Thanksgiving Day 2013

Just a lovely AZ Thanksgiving Day...
 

 

 

 

Turkey Trot

Turkey Trot 2013 must haves:

Crazy kids: Check

Doll: Check

Real Baby Doll: Check

Grandma who runs faster than everyone else: Check
(She had already done her real Turkey Trotting earlier)

Our turkey trot was modified to a turkey stroll since we had all the kiddos but it is always a fun way to start the morning.

Sleeping Beauty

Robert found Gabby asleep like this the other night...of course, we had to get a picture :)

Halloween Costumes

Robert's work always dresses up for Halloween with a theme. This year it was superheroes and he went as Clark Kent/Superman.

The kids had a fun day of festivities at school...fun run, parade, class parties.

But the day wasn't over yet. We had a trunk or treat that night. The kids had been planning (for a while) for the whole family to dress up as Despicable Me characters. Kids...we must love you a whole lot! Plus, we won "Best Family Costume" in the costume contest. Good times!

Painting Pumpkins 2013

After Apple Annie's, it was time to get painting. We rummaged through the craft supplies and the kids had to be creative with what we had. The pumpkins turned out cute!

Nate made a smiley pumpkin

Gabby made this adorable penguin

and Carter made a witch with spooky hair and cute little hat. She even won "Best Traditional Pumpkin" in the Pumpkins and Poems contest at school!

Apple Annie's

We met David and Mandy's family in Wilcox at Apple Annie's pumpkin patch a few weekends ago. Hanging out with cousins is the best!

Nate tried to hitch a ride to the fields

The boys have to stick together with all these girls around!

Cute Solomon found the perfect pumpkin

Faith, Carter, Gabby

Carter sinks into a pool of corn kernels

Solomon needs to brush that tooth in the front, ha ha!

Smiles from Hope
 The corn kernels were the kids favorite. I am still vacuuming random kernels around my house!

Til we meet again

Robert's stepdad, Richard E. Durfee Sr., passed away Tuesday. As we have been reflecting and thinking about him, a few memories have stuck out to me. The first one was a few years back...Richard has lots of grandkids (currently 96 with spouses!) and we were talking about several of them and what they were up to, sports they were playing etc... It was impressive that he knew each one of them so well. Family was so important to him. The second memory was after I had the stroke. He was telling me about when he found out the news and how he just couldn't believe it. He was getting teary eyed talking about it and it really made me feel loved. We will all miss him but know that this isn't the end. Our love and prayers are with the Durfee family.

Welcome Back Sparks Family

Oh, we missed these cousins. AZ may not be as pretty as HI but it's a whole lot closer!

 

Rockstar Day

 

Happenings

We've been busy lately but here's a few pics of some things that have been going on around our place...

The babies called Gabby to "sing" Happy Birthday to her. It was awesome.

Carter and I got to go to a concert by Gordon Mote. He is a Christian pianist who is blind. It was really cool and a fun night out.

Nate got some one on one time with Dad... with Nate's choice of activities. He got his face painted like Batman and then they played Super Mario Bros on the Wii.

Gabby and Mom had some time too (Carter was at a birthday party). Gabby also got her face painted and then we spent the evening at Salsa fest downtown with double scoop ice cream cones for dessert. She was in heaven .

I was thinking of you, Erica!

I got ambitious this year and canned/froze/freezer jammed a box each of peaches and pears. It was a lot of work! And not nearly as fun to do by myself as when Erica and I split a box and did them together :)

 

Love notes...

...from Nate

That's what friends are for

Gabby decided she wanted to get her ears pierced for her birthday this year. She was all excited to get there until it was actually time to sit and get it done...good thing we had her bestie, Rachel, come along to help.

Rachel knew just what to do. She held her hands and calmed her down. It was over before they knew it.

And now, Gabby has some beautiful red sparkly butterflies to show off!