Man Weekend in California

A few weekends ago the boys decided to head to California for a quick surf trip.  Since we had to cancel several family vacations because Darren was hit by the a car, he had an extra day to spend on this fun outing.  but because he was hit by a car, he couldn't surf, but he enjoyed the trip anyway.  

They jumped in the car Thursday night and drove through the night to arrive just after sunrise to surf.  

to surf or not to surf

Dan, Ben, Darren, and Rob.  Kyle was taking the photo

They had to take a nap mid day on the grass since they were all so tired... oh the life!

 Darren took this picture for me because I adore a well trimmed tree, they are so beautiful.

They took long boards and went running.  The water was COLD! so maybe Darren didn't mind that his shoulder is messed up!

Lots of driving but a great trip he said.  What a life to just up and leave and not even have to think about what your going to do with your three kids... that would sure be nice!

Family Time

Refused is a harsh word, but I guess you could say I refused to commit myself to any extra curricular activities this fall.  I LOVED IT!  No soccer, no dance, no practices, no games.  Were we bored? Did we have enough to do? It was such a great Fall.  I got to spend quality time with my kids after school.  Piano, homework, jobs, helping around the house, late naps for Abby, reading books, and they actually had time to play!  In the spring we did soccer and we had two practices a week, two games a week, Darren had scouts, I had RS meetings and activities... on and on.  There was no time to enjoy life.  Tyler would say... We just don't have any time to play.  He just wanted to play legos once in a while.  So ... I refused to give my kids the opportunity to play and learn a team sport.

We did do a lot of bike races, cooked fun things together, play an occasional family game AND we had Family Home Evening every Monday night.  Priceless.  We have done so many fun family outings.  It has been so nice... can I refuse to do extra stuff forever... probably not. but for now I enjoy every day.

REAL soccer game

Tyler is in cub scouts now and got his Bobcat pretty fast

Cyclocross races

Jumping in leaves (and raking them up)

Family Home Evening ice-cream at the store

Ella loves to read books to our neighbor Ms. LaPriel.  Abby gets attention too. 

Art projects for Halloween. 

Play time at the pool.

Time to practice piano and prepare for talent nights with my family.

Family night, carving pumpkins. Ella wanted to be sure hers had hair and looked like a nice girl pumpkin.

And in general, slowing down.  those cute little chubby hands won't be around forever.  

Fall Break

Instead of heading to a nice warm sunny place for Fall Break we enjoyed a nice weekend in Logan.  Darren took Tyler and Ella out on a good bike ride along the Bonneville shore line trail.  It was his cool down after a good ride.  We met him at Lundstrom park where Darren and I used to hang out when we were dating.   

Tyler enjoyed taking pictures of trees and hikes this trip.  

Ella loves to rake leaves. I read a magazine outside with a  cozy blanket around (while siting by the car waiting for Abby to wake up from her car seat nap). Tyler played Angry Birds inside. but Ella..  She raked up Grandmas leaves but there just wasn't enough.  She found a bucket and started collecting leaves from the neighbors yards.  Pretty soon her pile was monstrous.  The neighbor boys came running over to help jump in them.  

We also went for a short hike on the  Jardin Juniper trail.  Darren proposed to me on a log along this trail on December 8, 2000.  Now we hiked along it with three kids in tow! 

Then we drove back to Old Ephraim's Grave.  9 miles on a bumpy dirt road wasn't easy.  But it was cool to finally get back there to see it.  It was a great drive.  We spent most of the weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Balls, we are sure glad they could join on us our "vacation".