Night at the Galleria

I took the kids last night to the Galleria Dallas for a little fun. I rarely drive downtown Dallas at night, let alone with all 3 kids by myself, but I was feeling like we needed a little pick me up. Shopping will always do that for me. hee, hee.

It ended up being the perfect evening. Christopher was down in Tyler doing a garage sale. The drive to the Galleria was smooth. The kids let me do a little shopping without whining about wanting to go on the toys or eat. AMAZING. We watched ice skaters and an ice skating performance to Christmas music while we ate. Then I let the kids loose on their enormous kids play place on the 3rd level and got to read my book! I still can't believe how perfect the night went. On the way home we drove my the Dallas LDS Temple and took her in one last time.

Oh, and bonus...the kids went right to sleep when we got home! I think I might try it again tonight...but I might just jinx myself now!

Farewell Mr. Cat

The other night Christopher came into the house a little teary-eyed. I asked what was wrong and he said Mr. Cat was at the door. OK. Then he said that seeing him made him realize we would be leaving Mr. Cat. He's been a family friend/pet since we first moved here 5 years ago.

In fact, it was Mr. Cat that gave us our very first post on this blog 3.5 years ago. He's since made numerous appearances. If only we could take him with us!! Oh, and Christopher didn't have allergies!

Love Caden's "no, I didn't get into the chocolate ice cream" face. Reese and Caden fed him his favorite dish, Tuna Fish. We were out of milk, so he got water. What a rip!

Reese told me that her mini snow white doll was Mr. Cat's favorite toy and Bear argued that no, his skate board was Mr. Cat's favorite. Curious how they came up with those conclusions. They kept shoving "his favorites" in his face whilst eating. Mr. Cat has the BEST temperament for children I have ever seen. We will miss him dearly.

Hopefully we will get another chance to see him before we leave. That's less than a week from now. YIKES!!!

Our Chucky Goodbyes

Last weekend was the "Fall Carnival" at Gavin's school. Last years was really fun and Gavin, our little carnie, was looking forward to this years. Unfortunately, Christopher and I had a lot to do to prepare for the move that day as we had just gotten back from our Utah trip. We didn't finish but with an hour left before the carnival ended so we asked if they'd rather go to CEC one last time.

Love this picture! My kids will never take a real, decent picture!

Gavin really wasn't down with Plan B at CEC, but we promised him that there would be more "Fall Carnivals" at his new school. Hope that's true! lol.

He ended up having a good time. Chuck E Cheese's are really hit n miss. The one we frequent is clean, no riff raff, safe and their pizza is good. Unfortunately, that is not the case with every CEC. We have been to some in different states on vacation, and were disappointed. Heck, we wont even attempt to go to a few in the Metroplex b.c we just know it will be bad! Not sure what Utah will hold in store for us.

Reese was all over the air hockey that night. That's all she wanted to do.

It was cute watching her play against someone other than her dad b.c they weren't going easy on her. She's got a real competitive personality.

Check her out! She would even jump on to the table to get her best game on! It was great! Farewell CEC! You provided many a cheap night of fun memories!

Lego Maniac

For the past two years Gavin has been a member of Lego Brickmaster a subscription club of sorts that sends out exclusive Lego sets and a magazine every other month. For more details, click here. This is in addition to the free Lego magazine subscription seen here.

I wasn't sure if I had ever blogged about it, but this has been a real treat for Gavin. I know I've blogged about Gavin with his Lego's though. The kid is still a real nut for Lego's.

He can hardly wait for the new Toy Story Lego's coming out in 2010. Buzz Lightyear is too cute as a Lego!

These pictures are from his latest installment from Brickmaster. He received some Star Wars mini ship.

Hudson & Finley - Utah Trip

Christopher and I spent last week in Utah house hunting. We found a place in South Jordan in the Daybreak community. We really like the houses in that community. It has a different look than most of the other places in Utah and we really liked it. Works well for our family. Plus all the amenities and community perks won us over.

Christopher's supervisor and mentor was the CFO for the Dallas VA Hospital until he took up the CFO position in SLC to be closer to family. We are in a unique position to follow him to SLC and continue on a fast track of sorts to becoming CFO material in half the time. Well, it's a no brainier, in this economy to go where we can grease the tracks to Christopher's career. Even if that takes me back to Utah...where I swore I'd never go again!

The best part of this move is that I get to be close to my brother Jarom and his family. Chelsea, his wife, Hudson, his son and Finley his baby girl. I also have a sister Julia there and my other brother Aaron is just a state away in Colorado. It will be nice to be so close to family again. AND I have so many friends that live there that I met while attending BYU or that visit Utah often to visit family. So, socially wise, I'm really excited.

We'll be in Utah for about 3 years and then our plans are to make the voyage back home, to TEXAS! We aren't selling our house here and will probably just rent while we are in Utah. Real estate and wages are just better in Texas...like everything else right? Just kidding. Anyway, the movers come to pack and take our stuff away on the 17th & 18th (next week, YIKES!) and we will be on our merry way the 19th after school lets out for break for the kids. Who will then start year around school in Utah!

Finley. My only niece and Reese's only female cousin.

Hudson. He is one smart little dude and cute as can be. He and Bear will get along famously.

More cuteness from my niece.

Finley with my sister Julia and her boyfriend Hyrum. We had a great dinner with them last Wednesday night.

Show me that smile gorgeous!

Hudson showing me his muscles.

Hudson also makes a mean chocolate milkshake with coco pebbles cereal, ice cream and the much coveted by me, Vita-mix blender.

Halloween 09 - Tyler

We did Halloween trick or treating down in Tyler with Granna and the cousins this year. We thought it would be a good time seeing as it was our last here in Texas. Reese was Snow White, Bear a Dinosaur and Gavin GI Joe.

While at the church trunk or treat Christopher noticed his favorite shoes that he's had for the last 8 years had finally seen their last days.

I can't remember if what Granna was supposed to be. A vampire, a Red Riding Hood? Reese called her "the witch" from Snow White. Whatever, Reese loved it!

The cake walk was a huge success for the kids.

Gavin was the first winner of the night AND the first winner of our entire family. Every one of the kids won a cake along with a cousin within the first 5 minutes. I kid you not and there were 30 "walkers" each time! I almost loaded each of the up in the car and drove to Vegas with those odds!

Of course there was a chili cook-off! Most of it was really good! I'll miss the Texas Chili and Frito pies!

Christopher's shoe situation took a turn for the worse. BOTH shoes had given up the ghost.

Bear was so cute while when he was saying "trick or treat". I just had to get it on camera before it isn't cute anymore. My baby is getting so not a baby anymore.

I voted this guy for the scariest trunk at the trunk or treat. "Snake man!"

After the trunk or treat we went to visit with Mom at her nursing home and went trick or treating around there.

Christopher with his Mommy outside the "cemetery" at Mom's nursing home. LOL The kids had a great time and stayed the night at the Barn. The next day, Christopher and I went to Utah to find a house, and Granna stayed with the kids.

Last Game of the Season 09 - Reese Soccer

Reese's last game of the season was on Halloween. She had her team pictures taken. Here she is sitting it out with teammate Haley.

Coach Ronnie with the girls. Lacy (with daddy, coach) Emma, Reagan, Haley and Reese.

Reese, Haley and Emma. Star line up!

Go REESE!

Bear and Gavin came down the the bench to be with sister during a break.

They won their last game! They went 7-1 for the season! GO STARS!!!

Halloween cupcakes, candy and soccer gifts made for a perfect end.