Ears Pierced

We have debated letting Aubrey get her ears pierced for a few months now. We finally decided that she could do it for her birthday. She loved looking at my earrings, and wearing hair bows on her ears around the house. She always wanted clip ons, and has eyed a pair of my flower earrings for months. Well, her birthday came and she was too nervous about the needles and hurting. We didn't push it at all, and to be honest I was fine with her waiting. 

On Monday she came home determined that she was going to do it. We ended up waiting until Tuesday so Cameron could come, and it was so hard for her to wait. But right after school we headed and did it. That's when my nervousness kicked in, but I knew I couldn't change my mind at this point. She was so brave all the way up until the first poke.

 

But she still wanted them to do the other ear. 

 

And they do look cute. My initial reaction was, "Why do people make such a big deal out of such a little thing?" It was so simple and quick, and really she doesn't look any different. I think the biggest challenge will be not losing earrings and teaching her to be responsible. So, did we do it too early? Should I have made her wait until 8...10..12? Made it a bigger occasion? I don't think so. She loves them, and so far they haven't been a big deal.

Corona Del Mar

Last Saturday we decided to take a trip to the beach. We tried out Corona Del Mar, and we had a perfect day. Aubrey and Ada played in the sand for about 4.5 hours straight. Penny was our difficult child, eating sand, then getting mad. We made her take a nap for a bit just so we could all have a break. 

 

There is something about waves and sand that can entertain kids for hours. We had a great day!

 

A shop near our house let kids come and paint a picture for the art show on Sunday. My girls loved painting, and I loved not cleaning up afterwards!

 

And swinging at the park. The days are cooling down and we are loving it. I know it is the opposite where most of our family lives, but we are enjoying going to the park more and evening walks.

Our Life These Days

The first weekend in October Cameron headed to Palm Springs with his class for the weekend for a CANA conference Friday-Sunday. I think he had a good time. Lots of classes. The bottom picture they got to meet a 'famous' professor that taught them a class remotely. The top picture is a mix of Cameron's class and the new class. We are almost to the half way point in his program! He is starting clinic 3 days a week, and will finish his final 2 classroom classes in December. Then clinic will be 4-5 days a week. In March the class above him will graduate and he will officially be a senior. Then the countdown will begin to the following March. Life isn't going to slow down! But we are surviving this program!

The days are cooling down here and it is so nice to be able to go out with the girls on walks in the evenings. We were wasting time at the temple waiting for bedtime or Daddy-whichever came first. We were lucky this day and Daddy came home! The girls love the temple and we love having it in our backyard. 

 

While Cam was at his conference the girls and I went our shopping and we found these balloons at the dollar store. So exciting and I was nice and let them get one. I even sent a picture to some friends bragging about our find. Well, we got stuck in traffic on the way home and Aubrey asked if she could open her window. I said sure. Seconds later Ada is screaming. Aubrey is so confused and keeps asking Ada what is wrong-until she realizes her balloon is no longer in her hand. I was a super nice mom and we turned around and went and got new ones-mainly because I felt so stupid for letting them open their windows. Lesson learned. 

Just a cute picture of a picture of Ada

 

More puzzles

 

Aubrey got a Bandaloom for her birthday and this is her first bracelet. She even made one basically on her own the other day. 

 

Sending pictures to Aunt Lauren, Brynlee & Emily

 

 Homework

 

And friends. Emjae, Ada, Holland and Aubrey.

 

Beau, Penny and Teck. We spend a lot of time with the kids in the two pictures above (plus Rylan).

Girls Table!

 

Penny 9 months

Well, Penny is 10 months old now, but here are her 9 month stats from her appointment a bit ago:

Weight: 16.5 pounds (10%)

Length: 28 inches (67%)

She is exactly the size Aubrey was at this age. She is starting to stand on her own constantly. I think she just loves being upright and trying to keep up with her sisters. She also babbles a lot, and says Dada, Mama, Nana, and BaBa. 

We love our Penny! And she lets us know that she loves us too. She laughs at everything Aubrey does, and still will give little snuggles throughout the day. 

 

Her favorite spot to play if I forget to put it up. 

 

 I think these blue eyes are here to stay!

And 8 teeth!

 

High Desert Half Marathon

Last Saturday Cameron and I ran the High Desert Half Marathon in Victorville, CA, about an hour away. We had fun. We hired a sitter who came over just after 5 am and we headed to the race. It was a pretty low key race, but it was perfect for us. Cam and I ran the first 4 miles together, and then I took off. I told Cameron I better beat him-he has hardly run at all this past year! I was the 4th girl until about half way through the race, and I passed a couple girls, and then ran in second. I almost caught up to first until she looked back and then took off. I was pleased with my time of 1:34 (7:10 pace average) on the rolling hill course, and Cam came in at 1:42 (7:46). Pretty good for school and training with three kids (or no training in Cam's case!) It was a much needed morning away together. 

Cam coming in

 

Awards.

 

We met our friends, the Weeds, at the last half marathon I did, and we convinced them to come out and do this one with us. It is always nice to have running buddies. Trevor ended up third overall. 

 

Two days before the race I was running an easy 2 miles on our treadmill and I tripped. Not exactly sure how it happened but it left a mark! It was just after I passed my 600 miles of treadmill running in the last 9 months. (I have to brag on my own blog!)  Hopefully I never do that again!

Aubrey's 5th Birthday

We started partying the night before Aubrey's birthday. Cam was gone all weekend at a CANA conference, and made it home Sunday afternoon a few hours before the party. While we watched & listened to general conference, the girls and I made the Frozen cake. It turned out great, and Aubrey was so proud of it. 

We invited some friends over at 5 for cake and ice cream. It is always nice to just chat with friends while our kids run around and play. I rely heavily on friends here, especially as Cameron gets busier with school. And we love an excuse to get together. 

 

Friends!

 

Singing Happy Birthday. 

 

Cake time! Followed by playing and a few presents. 

 

It felt like as soon as one party was over, the next was ready to begin. Here is my 5 year old ready to head to school. 

 

 

Cupcakes for school.

 

All the girls love dropping Aubrey off at school. Ada and Aubrey love to hopscotch, and we were there early enough today to play a bit. And Ada loves to run in the painted circles on the ground. 

 

Getting too big!

 

Future track star

 

Aubrey lining up for school. I forgot to get a picture of the cool crown she got to wear all day.

 

We came home and made necklaces and watched a new Strawberry Shortcake video. Then headed to the pool with Emjae and Caitlyn. 

After the pool it was bath time, then we made pizza and opened presents from Grandma & Papa. 

 

 

Aubrey was fun to watch this year. She got so excited about every gift she got. You could see how much she loved everything just by her expressions when she opened it. 

 

Cameron got home and we ate pizza and drank Sprite. Grandma & Grandpa Harvey got us on Facetime, and we opened a couple more presents. We spread out presents throughout the evening. 

 

Leftover cake, and then off to bed! Happy Birthday Aubrey! We love you!