Today I asked James what he wanted to be for Halloween... he said "I wanna be a princess!" When I told Dave this, he said it was all my fault for dresing James up in weird girlie outfits-- I don't know what he could be talking about!?!

I thought i would try to feel festive and do the blog in "Halloween."

At least I can say I am being productive by "decorating!"

Here's last year's costumes- the excited dog and the fairy princess jumping for joy because she got wear real make-up!

You'll have to wait and see what this year's ensemble will be...

Some people are just so nice

So, today I ran errands again and the kids were really good (for them) and so I promised them we could get ice cream. All Zanna wanted was a little Frosty- but WENDY'S is hard to come by out here (there aren't a lot fast food chains and none of them are in convenient locations)!

Anyway... I see a Carvel ice cream store so I quickly pulled over and when we got inside the sign said

"No Credit or Debit Cards- Cash only!"

That is how it always is around here- you have to have CASH for everything!!
So, I told the kids we had to leave so I could go to the bank, and James started crying.

The next thing I know, the nice man next to me laid down $6 and said

"It's on me."

I tried to refuse, but he insisted and said he had older kids and was happy to do it.

I couldn't believe how nice it was, I mean $6 isn't really a lot in the whole scheme of money, but it meant a lot to me and especially to the kiddos. So, we all got ice cream and even 50 cents back, which we tipped the nice Carvel ice cream guy with.

today was a good day.

Vacation...seems like a long time ago...

Yellowstone Park with Kim, Steve, Isaak and Ben- it was beautiful!

I wish vacations happened more often- we look so relaxed!

Happy 90th Great Papa Mumford! We are so glad that we stayed to celebrate with you and loved being there to watch you blow out your candles and hear you chuckle- doot da doo!

Driving in Lagoon- fast forward 13 years, and this will really be happening!

Hangin' with Grandma Mumford after church.

Mom and Zanna riding horses at Bryce's house in Oakley

This is as close as James gets to cold water.

Canoeing on Henry's Fork of the Snake River

Hiking at Jenny Lake in the Tetons with the Francis clan.




One of my all time fave' of the boys- taken in Jackson Hole, WY.

Dave and Mel at the Bellagio fountain in Las Vegas, baby! This is the only picture that even slightly turned out (our flash broke) of our night in Vegas to see Jerry Seinfeld. This was our first trip away from the kiddos for a whoppin' 2 nights and we had a blast eating gelato at 1am two nights in a row, swimming and getting to lay in the sun uninterrupted, sleeping in, and just being able to drive in the car and talk. Seinfeld was hilarious- my face really hurt from laughing and it was great!

the dentist

See this cute little face... well it wasn't so cute as I was chasing her down at the dentist's office today! This was her first check-up, so I understand that she was nervous, but watch out- this girl can throw a fit like no other. I had to hold her on my lap with my legs crossed over hers and my arms wrapped around her arms. It took 2 assistants holding her down and the dentist holding her head just to count her teeth, brush them and put the fluoride on. It was ridiculous. They even had a princess toothbrush, stickers, a pack off bubblegum and I had promised to get blue ice cream with sprinkles at Cold Stone if she let them look at her teeth nicely- we did NOT get ice cream today. Granted, she has always been terrified of the doctor as well, so I think she has a true fear that something will hurt, but when do you draw the line and just say "sorry, but it has to be done!" So, it is over now, but I just wanted to wish all first time dentist goers (and parents of the first timer) - hope your appt. goes better than Miss Zanna's!

These are on the Sound Side of Long Island--fun to throw rocks, but you would never want to dive in! We love going to the real beach, Jones Beach, it is only 20 minutes away and great for diggin in the sand and playing in the waves, I'll have to get some pic's next time we are there.

hey all... we are doing well here in Manhasset, NY and truly do love it here. The humidity is gone, the evenings are nice and cool and the kids and I went to the beach today and had a great time. Zanna and James are quite the dynamic duo and keep us very busy with games of "Go Fish", singing all the Primary songs all day long (I'm not kidding...all day), watching them jump on and off of everthing, and making deals about eating their food and getting treats! Dave is doing really well- he's had a busy 2 weeks in the CCU and is back to the ED next week. I am doing all the things that keep moms busy and have enjoyed this quiet night of blogging :)