One more thing--

Check out the cutest Christmas singer http://coliver-cestlavie.blogspot.com/ Puts me right in the Christmas mood!

CARLEE

From this---what a cutie!
To this--I can't believe she is growing up so quickly!
Carlee turned 10 on December 1st and doesn't really want to be considered one of the little girls any longer. She never says anything--but she has started asking if she can babysit. Clay is way to excited for her to take over--but I have to keep reminding him NOT YET!

C...caring for others

A...always helpful

R...really great dancer

L...loves to laugh and have fun

E...everyone loves to be around

E...example to younger sisters and friends

Her new motor scooter!

Cami giving her a candybar she was so excited about because she bought it with her own money at dance without any of us knowing.

Carlee picked Sweet Tomatoes for dinner. I know her favorite part is the ice-cream that you can add everything too-- and the machine was broken! They were trying to accomodate everyone with regular ice-cream that they had bought at a store but it wasn't quite the same!
Good thing we had birthday cake at home!

Carlee's Birthday--Winter Formal

Chantz had a great time at Winter Formal. He was asked by Ashton Lunt a friend from school.
What a handsome guy!

They had dinner at one of the girls house and then went to the dance--I was kind of glad I didn't have to do anything because it was girl ask guy!

Thanksgiving/Pinetop

For Thanksgiving each year we rent a cabin in Pinetop--it was a little hectic getting there since we just got home from Disneyland but it was definitely worth it!
Home from church in front of the cabin.

We went on some fun quad rides but it was freezing!

Getting ready to eat!

Everyone gets to make something for dinner--Cami made the pumpkin cheesecake and it was delicious. Even though we were stuffed from dinner, we took a little freezing walk and we were ready for this yummy desert!

Carlee wanted to make "Grammy's strawberry jello". My Grammy use to make it for us every holiday (and that was quite some time ago!)

Chloe made homemade cranberry sauce. She was very proud of herself and kept asking everyone if they had tasted it.

This is what happens to the cheese-pickle-olive relish tray when not very many people like olives--Clay

This was the last morning we were there. We were kind of disappointed because last year it had snowed on Thanksgiving. We thought it should happen every year. Unfortunately there was no snow on Thursday but we were patient and on Saturday it snowed but not enough to stick. When we woke up Sunday morning--it was beautiful and white.

DISNEYLAND--our favorite place

Disneyland was kind of a quick trip this year. Cassie's dance recital was Friday night and Carlee and Cami danced in Disneyland on Saturday morning. We really debated about going because we didn't know if it would work but we finally figured it out. We left at 4am and since traffic was nothing at that time of day we made it to Disneyland in 5 hours! The girls were able to dance and we left at 11:30pm not staying until it closed because it was crowded and we thought Monday would be so much better (not to mention--we were all tired!) Sunday--we got up and went to a Sacrament meeting in Anaheim. Later in the day we were able to go to the Los Angeles Temple. They had beautiful lights but something was wrong with my camera and it wouldn't focus right so sorry--no pictures. Then Monday we were all excited for an uncrowded Disneyland--walking right on rides and riding our favorites as many times as we wanted to. Well....as we were walking up we noticed a ton of people. We all looked at each other and wondered what they were doing here on a MONDAY! As we entered the park it only got worse--there were people everywhere and long long lines. Little did we know that California had given their schools the whole week off because of budget cuts. So we tried to make the best of it (but I know I was not happy!) It is kind of scary to me when there are so many people and we are trying to keep track of everyone. We ended up getting to ride most of the rides we wanted to but we didn't leave Disneyland until 11pm (2 hours later than our plan) and drove home. Cassie has an A hour and we were able to get home just in time for her to jump in the shower and get ready. It's a good thing we LOVE Disneyland!


It's a Small World was beautiful with all the lights.

Our traditional "C" picture for Chelsey, Chantz, Cassie, Clay, Carlee, Cami & Chloe

Carlee's first time on the "maliboomer"--she definitely got talked into it by her older brothers and sisters!
Our favorite water ride. We tried to go during the middle of the day so we wouldn't be so freezing! (I say "we" but I really mean they--not me!)

"Mr. Incredible" has nothing on the men in our family!

We are so cheap--we only buy a couple of yummy ice-cream sandwiches and then everyone has to share!

Waiting for the "Christmas Parade" with all the characters. We decided to watch it this year because it was so crowded we hadn't really seen the princesses. It was well worth the wait!

So far behind--- Cassie's Dance Recital

Cassie had her first One-Image dance recital. She is one of only a few sophomores that made it. She is such a great dancer (and I don't mean to brag) but how does she move her body like that! It was so much fun to watch!
Future dancers (except Clay of course!)

Happy Birthday Russ (late as usual)

I can't believe I am lucky enough to be married to this man--it is hard for me to express how grateful I am for everything he is and the life he provides for me-- so I thought I'd give you a glimpse of why I love him so much! For his birthday I thought I would surprise him with a little get-a-way to the Princess in Scottsdale. One benefit of the economy not doing so well is that they were offering great deals on rooms--usually unheard of in November in Arizona. I think this is the one and only hotel we have ever stayed in that provided nice robes but I forgot to take a picture until right before we were checking out (just ignore the clothes underneath and think of us getting out of a nice hot jacuzzi!)

Let me start by saying Russ is a great father. He has sat through many many dance recitals and acts like he just got done watching a wrestling match. He supports our kids in everything they do and is their biggest fan (next to me!)

He is not afraid to take unecessary risks--I guess the good side to that is that he is always adventurous and loves to have a great time! I am glad I only see these photos after the fact because he was with the Young Men!

He is not afraid to try new things.

He always volunteers to go with the kids on this wet ride at Disneyland and lets me sit out with Chloe. In my defense--we take great pictures and cheer really loud!

He is the best dance partner and makes his girls feel special.

He loves his family and provides for us in every way.

He is determined to do his best in everything he does (if this would have been a live target--we would have had his head on our wall.....yuk!)

I don't usually like to post about how wonderful our life is because we all have our ups and downs--but Russ is a great husband and father and I am lucky to be his wife. I know we are blessed in so many ways and I don't think I could ever imagine my life being any different or better than it is--with all the challenges that go with it. I know I can make it through anything as long as Russ is with me.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUSS!

Halloween--finally!

Halloween seems to be a week-long event and I love it! We started off Wednesday going to our ward's Fall Festival. It was freezing (hard to believe now that it's still almost 90 in November!)

The Priests did a cool booth--whack a priest! If you ever wanted to know what Chantz would look like if his mom would let him grow his hair long--just get a cheap wig from Walmart!

Chloe getting a good whack for all the times Chantz teases her!

Friday the girls wore their costumes at school for the costume parade and class parties. Finally it was Saturday and time for trick-or-treating--which means lots of chocolate for Russ and I! Chloe and Cami decided to be vampires...and no --they haven't even seen the movie Twilight!
Carlee went as a cute "fifties girl" --they had a lot of fun!

What is it with my boys and long hair?? Clay was a pretty cool pirate lookin' for treasure!

His group-- that I'm sure stayed out of trouble!

Chantz was Peter Pan and Wes and Terry were "merry woodsmen". I've never seen so many tights on boys or men I should say! Cassie went as a Grecian goddess and her friend Brooke always wanted to be a scout! Luckily for our neighborhood they skipped the trick-or-treating and went to parties. After making the rounds in our neighborhood--we always go to Grampy and Grammy's and meet up with cousins to make the trip around their block. Dailynd didn't want Chloe to "bite his neck!"

Lizzie's not too sure about Clay's long hair

The whole group--Faye was suppose to be a roller-derby girl but fell on her roller blades right before leaving and broke her arm--she really wanted her costume to be authentic! I'm always sad when Halloween is over--it comes and goes so fast!

A day in Pine/ Dancing at the Fair

The last day of fall break, Cami and Carlee danced at the State Fair (not my favorite place). It had been cool all week but it was hot on Saturday. Luckily, they danced right when it opened at 10 and the stage was in the shade. They did a great job and were so much fun to watch!
After dancing we usually go right home--after reminding the girls that we will be going to Disneyland in a few short weeks and the rides are MUCH better! Since Grammy came with us she decided to treat the girls to some Indian Fry Bread--it was delicious (maybe even better than what we get to eat at Disneyland!)

Thanks Grammy for coming to watch!

Beautiful colors--actually looks like fall in Arizona!

Eating a yummy lunch at Papa and Grandma Oliver's

Riding quads with jackets--we're excited!

PaPa and Chloe--what a great day!

Clay making a great kick during our highly competitive game of kickball!

A perfect day trip! We drove the short drive to Pine where Papa and Grandma had a delicious lunch for us. Then we relaxed, went on quad rides and played kickball. Next--we ate again, had yummy dessert and drove home...tired and dirty to take showers and sleep in our comfy beds! Thanks PaPa and Grandma for a great time! P.S. We missed Chelsey who had to work and go to school-no fall break for ASU!