Arizona State Fair

It was Home School Days at the Arizona State Fair on Wednesday, so we got in for free.  We went with Aunt Denise and the Harris family.

Leah, Lydia, Joy, Jeremy, & Luke

There were misc. animals on display, in addition to the petting area.

Joy, Lydia, Leah, Luke, & Jeremy

The kids read three books and wrote a summary, so they got three rides for free.  Near the end, a kind man gave us his leftover ride credit, so everybody ended up with five rides with only a $1 out of pocket cost.  Not bad for an overpriced place!

Luke, Joy, Leah & Jeremy enjoying my kids' favorite fair activity.

The weather wasn't too bad, but after walking around in the sun all day, I think we were all ready to go home.

Some walked less then others due to free scooter rides.

Eyeballs, Fingers, Toes & Teeth

Aunt Denise brought over a Halloween treat for the kids while they were at Casa Vida today.  It was a party tray full of these . . . complete with a blood-like dipping sauce in the center.

Gummy parts

When I picked them up, I outlawed the blood in an attempt to save our van's interior, but they had fun consuming body parts!  :)

Joy, Lauren, Rachel, Luke, Leah

 This surpasses all the snacks I show up with after school,
that's for sure!

Quick Cousin Visit

Lisa drove to our house with the girls on Friday night, then Keith & Carter arrived Saturday morning.  The girls were off again on Sunday afternoon and Keith & Carter left on Monday afternoon.  It was a short visit, but we packed in some quick fun.  I didn't snap many pictures, but here's a sampling of the fun . . .

Yep, swimming on Oct. 24th -- Joy, Brianna, Leah.  Insane to me!

Claire's cheesy smile with Great Grandpa Wally

Shawn & Keith took Luke & Carter to play racquetball.

The days of fun have come to an end.  We dropped Carter off at the airport to meet Keith this afternoon.  Thanksgiving time is our next reunion . . . in California for a week!

Beauty & the Beast at Gammage

Lynn, Emily, Juli, Lisa, Denise

Aunt Denise treated "us sisters" to the Broadway musical "Beauty and the Beast" at Gammage on Friday night.  Shawn held down the fort by watching all of the cousins.  Emily joined us -- sort of, two rows back with Suzy & Lee.  I don't have a picture at Gammage, but the waiter took one of our pre show stuffing at Outback Steakhouse.

Besides seeing a good show, the night was filled with laughter and fun.  We'll have to plan more outings like these!

When a Bargain Isn't a Bargain

 I just posted this on Bargain Believer,
but figured I wanted a record of it here . .

A quick (okay, if you don't know me . . . maybe more like medium to long length) personal story to encourage you all to see beyond the deal — which can sometimes be a blinder for me.

Just as I like to get good deals, I also like to save on the necessities, one being electricity.  Something that just doesn't happen around this Bargain Believing house is leaving a light on all night.

My son has a dim night light, but also likes to have the hall light on when he goes to sleep.  It's usually not a problem.  I just turn it off after he falls asleep or as I'm going to bed.

Well, last night he was up late and I was going to bed a little bit early.  I attempted to turn it off, but my 10 year old wasn't asleep . . .

Son:  "Mom, can you leave the light on?"
Me:  "No, I'm going to bed."
Son:  "But, I'm used to it on and I get scared."
Me:  "But, you have a night light."
Son:  "But, I like it on."
Me:  Thinking, thinking, praying, listening, praying, listening . . .  "Okay, I'll leave it on."

Son:  "Thanks, good night."
A little while later, after no further discussion or conversation about why:
Son:  "Mom, you can turn the light off if you want.  That would cost a lot of money
           to leave it on all night."  (Yes, he's definitely my son!)
Me:  "No, I'll leave it on.  It's not that much."
Son:  "No, you can turn it off."
Me:  "That's alright.  It's important to you, so I'll leave it on."

I can't tell you how much his unselfish attitude blessed me.  I witnesses a softened, kind heart that can sometimes get overlooked with normal day to day happenings.  God planted a "yes" in my heart that will be a reminder of something I often repeat to my kids, "People are more important than things!"

Really, what did that cost me, 25¢?  I'm not sure and I don't even care.  I made my son feel more important than saving money and that's what he and I will remember — not having extra in the bank or to spend on something else far less valuable than him.

I share this, not to show how wonderful I am (really, a quarter?), but to honestly tell you that I constantly struggle to keep a balance in my life — bargains and beyond.  It's not just bargains for me, it's also time.  These precious years are flying by and I want to invest what I've been given wisely.  Thank you, Lord, for blessing me well beyond bargains!  What a treasure I have in my son!

Anyone else have a hard time seeing the big picture sometimes?

Farewell to Disneyland

We arrived at the Gilberts around 10:30 Friday night.  The fun lasted until well after midnight.  It mostly looked like this . . .

Girls played card game while boys played XBox.

Joy and everybody loved their new nameless kitten.

We knew there was much more fun to be had later, so we finally called it bedtime.

We spent most of Saturday around the house, with a trip to a local park.  Claire, Lisa, and I stayed back and took naps since we were a little sleep deprived.

On Sunday afternoon we went to Seal Beach.  Our first stop was Z Pizza.  The shop next door was going out of business so Lisa & Keith did some shopping for their new (almost done!) bathroom while the kids and Shawn waited patiently for beach fun.  I was a 40% shopper, 59% waiter, 1% camera woman.  :)

The crew waiting for beach day!

Luke, Carter, Joy, Leah, and Brianna jumping in.

Uncle Keith helping Leah fly a kite.

Lisa & I buried the girls.

After the beach, Lisa and I tracked down all kinds of bargains while the guys watched the kids.  We came back to the kids watching a movie and Shawn & Keith killing zombies on Plants vs. Zombies.  I haven't played since our trip to Maryland and can't let myself get sucked in again.  Shawn might have introduced Keith to a new time killer.

Monday we went to California Adventures.

Let the fun begin!

Aunt Lisa & Leah on Bug's Life cars.

Leah & Claire waiting for us to finish our lunch break.

Let us out!

Tuesday was our last day at Disneyland for awhile.  Our annual passes expired.

Luke spent (mostly) his own money to buy an Indiana Jones hat to match the one Dad got 13 years ago.

Farewell, Disneyland!

Our last night, Tuesday, looked similar to the first night.  Carter and Luke were a little more single focused, but the girls had a little variety.

Can we play XBox late on a school night, please!?!?

Movie watching at bedtime is the normal routine while we're there.

All nights, and everything in between, involved plenty of fun.  Saying goodbye wasn't as sad as usual since we know they'll be at our house in a mere 9 days!  It will be a rushed, two night visit, but there will be time to squeeze in some fun too.  Then, we're back for Thanksgiving week!

Crazy Arizona Storm

The kids decided to go out in the rain, but wanted to get their bathing suits on first.  I told them to hurry since Arizona rain doesn't last long.  By the time they were done I said, "Uhh, I don't think you're going out now."  They didn't object.  I'm sure they had visions of Mary Poppins drifting through the sky in their heads.  It was crazy out there!

We watched the downpour, hail, and strong wind from our front window.

I didn't take a picture of "nothing," but probably should have.  At one point, we could barely see the UPS truck parked across our street river.  We saw the driver pull over just as it started getting really bad.  When it was all over, he drove across McNair River and told us the delivery was for us.  I waded back with our huge new pool cleaner box.

The overall temperature wasn't bad, but the water was freezing our feet!

Collecting hail -- We didn't get a huge quantity or size,
but it was a fun first experience for the kids.

Round two followed shortly, but with less rain and without hail.  The girls had fun until they got too cold.

Joy and Leah freezing and just about done.

We didn't have any damage to our house or yard, but several neighbors lost decent sized trees and ocotillos.  It's a storm we probably won't forget!

First Friday Fun

Last Friday night was our first ever First Friday Fun.  Well, we've had fun on Friday nights before, but not in an official First Friday Fun capacity.

The idea is to have whoever wants to come play games and hang out on the first Friday of every month join us.  We sent an email out to some friends and a few took us up our invitation.  I had also signed up to host a Chex Mix party where I offer Chex Mix to people to sample, so we expanded our party's definition just a tad to include Chex Mix.

Shawn, Jeff, Ted, & John fighting for all that yummy Chex Mix.

Now, back to Dominion!

The gals played Ticket to Ride.

Tamara had never played before, but managed to beat us all.

Tammie (& ? in that protruding tummy),
Juli, Tamara, & Debra holding Aaron.

I didn't snap a picture of the boys, but they also played Ticket to Ride in the other room.  The girls spent most of the night playing Wii.  Beyond that, I was just informed by Joy that they also played "tacking" and "body shield."  Worked for us!  The kids all seemed to be having a good time and I don't remember any injuries.  What more could we ask for?

You're all invited the to the next First Friday Fun . . . November 5th, 6:30 at our place!

Lake Pleasant Fun

On Sunday, about a week and a half ago, we went to Lake Pleasant with Candy and her family.  They have a boat and did all the work.  All we had to do was pack some food and show up for fun.  The day is best described in pictures . . .

Shawn & Leah taking a lunch break.

Cousins having fun.  Joy fell out once -- ouch!

Candy and I took our turn too.  Don't let the kicked back, posed picture fool you.  It wasn't exactly relaxing at high speeds, but plenty of fun!

Next we added Leah & Hannah. 

Luke & Adam had fun in and out of the boat.

Aunt Kay and Sarah hanging out.

Boat Captain, Danny, ensuring our fun.

Joy swimming to the shore for a little hike up a hill.  The water was a little cold when you first got in, but not too bad.

 We had a fun day with great people!

Catching Up - Kind Of

Well, I'm a little behind since returning from vacation, but I'm going to work my way up to present day.  My memory is fading, so it's a good thing I snap a few pictures now and then.

I would be skipping a monumental day in our household if I failed to mention that Halo Reach (video game) was released about two weeks ago.  Luke and Shawn split the cost of it.  (Funny how I say that Shawn split the cost.  In my mind, none of my money went towards it though we share every penny!)  When the UPS guy came, there was one happy boy in this household.  He was super motivated and had all his schoolwork done -- most of it before I got out of bed!  They've been playing it quite often and are, hopefully, killing all the right bad guys and dominating something.

Yes!

We had a fun time celebrating Constitutional Week in downtown Gilbert.  There were games for the kids to play, blowups of the National Monument & Independence Hall, as well as other fun like fireworks.  We kept running into new and old friends there.  It was fun doing a quick catch up and spending time with friends.

 

And, we can't forget a nice visit with Mrs. Dale last week.  The kids always have plenty of stories to tell her.  This time Halloween costumes and the Dad Life video took up most her attention.  Shawn has now downloaded it on his iPod and we've heard it way too many times.

Well, I'm not caught up, but I'm getting closer!