Thanksgiving in Florida

Discovery Cove--where you really swim with DOLPHINS!

Taeya's favorite was swimming with and petting the STING RAYS!





This was our dolphin, "Akai"




Sherri, Lauren, TK and Ink with "Akai"


TK and Taeya swam all day!


Mitchell looked like a stud in his wet suit

We decided to spend Thanksgiving in sunny and warm Florida. We took the kids to Disney World for the first time (and last, according to Trent). We also went to Sea World, Aquatica and our favorite spot--Discovery Cove. We met Troy, Sherri, Madi, Lauren, Andi and Elsie down there, and had a terrific vacation. Here are a few pictures...



Taeya and Andi at Aquatica


Disney World-Magic Kingdom

Fall and Halloween Photos

the Gang

TAEYA

the BROTHERS

Our good friend Ali is a budding photographer (www.everydaylifephotography.blogspot.com), and agreed to capture our kids in their Halloween costumes. We didn't get any pictures on Halloween night, so I am glad she took these ahead of time.

On Halloween night, Trent took an excited Taeya and Mitchell trick-or-treating with cousins Madi, Lauren, Andi and Elsie, but TK decided he did not want to go see scary costumes and yucky decorations. He said when he sees those things, he feels really yucky and scared inside, and just wants to go home. So TK and I had our own fun, and went to the movies! He said he had the best Halloween of all the kids he knew!

TK aka "Power Ranger"

Mitchel, as a little Frog

Taeya, the magical Unicorn

New Jersey Shore with Mark, Thais, and all the cute kids

We went to the New Jersey Shore with Mark and Thais last weekend. What a beautiful way to spend a Saturday in October!

Alexia and TK

TK posing for a fencing contest

Taeya, right after she got knocked over by a bigger-than-her wave

Mitchell, enjoying his first real play time in the sand

Noah shakes it!

Mitchell's first haircut

BEFORE....

...and AFTER Mitchell's very 1st haircut.

Mormor's Visit

Mormor came out for Stacey's wedding, and BONUS for us--we got to spend an extra week with her!



Both Taeya and Mitchell affectionately call her "Mo Mo"




Here is a cute picture of Dad and Stacey. Too bad I don't have a picture of PopPop with the kids--TK and Taeya were thrilled when they found out PopPop was going to be there, too!

The Flower Girl and Ring Bearer

TK and Taeya had an exciting weekend--TK was the ring bearer and Taeya was a flower girl for my cousin Stacey's wedding in North Carolina! They were thrilled to wear their fancy clothes and be "important parts of a wedding." They were adorable (and tired).

TK and Taeya, on their way to church

TK and Taeya got new church shoes, and felt pretty good about themselves in them! Taeya said, "Take a picture of us. We look like the King and Queen!" On the way home from church, Trent asked me what I got out of Stake Conference, and TK answered for me, saying, "...that you always want to have a handsome son with you!"

A Few Things to Report...

1. It's a BOY! It's official: our new little baby is a BOY! It only took Taeya a minute to get over her disappointment. She is now content to have "two baby brothers."

2. TK has started 1st grade. He loves his teacher, he loves eating lunch in the cafeteria, he loves having 2 recesses, and he loves that he has already made some new friends. His days are very long, though. We leave for the bus at 8:15, and he doesn't get home until 4:30. On the first day of school, he didn't get off the bus at our stop. So I got on to check things out, and he was fast asleep on the bus bunch! Poor little thing. He is doing great, though, and is adjusting well to his new school.

3. TK has also started soccer, and LOVES it. His first game was during a major rain and wind storm, which didn't stop them at all.

4. Taeya has started preschool, at the same school as last year. She walked right in without any hesitation, and is very happy to have her own thing to do. I think she was getting bored with TK at school all day.

5. Trent has quit his job! His last day with EmCare will be September 30th, at which point he will become a professional triathlete/body builder.

Our Newest Addition (just a preview...)

Taeya, Mitchell and TK