chocolate covered chases

The day after Thanksgiving we took a day trip to Virden, New Mexico to see Great Grandma and Grandpa Nelson who are in their ninties! We had a wonderful visit, heard lots of good stories and really enjoyed our day.

Happy travelers.

November was an excellent month. Here are some highlights.

Isaac turned 8 - more on the baptism later.

This school outfit simply must be documented.

Oh Halloween, every year we say, "let's use costumes we already have!" and then we get great ideas and throw the use what we have thought out the window!

Ryan and I were invited to a "grown up" party with instructions to dress as a famous couple so I did recycle the Mary Poppins hat and Bert was easy to put together. I just wish people would realize that by dressing like Mary I am NOT sending  message about how I see myself. Although I would love to sing like Julie Andrews I am fully aware I am neither perfect or even practically so; I just think it's a fun costume.


Sara chose Lilo from Lilo and Stich. Despite it's simplicity, this was a bugger to make. I tried first to bleach out the flower pattern - fail, then paint the pattern with fabric spray paint - fail, so finally I had to appliqué  the leaves on - sheesh!


Nelson gets the easy award for his Jedi costume, black sweats, black shirt and a light saber = one happy 4 year old.


Isaac's was just as easy, a short drive to a friend's house to borrow a karate ghee.


Nora was Honey Lemon from Big Hero Six and that involved sewing a dress, jacket and finding the shoes, glasses and leggings. She was adorable.


Emily decided on Princess Leah. Her costume was very simple and "so comfy". Next time I'll take the time to figure out a better belt.


In classic Diana style she chose the hardest and the most fun costume to re-create - Princess Buttercup. I've secretly been planning on making one for me for years and I love how hers turned out. I love the cool pleating on the sleeves and the lacing up the back - cool, cool, cool!


For trick or treating Ryan was again (and forever) ObiWan.


So some re-use, some easy and some full custom. We are already discussing next year:).

Ryan, our friend Jason, and I did a more serious backpack later in October. We hiked Thunder River off the north Rim. It was about 30 miles, tons of elevation and very cool! It was such a nice week of good company, lots of physical activity, beautiful canyons and no responsibilities.

Starting out after a rough night sleeping in the car (there was a major rain/hail storm and we had no desire to pack up a drenched tent).

We spent a day exploring up Tapeet's Creek scouting out an adventure for the Young Men.


These two took SUCH good care of me and were very patient with my different method for hiking up endless switchbacks. They are machines and just hike hard until they get anaerobic and then take a longer break. I hike one or two switchbacks and then take a super short 2-4 breath break and hike 1-2 more. It all evened out though, but the time I caught them in their long break we were all ready to go some more.


We took a long lunch on the esplanade overlooking the canyon on our hike out. I broke out our stashed oranges and they tasted sososo good.


And back out of the big hole. We smelled REALLY bad but it was a fantastic trip.

When Isaac was finally feeling better after his surgery we took a weekend in the Grand Canyon. It was a lovely outing.

Friday night we "dined" at Pizza Hut (ikk) - the ASU hockey team "dined" there as well:). Then we headed to the Lowell Observatory for some science and star gazing followed by an "interesting" night at the KOA (we had some very noisy neighbors).



The next morning we hiked OoAh point. Nelson started out with a great attitude (Doritos) but as soon as the chips were gone he melted down. Thankfully Ryan was able to talk him into happiness again and we had a great hike. Hooray for national parks!