When Dad is home alone...

...this is what happens...

Yes...Shane cut up one of Jayden's shirts for this picture.

The Mullet

The Mohawk

And the milder mohawk.

Jayden seemed to have a lot more fun with dad's hairdo's than with mom's (see post below).

"Come Home DAD!!!"

This is what happens when your spouse is gone and you have not left your house in 5 days because you have 2 kids sick with Croup. Okay, that's not entirely true...I've left the house for a few short car rides to get fresh air, 1 doctor's appointment, 2 Urgent Care visits, & 1 QUICK run to buy a $10-used once-artificial tree and returning home in an ambulance-details coming soon :) We've had a crazy yet fun week! I love these silly kids!

His hair is just getting so long...I couldn't help myself.

(Shanna & Launa, do you remember when we did this to Jeff over 20 years ago?)

"Really Dad...HELP!!!"

It's a good thing Shane comes home tomorrow night because who knows what else this mom might do. The fun has just begun...he he!

More Halloween Fun

Thought I'd post just a few more Halloween pictures. On Halloween our base allows people to bring on Japanese friends to trick-or-treat! It was crazy-there were people everywhere! The Japanese love getting the chance to trick-or-treat! They all had their video cameras taping the whole thing. It was a lot of fun.

Jayden decided he wanted to be Sulley on Halloween (not Diego), but Tia held firm and stuck with Dora.

This Japanese lady saw Jayden and went crazy. She ran up and started petting him and wanted to hug him. She then bent down and showed Jayden her Sulley & Mike pig-tails. She was so excited! It was really cute!

We made our first Carmel-dipped apples on Halloween. We all had a fun time, however, we learned 2 things by mistake...

1. Use GREEN apples...NOT RED
2. Put them in the fridge and eat them when they're cold

Other than that, they turned out great! I can't wait to make them again.

And, last but not least...

WHO KNEW???... ...that KISS was in the military :) and he lives just a few buildings away from us.

Tia Turned Two

We can't believe our baby turned 2 this week! She is getting so big! It's amazing what a two year old can say and do...she cracks us up!

Here's an update on our little Tia:

1. She can say sentences up to 8 words long.

2. She DOESN'T want to be potty trained, but DOES use the toilet once a day or when she is supposed to be in bed and is trying to get out of sleeping.

3. She's in love with Dora the Explorer.

4. She cut up her Binky the day after her birthday and hasn't had it since...however, she's horrible at going to sleep now-it takes FOREVER!

5. She named her baby doll ABCD this week (because that's all she hears her older brother saying).

6. She LOVES cheese! She'll use the same chip over and over just to scoop out the cheese dip and lick it.

7. She loves jumping...on beds, trampolines, off curbs, etc.

8. Her favorite color is pink.

9. She can count to 10, say some of her ABC's, and is fabulous at doing wooden puzzles.

10. She gives GREAT hugs and kisses.

We love you Tia! Happy Birthday!

The night before Tia's birthday Jayden stayed up and helped us decorate

Opening Presents

Thanks Aspen & Sage for these cute dolls!

"BOOTS" (Dora's monkey) and some fun clothes from family!

Tia was so excited to have a "Dora & Diego Castle" Pinata. She couldn't wait to break it open!

Tia hitting the pinata--softly.

(Thanks Aunt Tera for the cute birthday outfit!)

Jayden hitting the pinata. (This was one tough pinata...luckily the neighbor girl broke it open first so that the Jayden could get a good wack out of it.)

Tia's "Princess" cupcakes that Jayden helped us decorate...Yes family...they are SPICE cupcakes :) I can't do a birthday party without Spice cake-love it!

We didn't do a big party, but we had a few neighbors over for cupcakes & icecream. It was nice! Thanks guys for celebrating with us!

Tia trying to blow out her candles, but only blowing her BANGS instead.

"Happy Birthday to me!"

Halloween Costumes

There was no question on what the kid's would be this year, when they found out that they could dress up as Dora & Diego that's all they wanted!!! Tia was a Toe-headed Dora because there's NO WAY we were going to get a wig or anything else on her head. Shane and I tried to talk them out of these outfits SEVERAL times because these aren't really costumes-they're just clothes, but we knew that this is what would make them happy. And they were happy!

So I've given up on trying to take cute pictures...I've decided that if I can at least get BOTH of them IN the picture, then we're good!

Our ward's Trunk-or-Treat:

Diego & Dora

The kids and their "backpacks."

At least we didn't have to carry around bags, they just used their backpacks.

Here's Jayden and a sweet Japanese guy in a Freaky mask! Jayden thought it was awesome!

Hope you all have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Can't wait to see your pictures!

Have you ever...

...seen a shrink-wrapped bus before?

I love the military!

Love this place!

A few cold & rainy days are worth it when you get to see this afterwards...

...a SNOW-CAPPED Volcano!

What a beautiful sight!

(Just look past the buildings and telephone poles-do you see it now? I tried getting a picture without buildings in it, but I could only walk so far-maybe next time)!

Showa Kinen Park

I think we all agree that this is our FAVORITE PARK ever!!! It's only a 15 minute drive from our home.

Here are some pictures from our two visits. Last month we went with our neighbors, the Barton's, and last week we took Uncle Rick.

It's so huge we rented bikes to tour the park.

Bouncing Domes

These are the COOLEST things in the world. They are large trampoline mountains.

The dad's loved it! Shane again.

The other dad, Bryce.

I must admit...they are a blast!

When we took Rick it must have been a "field trip day". There were kids everywhere.

Jayden also loves to slide down them.

Rick & Jayden catching some air.

Jayden could play on these all day.

Dragon Dunes

This place is filled with huge dragons, slides, and things to climb.

Shane and the kids.

Rick & the kids.

Here's a slide on one of the dragon tails.

Roller Slide

Shane & Jayden "superman" style.

Our family

The Bartons

Rick & the kids.

If you've never been on a roller slide...you have got to find one...they are a hoot! The bigger you are the more fun it is because you go faster.

Misty Forest

Rainbow Hammocks

The hammocks were twice this big, but I couldn't get them all in one picture.

A Sweet Slide :)

I have no clue what this slide is made of, but it was WAY fun!

Rick & Jayden surfing down the slide.

Tia loved it so much she went down it a billion times (well, not really but you get the point).

Jayden was doing all sorts of flips and tricks down the slide.

We've been there twice and still haven't even touched half of it! It's huge! It also has a water park, lake that you can ride boats on, mini-golf course, disc-golf course, bonsai garden, and more. The Japanese sure know how to build great parks