Family Double Date to GVR

We had perfect weather this weekend at Green Valley Ranch for our double date with the Askeroths. We had a great dinner at Lucille's BBQ and then went over to the carousel. Miles wasn't so sure about it at first, but he was waiting at the gate anxious to go in with the big kids.

Then we told him we had to leave the carousel... I felt mean (for a second) for snapping this picture instead of comforting him - he seemed so heartbroken!

We distracted him with the huge Christmas decorations that are already out - running around the tree and presents, and just generally running everywhere! It was a fun night with perfect weather - low 70s, nice cool breeze. One of those nights where you remember that Vegas eventually pays you back for making it through the summer temps.

First Ballerina Class

Claire started her first ballet class today - it is a 3 to 5 year old class so she is one of the youngest ones. They are practicing for a recital in December so they go over their 3 routines and then class is over - Claire just kind of swayed along and tried to follow the girls around her (there are 16 girls in the class). She definitely had one of the puffiest tutus - I think we need to tone it down a bit. But it sure is cute!

Thankful Thursdays

I have been keeping a gratitude journal for a few months now - I write down five things a day that I am thankful for and I have found that it really helps me find perspective on my challenges and day-to-day gripes. Some days it is easy to come up with five things, even more than five. Other days I stare at the page and it takes me awhile to come up with something. So for the month of November, I am going to have Thankful Thursdays, an idea I totally stole from a friend but that goes right along with my gratitude journal.

Today I am thankful for:

1. Getting a huge hug from Miles today; he uses both arms to squeeze my neck and face, and it is the most precious feeling in the world.

2. The fact that I can still run up and down a basketball court on Thursday nights.

3. Working from home two days a week to be with my kids, and having an employer that will let me have a flex schedule

4. Eyeliner - I look really scary without it.

5. My 80-year-old grandma, who is willing to travel alone from Kansas to come and see us this month

Only in Las Vegas...

...Would my kids be able to wear these summer clothes in November and not freeze (Matt dressed them, I have to add...):


...Would we see two wild burros on the side of the road on our way out to Red Rock:


...Would we find a stagecoach, snake and lizard as playground equipment:

Still Can't Leave Her Alone...

... Because this is what happens when Claire brushes her teeth by herself - an impromptu shower.

Halloween Haul

We took most of this candy to Wagner Dental where Claire got $1 a pound for her Halloween loot - she felt rich!

Happy Halloween!

Two dragons and three Dragon Trainers (thanks to a last minute cameo by Uncle Nick) had a great time at our ward's Trunk or Treat. How to Train Your Dragon is now one of our favorite movies - we watched it a bunch of times recently just to get costume ideas. The kids kept their costumes on, even the hoods, but Matt and I were sweating like vikings in our furs and hats. We had a chili cook off (minus my burned chili that was "warming up" on the stove before the party), a costume parade and contest, a carnival, and of course the trunk or treat. Miles was completely happy to walk around by himself the whole night, but luckily MeMa and Papa came to help wrangle these dragons while Matt and I helped with the activity.