Candy OVERLOAD

Max's preschool is at one of the local high schools. As a tradition the kids trick-or-treat to the classrooms. Daddy had to work late on Halloween and so he took a VERY early (at 9 am) lunch break to watch the kids trick-or-treat. Tali kept getting tons of candy for being the cutest little bear (especially in one classroom where she got a hand full for being Clu's daughter - if you want details ask her daddy). They had candy overload and that didn't include night trick-or-treating, visiting Nana Deb's school or stopping by G&G Snow's. By the end of the night, the kids were exhausted from all the fun (can you blame them).

Max with his high school buddy

Getting ready to visit classrooms

Tali has her bag ready for some treats

he was dragging his bag by the end of school trick or treating, it was filled to the brim

 Reading books at Nana Deb's school. They even got to visit her library

playing at centers with the kids 

(Nana Deb was giving directions and Tali thought you were supposed to fold your arms)

Max and friend inventing with Magforms

The choke hold

Witches

Since visiting Gardner Village this year, Tali randomly tells me about good witches. She starts with pointing then on to good witches and ends with words I don't understand. I am hoping that since she is talking about good witches that she had a good time. We walked all over the Village finding the good and silly witches. Lucky for us, Nana Deb met us to enjoy the fun, afterwards we headed for a quick dinner before our drive home. 

These kiddos love to play together (most of the time)

Having a turn with the big bell

This is the best daddy, hands down!!!

"wook, wook", Tali loves to show you everything!

One of the witches

Hurry, sit, smile and snap... 

glad with have a quick family picture to remember how much we love each other

Nana Deb with Tali Deb 

Hoping for a picture of the kids.

 Max is mad Tali won't stand by him and Tali is mad Max won't let go of her hand.

"I Do It" famous words from this little lady. She is busy and does not want any help.

"Garving"

Max could not wait to "garve" pumpkins this year. He had found memories of last years fun and couldn't wait to to try it again. I can't stand carving pumpkins, the guts gross me out and so I leave all of the carving fun to daddy while I take the pictures.

We thought that Tali might enjoy coloring her pumpkin since she loves to "Cuulaa"

Serious business with Uncle Marcus

Max is having way too much fun!

Tali finished her fun and was a bit dirty so we threw her in the sink for some bath time fun.

Daddy working with the dremmel

finished product 

Little Man proud of his pumpkin

First field trip

Max couldn't sleep the night before his first field trip. He was so excited to ride on the big school bus and go to pumpkin land. AS you will see, it was a HUGE hit all around (for both kids).

Arriving on the school bus

 AM & PM preschool classes with Miss Elodia, Max's sweet teacher

Max with his high school buddy

Best buddies

 Preschool friends

Picking our own pumpkins

We were all asked to wear red so that it would be easy to spot our crew 

(and it was a big one with all the kids and high school buddies).

It amazes me how fast time flies and how the kids grow up so fast. I can't stand the fact that this time last year Tali wasn't even walking. I am so grateful that I get to be with them and watch them as this time "flies" by. 

Lately I have been reflecting on my life experiences and I am so grateful for the lows (and hard times) because it makes the highs (and happy times) much sweeter. I can't express the love that I feel for my family and not just "my little" family, but my WHOLE family. It warms my heart as I reflect on the times that the "BIG" families get together to enjoy company and cousins. I love the laughter and joy that comes with it. Thank you family, WE LOVE YOU!

Only THREE ...

Well knowing our Daddy, he was determined to win a tournament and practiced A LOT!  I think the best part of it all was his coach was back and fixed/worked on his errors.  That definitely helped a lot with this last tournament.

It took only his third tournament but we have a WINNER at home.  Daddy was able to come home as the "Champion" from the U of U Racquetball Tournament.  They played a couple of games as a round robin to place/seed each player.  He was placed #3 and had to play the harder bracket yet he pulled out the wins and was one happy camper when he came home Saturday afternoon.  I think he wants to push himself more and is signing up with his normal C group but also moving up one more to the B group.  We will see how things go in a few weeks.

Just want to say!  CONGRATS and good luck with the next one in Nov.  We love you DADDY.

Go daddy, Go!

Max and Tali love going to watch daddy play racquetball. Probably because it means eating treats, running around, cheering loud for daddy, finding new friends and staying up late. The last tournament Clu played in he did an excellent job! He placed 2nd (amazing since it was only his 2nd tournament). Thanks to all who came to cheer him on, we all loved watching him. GO DADDY!!!

Warming up before game

Playing a LONG game

USAR Member...

Well would you believe it!  Daddy has become an official member of the USAR (United States Racquetball Association) and has started to play tournaments.  He entered his first ever USAR sanctioned tournament last week and did well for having the nerves and jitters.  He felt and we all thought he should have played better... he lost a close 1st match the first day.  The following day he woke up (he really was upset and thought to much about his "bad" play and couldn't sleep) very early at 4:30 AM and headed to the GYM before work at 8 AM.  He was determined to figure out his mistakes and clear that out before his 2nd match later that day.

The following day he played much better and winning his first game but lost a close second game.  The tie breaker was a back and forth battle and neither wanted to give up the match.  It was a long hard fought battle between two determined players and felt bad that only one would walk away a winner.  After a grueling 1 hour 45 min match ... sweat dripping ... barely moving ... adrenaline rush players ... Clu miss hit a shot and skipped the ball just in front of the front wall.  He lost a long battle by one point.  I only watched them play and I felt drained after that shot missed.

He felt a lot better but wished he would have won his match to move on in the brackets.  His opponent kept saying, "I have never run so much in a match.  He kept me guessing all night long and I was just lucky to win against him."  I'm glad someone could see he played well besides his family.

Clu has signed up for another tournament next week in SLC and the following week at the University of Utah.  He is busy training and getting his timing, swing, feet and what ever else he says... I know he will be ready and we will cheer our daddy on!

Little Mama

Tali loves her babies. She rocks them, feeds them her milk, burps them and puts them to bed. One morning while Max was at school and I was getting ready, she sat in my closet with her baby. She had on my headband, feeding the baby and then was putting her to bed. She used my slip for the blanket and was telling the baby "nite-nite" and "shhhh, baby sleeping". I love her imagination!

These pictures were taken with my phone so the quality is not great but you still get to see this little mama at work. 

Side Note: This girl is ALWAYS wearing shoes, it doesn't matter whose shoes (although she prefers these pink jellys to all others). I guess she has quickly picked up the shoe love bug!

NEVER EVER

has Max fallen asleep while playing with his toys. He was having quiet time in his room but it was too quiet so I went to check on him and this is how I found him. It must have been a rough day at school.