Tierra's first date!

Biggest smile in the house!

So much fun!

Jimmy Hawks rang the doorbell tonight.  He was here to pick Tierra up for her first date.  Arthur said, "dad, why did you ring the doorbell."  Jimmy said, "Excuse me young man, is Tierra here?"  Everyone started jumping around and Tierra had the biggest smile of them all.  I am so grateful that Jimmy likes to make things special for our children.  And I love this tradition.  I'm also glad that Tierra expected her daddy to be her first date! 

Hidden Valley adventures!

Pretending to be writing on the wall.

Displaying their art work!

Another hiking adventure.  This time we walked the Hidden Valley trail.  It was a wonderful fall day as shown by Jameson's short sleeves and shorts!  At the end of the trail, we like to stop and admire the petroglyphs.  There is a fort that we can see, but have never had the time to investigate.  Perhaps on our next outing.

No technology!

This is what the boys had to resort to when I said "no technology tonight!"  So glad to see them working together.  When they don't get their school done on time they have to give up the money they could have earned and don't get to play on the computer, wii or watch movies.  I'm beginning to think we should do that more often!

Moab Rim

Me, Trin, Alec, Kayley, Eric, Spencer, Aaron, Arthur and Jameson...Bri and Jimmy were taking pictures!

My beautiful city!

Jeepers coming up the Moab Rim Trail!

We love to hike and so does my sister's family.  So naturally, we went hiking!  This hike up the Moab Rim Trail was exhilirating!  and steep!  But we made it and enjoyed beautiful views.  Of course, the company was wonderful.  I'm so glad that my sister and her family chose to come to Moab for their UEA weekend!

Sadie's!

Tierra is actually old enough to go to the Sadie Hawkins dance this year.  She is a little excited.  She asked Terrance Farnsworth by putting a golden ticket in a candy bar.  He had to solve the "phone number"  which actually spelled out her name.  Today she got the reply.  The puzzle was an X, Y graph and she had to hole punch out the reply.  So cute!  She was excited that Terrance's reply was fun.

Rock show fun!

Whytney's treasures

Aaron's geodes.  They actually glow under black light!

Every year, we like to attend the Rock and Mineral show.  The kids love it so much!  It is held at the Spanish Trail Arena and there are numerous vendors.  Our favorite vendor gave a bag to each kid and let them take 1 shark's tooth, 1 marble, 1 seashell, 1pencil, 2 togs, 1 international coin and paper that allowed them to get a free item from the grab bag.  Whytney came away with a shark's tooth bracelet.  Arthur and Jameson got a speck of gold (worth $20?)  I got 2 rock necklaces for $5.  Aaron purchased a geode and got several for free.  Arthur purchaed a rock night light.  Jameson got a bag full of large magnets.  We love this event every year!

Delicate Arch

We hiked to Delicate Arch today and were surprised by how many people there were.  There was a steady stream of people going up and down the trail.  It was perfect weather for hiking!  And we had a great time.  Alas, we forgot our camera, so you get a view of the photo from Pam Burt.  When we arrived at the arch, a family approached us to take their picture.  They offered to return the favor and look stunned when we said we didn't even bring our camera.  I guess that is the luxury of hiking to Delicate Arch several times a year.

Negro Bill Canyon

Morning Glory Bridge at the end of the trail.

Eleven Year Old scouts and troop 802 and members of my family.

The natural spring was a BIG hit.

 

I mentioned earlier the awesome programs that Jimmy's work provides to motivate us to be healthy and to stay active.  This hike in Negro Bill Canyon was worth $30!  Gotta love that a hike is worth a dinner out!  And we love to hike.  We took our family and the 11 year old scouts and Troop 802.  It is parent-teacher conference so we were able to leave in the cool morning.  I love to hike!  I love this time with my family.  And the boys learned about plants and animals to pass off a requirement.  It is about 4 1/2 - 5 miles.  When we got to the Bridge at the end of the trail, there were people rappelling down.  What a treat to watch them!

All Natural

I am becoming a true hippy!  I'm trying to eat healthier (not as much processed food) and now I am experimenting with natural body cleansers.  I have extremely dry skin.  And I am tired of going thru tons of lotion (can you see the Lubriderm bottle in the background).  My skin is always itchy and dry and flaky.  While doing a little research on Pinterest (yes, I'm addicted to that site), I've discovered some natural body wash, natural facial cleanser, and natural moisturizer.  There is no alcohol (which I was surprised to learn, all commercial products have....weird).  The verdict:  so far I love it!  The facial cleanser is Castor Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  Yep, oil.  And I love it!  My face has never felt so good.  And oddly, there is no leftover greasy feel or sheen on my face.  I also love the body wash and moisturizer.  I have yet to apply lotion to my skin (which is a miracle in itself as I was applying it twice a day).   It has only been a few days, but I am delighted!

Whytney's fort

Whytney's fort in her room.  Picture taken by:  Whytney!





 

This is the current sleeping arrangements for Jameson, Arthur, and Whytney.  Whytney made this fort and the boys wanted to share in the fun.  I can't understand why they would want to sleep on the floor and not their comfortable beds, but nevertheless, they love sleeping here.

Everyone needs a fort!

I know it isn't much to look at, but my kids are very proud of this fort and spend HOURS here.  It is built of old rabbit hutches, leftover plywood, wood from the wood pile and the ever handy ladder!  It was so enjoyable for them to build it.  The ironic thing is that we have a beautiful playhouse for them!  I know there is joy in constructing and creating things.  Way to go kids!

Aaron's first shave

Yes, he is only 13!  But his peach fuzz has begun to fill out and grown darker.  He was looking scruffy.  Dad said "The time has come Aaron!"  (can you see Jimmy in the corner of the mirror?)  Aaron's voice has also deepened.  If you didn't know him, you would think he was 15-16 years old.  So cute! I mean er...mature!

Colorguard

Skylar Johnson, Becca and Lindsay Farnsworth, TIERRA!

There are actually more in the group but Torrie Lopez was homecoming queen, and Brianna & Brityn Ballard were with the tennis floats.  Brooklan Chant is the 3rd from the left.

Our high school has been a marching band.  This year they have included a color guard (the flags shown above.)  And Miss Tierra has joined the colorguard.  She loves it.  One way to tell is that she actually practices on her own at home.  And she mistakes songs playing in our home for the songs that they perform too! hehe!  Not sure how she got the Thumbalina song to sound like Bad Medicine...but she did!  Colorguard takes a lot of practice.  But she loves the group that she works with and she loves her coaches.  It helps that they are all of the same faith.  We are so proud that she is involved!  Sorry, no pictures of her playing tennis!

Hiking

Trying to get everyone plus the arch.

Whytney, Jimmy, Jameson, Arthur, and Aaron under the arch

We dub thee "Hawks Arch"!  hehe!

We love to hike!  Today we hiked to Corona Arch.  One of the benefits of homeschooling is that we can have a field trip whenever we want!  This hike is close to Jimmy's work, so we met him on his way home and had a lovely hike.  Jimmy's work encourages us to be healthy and so their new program is a series of hikes.  YAY!  We love hiking.

Birthday traditions

I love having family so close, especially during fun occasions like birthdays.  Grandpa and Grandma Hawks always take the children out to lunch (thus the cup).  And Grandma Secrest always take them to the store to purchase whatever they want (remote control truck with trailer).  Arthur called Grandma Secrest around 10 am to see when they could go shopping.  Grandma was available at 1pm.  As you can imagine, those 3 hours were an incredibly long wait!

Walking Sticks

We have the best scouting program.  Martin Hamaker comes up with fun, creative ideas that the kids love doing.  This time at pack meeting they made walking sticks (pvc pipe, colorful duct tape, and end pieces).  So Aaron has a dragon stick, Whytney is hello kitty, Jameson has zebra stripes and Arthur's stick is a leopard.  We have found that they also work really well as ninja sticks!

At the Farnsworth Ranch

We think visiting the Farnsworth's ranch is an adventure.  We are fortunate that they let us pick their fruit.  We love their honeycrisp apples.  Every year, we make a trip to pick apples, plums, and pears.  Somehow we come home with corn, onions, and squash too!  This picture is about 1/4 of the produce we bring home.  The fruit will keep for most of the winter in our basement.  YUMMY!  We also enjoy the fall colors in the mountains, and of course, spending time as a family and with the Farnsworths.

Birthday boy!

Arthur turned 9 yesterday.  Today he had a party at the Bowling Alley.  We usually do parties when our kids are 8, 12, 16.  Arthur had one at 9 because his mother is a year behind.  :)  I think it worked out just fine. hehe. 

Aaron's new look!

Aaron has been squinting for several months.  I call our eye dr. and asked if it had been a year since his last appointment (our insurance covers yearly appts).  The receptionist said that it had been 3 years since Aaron had his eyes checked.  So, needless to say, Aaron needed glasses.  On the way home he would make comments like "There are letters on that sign!" and "I can see the numbers now!"  It has been fun to hear his remarks.  Besides, I think he looks handsome and older!

Because my momma loves me!

For my birthday, my mother treated me to a pedicure.  Are my toes pretty?

From our own garden!

This 20 lb beauty is just one of many found in our garden.  I gained a love of gardening from my father.  There is nothing better than harvest season.  My garden is not nearly as big as his was, but it gives me just as much joy!

Who needs monkey bars?

I told the kids that I really didn't like them using the couch as a jump to get to the pull up bar.  So here is the solution!  What cute, creative kids I have!

Who's afraid of whom?

Ash, our squirrel, small baby rabbit, lizard, and mice eating cat is afraid of our new kitty, Angel.  This was the best picture I could get of the two together.  I don't think Angel is very fond of Ash either!

Being a parent is hard!

Today we dropped Elder Derek Hawks off at the GJ Colorado airport.  It is so rewarding to have a child that wants to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, however, I may have been a little weepy as he walked thru security and on his way to the gate.  2 weeks ago, we did the same thing with Sister Athena Hawks (only we dropped her off at the Provo MTC).  I'm so proud of them!  I'm so excited for them!  But it is still hard!

Dark Canyon Lake

S'more making!

Fishing!  No fish this trip...apparently we needed worms or rainbow cheese!

Hiking and being crazy!

We love playing in the mountains.  There is just something special about fishing, hiking and cooking s'mores in God's beautiful creations.  Being in the mountains is one of my favorite childhood memories....I hope it will be for my kids, too!

We LOVE missionaries

Okay, so I am a little excited about sending out 2 missionaries to serve the Lord. Don't we look cute in the fun missionary tees that my adorable sister found for us? MM stands for missionary mom and MD stands for missionary dad. I love these pictures. Athena is in the MTC and Derek leaves for the MTC on Sept 11. I can't believe that the time is here. I still think of these two as 4 and 2 years old. How can they be 21 and 19? Anyway, I am so proud of these two!

We love to see the temple

Derek, Athena, Wynette, Whytney, Jameson and Arthur on the Shuttle bus.

Everyone but Tierra at the Brigham City Temple.

Aaron and Jimmy on the shuttle bus to the temple.