My latest obsession
Canvas! Thanks to my highly crafty and incredibly talented friend Ashleigh, I was introduced to the limitless world of canvas art! 1 down, 4 to go (at least that's where my ambitions are right now...).
Kimball Elizabeth Felton
November 8-11, 2001
This time of year, most of us find ourselves in the throws of necessary traditions. Whether it's over eating, over spending (black Friday of course), or over traveling, our obsession for customary memory making runs deep.
For us, November isn't just about a good meal, good company, and great times. Our traditions include a little more than our American feast. We celebrate the life of our 3rd baby girl, Kimball Elizabeth. We write her a message and put them inside a helium balloon, then send them to heaven. The girls always say the sweetest things, like I miss your little fingers, and do you think about me? We finish our night with dinner out, as a family.
There is nothing I am more grateful for than the atonement. I often envision the day we are all home together again. The words most often recalled, "till we meet..."
Del Osso Farms
We enjoyed a very warm and sunny visit to the farm this year. We are accustomed to bleak (meaning dead) scenery and chilly weather. This was definitely a turn for the better. The farm offered a ginormous corn maze, pumpkin picking, a haunted house, and many "carny" like rides. We passed on the latter. The maze took an hour and a half and the haunted house was all together another story. Kennedy was nervous, but buckled down and did it in true teenager style, Reagan was scared to death, Abby went multiple times and didn't miss a single thing - turned around a couple times because she thought she missed a corner or two. 
Yes, Olivia's hair does resemble Lemony Snicketts.
Abby and her friend Jenna discussing the route we should take.
Halloween Night
This was the year of recycled costumes. After 11 years of costume hunting, sewing, buying, and reconditioning I decided it was time to be more resourceful. We told the girls they could be anything they wanted, just as long as we had what they wanted...And what a might fine job they did! Kennedy combined her everyday with costume bid "finds" and made a far too pretty crazy witch. Reagan donned the good old dead bride bit, then thoroughly enjoyed doing her own make-up. Abby wore Belle again (same as last year), and I say again because it has been worn to the grocery store, gym, preschool, park, and yes to bed - but only on one occasion. Livy - not pictured due to melt down in the driveway at the moment, was a blue ice princess, the only thing she would agree to wear.
What a trick-or-treating bunch! we got together with three of our friends to hit the streets. We ate pizza together then began the assualt. After three hours and only 5 kids remaining, it started to sprinkle, so the moms called it a night. Of course the bags were bulging and sick bellies followed so the night was considered a success!
Annual Halloween Festivities...
I know some of you were worried we might not hold the annual Halloween party, but have no fear, the night went off without a hitch. Being the "newbees" and all, I must admit, I was a little nervous about it myself. However, I dawned my super girl costume and went to work. Our invites went way of Ms. Martha herself - the baked clay fingers on a bed of moss, placed in a sleek black box, embossed with "Dont forget" in silver. With help from my ever faithful mom and dad, they here hand-(enjoy the pun) delivered to every home. The guests arrived on time and fully dressed (no party pooper this year!) in creatively clad costumes! We must say, some of the best attire yet! Below you will find (without names by request) some of the best:
Joe the Plumber and his preggers nurse
Richard Simmons (who maintained the integrity of his character through frequent lunges and jumping jacks) and the eagle poaching wife
Miss LD Bug and Batman (who never removed his mask, you have to enjoy the commitment)
The 80's couple
Wilma and Fred Flinstone
My personal favorite: The Joker
Usher and his biggest fan (inside joke far too complicated to share, just know it took courage and creativity to pull it off)
Have you every seen a more diverse bishopric?
The Giant Sequoia's
NO - we have not recently shrunk in stature, they are truly living (and once living) trees. This trunk was carved out in the early 40's in order to drive a car through (money-making scheme).
Grandma and Papa came to visit so Jon and I could spend the weekend in Napa Valley. Of course it was much too short and we all had grandparent withdrawls for days, but the time we did have together was priceless. The weekend before they left we spent the afternoon in the Redwood Forest. It was unbelievable. The temperature was perfect, and the walk not too long. They collected pinecones, and oohed and aaahhed over every tree. You would think they should all look the same, but each one was a little different and had something worth commenting about. Some had merged together eventually forming one tree from 2-3, some were de-barked (for commercialism in the '40's), and some had grown into shapes that formed an object. The girls' fav was the one large enough to hide in between the twists of the trunk.
Abby's 5th Birthday
As a tradition, we only have friend birthdays on the even year. To encourage some new friendship we bent the rules and let Abby have a party this year. She wanted a Halloween party so we waited until the second Saturday in October to enjoy the festivities. She described a scary cake (much better in her mind) and I did my best to create it. Her favorite part was "her scary name and ginormous chocolate haunted house."
She invited 5 friends from school and 3 from her primary class. This is one of her "bester friends", Connor R.
Jenna and Abby
Getting ready to blow out the candles.
This is her bestest friend that's a boy (if you couldn't tell). His name is Collin and she says all the time, "I just love his cute little eyes." His mom and I had a good laugh because he got Abby exactly what she wanted (a Belle Barbie and a necklace), we figure they must have talked about it before hand.
We had dinner - mummy dogs, grapes, and cheetos, then made spiders. We did a scavenger hunt in the back yard to find several different things the troll would need before they could cross the bridge (bones, skin, etc..) then we did pin the nose on the pumpkin, pinata, presents, then cake. Ffeewww, glad it's done. 
The spider pinata.
We gave Abby a Barbie bike for her birthday. The Dora bike had seen its last days. She was very excited and rides it almost everyday.
What we love about Abby
Her raspy voice
Her long curly hair
Her bubble butt
Her excitement and passion
Her "no fear" attitude (so far...)
How much she misses and loves her relatives
Her snuggles
What Abby loves
Bike riding
Chocolate
Playing outside until dark
The park
Kindergarten - "I wish it was always a school day"
Everything "girly"
Watching TV in the bathtub
Sponge Bob
Sleepovers
Bubble Gum
Talking on the phone (you regulars know who you are)
Dress ups, make-up, and shiny lip gloss
Moms high heels
Running, running, running
Alone time with mom
Teddy Bear Picnic
Every year the Kindergarten classes put on a teddy bear picnic for the parents. They spend all day preparing for the event. They get to bring their favorite teddy bear, give them a name badge (Furbert), and have a picnic in the play yard.
The kids got a paper lunch box full of healthy snacks. We all ate together and took a few pics. Abby's favorite part was getting to bring a toy to school and taking pictures with Dad. 
"It's a work hike, a bonding thing..."
Left to right, Dr. Altman (BTW, my OB, aaawwkward...), Eric, hospital VP, James, CEO, Jon, soon to rule the world
Recently Jon had the pleasure of completing an all night hike with a couple other hospital execs and Docs from his hospital. It was in Yosemite National Park, (about 1.5 hours from us), on a mountain called Half-Dome. They started around 8:00pm and hiked all night long. They made it to the top in time for the sun rise, then hiked back down. Before the actual event, he was excited and called it a "work" event. After he got home, he called the hardest thing he has ever done. Several people die each year, in an attempt to make it to the top (becuase of dumb mistakes they say...)
This is the most dangerous slope, where you have to climb up/down holding on to cables.
Hello to our new house
Here's a few pics of the new house and yard. It's in a circle behind the park and schools. Jons office is only a 5 minute drive (his favorite part). The house is a 5, 3, with formal living and dining. The girls enjoy the backyard, and cemented side of the house, where they ride bikes and play tether-ball. I enjoy my bathroom! 
Hello to daily walks to the park
This is what the kids call "our park." We live across the street and spend a lot of time here. The water is the main attraction along with creatively discovering many ways to go down a slide.
The girls were so excited to have Gabe and Ellie to play with. It seemed to make the "have to make new friends now" not seem so overwhelming. Family always makes it better.
Hello to lazy summer days...
Kennedy and Reagan enjoying a warm afternoon in the backyard. It has been so fun to watch them become closer this summer. Maybe it's been the move, maybe they are just growing up. Either way, we'll take it.
We spent Stephs last day here at the park making jeweled handprints out of cement. They looked great, didn't cost much, and occupied a couple of hours. Unfortunately, they didn't last very long.
Little Livy cooling down with a cold nectarine.
Jon found "a great deal" on fireworks at Big Lots. After a good half an hour of trying to light them, he realized he just got a good deal on pull string confetti. Good thing firework stands stay open late!
Sleepovers and creative baking - that's what summer is all about.
Kennedy and her new friend Maddie. 
Reagan and her new friend Hannah.
“Everything grows in CA”
One thing we have heard several times is, "everything grows in CA." We are amused by the variety of veggies and fruits that are grown locally. We have spent several Saturday mornings at our local farmers market, sampling things like fresh olive oil, flavored pecans, and strange fruit hybrids.
We had an escapee after the bath. We found her enjoying the fruits of someone elses labor...
We are fortunate to have several different kinds of fruit in our backyard: 3 different grapes, persimmon, pear, lemon, and fig. All, I must add, are much better tasting when first picked. 
For Mom and Dad.
Hello to San Francisco
A drive down Lombard Street, in San Francisco, is considered the steepest street in the US. We had to switchback down the hill in order to avoid a roll over. We visited a few other local sites with Grandma and Papa before the airport drop off. Mostly, we enjoyed the break in hot weather - Modesto 95, San Fran 65. Alcatraz can be seen off to the left.
Olivias 2nd Birthday
We celebrated Olivia's 2nd Birthday with Grandma and Papa. We surprised her by filling the living room with pink and white helium baloons tied down with suckers. She was so excited she didn't know what to do. She yelled and batted at them with her hands, she tried to kick and bite them. She hugged them and kissed them, and jumped up and down yelling "boons, boons!" Then, she went for the suckers. I think she carried some in her hands all day.
What Livy loves...
hot dogs (no bun), fries and chicken, waffles (morning, afternoon, and night), grapes, strawberry shortcake (bewwy owtcake) everything, Yo Gabba Gabba, pet shops, playing outside, keeping up with her sisters.
What we love about Livy...
her morning snuggles (we race to get her), her love of "scawy" things, how she yells "NO" whenever another toddler looks at her, how she protects her "turf" (a future career in secret service is likely), her instant repeat button (yes, Jon has to watch what he says), her crazy hair - finally long enough for pig tails! 
Livy took her time opening her gifts. She wasn't quite sure what to do, especially with eager hands waiting for the right moment to jump in. She got her own pet shops and carrying case, some bathtub toys, and new clothes. She looked over each gift one at a time before moving on to the next. 
This year I made candy cupcakes in place of a cake. Livy loves sugary candy and isn't a big cake eater, so I opted for a new take on the birthday cake. Reagan and Abby helped me stack sticks full of gummy candy and place them on top of pink cupcakes. I think they enjoyed "helping" a bit too much.
I wonder what she wished for...
Kennedy's first day of school
Kennedy started middle school this year. The grades are from 6th to 8th. She is in what is called a segragated year. Basically, the 6th graders operate on their own schedule, away from the 7th and 8th grade students. This gives them the opportunity to experience juggling classes (only 2 rotating teachers) and classrooms, larger class size, electives (sports and music), as well as an open cafeteria. Their start and end time is different than 7th and 8th, as well as their "break" times (not cool to call it recess mom).
So far, she is loving it! She has several girls from the ward in her class, and she is involved in volleyball, soccer, and has started playing the flute.
Reagans first day of 4th Grade
It's official, she's our oldest in Elementary. We tell her She's the big cheese, the top tomato, the big gun, and she is all about it! In order to fulfill her "oldest duties" she picks up Abby after school and brings her to our meeting place, and makes certain everyone is nice to Abby. 
Reagan has adjusted very well. We held our breath, remembering the set backs in St. Louis, but she defied us and has taken off. She is very social and very well liked. She started playing the violin and shows off her talents over the phone (if any of you are interested). She is still trying to "grow my hair as long as it can make it" and she hopes all her teeth come in before Christmas.
Reagan is quite a jokester and keeps us on our feet. She has mastered imitations of "crusty the clown and spongebob," and is presently working on Squidword. 
Reagans teacher, Ms. Hamilton, is a member of the church and is in our stake. She instantly bonded with her and loves that she has such a "special teacher-friend." Rags quotes her often by saying, "we are in the fourth grade now, jump on the bullet train and get your work done!"
Rags smashed her finger in the garage door - we had to open it to get it out. She is very proud of her battle wound and asked me to put it on my "blogging thing."
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