Bellagio Fountains

When we have company in town, we will oblige them and endure a little time on The Strip.  But we'll only go to one place...The Bellagio Fountains.

We've had several guests this last month and below are a few videos from our fountain viewing.

Holiday Stories and Hot Cocoa

Last night our family, the Schroeder's and the Bradshaw's went to "Holiday Stories and Hot Cocoa" at the Gibson library.

Hot Cocoa is one of Jasper's love languages, and since I don't let Jasper sit on the carpet drinking hot cocoa at home, he was in Heaven.

Jasper wore his snowmen footed PJ's and brought puppy and his pillow and blanket. He sat there and listened to all of the stories.

I'd told him that there was going to be singing at the end, and when there wasn't Jasper was quite disappointed.  I was worried that I might have to break out in song to appease him, but he was able to wait until we got into the Jeep to break out in his favorite Christmas song, Jingle Bells.

Cows with Piggy Banks

On the page in Crunch Munch that shows the cow munching on grass Jasper proclaimed  "Daddy, that cow has a piggy bank." 

We've been cracking up for months about that revelation.  All this time we thought it was an udder

"I Know the Scriptures are True."

One day I will do a real blog post of my own.

But today I am posting another link of Heather's greatness.  I didn't want to put off posting this in case some of you are already gearing up for the 2011 Primary Theme, "I Know the Scriptures are True."

Heather has free downloads of the monthly theme cards in 5x7 , 4x6 and 2x3 sizes.  Click here to enjoy.

Book of Mormon Stories Quiet Book

My friend Heather has been up to a lot of good AGAIN! 

While we were at our Academy for Girls Counselor Reunion Retreat this summer some of our friends talked about using the Gospel Art Kit to share scripture stories with their kids. 

Heather took the initiative to use the photos and information on the back of the pictures that relate to the Book of Mormon and incorporate it into another great quiet book.

Click here to download the pictures and text for FREE!  Thanks again Heather!

Prophets & Apostles Book

I am not sure I've mentioned it before, but in addition to teaching the Valiant 9 Primary Class and sending out the Ward Relief Society emails I am now an Activity Days Leader for the older girls.  I love the girls and I am so happy to serve them.

On Oct. 5th we had a lesson about the LDS General Conference that we'd just watched and then put together some really neat books about the Prophets & Apostles. 

My amazing friend Heather created the book we put together so all we had to do was print the pages.  She's offering the files free.  Click here if you want to make your own.


The Activity Days Girls really liked these books and I know you will too!

Singing Singing All The Day

It is not uncommon for Mike and I to wake up to a 39 inch high Jasper belting out the song from his favorite ride at Disneyland, "It's a Small World."

My favorite is when he says, "You sing it loud like this."  That's a favorite line of his when we are singing any song.

Below are a few videos taken while we were riding "Small World" in case you want to relive that experience, or motivate your kids to get stuck on the song too.

Boy Scout Canyon Hike with the Schroeder Family

Saturday we went on an adventure with the Schroeder family to one of our favorite places, Boy Scout Canyon.  It's almost 3.6 miles round trip to the drop off and back.

The kids had so much fun scurrying up all of the cool rock formations.  Cydnee and I love slot canyons so we were happy hikers.


The natural rock slide was a big hit with the kids (see video below).  Mike had to pick Jasper up and drag him away from the rock slide.

Jasper liked to climb high --sometimes too high.  Occasionally he had to be rescued by his dad and even Cydnee.

Jasper LOVES Reagan and whenever we wanted him to quit scurrying up rocks and get back on the trail we would simply say -- Go catch up with Reagan.

Cydnee commented that she thinks that Jasper already like girls!  I think she is right.  :>

Fire Station Tour

Jasper and I took Peyton with us to the Henderson Fire Station for a great tour with Miss Nancy's Preschool on Oct.22nd.

We went with Nancy last year as well.  This year we visited the Henderson Fire Station on Green Valley Parkway and last year we went to the Lake Mead Fire Station -- which is extra cool because they have a boat and a fire pole to slide down.

The kids were thrilled to climb up and sit behind the wheel of the fire truck.  You gotta' love that Peyton wore his fireman suit.  Jasper was so excited to step in the fireman's boots.
 

I was so glad I took a video because the fireman who gave us our tour did a great job.  At the end of our tour they had to go out on a call so we got to watch the fire truck roll out.

The first one is of the fire truck rolling out and the second video is of the Fire Station tour.

Fall Leaves at Mt. Charleston

I've been so anxious to see some Fall leaves.  We had a trip planned for Beaver, Utah that fell through because of all the smoke in the mountains due to a fire (which is now out).

In an attempt to ease my anxiety Mike drove us up Mt. Charleston last Saturday to see what we could see.

We had a nice time walking around, and I was thrilled to see the aspen leaves fluttering on the trees in the breeze.

I know it as a bit of a sacrifice for Mike to be in the mountains in the Jeep and not really go on any off-road trails.  Thanks for focusing on me and the leaves Mike!

Giddy Up Jackpot!

Our friends the Tanner's sweetly invited us out for a meet and greet with their beloved horse Jackpot out at the Boulder City horse stables.

Hours before Jasper was marching around in cowboy boots, clad in his jean jacket.  He was so excited and couldn't wait to go.

He was a little nervous to get on Jackpot at first, but after kicking up an ample amount of dirt with his cowboy boots he was ready for 3 laps around with Michelle.

Michelle helped him feed Jackpot a tasty treat of carrots and he even rode by himself as we walked Jackpot back to the stable.

As Michelle said, Jasper looked like a little peanut up there, as Jackpot is a BIG horse.

When we got home Jasper kept telling Mike how you have to hold onto the "strings" when you are riding a horse.  Obviously we need to beef up his cowboy vocabulary, starting with "reins."

We can't wait to go again!

Keep Calm and Carry On!

My dear friend Heather is sharing her creative genius once again!

Every Monday she's going to post a free download.  The one today is really cute.  Here's the link.  You can even download the file in several different colors.

THANK YOU HEATHER!

Angela Salazar Photo Shoot -- I'd like to win one!

Angela took pictures of Jasper and I for my Mother's Day present and did a GREAT job.  Now I am hoping (and praying) to win a free mini family photo shoot that she's giving away.

She will be taking photos on Oct. 16th if you want to get in on the fun.

She is super talented and a lot of fun and I just can't get enough photos of Jasper...he's growing up TOO FAST!

Pizza Night with Old Friends

We were lucky enough to have our friends Travis, Lindsay and Leoni Wilson come over for dinner tonight.

In January they bought us Rachelle Abbott's famous pizzas from the auction that she had for her father-in-law Garth's cancer treatments.

Lindsay knows that I love Rachelle's pizzas, but since they live in Doha, Qatar we had to wait until their summer visit to redeem her auction item.

We loved visiting and Jasper was trying to share with Leoni -- but mostly he just bossed her around.  He wanted her with him on every move and adventure.

The coveted item of the evening was the usual favorite of all the kids who come over -- the fire truck, though Leoni did enjoy "mowing" the patio with the Little Tikes Lawn Mower.

At the end we broke out the band set and jammed out as we sang "Follow the Prophet".

Lindsay taught us some of her percussion moves and Jasper danced around with bells on his ankles.

It doesn't get any more entertaining than that.