Butterflies attack!!!

We removed our giant mulberry tree about 8 years ago. It's roots were growing above ground and it was beginning to push the sidewalk up by the house. When we replaced it, we got a strawberry tree. Never heard of one? Neither had we! A friend who was a landscaper recommended it. It has been a very slow growing, not very shady tree. If I was to do it over again, I would likely choose a different tree. Something with a little shade.

That's being said, in the fall it fills with blossoms and little red "fruit" that look like strawberries. This year it has been FULL of buzzing bees

 and BUTTERFLIES!!

You walk by the tree and a dozens of butterflies will fly out.

 Luckily butterflies are harmless, but it is quite alarming!

Pretty awesome!!

Outdoor adventure and giant pine cones

Saturday afternoon we left town in search of giant pine cones!!  N8 checked with a neighbor friend and was told a general area of where to go and to keep our eye out for giant pine needles. Giant pine needles mean giant pine cones!

We made a few stops along the way to find a couple of geocaches and climb some rocks.

Then we headed up 9 Mile Canyon Rd, turned off at Chimney Peak Rd and started watching for giant pine needles. A few miles in we spotted them!

We gathered and enjoyed the beautiful weather until we headed farther down the road to see what was there. We came to Chimney Peak Campground, got out and let the kids climb around and took some family pictures.

As we were wrapping up we noticed Henry had a wet bum. Pantless is the way to go!

We looked at the map and realized if we kept going on the road we would connect back into another highway (178), so we enjoyed the views, dirt road and family time as we trekked back home.

After we got home I started cooking the pine cones. I don't want any creepy crawlies come out of any of them!

Now I just have to figure out what to do with all of them!

Off to the ER...

This week was met with some excitement, a little too much excitement. I'm hoping this coming week with be dull...

On Monday night I took N8 to the ER. He has had to take me, I have had to take children, he has never gone or himself.

It all started with hot flashes, excruciating abdominal pain and vomiting. We stayed in the ER with N8 receiving IV pain and anti-nausea meds. He received a CT showing an inflamed small bowel and was finally admitted to the hospital at 6am. By about 8am, he was feeling better, sleeping and not on any pain or anti-nausea meds.

We came home about 5pm Tuesday evening and he has been feeling pretty good since. On Friday afternoon he and Emma went for a walk/jog and on Saturday afternoon he went on a "real run"! This week I hope he makes an appt with our family doctor or another doctor just for some follow up. We don't want this to happen again, or if it does we want to know why!!

We were both so appreciative of all of the help we received with the kids. Knowing that we didn't need to worry about them really made it all easier to figure out!

Happy Halloween

The kids were pretty decisive on what they wanted to be for Halloween this year. So I got to work figuring out how to put together each of their costumes. Luckily Henry wanted to match Mo-2 for 1, they were minions from Despicable Me!

Emma decided early on she wanted to be Vanellope von Schweetz from Wreck it Ralph!

And Benjamin was Superman!!

Mo got to go to school wearing his costume and the Kindergarten did a parade around the school.

Then they partied the rest of their 1/2 day.

Henry had preschool and got to wear his costume pretty much the entire day!

Emma had to wait until after lunch to get dressed up. I came over and sprayed her hair black and they paraded and partied until school got out.

Benjamin was not allowed to wear any costume to school and had cross country after school. He was a good sport and was excited for the trunk or treat.

The whole crew ready to trunk or treat!!

Pumpkin Carving 2013

Halloween started a night early with our annual pumpkin carving. We can't do it to early otherwise our pumpkins dry out and mold here in the desert.

The kids all picked out their own pumpkin and Emma and Benjamin each handled 98% of their carving, de-gutting and designing.

N8 helped Mo with his pumpkin and I helped Henry.

Once Henry figured out the pumpkin knife he was having a blast!!

All 4 pumpkins ready to go!

Silly Faces!

Busy Saturday

Our weekend started with a bang last night when N8 and Benjamin headed out on his first 11 year old scout campout. It wasn't the most exciting location (on base in front of  a church) but Benjamin was excited and N8 was along for support!

He and Tyler set up their tent all by themselves!

Emma, Mo, Henry and I went to Jack in the box for dinner so Mo could use his student of the month coupon!

N8 came home this morning about 7am. I awoke to him calling me through the window to unlock a door. Just the way I wanted to wake up this morning....

Everyone (but Benjamin who was still camping) got up and dressed and headed over to the OTHTC Halloween Candy Dash and 5k.

Henry and Mo dashed for candy

N8 and Emma ran the 5k!

Then we came home did some chores and then headed to the community day on base where Benjamin was. The scouts had a big area set up with lots of activities including a bubble station and rope bridge!

We then went for a long walk through many booths and ended at the Helicopter that everyone got to sit in!

When we got home I had promised Mo that we could tye-dye shirts (we missed the school activity where they did it).

Pizza and a movie rounded out the night. I'm pooped!!

Arrow of Light

On Wednesday Bud was awarded his Webelo badge as well as his Arrow of light. He was the "bridged" onto scouts!!

The currently leaders went to a lot of work making a lovely plaque for him to remember this!

He and 2 of his friends that were also awarded:

Onto Scouts!