Today was our first visit to the ER. We have been in our small town for just over 2 years so I guess it was time, right :)?

The Story:
We were picking up The Girlfriend this afternoon. Austin got out of the car to go get her and closed his finger in the door. He had to open the door to get his finger out. It was pretty weird to watch from inside the car. Anyway, he got his finger out, told me he was ok and went in to get The Girlfriend. They came out and we were driving back home and I asked him how his finger was. He obviously said that it hurt and that I needed to stop the car that he thought he was going to be sick. I really looked at his finger and it looked pretty bad, dented in and turning purple, not swollen. I decided it was a good idea to get it x-rayed. So off to the ER we went. A million dollar copay later - it's not broken, he got a band-aide and a ice pack and off we went.

Maybe I over reacted but I thought it looked bad and was pretty sure that it was broken. And nothing is open but the ER on Saturdays and Sundays here.

So that is the story of our first ER visit in our small town. Glad to say that it was a pretty boring visit.

Even though I know Austin is laughing at some completely inappropriate youtube comedy video, I still love this picture. I love seeing him smile or even better laugh.

I love this kid with everything in me.

So much if the time I feel like I am failing him in so many ways. He has always been and, will always be such an amazing kid.

I am making sure Austin and I spend time together everyday talking, about anything/everything, playing cards, or even watch his ofter inappropriate youtube videos. He is growing up way too fast for me. I'm trying to hold on to the few (kid) years I have left.

10 and 2

...or 10th and 2nd.

Today the kids started their new school year.

Austin and Zachary are now in 10th grade

Madison is in 2nd grade

I'm so excited for a really good school year this year

Austin is striving for straight A's - hope he sticks to this (he is so smart)

I am working at Madison's school as PTO president.

And so far I love it.

So handsome
I love that he dropped the shaggy hair, skater look this year
I am really looking forward to an awesome year with Austin
I think he did a lot of growing this summer and is ready
to buckle down to
get the grades he needs to head of to college in a few years

also dropped the long hair this year - a much better look
I hope this year Zachary takes advantage of the fresh start
(last year was rough)
I am hoping for better grades and that Zac stays out
of trouble this year 

My Bug (lovebug)
I can not believe she is already in 2nd grade
She is incredibly smart and a really good student.
She scored in the top 98% in all of her testing last year.
I hope she keeps up the amazing work.
I hope Madison has a great year.

Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course

The day before school starts...

What's something totally fun we can do with the kids?

Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course

We have been waiting all summer for the boys to get back home to go as a family

It was so worth the wait.

The kids had a blast.

Now don't bash me to hard.

But again (and as always) most of the pics are of Madison.

I can explain.

Madison had to have a parent with her at all times (of course) and I was that parent since some of Jason's coworkers and their kids came with us, and Jason and his mom went with the boys (and the coworkers) who also had to have a parent with them at all times.

I had the camera for Madison's first time thru her course then Jason took the camera to get pictures of the boys.

But they were on their last zipline finishing the last course they were able to complete.

So we are planning to go again soon and Jason can stay with Madison and I will go with the boys so we will have lots of cool pictures of them too.

So now that I've made my excuses on to the pictures



The kids has so much fun. If you are in the area it is so worth a visit. Madison went right to bed and even stayed in her own bed all night. She was worn out. And the boys loved it. Next time we will have to pretend they are 18 so they can try to complete all 4 courses.

Jam Session

A rare moment of sibiling bonding. Usually these 2 are arguing and fighting, so to see Austin take the time to teach Madison a song, and to see Madison willing to listen and learn from Austin was such a nice change of pace. Hopefully both of them playing the guitar will be a way for them to interact kindly with each other. I really enjoyed watching them get along. Hopefully one day they make beautiful music together :)   

Christmas WipeOut

Disclaimer: no child was seriously injured. The only fatality - our large sledding tube.

This is Madison sledding down from the top of the hill. Actually it is her last run from the top. After this one J started her half way down the hill. Much better/safer/less scary for both Madison and me.

This is the oldest cousin. She, I think, learned that it was better to go down in pairs after this flip.

This is little man. He loved sledding, even after this. He flew down the hill every time, and wanted to go faster and higher.

And this is Uncle A, first (and last) attempt at sledding this hill. He hit a stick and the tube ripped. Pretty Funny.

And just for fun, and because they are so cute. Here is Austin and Madison sledding together.

Also just for fun, and because she is so cute, (and because I didn't get her crash recorded) here is the middle cousin flying down the hill from the top. She loved it.

our first snow day

we have know all week that today it would snow. really snow. not just the light dusting we got earlier this month. the kids have been so excited. last night they checked outside several times. it was either raining or hailing, no snow. this morning we woke up to this...

Family Visit

since i moved 3 hours north of my entire family and J's parents, i've been lonely. i miss them. so my little sister (next in line, there are 5 of us, yes all girls, and no - not poor dad. we adore him) and her family came up to give me a weekend dose of family. it was great...

Austin and my Pixie
only i can call her Pixie
it's our special thing

my sister and Pixie's adorable twin Carebear
another nickname
but everyone calls her Carebear

Madison and Pixie
these 2 are super close
Madison mothers Pixie
Pixie loves it

my kids
their twins
and my brother in law

the girls
i hope even with the move these 3 stay close friends
nothing is better then family

Foot Doctor

Austin and Madison had an appointment with the foot doctor. Austin got an ingrown toenail cut out (without being numbed) and Madison went because she has flinstone flat feet and it had been suggested we have them looked at. Madison went first and did great, the doctor was funny and great with kids. He found a wart on her big toe (gross), and put acid and a band-aid on it to remove it. He also had orthotics cut for her shoes and told us she needs to were them 80 - 90% of the time and she may be out of them by the time she is 14 - 7 years, yikes. Then Austin went, this was a follow up visit for his ingrown toe nails. The first visit he was just put on antibiotics, even though the doctor offered to just cut the toe off. He guaranteed that would solve the ingrown toenail problem permanently. This time he wanted the nail cut out - even after my horror story of 9 shots in each toe just to numb them. He was tired of it hurting all the time. The doctor looked at his foot, grabbed his clippers and started cutting, I couldn't watch. I felt so bad for Austin. I know that had to really hurt. He was tough though So, Madison has a follow up in 2 weeks to check both her wart and her orthotics. Hopefully that will be the end of our visits for a while. We really like the doctor, but specialists are expensive.

these 2 had a great day together
it was so nice seeing them get along,
I let both of them stay home from school and enjoyed
watching them wrestle and play and just hang out.  

she was a little nervous - new doctor and all
Austin did really good keeping her laughing 

WART ON MY BABY - GROSS

A-1 Mountain Road

Our Saturday adventure was on Sunday this week. Sunday morning Madison decided she wanted to go for a drive to see if she could spot some deer. Unfortunately it was already 8am, and I've heard it best to go out before sunrise. But we thought why not, it was a good day to get out as a family.

A-1 Mountain Road
a forest road not far from where we live
we have to come back here - it's so beautiful

we pulled off the road and went exploring
so fun
such a change from summer days back in phoenix

I absolutely love wild purple flowers

we all climbed around on these rock piles for a while
don't worry J stayed close to Madison
she was never in any danger

these two are so close
they are almost always holding hands
J is her protector
Madison brings out the fun kid in him

J helping Madison down from one of the rock piles
i like how he lets her be brave - but is always there to catch her

the kids

Me and Madison
thank you Austin for taking a few pictures

another thing I love about forest roads
bumpy dirt road + no traffic = kids in back
(J is very careful, they are safe. I promise)

me and Madison
taking fun pics together

2nd stop further down the road
deep in the forest
we saw deer here - in the distance
Madison decided we were going to follow them
so we hiked up the mountain

about half way up we had to take a quick break

finally at the top
"top of the world"
we could see our whole little town

and back down
this was the fun part

my typical picture of J and Madison
they alway joke that I am taking pictures of their bottoms
actually i just love seeing them holding hands
i love Madison's choice of shoes - rain boots

J and Madison jumping down the mountain
they were having so much fun

Austin - thankfully he lets me sneek in a few pictures of him

these 2 are so done having their pictures taken
I promised them that they would be thankful for all the pictures someday