Thanksgiving Break-Hiking!

Pre-warning: This is going to be a long post with lots of pictures because I LOVE them all and can't delete any of them! Over the Thanksgiving break we had a blast! We played games, visited family, and ate until our bellies hurt! It was so fun to be back in St. George. The little boys favorite thing that we did was when we went hiking on the red hill. Rhett took me back about 10 years when we went to the "crack" to hike. It was fun. I can't believe I still made it through with ease... Rhett on the other hand only made it about half way. Carter and Taylor thought it was so funny and called him "fat man" the rest of the time we were there! We loved having the cousins there hiking with us! Thanks Melanie and Steph for watching those sick little babies while we went out and had fun!

I learned a valuable lesson about Taylor that day! He is kind of a "leap before you look" kind of guy. We had to really watch him close so he wouldn't get hurt! Carter was a lot more careful and just loved following Alec wherever he went! Thanks for all the fun memories over this holiday break. We can't wait to see everyone again over Christmas!

Me and Taylor hiking the "crack." Taylor could pretty much walk straight forward!

The fat man jumping over the top!

Alec, Carter, and Taylor hiking at the top! 

The whole group!

Carter loved the little holes in the rocks and climbed in every one he came across.

I LOVE this picture of Taylor. He was fearless and had a blast. 

Some of my favorite boys!

Carter getting ready to jump down a small cliff!

Mommy and Taylor at the top!

The group right before we got rained on! Thanks guys... this was a total blast and heaven knows I needed the exercise! :)

A new look!

I have always been one to change the color and style of my hair. For those of you who have known me for years this wouldn't be a surprise. Rhett loves long dark hair. I personally love it shorter. A compromise was that I bought him a sexy wig... for me to wear. When we went on our double date I dressed up and put on the wig and when Rhett came home he was SO excited! lol. It definitely won't be an everyday look for me, but Rhett likes it, so maybe occasionally when we go out he can pretend he's with somebody else! The picture doesn't really do it justice... but just take my word this is one SEXY wig! :)

Before

After

Field Trip Monday- Thunderbird Museum

Today we went back over to the Air Force Base to see the Thunderbird Museum. We got a call telling us to meet in the parking lot and to look up. A few minutes later Julie's boyfriend Ben and his crew flew right over us. The boys LOVE the Blackhawk helicopter so they thought that was the coolest part of the day! I have to admit... it was pretty awesome. They were really low and Ben was hanging out the window to wave to us and the little boys! 

We then went into the museum and saw the all the stuff on the Thunderbirds! I have been a little obsessed since the air show. It was tight. They had pictures of the pilots clear back to 1970 or earlier. When we were leaving they gave us posters, stickers, and activity books for the kids. We went and took Rhett lunch a couple days ago and got to see the Thunderbirds out practicing. I seriously could watch them all day everyday. I am just so in awe at all the stunts they perform. 

The total bummer about the day was that I forgot to bring my camera. :( So these pictures are from the air show, but you get the point. We will try to get a picture of Ben and the Blackhawk another day!

Car Tracks

This is what happens when you have four kids and try to hop in the shower!

They make huge long car tracks out of toilet paper! This went from our room upstairs all the way down the stairs and into the playroom! 

Field Trip Monday- Animal Care

This week for field trip Monday we learned about animal care! We took the kids to Pet Smart and learned about what different animals need to live. The different types of food and cages. The little boys thought this was such a fun trip. Taylor loved looking at all the mice and birds, but the real hit was all the FISH! We were there forever watching the fish swim. Julie took the time to teach the little boys the difference between animals that you can have as pets and wild animals! It wasn't my favorite field trip that we have had, but the boys thought it was the most fun! They love animals and Carter asked me daily if they can have a dog. The answer has and will probably always be NO!

After pet smart we went over to my brother Jeremy's house and played with their two little ferrets! Ferrets are really cute, but I think they stink too bad to ever want one! The babies thought they were great! Ryker was chasing that silly little ferret all over their living room! It was fun to play with the cousins! Thanks for letting us come and see your pets Brittany!  

Julie showing Taylor the Hamsters!

Carter took this of me and the babies! I thought it was cute that Hunter was just staring at me!

Taylor and Julie loving the turtles!

The babies wondering when lunch time is!

All the fish!!!

Carter came up and asked if I would take a picture of him and Patrick Star!

Hand sanitizing everyone when the field trip was over! It was fun to learn about animals! Thanks Jules You certainly know a lot more about them than I do! Carter's favorite part of the whole field trip was when Julie gave him a ton of different scenarios about animals in the wild and what he should do!

Nellis Air Show

The explosion was set up!

The babies hated the f-16's.

They were VERY loud!

The big boys loved it!

I was in AWE... It was amazing!

H1N1 Immunizations

I heard that the health care center got a new shipment of the H1N1 immunizations so on Monday we headed over there to get the kids all set! There was quite the line there, but we waited juggling the four little boys to get it all done! I feel a little better about it. We have to go back in 4 weeks for the second dose, but you do what you have to do. Hunter got his shot first and when he started crying Ryker started to cry. They have always done this. When one is hurt and crying the other always starts too!

I felt so bad for Taylor. He thought they were going to give him a shot in his nose and started bawling right away! He and Carter got the nose spray and the babies got the shot! I had to laugh at something Carter said though. Julie was the last to get the nose spray. He came up really serious and said, " Good luck Julie... this is REALLY going to hurt!" What a character!

Another Carter moment this week-

This morning I was making French toast, eggs, and bacon. Carter always asks if he can help me crack the eggs and I always say no. This morning I actually gave in and taught him how to crack an egg. I was so thrilled. He cracked it just right. He got quite a bit on his fingers, but did perfect for a first try. After he threw the shell in the trash he smiles proudly at himself then licks his fingers. So Gross! I then had to explain that we don't lick raw egg off our fingers!

Field Trip Monday- Ethel Chocolate Factory!

For field trip Monday this week we went to Ethel Chocolate Factory. We thought this was totally appropriate since we just read Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The kids thought it was so COOL. It was fun to walk down the line and see how they make chocolates. The workers thought the little boys were hilarious and kept waving at them through the glass! They gave them each a free sample after we walked through the factory. That was awesome because it drops you right into the gift store.... where my boys thought they had died and landed directly in chocolate heaven! There was such a variety of chocolates and I loved teaching the little boys all about cocoa beans and how chocolate was made!

This was an attempt at a group picture! I don't even know why I try! :)

Carter in front of the Cocoa pod and beans.

A worker sorting through the broken chocolates.

Pouring the chocolate into molds.

Finished product!

Yummy milk chocolate!

The gift shop. Looking over all the goods. They had SO MUCH chocolate there!

 
My angel "Julie" watching the twins. 

The cactus gardens!

It was really fun to go the the chocolate factory! I Really LOVE field trip monday. We also hit up the Nevada Public Health Care Center for the H1N1 immunizations for all the kids! The kids liked the chocolate factory WAY more! :)

Professional Bull Riding (World Finals)

Julie has LOVED bull riding ever since we lived in Wyoming and she dated a bull rider. She thought it would be a blast to take the little boys to the World Championship. My dad and Justin came and went with her and Carter on Halloween. They had so much fun that she bought tickets for the final night and took Carter and Taylor! We all pulled out our cowboy hats and boots to support this fun activity! 

The four little boys all decked out as cowboys! Yes that is a pink pacifier in Ryker's mouth. That was all they had and it was an emergency. We are hoping he'll be so embarrassed that he wont need it anymore. :) So far it's not working.

Hunter with his hat and boots. He loved to dress up and cried when Julie picked up the other boys and left him home!

Taylor jumping up and yelling "Yeehaw!"

Right before they left!

Sitting in the stands. Carter couldn't get enough of it. Taylor also thought it was great!

What a cute little cowboy!

Woohoo for bull riding!

These two were neck to neck. I can't tell you their names, but Julie totally could. She also knows all the bulls and has taught my little boys all their names. We watched a little on t.v. and Carter yells out really excited, "Hey Mom. That's Chicken on a Chain." Thanks Julie for taking the little boys. They seriously loved it! Carter wants to be a cowboy now!