Isaac's first "official" field trip....

but more importantly, his FIRST BUS RIDE!!!

Today I got to go with Isaac's kindergarten class on their first field trip. It was a BLAST!! These little kids were beyond excited to get on the bus...it was most of their first times ever riding in one. Isaac and his friend Lex were in the same group and sat together. I think these 2 pictures show the pure excitement of being on there!





We went to a local farm which has everything geared right toward this age of kids.

We got to pick some veggies,



go through a corn maze,



ride a "ladybug train",


play in corn,


ride tricycles through hay,


pet all sorts of animals,

(On a side note, there was a pig in the pen that you could pet. We were in there for a few minutes when all of a sudden he started biting kids...it was really scary. Luckily we were untouched and got out asap!)


and LOTS more. It was a success and we had one tired little kindergartener at the end of the day!! I was so happy to be able to spend the day with him!!

Halloween 2009

I know I'm WAY behind on my posts...and I'll go back and fill in the gaps, but I figure I better try my best to at least keep things as current as I can!


We had a super fun Halloween! On Friday night our ward had their trunk-or-treat. Jess and Tanner came along...boy were we glad to have them there with us! There were SO many people there it was almost claustrophobic! We ate chili dogs, had a fun carnival and then got lots of candy!

This year we had a Renaissance Princess, a Karate Kid, a Doctor and a sweet little Bee! It was SO much fun and they all looked so cute!


Here's Tanner in his Dragon costume....he wasn't too sure about it!

Then on Saturday we headed out to Tempe to be with Josh, Joni and kids. We ate yummy potato soup and then hit the streets. It was the the most fun I've ever had trick-or-treating!! The kids had a blast and definitely got their bags full!!

The kids with their cousins before heading out.



My sister-in-law, Joni and I had in on the fun too!!


Isabel and her crazy headed mother!


Here they are all ready to go!!

We were lucky to not only have protection....




but also doctors on staff, just in case!



Allyson (7)


Isaac (5) He's not as mean as he looks...trust me!


Dr. Austin (3)

Isabel (1)



It was a GREAT weekend. Now, what to do with all that candy?......






HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Ally's Dance Recital

This was Ally's first year in dance....oh boy, does she love it!! I've been a little reluctant to put her in, fearing that she's inherited her mother's coordination. But let me tell you, this girl falls very far from the tree when it comes to dancing!! She did SO great and was so cute! We were so impressed that she memorized the entire dance and smiled the entire time. It was such a special moment and we are so very proud!


She danced to "Sea Cruise"...she the 3rd from the left.

We were so into the moment that I completely forgot to take a picture of her after the recital. She fell asleep on the way home and this is a picture of her after I woke her up and made her take a picture...she was such a good sport!

What a great year!

Our kids LOVED school this year and we had to say goodbye to some fabulous teachers. We wanted to make them something special to let them know how much we love them. Ally and Isaac each drew a special picture and then we embroidered it and turned it into a pillow to give.


They were both so proud!


ughhh...I can't find the picture of Isaac with his-tune in later and hopefully I will have found it-it was so, so cute!!

Gymnastics Performances!!

Ally, Isaac and Austin all take gymnastics from my good friend Katie, who also happens to be the GREATEST gymnastics teacher in the land! They all love it. It was so fun to see them all perform and how much they have improved! Even though our camera was just about dead, we were able to get some cute pictures of them (just no video, BUMMER!)



The camera failed in capturing Ally in action...but let me tell you, she was FABULOUS!

Miss Katie let Isaac put his special trick of walking on his hands into his routine...he LOVED it!

Austin has the best 3yr old cartwheel ever...and he's not too proud either (apparently neither are his parents!)!


The PROUD performers!

Our baby is ONE!

This sweet little baby turned 1! On May 12 Isabel Eva turned a year old! She is such a blessing in our family! It's hard to imagine our life without her always being in it! She still holds the title of the the happiest, easiest baby ever!! Her brothers and sister were all so excited for her little party...they've had it all planned for months.



We made her a watermelon ice cream cake, which she obviously LOVED!






She's as sweet as she is cute!

A Big Change

On Mother's Day 2009, Jonathan was called to be the bishop of our ward. We all have faith that he'll do a great job. We love him more than we could possibly express!!

Here's a picture of Jonathan and his uncle Tim when he was ordained.

Bishop Baldwin and Bishop Manwaring

5, I say, 5!!!!

It's true, he's 5!!! On May 6, 2009 he turned 5!!! Isaac has to patiently wait while he watches almost everyone in our family celebrate their birthday's a few weeks before his. He's always so nice, but always SO EXCITED once his finally comes around! This year he wanted to have a Madagascar 2 birthday...try that one!

He started his day off with breakfast in bed with is one of our most favorite traditions!

He loved his "crash landing cake". And he LOVED opening his presents! He loved the Madagascar theme so much that he wanted me to try and style his hair like a lion...so funny (you can't tell, but I tried!).



He is such a fun and happy little boy! He brightens everyones day and we feel incredibly blessed that he is in our family!!

Father and Son's 2009

It was the annual Father and Son's campout again this year. It seems like every year the dirt gets thicker and thicker! Jonathan LOVED to pack up his boys and take them into the mountains for a weekend filled with camping, hiking, catching lizards and most importantly getting dirty. They all had a blast!