Santi Clause Why? Why do you make my children cry, why?

This years visit to Santa started off good.  The kids got to see a really neat marionette show then they got to get a treat and were waiting very excitedly for Santa.  When Santa came Norman went first and got to ask Santa what he wanted for Christmas and Santa let him pick a toy from his sleigh.  Then he had all my kids come up for a picture and forgot to ask the others what they wanted and gave the others a toy from his sleigh.  Stephen decided he did not want the big doll Santa gave him because it was a girl toy so Santa nicely gave Stephen an elephant but Stephen thought to push the limits and say he did not want an elephant and almost got put on Santa's naughty list.  So Stephen said fine, he would take the elephant.  Henry got a mouse and ran away in hysterics because he did not want the mouse.  Then we tried to do a photo with Megan and she was not having it so we grabbed the kids and left in a hurry for home to have hot cocoa.  Boy was that not fun.

The Nativity

Norman is Joseph.

Stephen is a sheep.

This is Stephen pretending to eat what was in the gift Henry, the Wise Man, gave to baby Jesus.  Stephen told me he had done this but I did not realize he was talking about that he had done it while they were on stage till just now as I am going through the photos.  I knew he had done it during rehearsal.

Henry the Wise Man.

Quads and Camping

We have gone camping and we have gone quad riding but this time we put them together for a fun time of quads and camping.  Cheyenne even got to come along and ride in the dune buggy.

Joshua Tree

We are getting ready to start our hike into where we will be sleeping.

The next day after not sleeping well at all ready to hike back tot he cars.

Norman and his cool hiking stick.

Here we have Norman, Uncle Kevin, Stephen, Katherine, Megan, Mark, Henry, Uncle Pat, Cousin Elliott, Grandma Fox and Grandpa Fox.  We also had 2 other friends with us, the Jordan's.

We stop to climb some jumbo rocks.

Megan and cousin Elliott.

Uncle Kevin and Norman.

Mark, Henry, Stephen and Grandpa Fox.

The bucket is a luxury in these parts.  It is my toilet.

My handsome rugged hubby.

Megan and I hiking back.  I did most the work.

This is what Henry and Elliott did most the time on the hike.

Henry got tired.

Stephen being cute.

I got my turkey.

I have been looking for a turkey for the last few years and have not found much of anything good.  I found a picture of this online and made one.  I am so happy to have a turkey as part of my fall decorations.

Stephen's first motercycle ride.

Stephen on the quad.

Megan's first quad ride with daddy.

Henry playing in the dirt.

Norman on the big motorcycle.

Stephen's first ride on a motorcycle.  He drove it like he drives the quads, fast and reckless.

Megan and cousin Chloe.

Norman on the little motorcycle.

This is Halloween.

Mommy and Megan as witches.

Norman with his candy stash.

Papa Smurf.

Our Halloween Movie

Here is our JibJab movie.

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/XrN54UHutTxbB3zZ

Time to get crafty.

I found this on line and decided to make it.  I have not been able to craft for a long time so I got a little carried away and made 3 sets.

Why risk it?

This is how Norman ties his shoes every morning to ensure they do not come untied during the day.