictures soon...

Crewser's startin' to cruise!

Our little Crewser man is starting to cruise around on everything! He thinks it is the best thing ever. He crawled so late, but practically the next day he wanted to pull himself up on everything.

I'm still Alive...

I'm so very sorry that I haven't posted in such a long time! My two big excuses are 1) Super Saturday that I was in charge of for my ward last week and 2) Following Super Saturday I got VERY sick with the Flu and was literally flat on my back with a fever of 102 for 5 days straight. Thank you a MILLION times over to my dear sweet friends who took care of my kids and brought me dinner every night. You are my personal life savers! I hope I can return the favor somehow, someway. Pictures are coming soon...

Take me out to the ball game...and other fun pics

Over the summer we participated in our local library's Summer Reading Program and at the end you get a free ticket to the AZ Diamondbacks. We realized that the last day to use it was coming up so we went a couple weeks ago. I had never been to a pro baseball game before and it was pretty fun! We actually got to see a lot of hits in the first few innings. Caysja didn't love it too well though as you can see...

But...she perked right up once we took her over to the playplace! I couldn't believe they had a playplace for all the little kids right there in the stadium!

Needless to say, we left after the 7th inning. They were winning though!

We've started a little "preschool" with some of our friends. Caysja LOVES it! We each take a turn hosting it at our homes and teaching a letter of the alphabet, counting, colors, shapes, etc. A couple weeks ago it was my turn. The girls all loved playing with the umbrella and I had to take a picture...while no one was fighting...

Caysja and Crew love to play together BUT... I have to say that lately Caysja has started to get really jealous of Crew or something. I think it's because he's learning how to crawl and he touches her toys, etc. Then she'll hurt him like push him over or something. It seems like she spends most of her days in time out. Anyone have any suggestions for me?

We found Crew like this after getting up from his morning nap last week. I can't believe he can stand up now!

My friend Kristi invited a bunch of us over to her house last week to make this fun craft for Halloween. Thanks so much, Kristi!! I love it! And it was so fun to make.

Did you enjoy General Conference this weekend? I sure did. I am so grateful to be able to listen to a prophet of God speak in the latter-days. There were so many wonderful talks and I took lots of notes. I can't wait to go back and read them all.

Camping~Arizona Style

This past weekend we decided to go camping with our friends the Hamblins. We only have a couple more weeks before Caleb starts rotations and then I'm sure we won't see him as much as we are used to so we figured we'd better take advantage of the time we have. Our plan was to go to Sedona and Slide Rock (we went there last year and had a blast) but all their campsites were nearly full (and it would have cost us $20) so we found our own spot a little closer to Flagstaff...and the best part was that it was FREE!! We had anawesome time!

The girls loved playing in the dirt--by the next day they were coated in it!

Britni and I fixing dinner

Britni's husband, Travis, taught us how to make dutch oven BBQ chicken pizza and it was sooo good!

...the finished product...Mmmmm...

Crewser man--just chillin'

Love that little guy!

Caysja ADORES marshmallows--as you can see...

Makin' s'mores

Playing 'Old Maid'

Crew and Myli want to play too!

This was Caysja all the way home! We wore her out I guess.

Thanks for going with us, Hamblin family! We can't wait to go again. Anyone want to go with us?

Family Pictures

While we were all home for Caleb's parents' farewell, we had some family pictures taken. It's pretty rare that all six brothers are home at the same time. We know it will be outdated by the time they come home in two years, but at least they'll have something fun to look at while they're gone. It was such a nice day and the weather totally cooperated. Even the kids were good...well, pretty good, that is.

Our family

Lorna and DeLoy--we'll miss you!

Caleb's brothers and parents

the guys

the gals

Playing "catch up..."

I truly apologize to all those of you who follow this blog for the utter lack of posts, lately! My excuse is my calling...we've just had a big Enrichment night and we have another one coming up in a few weeks so let's just say I've been a little busy...

A couple weeks ago we were able to go home to Idaho Falls. It was so fun to see everyone but the purpose of the visit was rather sad...to say goodbye to Caleb's parents who left on their mission to the Dominican Republic on Labor Day. We are so proud of them! They will be fantastic missionaries.

One last shot with "motorcycle grandma and grandpa"

While we were home my dad took us white-water rafting down the Snake river. It was Caysja's first time ever and she loved helping Grandpa "row" the boat.

My mom was so nice to watch Crew for us.

family shot

Caleb made sure to get in a few good rides with his brothers while we were home.


As for the rest of the month...

I had the opportunity to play with the Paradise Valley Community College flute choir--and I got credit for it, which will help when I have to re-certify my teaching certificate next year. It was a lot of fun! There were about 25 of us that meet once a week and then had a concert.
me with my good friends, Becky Lowe, and Nora Welsh (we didn't match on purpose!)

Crew, hangin' out with his bud, Camden

Caysja and Crew have started "playing" with each other and it's so cute! Caysja gets so sad when I have to put Crew to bed for his naps now.

In Aug. we celebrated our 5th Anniversary. It was kind of low-key since our present to each other was going to Wicked the month before. We went to Pei Wei's for dinner and then a movie.

Caleb surprised me with this creative number '5' made out of popcorn balls and a homemade card.

And our biggest news is that Crew is sitting up so well and about ready to crawl...not there quite yet, but we'll keep you posted...

I seriously LOVE his curls! He probably needs a haircut, but I can't bring myself to do it.

Friends

Last weekend we were able to get together with Caleb's best friends from his high school days. One of the couples flew in from Georgia and we were able to meet up with everyone at his other friend's house in Queen Creek for dinner, dessert and games. We had an awesome time! Thanks for hosting it Nate and Tashina, and thanks for sending me the pics, Heather! You and Ryan are welcome to come see us anytime!

The Guys (This is a recreation of a famous pic from high school and yes, that is my husband being goofy as usual!)
Brandon, Nate, Ryan, Caleb, Adam

The Gals (Heather, Tashina, Kandis, me, Liz)

Group shot