Hallie has a Pet!

Our friends, the Codner's youngest son Spencer, just turned one! We went to his home for yummy food and lots of coaxing while he poked at his one year old birthday cake.  Emily (Spencer's mom) went all out on the decorations - super cute! 

As a party favor, Hallie was given a fish and a cute bag with a bottle of fish food! She has named her fish Sparky Fire.  If you are extra nice to her, she'll let you have a turn feeding her fish!

Boys will be boys!

Yesterday we had a big neighborhood Bar-BQ.  After the boys ate, they, along with Dallin Codner and Tanner and Quinn Mickelson, went into the woods to build a fort.  After they finished, they came back to our house and played for awhile in the back yard.  Then, they decided they wanted to go to the duck ponds!   The duck ponds are right behind the Codner's house.  They stopped by there first and got ziplock bags so they could try and catch some fish.  After awhile, they came back (quite proud of themselves), with each of them carrying a fish in their bag! Emily (Dallin's mom), told them they needed to hurry and put the fish in their fish tank before the fish died.  That is when they explained to her that all of these fish they caught were already dead in the lake! Taige was especially proud that he was able to catch not only his, but 2 of the other boy's fish for them as well! GROSS! After Emily took a picture of all of them with their bags of fish on her back deck, she immediately made them scrub their hands in scalding hot water! Boys are so fun!

Quinn, Tanner, Chase, Dallin & Taige

First Class!

Tonight at Chase's Court of Honor, he was awarded the rank of First Class.  

He is pinning the 'Mother's pin' on me.  Brooklyn is the photographer!

The Scouts are being awarded their Merit badges that they earned at Scout camp this summer.

Chase earned 8!

Seth Strand is the Scout Master and Mark is his assistant as well as the 2nd counselor in the Y.M.'s Presidency.

They survived the 1st Day!

This is Chase with his good friend Mason Gilliland after their first day at Sinagua Middle School! They walked down to Fox Glen Park where we met and picked up the other kids.

Jordynn's Gift...

Jordynn has planned for a very long time to take Hallie to have her ears pierced on her 4 year old birthday since that is when Jordynn had her ears pierced.  Although mom was a little reluctant, Hallie was very excited! After her birthday party we went to Claire's in the mall and Jordynn paid for her to have her ears pierced.  

She's holding so still!

Here we go!

Ouch!

And now we have to do the other ear! I wish they would do them at the same time!

I almost couldn't even blog this picture! Isn't it so sad?! Poor thing - and this ear was much worse since she knew what was coming! I held her for a moment and we showed her, her ears in the mirror.  She stopped crying and claimed she was happy to now have pierced ears!

As a reward for being so brave, Jordynn let her ride a couple of the riding toys outside of Claire's.

This one is a virtual roller coaster!

Birthday Party at Bear Paw

After all of the kids left for their 1st day of school, we (Hallie, Grandma Jackie & myself) went to Bear Paw and celebrated Hallie turning 4 years old with some of her friends!

Hallie

Mallory Bliss

Ava & Kristy Bliss

Olivia & Delaney Fox (their mom Valerie and Grandma Fox came as well!)

Hallie & Claire Strand

Spencer Codner - Hallie loves this baby!!

Spencer gave Hallie 2 cute rings that his mom made!

Yummy pizza!

It started to rain, so we went inside to finish our pizza and have cupcakes.

Mallory & Hallie

I think the kids had more fun jumping on the bean bags in the movie room than swimming in the pool! They were pretending to be frogs jumping on their lily pads!

Hallie, Claire, Olivia & Mallory

Hallie opened her presents & then we gave each of the girls a little princess purse with chap-stick & candy.  Lots of fun!

1st Day of School!

Today was the 1st day of school for Chase, Abi, Brooklyn & Taige! Kailan started the Wednesday before, and because of the construction on Flag High, Jordynn's school is not starting until Thursday. 

This is the 1st year for 6th graders to be a part of the middle school.  Chase & Abi are going to a really big school, Sinagua, this year and they even get lockers! Last year Sinagua was one of three High Schools here in Flagstaff.  This year, the school district has made Sinagua a middle school and we now have 2 huge High Schools.  Flag High, the H.S. Jordynn is attending, has I believe, 1,780 students currently enrolled.

Chase & Taige

The middle school has a dress code.  Chase & Abi have to wear solid colored shirts of certain colors.

Brooklyn & Abi

Chase & Abi are in 6th grade, Brooklyn is in 5th & Taige is in 4th.

Tanner Mickelson & Taige

Taige & his teacher Mrs. Peters.  Mrs. Peters is new to Knoles - she came over from Marshall Elementary School.  Taige says she is super nice!

Mrs. Helwig & Brooklyn

Mrs. Helwig was Abi's teacher last year!

Hallie is 4!

This morning we woke up and had french toast and bacon (at Hallie's request) and opened presents!

Abi gave Hallie this cute little puppy dog purse!

Grandma Jackie gave Hallie these cute jeans.  We found them at Kohl's (less than 1/2 the original price)!

Brooklyn gave Hallie some Princess bracelets.  She also hand made her a little play dress out of material.  She just lacks sewing the buttons on.

Hallie started to open Grandpa Randy and Grandma Cindy's present when Aunt Aubrey called to wish her a happy birthday.

She has it on speaker phone!

Cute outfit from Grandpa & Grandma! Hallie was in need of pants for the winter!

Taige is so sweet - he gave her $!!!

and made her a card!

I didn't get pictures of every gift, but she made out quite well from all of her family members!

After church, Hallie requested enchiladas for dinner and then we had the Bliss family over for cake and ice cream.

Ava, Hallie & Mallory

Make a wish.....

and blow!