just me and my hubby

In just a few hours I'll be sitting next to my hubby holding tightly to his hands as we head out for a much needed kid-less vacation weekend. It's not that we're all romantic and lovey-dovey like that...no I'll be holding his hands because John absolutely hates to fly...actually the word 'hate' isn't strong enough to accurately describe how he really feels about it. Let's just say that I really hope that after all his late nights at work this week he'll get on that plane and quickly pass out.

Me on the other hand...well I absolutely LOVE to fly, always have. I find it very relaxing and usually just read or in most cases I take a nice nap.

John and I haven't flown together just the two of us since our honeymoon 12 years ago...and flying was a big problem for him back then too but being newlyweds he did his best to try and hide it from me. Now a days he has no problem telling everyone just how much he hates it. In the past 12 years we've taken lots of family vacations (mostly road trips) but this will be the first time that just to two of us went somewhere without the kids...well there was that one quick trip 5 years ago when I surprised him in California when he was called to work out there for a month. The grocery stores were on strike, the San Bernadino hills were on fire and I managed to total our rental car. So we actually try to forget about that trip and that means that this weekend is a rare treat...and frankly I'm so excited.

Hopefully John and my hands will survive the 2 1/2 hour flight down to Houston...and then we can start having some fun. The game plan is to spend lots of time with my parents and grandparents, hopefully John and my dad will catch a bunch of fish for us to eat, then we'll enjoy a day with John's family in Louisiana at his niece Brittney's wedding, possibly attend a Beach Boys concert in Galveston, then maybe some more fishing and hopefully a few visits with friends and family and then Monday it's back to the airport to make the trip back home...hopefully with both of us napping the whole way.

We're pretty bummed that we're going to miss spending Halloween with the kids (it's John's favorite holiday) but we know that they're going to have a great weekend with their uncle Courtney and trick-or-treating with their friends. Love you guys!!

Picture Update

Carving our halloween pumpkins.
Zach taking his job very seriously.
A beautiful fall day...boys playing football...

...Cameron getting chased by girls...

...and these two lovely ladies raking up the leaves.

Then is was on to the Trunk-or-Treat at Mountain View.

These pictures are from Ashley's last soccer game this weekend and the little cupcake party they had after the game. They won 7-1 and ended the season with 6 wins and 2 loses...way to go girls!

Look-a-like...Joe Jonas edition.

Zachary decided he was going to be Zorro this year for Halloween...this weekend we searched high and low for the costume but every where we went it was sold out. Who knew Zorro was such a hot commodity.

We were running out of time before the Trunk-or-Treat at the church yesterday so we improvised...I quickly flat ironed Zach's hair and he put on a pair of Ashley's white sun glasses, a dress shirt and jeans...who do you get?

Joe Jonas from the Jonas Brothers that's who.

Forget Zorro...tonight we're going to check out our brand new Goodwill and see if we can round up some better Jonas style clothes to complete the costume for his class party on Friday...I bet the little girls at his school will go crazy for this look-a like.
We think he should consider straightening his hair more often.

I've never read anything more beautiful...than this...

http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2008/10/26/20081026sisters1026a1.html

Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday we headed out to pick some of pumpkins. As Ashley said it was so much more fun than just getting them at the grocery store...we all hardily agree.

Ashley went for the biggest pumpkin in the patch and needed a little help from dad. She also picked the cute little green pumpkin that she just had to take home.
Ashley the Pumpkin Warrior!
Zachary went for a medium sized pumpkin with a great spot perfect for carving a spooky face.

Cameron selected a couple of the smaller but perfectly round pumpkins...my favorite kind.

Ashley also brought us home a big bag of 'fruits' (cherry and pear tomatoes) and vegetables (zucchini and cucumbers). Ashley made sure we all knew that tomatoes are actually really fruits. She even ate one of the pear tomatoes right off the vine.

The kids had a blast jumping on the tramp and we all sat back and enjoyed the perfect evening weather surrounded by the beautiful autumn colors.

Yum, Yum

Ashley and I made these lovely caramel apples last night...it was super easy and really fun.

We wanted to make caramel popcorn with the left over caramel but unfortunately there wasn't a package of microwave popcorn to be found...so Ash and Court experimented with caramel stick pretzels instead...it was quite a sight.

6th Grade Outdoor Ed

This morning Zach along with 75 6th graders from Trailblazer Elementary headed out on a 4 day trip up to Estes Park, Colorado.

They'll be staying at the Covenant Heights Camp and Retreat Center. Their days will be full of wilderness survival, ropes courses, zip lines, basic first aid training, day and night hikes, trips to Rocky Mountain National Forest, fun games, lots of food and of course tons of bonding.

Max, Zach, Nick, Adrian, Alec, Nathan and Ryan.

Zach and Jeremy...it was pretty early.

This trip is always the highlight of the 6th grade year and the most talked about event for all the elementary kids...that includes my two envious 2nd and 3rd graders.

Zach's bestfriend Nathan all ready to go!

My little boy...now 2 inches taller than me.

Zach made sure I knew he was going to be just fine and wouldn't miss us at all. This makes me a little sad but I know he's going to have a fantastic time and could actually use a nice 4 day break from all of us. Check out the size of that hockey bag!! I think the boys packed more than the girls.

Just about to board the bus...have fun...stay safe and we can't wait to hear all about it on Friday.

Some Early Halloween Fun

This weekend we hosted a little pre-Halloween party...although no costumes were necessary. My brother and his family joined us and Courtney and Andra for some yummy fajitas in our Halloween decked out house.

Cameron worked hard last week on some spooktacular decorations inspired by pictures we found on Martha Stewart's website...what do you think?

Martha's version above...Cameron's below.

The chilly weather always puts me in a serious baking mood...we made cookies, cupcakes and bread. Cameron and Ashley took charge of the cupcakes which were a big hit and oh so delicious. As was my homemade sour dough bread ...even if it had a big hole right through the middle.

Little Miss Rylee kept herself quite entertained playing dress up in Ashley's room and ended the night as a beautiful ballerina.

The famous Captain Jack Sparrow even made a quick appearance...and in true pirate form he was a little moody about it.

My Last Summer Holdout

I know it's coming...the weather has already started it's turn. The yellow leaves are covering the ground. This weekend it was windy, cold and very wet...snow is right around the corner. While I absolutely love this time of year...I still mourn the passing of our lovely Colorado summers.

This is the last of my flowering plants from my beautiful flowerbeds...soaked from the rain as if it were crying.

Can't wait to see you all again in the spring!

Random Pictures

Here are just couple random pictures I found on my camera.

Ashley in her shades traveling in style...and don't worry I busted her for not wearing her seatbelt properly right after I took this picture.

Jack (AKA the best dog in the world) looking very handsome after spending the day at the groomers...he always looks like a totally different...skinny...dog without all his shaggy hair.

Speaking of shaggy hair...here is a picture of the first time I wore mine natural since going short. It was definitely easier to do (only took 5 minutes) but after wearing it straight for so long it just doesn't feel like ME anymore. Although this style has found it's way into my easy going, no makeup, glasses wearing, weekend routine...oh how I love the weekend!!