Keelie turns 5!

So my little Keelie Jo turned 5 last week!  I can't believe it!  She has been begging to get her ears pierced for years so on her actual birthday we took her to the mall and got them pierced.  She was so brave, she cried for like a minute then asked if she could go play.  I was proud of her.  So they played then we went and got pizza.  Then Saturday was her big party.  We planned on having it at the park, because as you can see from the picture, we invited like 15 kids.  On Saturday at around 10:00 we realized that wasn't going to happen because it had been raining all morning.  I was stressing trying to figure out what to do because there was no way we could fit that many kids in our house for 2 hours!  So we had the idea to have it in the cultural hall at the church.  So, I tracked down phone numbers and called or texted all the parents.  We were set and I just had to think of a few games to play.  Then at about 12:00 the power goes out in our whole neighborhood, including the church.  I was freaking out because I thought I was going to have to think of a 3rd option and I had no idea what to do.  Luckily around 12:45 the power was back on and we were able to have it at the church.  I think it turned out pretty well for being thrown together last minute.  We had a bounce house, coloring books, played games, had donuts and hot chocolate, and opened presents.  I think the kids had a blast! 

Keelie and Kate performing their "stunt" at their dance recital.  My pictures never turn out good.

I had to throw in this picture of Hadlie.  It cracked me up that she was wearing a leatard and a tutu, and carrying around a bat wanting to play ball. 

The lake in November

Joes sister just got a boat, so they invited us out to the lake to try it out for the first time.  When I thought of going to the lake in November I was ready to go in my jeans and a sweatshirt, but Joe assured me it would be warm.  And he was right.  It was actually warm and very nice.  I didn't get cold at all.  I also didn't get in the water at all.  Joe and Ryan were the only ones to brave the water and go wakeboarding.  The younger boys tubed, but as hard as Ryan tried, he couldn't get them to flip.

Joe and I chillin on the boat

Joe wakeboarding. I was impressed with how well this zoomed in shot turned out.

Joe and Jack in the tube

We had tons of fun and the girls were really good at keeping their lifejackets on.  I can't wait to go back when its warmer so I can go on the tube and go wakeboarding.  Thanks Ricedorffs!

My cute girls

So, I'm pretty sure I have the cutest girls in the world!  They like to dress up in their matching leotards.  And cousin Kate came with us to the park one day and they were playing so cutely together, running around, holding hands, that I had to take a picture. 

Here is Belle and Snow White on Halloween.  They got tired of trick or treating after like 5 houses which I was ok with because they got tons of candy from the 2 other trunk or treats that we had gone to the weekend before.  They still had alot of fun and actually got to bed at a reasonable time!

October Break

I guess its about time to do another post.  These pictures from October break are the first pictures i've taken in months!  We always love when there are breaks from school cuz that means Joe is home!  Joe had his first annual fall break softball camp at Mt. View the first part of the week and it turned out great!  He had alot of fun running it.  The weather was great last week so we spent as much time outside as we could.  The Platts came down from Prescott Valley and the girls had alot of fun playing with them and the Ricedorffs.  Then they got to have a sleepover at my parents house with their other cousins.  They had so much fun.  While they were at grandmas, Joe and I took advantage of the great weather and went and hiked Camelback Mt.  It was my first time and it was a good hike.  We are planning on doing it again when it cools down again.  We are sad Joe had to go back to work today, but Keelie was excited to go back to school.  She kept saying she missed school.Joe and I on Camelback mt.

Keelie and Hadlie with their "eyeballs" they made at grandmas house.

First Day of School

Keelie started her first day of early kindergarten today!  She only goes half day but it is 5 days a week.  A few days ago she would cry at the thought of going to school because she was so scared.  But when I dropped her off she ran off to play no problem, and i'm sure she didn't even miss me!  This isn't the best first day of school picture, but its still cute.  And of course Hads had to be in it!

Our trip to Cali

We were finally able to make our much anticipated trip to California this summer.  We had so much fun going to the beach everyday and hanging out with family.  It was us, my sister Brittney and her family, Joes sisters Karrie and Dyan and their families.  There was alot of us and we took up about half the beach when we were there.  Heres some pics from the trip:

 Kendall and Keelie posing

buried in the sand

Hadlie, Carver, Kendal, Keelie-eating icecream, frozen bananas and Balboa Bars-yum!

Annie, Keelie and Abby on the ferry to the fun zone on Balboa Island

 Kate, Keelie and Annie playing in the sand

Carver and Hadlie running from the waves

 Keelie, Kate, Hadlie, Hannah, Annie with mermaid tails

Our family

Posing

 These are just some random cute pictures I wanted to post because I haven't blogged in awhile.  Keelie loves to do poses and Hadlie loves to copy everything Keelie does. They will randomly ask me to take pictures of them posing.  So cute!

 I love Hadlies cheesy smile!

 We have done some fun things this summer so far.  Lots and lots of swimming, but we've also been bowling with cousins a few times.  Keelie was scared to at first (not surprising), but ended up loving it.  She is VERY competative and was keeping track of everyones scores the whole time. 

 My sister came into town from Texas and we had lots of fun hanging out with them all week.  This is the only picture I took while they were here.  My new goal for the summer is to take more pictures!