Mom, is it Halloween Day?

Last weekend Glen Allen went out of town on a hunting trip with the boys (no-they didn't have any luck) and Glen David wanted to go. Of course that was not going to happen so he thought he would give Glen David something else to think about and be excited about instead of hunting.... the ward "truck-or-treat" party! Lucky me... I spent about 4-5 days of constant questioning, "Mom is today Halloween Day?" "Mom when are we going to Halloween?" "Mom, when is the party?" Finally the day came and he was SO excited to be a "motorcycle dude". Glen wore his motorcycle gear (basically an excuse to at least get some use out of the stinkin' expensive riding gear he had to have) and Jaxon was SUPERMAN! My mom came over and helped me get the boys ready and was my saving grace at the ward party. She handed out candy while I took the boys around. The boys LOVED it! By about 3 cars into the ordeal, they knew exactly what to say in order to fill their buckets!
Now that the ward truck-or-treat is over, the questioning starts over with, "Mom, when is it real Halloween and not church Halloween?" Don't you just love the 3 year old questioning age???

It's Official!

So as some of you may remember, about a year ago there was talk of me doing a 5K in Utah with my mom, sister, aunt and cousins. Well, that didn't happen. Then my aunt Lyn was still on this kick of doing something along the same lines and has convinced us (I have been a little slow to accept it and jump on the bandwagon) to complete a triathlon. There is nothing triathlon about me! Running... how about a "leisurely stroll"? Biking... does it have a motor? Swimming... how about drowning! Anyway, after fighting the urge and occasionally acting like I was really training, I thought what the heck... why not?!? I don't have to win and as long as I can at least crawl over the finish line within 24 hours of starting the race, I should be okay. Well, my mom just called and it's official... I am now registered! The good news is at this point, I can actually run the full 5K without stopping (or passing out), I can at least finish all 400 meters of the swim only guzzling about half a gallon of water (which is an accomplishment) and although I have endured blisters in places I never thought possible... me and cycle class have developed a love/hate relationship thanks to the greatest invention in the world... PADDED BIKING SHORTS! Who would have thought?? The triathlon is on November 1st... only 18 more days until D-DAY! Anyone want to join the "Heather circus" with me? It should be quite comical to say the least! Any words of advice? I need all the help I can get! I will make sure to update you on the results if I make it back alive.

Gilbert High School 10 - year reunion!

This past weekend was Glen's 10 year high school reunion. Friday night he went to the reunion over at Superstition Springs Golf Course into the wee hours of the night... he had a blast and was glad he went. I ended up not going because it was $100 a person (plus the cost of a babysitter if I had gone) and I didn't know anyone so I figured I would save us the money. Plus, Glen and Katie (one of Glen's partners in crime throughout high school - we love you Katie!) decided to put together a picnic the next day for the families to come, so I figured I would meet a few people there. We had the party/picnic over at my in-laws house and it turned out great! Everyone brought their own food and we got out the cotton candy machine and the popcorn machine for the little kids! I am sure several of those kids didn't take a nap because of the incredible sugar rush. I swear, one little boy had about 5-6 things of cotton candy! Yikes! Katie also brought their golf cart and a little train ride thing for the kids. They loved it! Then one of Glen's friends brought his wheel invention (for lack of a better term) and it was awesome. He found a metal electrical wheel in the bottom of a retention basin and decided to make a ride out of it. He made sure that everyone had a chance (both old and young) to experience it and let me just tell you, I am glad I ate lunch after riding on it or I would have lost my lunch! It was nice to meet some of my husbands friends and their families. The weather was beautiful, the company was good, the kids had fun so all in all, it was a success.

Playing Catch up!

So I have been a little overwhelmed lately and unfortunately the number of blog posts suffer. Now that I have a break from one class and a break from coaching this week (thank goodness for fall break) I have some time to catch up! Here are a few pictures from the last couple of weeks...

The always adorable Jaxon getting in his morning ride!

My boys relaxing on the hammock listening to Conference on a BEAUTIFUL fall morning!

Check out Bandit... isn't he HUGE?

Great Grandpa Jones

Last week our family experienced a great loss. Glen Allen's grandpa Jones passed away. He was a great man and will be greatly missed. I really appreciated how he always made me feel so welcome in the family and he was constantly reminding me about what great ancestors I have. (He knew my grandpa Romney growing up, which was something special we used to talk about ... the "Romney temper" that he often dealt with). :) The funeral services went as well as can be expected and it was nice to see all the Jones aunts, uncles, and cousins again. With all the family in town grandma Jones took the opportunity to have family pictures taken at the temple. Here is one of Glen Allen and Jaxon as we are waiting for all the family to arrive (with Jaxon's infamous "big lips"). I am so lucky to have such handsome boys!! I will post the most recent family picture as soon as I get a hold of it.

Like Father, Like Son

A few days ago I was getting ready for the day and as I was blow drying my hair, Jaxon came into my room and headed straight for the closet. He quickly came out with one of Glen Allen's Motocross magazines, picked a spot on the floor and began flipping through the pages in awe. All he kept saying over and over again was, "cycle, brooom-brooom", "wow, mommy wook at, cycle"! This little boy just loves motorcycles! He can hear them miles away and everytime we are in the car and he hears one, he immediately yells out, "cycle, broom-brooom"! There is no mistaking my boys are just like their dad!

The Craziness Continues!

Do you ever feel like you are barely able to keep your head above water? I think I am right there... although I am not complaining... I am glad I am at least able to keep my head above water than right below it! The semester is now in full swing and my days are feeling it! I am teaching one class at CGCC, one at NAU and one at UoP right now and on top of that, I am coaching Highland High School's Diving team? Strange I know but it really is fun! I am very grateful for the many opportunities that have come my way and for the chance I have to help keep us stay afloat is this lovely economy. I am also so grateful for the several answers to prayers and blessings our little family has received this summer. It has definitely been a summer I hope to never experience again, but I know that we have been extremely blessed and watched over. There is no other explanation! I am also so thankful for Glen Allen's hard work and positive outlook on life and ability to calm me down when I feel like the walls are caving in around us. I am grateful for my two little boys and their patience with me. As young as they are, they already realize when mommy is working and they hate it! Just the other day I was in the office doing school and Jaxon came in crying saying, "Mommy come out!" It just about broke my heart! For the most part, they are pretty good about putting up with me. Hopefully once things start to calm down a bit, I will get better at taking more pictures! Until then....