WHiLsT STuCK

As we tried to patiently wait to un-stick the jeep I played with my camera.

Monte Seth
Jack-et

4 PeAks!

This is why the entire Arnett clan stays in town for Thanksgiving each year.
4 PeAks!

The brothers and Dad all share their "big boy" toys...
(4 WhEEleRS, GuNS, JeEps)

...the women bring way ToO MuCH food...

...we play games...

...Grandpa makes steaks...YuM!...

...we build a fire...

...sing songs...

...light off fireworks...

(Frankly, I'm surprised that we haven't burned down the desert after 30 some odd years of this tradition)
...then the men put out the fire.

Monte, Jack, Clyde and Grandpa

1st thing we went exploring with Grandpa in the JeEP.

Beautiful isn't it?

Then we got stuck. You can see that only one wheel is just barely touching the sand.

Then they tried to get it free themselves before hiking back for the jack to clear out the huge rocks under us...I hiked back myself with Jack-et. Not patient enough I suppose.

The Other THanKSgiVing FeASt

Keep Reading...

ThankFUL!

How many were at YOUR Thanksgiving feast?!

I guess if it is a competition the Arnetts would win...we like it! (Secretly? I think that is why David has the most kids...it's that competitive drive!) And for the first time 7 were missing! But in all seriousness, it was nice to hear so many of the older Grandchildren expressing their gratitude for how "often we all get together," when we did the obligitory "Thanks" around the table. And once again my husband made me cry because he's always grateful for me...and this year he added because I am among other things

...talented, beautiful and...tough!

We couldn't be happier than when we're playing with Kalena! Can't wait for her to come back for Christmas!
What is this? A picture of me? I was there?!
How many moms feel that way...we're always behind the camera!
This is the best one with Monte Birk...he was all over the place with his cousins. No time for a photo op.
And my Sweetie...
Isn't he a hottie?!

BleSsIngS

Have you ever been struck with the feeling

that you are so BleSseD you could just burst?!

Well, I have and I am!!

We miscarried our baby just shy of 6 months,

it was a boy,

all is done, all is well, and this is how I spent my evening.

The SwEet PeaCe of cuddly little boys...

and a movie of course!

LoVin' IT!!

slightly overcast...

high 60's...
10% chance of rain...

slight breeze...

PeRFect for...

Seth-L, Clyde-R

Seth
Clyde

and then

the water

melted it

all away.

PaRAde!!

Veteran's Day could not have been more perfect than it was this year! Check my blog about last year's parade.

I wrote then about my strong feelings for our wonderful country and the men and women that

protect it and secure our safety.

What better way to teach my children about the American Flag than going to a parade that is FuLL of the American Flag. Monte Birk was vigilant in telling us to put our hand over our hearts each time he saw one coming in the distance.
The Teullers came with us again this year and we got FanTaStiC seats right next to the grand stand!! great location...they were giving out red, white and blue balloons AND FLAGS...I got a ballot to vote for the best participants in the parade...I may just be sentimental but I admit that the Mountain View band brought a tear to my eye when they began the parade with "...On Toro's On..." That band is still the largest high school band in Mesa!

...and YES, I cried thanking the veterans of our country and their wives for their sacrifice and service...just like I do

EVERY YEAR!

StaTe FaIr

We did go...we do have pictures and stories...hmmmmm...

"The Choice"

To all the many amazing women I know that have made

"The Choice"

You know the one...the daily one that we make every morning when we wake to those big, sweet eyes needing thier diapers changed, and their breakfast made, and their home work done, and someone to sit with them while they practice, before we help them get dressed and off to school, lessons, classes, naps...all the while hoping that we make it though the morning without vomiting because the unborn one in our belly is needing something that we have yet to figure out...

VALIDATE ME!!!

I couldn't be happier to be a stay at home mom singing lullabies...right?!

and yet...missing my old life of music VERY badly! Sometimes when I sing in church etc...and they say, "Wow! You're good, have you ever had lessons?" Or, heaven forbid, the Dr. that actually told me yesterday that I have "two vocal chords in my throat" (REALLY? Wow! enlighten me some more!) I want to SCREAM!! Masters Degree!!! Professional Singer...and while we're at it I'd like my $75. rate for singing at your wedding...please...

Just tell me that I'm not alone

and I'll go away quietly without a fight!

And Finally!!

HapPy HaLlOwEeN!

(ok, so the pregnant, Mormon, nun could use a different pair of shoes...)

Halloween night we were happily surprised to see a HUGE turn out of trick-or-treaters in our neighborhood!

Jack-et

Clyde
Seth and Clyde are happy to do a few houses and then they want to pass out candy with me. Seth actually came back and dumped his loot into our bowl to give away! "Mom, I don't want this junk!
Monte Birk actually had it "going on" this year! He was a man with a mission and he was on fire! I wish I had a picture of him with his scooter zig-zagging through the streets passing people by the dozens! He covered a good 3 blocks! By the end his scooter was veering to the left because of the weight of his candy bag! Needless to say, there is too much candy in our house right now! (And Seth has changed his mind about wanting it!) I find if I leave it out they loose interest soon enough. That is, all except Jack-et! That kid could live on sugar!

Does anyone else get going and forget about dinner on Halloween night? Or is it just me scrambling to nuke some taquitos for them to eat as we walk from house to house?

School

For the school parties we dug into our costume bag and had some fun...Monte Birk put on 4 that morning before he finally "settled" on one!

Monte Birk-Seth and Clyde

Trunk or Treat

This year there were too many Halloween parties to be just one thing at each...so here goes...

Seth-Bumblebee

Clyde-Optimus Prime

Monte Birk-Harry Potter

No Jack...he went on a "quick trip" to Utah with his Daddy for the weekend while the rest of suffered without them!

more shots

After we dropped off Monte Birk we had time for another photo shoot...I couldn't resist these shots! You can really see their individual personalities.

Walking to the playground with our carpooler friend Allie. And yes, they pretty much tower this much over every other kindergartener as well.

CrAzy HaiR dAy!

Holy cow this was a FuN morning!! After breakfast, scriptures, homework and practicing were done (yes we try and do it all every morning) we got to try something new…

Clyde and Seth had crazy hair day at school today. (Smart school to do it on a half day…)
We went all out with the color and spike gel. They each got to design their own color scheme.

Clyde-ster (blue hawk/red sides)

Seth-erino (red hawk/striped sides)
He looks to sweet too pull off this crazy man doo.
Monte Birk didn't have crazy hair day at his school, but he didn't feel like missing out on all of the fUn either. He went brunette…it totally changed the way he acted within seconds! He turned into this "cool dude". Kind-of fun to see what a brunette Gardiner would look like…but I DO so love his red har!