AHHHH YEAHHH!!

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These are some of the last pictures taken of my littlest, chubbiest, brother Colton, almost 2 years ago. He left on his mission to Kansas City, Missouri February 14, 2006 and got his release date as February 22, 2008.

All of my chubby kids are super excited to see their Uncle Co-co again.

I am excited to have the goof ball back, I have missed him dearly. So the count down begins..

Pecan Pie

Never in my life have I made a pie. I was up to the challenge, but you know, never got around to it. For Thanksgiving my food assignment was Pecan Pie. I made two, they turned out beautifully! The second one did something funky, the pecan filling somehow got under the crust so it cooked oddly, but tasted great. Since Thanksgiving I have made pumpkin pie and I have a apple pie in the freezer. If you have never made pie, it's really easy and you should at least try it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Another Thanksgiving come and gone.. Thanksgiving is probably my most favorite holiday, next to Halloween, Valentines and Christmas. Thanksgiving tops the list because unlike Christmas, you don't have to buy gifts to show your appreiciation for those you love. You are surrounded by those you love, and you are only required to eat. I love it. This Thanksgiving I thought a lot of my little-big brother Colton who is serving faithfully in Kansas. He loves the holidays because the family is around and pumpkin pie of course. Colton comes home in February, the 22nd to be exact and we can't wait. He is the youngest by 7 years and was loved way to much.. I see a lot of him in Ella, our youngest. It's like they are so loved cause they are the baby, so they have this confidence about them. This Thanksgiving Ella was really thankful for Caitlee, she wouldn't stop kissing her and hugging her. A smooch caught on camera...
Notice Ella in the corner loving Caitlee..

Soraya and Tianna.

Ashley, Leia, Kevin and Mike..

Jim, Gloria, Loni and Hans.

WE'RE BACK!

So we are back from Costa Rica. We had so much fun in such a short amount of time! I got sick with food poisoning, or water sickness or something on Monday night and I am still just not right. I guess that is what I get. Costa Rica was amazing, delicious food, incredible sights, and fantastic weather (as I sit here bundled up at the verge of freezing). We did so many things, some highlights were the Canopy tour (zip line fun), Tortuga Island (mentioned on Pirates of the Carribean), and white (or rather 'muddy') water rafting with Crocodiles and of course the sun! Here are just a few pics of some of the sights!

One of the sights on the canopy tour.

Tortuga Island. It's beautiful, though I am pretty sure this is where I got sick.

We were able to stop by the San Jose Temple in Costa Rica our last night there.

This n That..

My sister in law Michelle Cisneros has the cutest website with little crafty things for sale, just in time for the holidays, check it out! http://thisnthatdesign.blogspot.com/

Breast Cancer

Thursday we found out that Jareds brother, Doug, his wife has breast cancer. At this point they do not know what stage it is in. I would like to encourage everyone to check themselves as much as possible.

Please remember Doug and Michelle in your prayers.

Poor Ella..

Ella, oh Ella.. your little fingers are so tiny! Halloween she got her finger smashed in the closet, her little thumb swelled up to more than double the size.. we were concerned it was fractured or broken so we took her in, after X-Rays the Doc said she couldn't see any fractures, but that the radiologist-who reads xrays may see one. They had to burn a hole in her nail to releive the pressure, it's still pretty bad!

Ella wanted to paint her nails, so I did.. I think it looks worse!

Here are some updated photos of that poor little thumb:

trick or treat!

Halloween was a lot of fun this year, it was the first year Gavin really wanted to be something SCARY!! I was much to lazy this year to make anything so all of our costumes are courtesy of Dad and Party Time.. I could not believe how much candy they got this year, way to much that if for sure. They do a trunk or treat up at the school and it is always packed and I am sure that Gavin went around 7-8 times and just loaded up.

Gav was the scream guy, Soraya was a Spider Witch, Caitlee was Black Spider man and Ella was a puppy dog.

Halloween traditions

So, we continue with the tradition of carving gourds. This was the first year we let the kids participate.. you know cause it's so messy and stuff.. To our suprise, the kids did really well.. Caitlee and Soraya were the only ones who really needed help carving. Gavin did it pretty much by himself, he washed his hands about 20 times in the process, but did it none the less. He's never been one to have dirtiness on him.

Ella thought Caitlee might need a little help..

the finished products!

Halloween Bash!

The Friday before Halloween we went to the Loeffler Halloween Bash, it was at Thanksgiving Point.

It's always fun to see people dressed up and let lose.. Jared was Obi Wan, his brother Doug was a punk rocker.. funny.

I dressed up as little red riding hood. Almost won a constume contest too!