"The Place With The Guys With Real Guns and Fake Bullets"

We headed out to good ole Tombstone today. We walked up and down the street. Aidan and Betty decided they needed to go potty, and let me tell you, that was an adventure all in itself. They have public restrooms in the park, Betty took one look at the metal toilet and was having nothing of it. Then as if being metal was not scary enough, they had to flush reallllly loud as well. So I finally convinced her that its going to be okay, and I wouldn't flush until she was out of the stall. Poor kid was almost traumatized. Now every time we go into a public bathroom, she says in her shaky little voice "Don't Flush it Mommy!"





We ended up going to a little shoot out comedy, the kids loved it, and it was actually quite funny.










The rest of the weekend was not that eventful. Sunday Paul went shooting with his dad, and had a blast, which in turned made it so we convinced ourselves to stay another day so that they could go again. I think it was a fantastic trip, and I can't wait to go again.

Here are some random pictures for your enjoyment =]

(Olivia pulling Betty and their cat Scout around in the wagon)

(Betty passed out cold)

(Betty, me and Aidan getting ready to check out of our hotel in Laughlin)

(The Pawn shop from Mine and Pauls favorite tv show "Pawn Stars")

(The kids making thing out of Playdough)

(Betty and her little friend Claire, they took all the petshops and hid from the kids under the table)

(the boys all snuggled together in our hotel room)

(Samuel and his painted bank)

(Samuel trapped in the cat tree)

(I just thought this was funny, look closesly at the book, not something you find on every kids bookshelf)

(Not quite sure what Betty is doing here)

(All decked out in Chef outfit)

Two Birthdays and a stuffed turkey

Happy 25th Birthday Me!

The morning started out with my Samuel climbing into bed and snuggling up to me. "Happy birthday Mom. Your the best mom in the whole world" After that I got many more birthday wishes and loves from my sweet hubby and kids. Miranda made me a pumpkin cheesecake, which later got turned into a upside down pumpkin cheesecake. My nephew thought he was supposed to flip it out of the pan.
It was still incredibly delicious! All in all I think it was a pretty great day.

Most of the 25th was spent shopping and preparing for Thanksgiving. the stores were a mad house, I don't think I've ever seen them that busy in little Sierra Vista. Thanksgiving was spent watching Miranda work her magic in the kitchen.
(...and Betty reaping the benefits)




The food was absolutely blissful! I went to bed so stuffed I thought I'd never eat again.

Friday was Olivia's birthday, she turned eleven. Shes so cute, she said she couldn't get dressed until she had a "Birthday Outfit". So Miranda and I braved the Black Friday crowd and went to get her an outfit. We also "helped" Poppy pick out the Christmas Pj's for all the grandchildren. After that we some how ended up wrapping them as well. Funny how he got a way with that huh. haha

Made To The Sorry Gulch

The ride had not been that bad, we only had maybe two melt downs, both of which were from Betty. But they were short lived. We arrived at Dads house about midnight, and talked for about an hour with him and Miranda's kids.



That next morning the kids were so excited, they woke up early and went out to help their cousins take care of the animals. We spent most the morning in our pj's catching up with everyone. the boys and Betty were loving that they got to hold the rabbits, and it was a struggle to get Betty to come back in the house. There's a play house and all sorts of animals, its great.

Arizona Here We Come!

Day 1 of our trip



(The kids are all strapped in and ready to head out)

Today we left for Arizona, and despite everyone skepticism, we were on the road by 5:50am!
And after making a stop to redbox, gas and a quick stop to at Beth's house, and one more unplanned potty break before we hit the free-way, we were making really good time. (I think this light house is in Cedar City?)

(The fog coming off the mountain was really cool.)

We planned to be at Zion's National Park by 10am, and spend an hour or so there. (Coming Up On Zion's)

We got there about 10:30ish and that hour turned into 3 and an half hours! We hiked up to the Emerald Pools, it was only an hour or so hike, it was GORGEOUS! The kids did really well, not one of them whined once about being tired or anything. Here are some pictures from out little hike.

(After a 4 and a half hour drive, the kids were pretty psyched to get to run around)

(This really nice older couple walking behind us took these pictures.)

(I just love the curly things on the aloe plants)

(These are the waterfalls, that during spring are full on waterfalls,
and you get to walk under them, it was really cool)

(On the way up we saw a family taking pictures on this big rock,
and the kids insisted that we take their picture on the way down.)

(Daddies Little Girl)

(this was the scariest picture! behind the kids is like at least a 200 ft drop!)

After we got back down, Paul wanted to ride the shuttle bus the rest of the way up. After a short wait and nice little rest, we hopped on the shuttle bus. The kids loved it! Samuel thought he was so cool because he got his own seat, Betty just kept exclaiming "I LA THE BUS!" and Aidan was thrilled to be riding next to his daddy. We rode the shuttle all the way to the top, and then got out and wandered around for a little while, then hopped another shuttle back down. The lady driving the shuttle on the way down was awesome, she chatted up a storm with the kids, and told me when there was a good photo opportunity coming up.

(On our way out of the park we came across this deer.)

Then we drove through the tunnels, the kids had a blast. they were having so much fun. Zions is such an amazingly beautiful place. This was my first time getting out and actually hiking a trail and I cannot wait to go back and hike some more!