Cross Country City Meet

I'll let the pictures do the talking...

Clark and cousin Heidi

The top 15 8th grade boy finishers

First place winner with a time of 12:21 (they ran just over 2 miles)

You can go here to see another awesome shot of Clark and see the race results.

An Uninvited Visitor

As we were pulling into our driveway after church, this is what we spotted on our roof...

A FOX!

It was seriously the creepiest thing I have ever seen!

It stayed up on the roof for over an hour while I frantically called Animal Control and Arizona Game and Wildlife. They said it is very common for foxes, skunks and racoons to live in the city. Really? Why haven't I ever seen one in my past 40+ years of living in Mesa? They said if the fox was bothering me I could either play a loud "talk radio" station to scare it, cut down the branch of the tree that hung over my roof, or place rags soaked in ammonia around the perimeter of my property! What??? At that point all I could do was laugh and enjoy the beauty of nature that was on my roof.

After all, that is what my little "wildlife activist" did while our foxy friend continued his unannounced visit.

Disneyland

Several years ago we bought a year pass to Disneyland and took the kids four times during that year. Those were the days, when on a whim, we could take the kids out of school with no worries of missed work or tests. It really was so much fun and the kids still talk about those memorable times. Bennett was probably only four years old at the time and since then, I think we have only been back to Disneyland once. So, in an effort to give our youngest the full Disney experience, we decided to spend part of our October Break at the "happiest place on earth".

The kids loved exploring the park with all their friends and cousins. It was a sense of freedom they don't often experience. Each group had a cell phone, but they only seemed to call when they got hungry and needed money!Thunder Mountain...

We are proud to say that Clark broke through all the fear barriers and went on every scary ride. His one lone hold out is Tower of Terror which he still refuses to ride, but California Screamin', Space Mountain and Thunder Mountain are now in his blood!

Curt and I spent most of our time watching the countdown to California Screamin'
and laughing at the funny faces of those that were on the ride.

Haley and Bennett on Maliboomer...

It was Katie's birthday, so we invited her to tag along and keep Tia company...

one of the teenage groups...Cassidy, Katie, Dallin and Nick...

All the "crazies" who rode California Screamin' over and over and over again.

This was by far Bennett's favorite ride and he would get in the "single rider" line with no fear of the total stranger he might have to sit by.

Curt and Bennett in the very front of California Screamin'!

We had a great time with awesome friends and cousins!

This Week

Tia decided that she missed her long hair, so she grew it out overnight!

OK...she got extensions and she feels like her old self again!

Cassidy asked Michael to Winter Formal and is counting down the days until she is 16!

More football (and it does not seem to be getting any cooler around here!)
It has been a miserable season...not just because the team has a losing record, but because it is so darn hot still!

I have neglected to mention that 4 months ago, Uncle Carson gifted Bennett with 4 baby chicks ( 1 has since died) and they are now CHICKENS! Bennett is a very diligent and loving caregiver and spends hours with them playing and hunting for roaches. Tucker, Leeroy (yes, it's spelled with 2 e's says Bennett), and Tike with friends Vance and Tanner. I have tried many a bribe to get rid of these "fowl friends", but Bennett cannot be bought! I am resigned to soon having fresh eggs.

Homecoming Dance 2009

Haley had a blast at Homecoming with Scottie.
They both looked sooo cute!

loved the corsage!

The only time she can coax Clark into a kiss!

Stacia did an awesome job on Haley's hair!

Homecoming Parade

Each year all the floats, school clubs, band, etc., parade through a nearby neighborhood.
The theme for Homecoming this year was "Lights, Camera, Action!".
It is so fun to go...get in the Toro Spirit, and cheer the kids on.
Both Haley and Cassidy helped a lot with their class floats.

They both fell in love with the truck that was pulling the Sophomore float.


Tia took her BFF Lauren to enjoy the festivities.
Lauren was shocked and surprised when the pony tried to lick her hand!



Curt just had to "high five" the juniors en route!

The Sophomore group...

Haley and some friends!

Short and sweet...my kind of parade!

P.S. Gotta love the red game day shirts that Velocity Design did!