Unorthodox toys...

As Edward and I have been discussing our Christmas shopping list/

trying to figure out what toys the boys will enjoy the most,

I couldn't help but think of the joke that:  

kids would rather play with the box the toy came in.

In the past we've stumbled across a few unexpected "play things" 

that the boys never seem to tire of, so I thought I'd share them with you...

Edward bought me this over a year ago so I could stop using Brian's empty waste basket as my mop bucket, 

but I never got to use it even once.  It just makes such a fun baby go-cart!  

(Edward pushing Reese around: Oct 2011)

As you can see, Reese has added some embellishments to the handle, and enjoys pushing Hayden around in it now.  And this bucket is multi-purposeful too because Hayden uses it as a walker, 

and I'll wheel it around the house to gather up toys!

This second discovery is a Spot-Bot.  

We originally purchased it because with 2 cats and 2 dogs, accidents happen on our carpets more often than we would like (and for this purpose, it has been a life-saver), but it also works as a baby mesmerizer ;)  When Reese was a baby he loved pushing the buttons, and would crawl from one end of the house to the other to find it if he could hear it running. 

Hayden mainly just likes watching the water trickle in and out of the tanks.  I've even been guilty of filling it with just water (no solution) and running a cycle just so I can finish some other task and keep Hayden entertained.    

Thanksgiving

I am so grateful for all of my family.

I've been thinking if I could have one unexpected visitor show up on my doorstep this Thanksgiving, it would be my Grandpa.  I love him dearly.  

Of all the people I've met in my life, he is the most like how I picture My Savior to be, in the way he acts and the things he says.  

I am grateful for the knowledge of my Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ;

To know that he loves me, and that through him I can have hope.

Veteran's Day Parade

I took the boys to watch their Uncle Brian march in the Mesa Parade.

He did great -his squadron got lots of compliments on their mad marching skills!

Nov 6, 2012 Election Day

The Presidential race between Gov. Mitt Romney and Pres. Barack Obama
was a close one.

Our family was disappointed (to say the least) with the outcome.

Mainly I was hoping the rapid changes we are seeing occur in our country 

would be stymied for a season, and that the conflict which we will inevitably face in the future, might be postponed that much longer.

I pray that I may instill courage and the love of God in my sons hearts.  That they may rise to whatever occasion presents itself in their future, and stand for truth and righteousness, for freedom and liberty, for justice and equality.  

I love reading World War II stories, especially of those who harbored Jews.  

To me it is the ultimate act of courage to put not only your own life in danger, but to compromise the safety of your family, even your own children, to act in accordance with how the Savior would have. To help the helpless, protect the weak.  

It takes great faith and trust in the Lord.

Even though they may be strangers, "in as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brotheren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:40).

"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life

  for my sake, shall find it." (Matthew 16:25)

May my children be quivers in the Lord's hands.  Amen.

Happy Halloween!

My favorite little monster man:

I thoroughly enjoyed Halloween this year! I took Reese trick or treating, while Hayden and Edward passed out candy, and it was so much fun getting to meet all our neighbors!  Our neighborhood is pretty awesome. People went all out on decorations, and besides the normal loot Reese got a few king-sized candy-bars, a toy car, and a box of gourmet chocolate chip cookies. Score!  

I didn't get any pictures of Reese on Halloween, but he wore an angry bird T-shirt accompanied by the Cardinals/angry bird towel you see modeled below:  (Both were gifts from our good friend Brenda Skaggs.)

Pumpkin Munchkin...

 

I thought Reese would have fun carving the pumpkin with me this year, but nope.  

That boy is just like his Daddy -squeamish when it comes to stringy slimy pumpkin guts.

He thought it was pretty funny when we put Hayden inside though =)

Evidence a friendship is in the works...

Note: Hayden is strong enough to turn the shower water on.  That boy has some muscle!

I got these cheap styrofoam swords at Wal-Mart for a buck each, and tossed them on the floor while I was putting groceries away. 

Hayden crawled over and picked one up, and I guess Reese took that as a challenge...

Payback is a...

We have the best neighbors!

I just absolutely adore the Jennings' family next door!

Josh is Reese's best friend, 

& Garrett puts on the BEST puppet shows for the boys! =)