Halloween 2014

My kids are getting big...that's all there is to it!  Halloween traditions continue.  Except this year since Halloween was on a "no school" day, we were able to dress up and go to Frank's work at Buckner Company to trick or treat.  I've been working on an interior design project at his office so this gave me an opportunity to get a little work done while they kids mosey'd around begging for candy! Im glad that at least one of my kids still enjoys my annual "Halloween Photo Session"...

CARLY...THE PIRATE!

AND CHASE...THE M&M!!

Logan is officially too old to trick or treat, so he and his buddy Tegan watched a movie/fell asleep!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Vegas Baby!

For my 37th birthday, Frank took me and the kids to Vegas for the weekend.  He got a room for the kids and a separate room for us, so we all had plenty personal space which was a gift in itself! But there were still many festivities to be had....here's how it all went down

First we had a yummy dinner at Grimaldi's Pizza.  We've been to Vegas before and were not sure if we'd ever dome back again with the kids, but this time was different.  We stayed at a resort (J.W. Marriot) AWAY from the strip which was nice.  There are some awesome shops and restaurants - very family friendly.  Grimaldis even gave the kids a chunk of pizza dough to play with while we waited for our food.  The kids LOVED it!

We played at the pool...

On my ACTUAL B-day, we had breakfast in the hotel (which they gave us for free since they made us wait so long for our omelette - happy birthday Frank ;)), played at the pool, then went to see BEATLES LOVE which was AWESOME!!

On a different day, we also took the kids to go see THE BLUE MAN group which they LOVED!

We also went to the ADVENTURE DOME at Circus Circus.  We were surprised that we had so much fun.  It's a run down casino, but the adventure dome is new and clean, and had a bunch of fun rides...

(Family Selfie :))

On Sunday we took a drive over to Hoover Dam...

And on our way home, had to stop and visit this little one in St. George... <3 p="">

Private Violin Recital

After the girls finished federation, our friend Jodi wanted to have a private violin concert with just six kids so they could play more of the songs they have been working on throughout the year.

Thanks to Jodi for taking such beautiful pictures and making individual inviations for the kids!

And thanks to Dorrie for accompanying...

 

Talent Show

Another successful talent show!  Carly played a violin solo...

 Hannah and Rachel performed a duet "Do You Want To Build A Snowman"

 And Jason performed a midget lipsinc to the song "Happy",,,

Violin Federation

Carly and her cousin went to Federation at the University of Utah this year for violin, and they both got "superior" scores.  We are so proud of them! So, of course we had a celebratory photo shoot :)

Shooting

Frank's cousin had a surprise birthday party, and the activity was shooting clay pigeons.  Frank was in his element, and had fun teaching the kids a thing or two!

Heart Day

I usually try to give the kids a valentine card and some treats for Valentines Day as a surprise when they get home from school (and to get me off the hook of having to do something with them later that night ;))

 

I also had them help me make a candy gram for Frank...

 

 

Then we invited Stacy and Cade over for a nice Valentine's Dinner...

And Frank brought me some gorgeous long-stemmed roses, which I cut down (it makes Frank crazy that I do that) to fit nice and snug in a short vase :)

We got this in the bag...I mean box

I've been working on a wedding for this spring, and Carly loves me to tell her all about it.  Decorations, what the bride is wearing, the food, the cake...all of it!  So, when it was time to make a valentine box (which schools rarely do anymore...they usually just decorate a bag at school) it seemed fitting to make it a cake.  So we went to work, and here was the result....

 

 

And she won "THE HEARTIEST" award...go figure!!

St. George

We love this trip and are so glad that Julie puts up with our shenanigans...and even participates!!  We were glad that Julie had us step out our comfort zone of restaurants and movie nights to try out biking...no better place than St. George to do it!  It was so beautiful, and peaceful, and FUN!!

 

We also toured the St. George Parade of Homes and dreamt about having a place with a view like this...

 

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And no St. George trip would be complete without a visist with this lovely lady :)  On our final night we all went to sushi (Julie, her sister, Stacy, Me and Steph).  The funniest was when Stacy got brave and decided to try out sushi for the first time.  She took a bite and literally started gagging.  She had a panicked look on her face and we all thought for sure she would barf.  Luckily she spit it out just in time.  Funny for us...not so funny for her!!  Wish we got a pic, or better yet, a video! 

 

Julie has a vacation journal on her coffee table at her condo that she asks everyone to write down what they did while they were there.  Me and Stacy decided this is the perfect time for "St. George Selfies"! :)

 

Friends with Benefits

Thanks to Natalie for giving Carly a "grown up" haircut!  Carly LOVES it :)

Jazzy Girls

Ladies night at the Jazz game!

Lava Hot Springs

This month Frank recruited me to help decorate Buckner's Idaho office.  So, we decided to take the kiddos with and stop at Lava Hot Springs on our way!

New Years

 

In keeping with tradition, we spent another New Years at the Seeley's.  This year, my mom and dad, and Mark and his family also joined in the fun.  There was Cade's usual red beans and rice, Rook, and plenty-o-goofing around!

 

Oh, and we can't forget KARAOKE!! 

 

...and the Martinellis!

Chase wasn't feeling well so Frank and Chase partied at home...