Makes Me Smile

We haven't been up to too much lately - just livin' life I suppose. Libbie just completed her level 4 swimming lessons. It was quite a struggle at first, but she's becoming quite the swimmer. I tell her she's far better at swimming than I am, and it's true. She has an awesome back stroke. Here are some random pictures of Mia and Mallory.

Not sure what Mallory is doing here, but we'll just says she's telling us she's two.

Mallory loves to wear Libbie's Build-a-Bear clothes despite Libbie's pleas to not.

Candy, Candy, Candy

Here are all our cow girls leaving to trick-or-treat. They made quite the candy haul. At 7:30 this morning, when I asked them what they wanted for breakfast, they responded, "candy!". Yikes.

Here's our little mad cow.

Here is Nathan helping Mia carve her pumpkin. She made it very clear she had an idea of how her pumpkin was supposed to look, and we were not meeting those expectations.

The girls showing their finished pumpkins with wet hair and pjs.

We've been having some great weather lately. Here are the

girls playing hopscotch in the driveway.

Who's the Fairest of Them All?

Nathan "worked really hard" for the last few weeks to grow a beard for his Halloween costume. The tax department played the seven dwarfs and Nathan was -no, not Dopey - but the more fitting Bashful. He's the one on the top right with the rosey cheeks.

Say it aint so!

We had our first real snow Saturday night into Sunday. I can't say I was too excited, but the girls sure were. Here is Mia doing a snow angel.

Libbie

Mallory got a kick out of throwing snowballs at Daddy.

Fall Break

We went to a really nice park at the base of Provo Canyon on Monday night. We had a nice picnic dinner and then spent some time throwing rocks into the river and checking out the scenery. Here is Nathan, not Grizzly Adams, throwing his rock.

The girls decided we were going to have a photo shoot. Here is Mia's best "innocent" look. I think she pulled it off nicely.

Here is Libbie Lou.

And here is Malsie Pals.

Cuties on the bridge.

We went to Park City for a couple nights over Libbie's fall break. It was nice to get away. We did some shopping, eating, and site seeing. The girls really had a good time in the hotel swimming pool as well.

Here is Mallory and Daddy on the most expensive/rickety carousel ride ever.

Here are the girls at the pool.

All three of them slept in the same bed at night. It was fun to see them all snuggled up together. They had a great time giggling for an hour or so before eventually falling asleep too.

Another Year Older!

On Tuesday, we celebrated Mia's fourth birthday. We went to Chuck E. Cheese's with Lexi, Caleb, Gavin, and Rachel. It was a big party - let me tell you. I think the kids had a great time despite the rubbery pizza. Mia's number one birthday wish was for a red dress and red shoes with a point on the bottom (not sure if that means high heels). Our rigorous attempts at finding the red dress were profitless. However, we did find a cute pink and white dress I think she's happy with. I didn't know a four-year-old could have their heart set on such gifts - but not much surprises me with Mia.

Mallory, Mia, Alexis, and Libbie enjoying the "yummy" dinner.

Mia enjoying a ride with Chuck E. Cheese. Woo Hoo!

School and a Hair Cut

Just before school started, I took the girls for a hair cut. Here is Libbie looking very much like a young lady.

Here is Mia showcasing her new do.

Mallory thinks she got a haircut too. So we had to take her picture as well.

Libbie started the first grade this year! Can't believe it! She is still fluctuating between loving school and hating it. I am trying really hard to convince her that being home with us is super boring. Libbie was also surprised to meet her teacher for the first time. It turns out she is an older lady, and Libbie informed us she was picturing someone with a pony tail. I think she is warming up to her though - despite her lack of long locks.

First day of school.

Here are the girls in their "chair train". We got a kick out of this picture.

School Time!

Cute Cousins

When the Cardons came for a visit, we braved the portrait studio for a cousin picture. Everyone was so well-behaved, cute, and sweet (minus Mallory). She decided to throw a fit for the entire session. Anyway, here the eight cousins are. The Guys: Caden, Henry, and Gavin

The Gals: Mallory, Macy, Libbie, Mia, and Kelbie

The Group!

Reunion Time

Last week we got together with the Cardon clan for a few days. We were able to do a lot of fun things together including a hike to Cecret Lake - which by the way, isn't much of a secret anymore. The trail was quite crowded. Above is Mara and Mia climbing a large boulder.

Here are the big kids showing off their climbing skills.

Gavin and Mallory had a great time throwing rocks into the lake.

Here are all the cousins, minus little Henry, in front of the lake.Sitting down to enjoy the view, catch a breather, and eat a snack.

Here are my girls a couple Sundays ago.

So Grown Up!

Libbie turned six-years-old on Friday. I can't believe she's that old. She was very excited to have her first "friend party" in a Hawaiian theme on Tuesday afternoon. I think everyone had a good time. Friday, we went to the zoo with Marci and Gavin and then to dinner with Grandma and Grandpa Oyler, Nathan, and Courtney. I would say she's pretty spoiled.

Libbie asked for a "Sprinkles" cake. Apparently this is Blues Clue's new baby brother - probably the ugliest cake I've ever made, but oh well.

Here are the kids at Libbie's party enjoying a cupcake.

Here they are playing a game where they had to pop a balloon. They thought it was great but were not excited for the loud noise.

Fourth of July Camping

We headed to Marysvale, UT, (aka the middle of no where) for the Smith/Palmer reunion for the Fourth of July weekend. It was hot, but we had a good time relaxing, playing cards, and eating the day away. It was fun to see some family we haven't seen in quite a long time too. Above is Libbie and Mia burring each other in the dirt. We all agreed brown was the right color choice to wear that day.

One of the days of our camp out, we decided to take a drive to Bryce Canyon. Shortly after we unpacked all our picnic gear, the thunder began to rumble. We raced to make sandwiches and feed our faces before the rain began to poor. It was a nice lunch but very quick. Our trip to Bryce was definitely cut short because of the rain. I think we stopped and ran to two lookouts before we decided to call it good. We also stopped at a fun gift shop where Grandma bought us all a souvenir. Above is Mallory enjoying the "munks" - chipmunks. She was really trying to get them to come to her, but they just wouldn't listen.

Here is Mia, Libbie, and Grandma at our picnic in Bryce. Cute, cute.

Here we are shortly after getting our tents up at Lizzie and Charlie's ATV/RV camp. WoooHooo. Party animals.

This is a photo of Libbie enjoying the new pool Grandma Cardon bought Mallory for her birthday. The girls love to slide into the pool and have had great fun with the neighbor kids in it this summer.