Halloween

We've had our Halloween "Trunk or Treat" and carved our pumpkins. Halloween is in full force around our home. Here are some fun pics.
Madison is Tinkerbell this year. What a beauty!

Case is Boba Fett who is one of the characters from Star Wars.

Jack is our cowboy. Thanks Shari for making this costume for Case years ago. The hat is new, so he looks a lot like Woody.

Jack with his first candy of the season. A mini tootsie pop.

Our pumpkins...very professional looking I know!

Happy Halloween everybody! I'm looking forward to the rest of the holiday season.

Halloween

The BIG 40! and Fun at the Cabin

Okay...I've been very aware of its coming for a long time...On October 13, 2010 I turned 40. I'm not afraid of the number in fact, I embrace it. So far things have turned out pretty good for me with only a few bumps in the road. Bring on the next 40+.
In preparation for the big day, I told Wes that all I wanted for my birthday was for my sister to come from Chicago so that she, my mom and I could spend time together. Well, he pulled through and brought her out. I knew she was coming, but they surprised me and she came a day earlier than expected. We got pedicures, went out to eat, shopped and stayed up late chatting. They even babysat for me so that Wes and I could have a date. FUN FUN FUN. What a great week long celebration. I was so sad when everyone left, but then school started back up and all is right in the world. During the kids two week fall break from school we got away for a few days and went to our cabin up in Heber/Overgaard. It was so beautiful, none of us wanted to leave. Wes made the kids stay outside all day on Saturday. I was the only one that could go inside so that I could make lunch and dinner. We went on many long walks and played made up games around the cabin.

After church on Sunday, we went for a ride to visit the Snowflake LDS temple. It was beautiful, but we were sad that the fountain was turned off.

The kids all ready for church. What a beautiful bunch!

The kids and I took rocks and made a border around the driveway and walkway while Wes cleaned up the yard. I think it turned out pretty nice if I do say so myself.

All in all, the last few weeks have been wonderful and very memorable. I am looking forward to Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas which are just around the corner. Bring on the holidays and all the fun, excitement and craziness that come with them!

DIRT

The weather is finally starting to cool off...a little. My kids love to play outside. Even Jack...he screams when the door opens and he does not get to go outside. Well, the garden is in a dormant state for a few more weeks, so the kids have loved playing in it. Case and Madison are digging a hole. Case says he is digging to the other side of the earth. I don't have the heart to tell him that it will never happen, but he is just enjoying the digging adventure.

The downside is that they are getting filthy every night. Last night was not too bad and I took a few pictures...they are out there right now and I think it is going to be one muddy mess. But oh well, they are outside enjoying each other instead of in here watching a show. I am happy for the filth!

CAMPING

This weekend we went camping near Pine with a bunch of families from our ward. Can you believe that I brought my camera, but did not take one picture? I am hoping that someone that was there might be able to send me some pictures of my family. (hint hint)
When we got there, Case and Madison headed straight for the creek. Madison got in ankle deep, but Case got in up to his neck. The water was low, so the creek was very muddy. I'm not sure my kids have ever been that dirty.
We enjoyed tinfoil dinners while the kids had hot dogs roasted over the fire on coat hangers. Then there was a lot of roasting marshmallows for smores. Yum Yum!
It was so nice to get out of the hot valley and into the mountains where it was nice an cool. We were even cold at night. Good thing we had great sleeping bags. Jack and I slept in the bed of the truck on an air mattress and Wes and Case and Madi slept on a tarp next to us. Everyone made fun of us for not setting up our tent, but we liked being able to see the stars. We even got to hear the Elk bugling during the night.
The men made pancakes, eggs and sausage for breakfast and after visiting for a while, we headed home. We can't wait until next year for this annual event!!!

She's 4!

It's hard to believe that my baby girl turned four years old today. I remember the day Madison was born like it was yesterday. She came so quickly and in the middle of the night. It was just Wes and I there to welcome this beautiful blond dimpled girl into our lives. Others made it minutes later to see her.

Madi has a very large personality and was not the easiest baby. But lucky for me she has always loved her Mommy and she has grown out of her difficult stage. She now loves everyone, is beautiful, smart and is such a joy to have in our lives.

Happy Birthday Angel! I love you Madison Marie Lueck!!!

Go D-Backs!

Okay so the Diamondbacks are not doing so well this year, but we went to a game on Monday and had a great time. They even won! It was nice to get out with the family and we had two other families that we know right near us. But the best part of the game is when Wes caught a home run ball. It hit the wall right next to us and bounced right in front of us. Wes quickly grabbed it and gave it to Case. Now we have a ball and a story to tell. The kid in front of us was not too happy.

Movin on up!

We have been debating this for a very long time...even years. What to do with miss Madison and her September birthday??? She is 11 days off of the cut off date for school. Should we push her in early or hold her back? We have always felt that Madison was very smart and very mature for her age, but just didn't know what to do. We put her in the 3's program at school to see how she would do being the oldest in her class.

We met with her teacher after two weeks at school. She told us that Madison was the highest in her class and that she already knows all of the curriculum for the year. It was her suggestion that we look into putting her in the 4's program. Luckily there was one opening in the 4's pre-K program, So...we moved her up and she will be in Kindergarten next year. Hard to believe my little girl is growing up so fast. Way to go smarty pants!

The Jack

Okay, I am working on a post to cover all of the craziness that has gone on this past week, but I couldn't resist posting these pics first. I am so in love with this little boy!!!

First Day of School

Here are a few pics from the kids first day of school...

Madison started Pre-School. She is having so much fun and thinks she runs the school. We are so proud of her and how smart and beautiful she is.

Case is in first grade. Wow...where has the time gone. So many changes for him and he is growing so fast. He is doing great and loving school. He even loves doing homework...we will see how long that lasts.

Jack and I get a lot more alone time now. We miss the other kids, but it is so fun to see him learn and grow. I don't have a recent picture, so I will have to add one soon...Love this kid!

Today

Just thought I should mention that today would have been my parents 50th wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary! Miss you Dad!

Starting Over Again...

I think a year and a half is a long enough break from blogging. We have had so much happen over this past year and a half that I am sad that it is not on the blog. But, there is no way that I can go back and put it all in, so we will just have to start from right now. I am terrible at keeping a journal and scrap booking, so this is my way to do it. Wish me luck!