Halloween

We're lucky to have a grandma who makes Halloween easy for us:

We put in our costume orders in September and voila!

Even Paul sort of dressed up.

He went along with his Pirate Queen and Pirate Princess..

 Halle wanted to be a BYU cheerleader-

Go Cougars!

The girls are happy to pose!

Afton and her friend Mallory went as 80s prom queens

Ahoy Pirate Princess Nora!

and Matthew wanted to be a WWI flying ace.

This is the only picture he'd give us.

Grandma really came through this year with our variety of requests!  The kids love coming up with ideas and knowing that Grandma will make it happen!

First Day of School

The big kids started school last week.

So I made a nice big breakfast to start them out...

Matt was nice enough to pose for me.  He really liked this pink shirt and he searched for weeks to get the right pair of sneaks.

His sisters made sure he got on the middle school bus.

(I decided not to embarrass him too much and took the picture from far away)

Our cute 1st grader Halle

And Afton is ready for 5th grade 

(last year at the intermediate school before she heads to middle school  with Matt next year)

And Nora doesn't start until after Labor Day, but wanted a picture too!

Everyone is anxiously waiting for the bus!

And the girls are off!

Catching up....DisneyWorld!

The kids knew that I was training for the DisneyWorld Marathon,

but they didn't know we were taking them along until they opened their last Christmas present.

I can't even describe how much I love Disney--

and getting to combine a fun trip with a race made it even more awesome!

We hit the Magic Kingdom our first day, but I was late getting there since I had to pick up my race packet.  Paul has the first day there photos!

We also had a great time at Epcot (despite Nora's face)

Hollywood Studios was a big hit this year too,

especially since the big kids loved Rock 'n' Roller coaster and we finally convinced Matt to go on the Tower of Terror.  He's got a lot of his mom in him--that one is not our favorite!

Paul discovered a great drink spot behind this truck--they put flavored syrup in your coke for you!

Headed over to the big rides!

We also loved Animal Kingdom.  Everyone except Nora could ride Everest, so she liked to hang out and have an ice cream bar!  Not a bad way to pass the time...

Matt & Afton with Everest in the background...

 One of the best things about going to Disney on this trip was seeing the new part of Fantasyland!

Ariel has a new ride and castle backdrop...

Belle has a new story-time in the Beast's Castle.

We even got to take part in the story...

Nora was Mrs. Potts and Afton was Chip.  I played a scared Maurice, "shaking" behind the tower bars!

It was so cute and the kids each got a picture and bookmark from Belle at the end.

 These girls love the Magic Kingdom almost as much as their mom!

 There was a cute new backdrop for the newest princess, Merida.

She was so cute and the girls loved her!

 And our favorite tradition--lunch at Cinderella's Castle!

You get a yummy meal and the princesses come around to your table-hard to beat that!

We've seen this Sleeping Beauty there before--she is adorable!

 And an afternoon Dole Whip!  Perfect break from the activity.

 We stopped in the final Picture stop to make sure we got all our princesses in-

another fabulous trip to DisneyWorld and we can't wait to go again!

2 Weeks Past Christmas?!

I can't believe how quickly the holiday season went!

We had a wonderful week--

many friends visited for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

our kids were happy and excited

(so excited that they piled in our bed at 5:45 am, so we started nice and early that day)

Paul and I were able to sleep in a little, go for runs together, watch movies, and read by the fireplace.

And my mom and dad came the day after Christmas to play with the kids 

and watch them while Paul and I celebrated our 14th anniversary in the city.

I also got to spend a lot of time in my new kitchen! 

(that is a post for another day)

Most of all, I just felt so much joy and love and happiness.

It was a perfect Christmas--we have so much to be thankful for and I felt those blessings this year.

I helped out at Afton's party (here she is with her cute teacher)

In their nice duds for Christmas Sunday

Waiting for the OK to see if Santa came

Our Lego-maniac is still going strong

Lots of American Girl fun!

Nora loves her Minnie and Mickey and double stroller

Figuring out our big family gift--a trip to DisneyWorld 

(starts this weekend)

 with Grandma and Grandpa Bunting

Summer Vacation

This will be a long post as I attempt to capture our summer fun!

Despite our normal swim, golf, play, relax and hang with friends, we had so much going on...

In June, we headed out to Utah to visit family.

First up was a fun trip to Lake Powell with the Bunting side-

 Nora L-O-V-E-D playing on the beach

Halle loved swimming with all the big "kids"

 Still being Mom--making sure all equipment is good to go

Paul is ready for fun with the kiddos....

Afton and Matt loved the jet-ski almost as much as Paul!

All-out water fight!  I've never laughed harder

Matt gets what's coming to him from his two uncles

Heather's protecting herself

Garrett caught his first fish--not as excited as we all were!

None of us were excited about this!

(poor Heather)

Troy's been watching too much Baywatch!

We also celebrated the 4th of July (sans Fireworks due to the ban)

Grandpa, Luke and Halle

Halle & Nora ready for their pics!

Nora getting fancy with the blue chalk

Poor Jordie

Roasting marshmallow in the heat

The only way to take a picture of Matt

(wait until he's not looking)

Afton enjoying her roasted marshmallow

Nora gets even messier with her s'more

Heather and Scott on their way to a Real soccer game

Troy's representing for Chicago

A marshmallow mishap

Grandma's got the sparklers!

Sparklers and Marshmallows, side by side

Doesn't get much better than that!

We also had fun swimming and hanging out with the Walker side...

Fun in the pool

Uncle Spencer, Ella and Nora

We love Uncle Spencer and Aunt Brittany!

Our Bathing Beauty

Josh-Man is a swimming maniac too!

Nora's trying to keep up with all the kids

Sweet girls Ava and Ella playing with the toys

Aunt Sarah, Uncle Andrew, Ava and Josh

Aunt Brittany and Ella

Matt loves to hang out with Uncle Spencer!

Another fun summer trip to Utah--we love seeing family and are already looking forward to next summer!