My pictures are out of order, but this will have to do. These little, fish are Paden's winnings from the ping pong toss game. I told Rich that the kids would love to try, and that they absolutely wouldn't win (we hadn't seen anyone win while waiting), so we didn't need to worry about the move. Well, Paden's first toss went right in, followed shortly after by another golden toss! Their beaming faces show how much fun they had!
The Snake Pit! I have to admit that this was pretty neat to see. I was nervous about being in a tent with hundreds of Rattle Snakes, but the kids had no fear and loved being face to face with them. There was a snake handler that walked around in the cage and the snakes would strike at him. The plexi-glass was just safe enough for me, but I wasn't about to sit for one of the "photos with a live rattler" pictures for $5. Thanks goodness the line was long enough to discourage Rich!
Paden was in heaven being able to study and basically interact with the snakes in these wire-mesh cages. My stomach was in knots, even though I was reassured that he wouldn't get bit.
The Air Force base had a fun egg hunt, which was over in under 30 seconds or so. Larisa loved this bunny and probably set a record for the most hugs given to the sweet, Easter Bunny!
Sometimes she just looks so darn cute! Even with the chocolate in her teeth and "cute smeared all over her face" as Rich likes to say!
When we were on our house hunting trip, Larisa found a new "best friend" in sweet Emi. Now Larisa is constantly asking when we are moving so she can see Emi again. Thanks for being so sweet Emi!
I think Rich is softening to the idea that we ARE going to have a dog someday, thanks to Indiana, the Neilson's dog.
Larisa and Tyler lounging around on Indiana.
This is about the only good picture we got on Easter Sunday. I love how much my girls love each other! It was overcast, but the kids couldn't keep their eyes open. Paden looks "every sort of handsome", as someone in our ward said to him, in his new suit. We will have to get a good picture of him soon.
For the kids' Spring Break, I took the kids to Quartz Mountain to have a picnic and hike.
April has gone so quickly with soccer, Easter, house hunting and lots of fun activities. I just wanted to post a few pictures because I have not been great at journaling about everything as I intended. I don't feel ready for May and the move, but ready or not...it is a few days away
This was the first year ever that I opted to stay home and pass out candy. Being 31 weeks pregnant and very nauseated on Halloween night helped sway me. Rich had fun taking the kids and they came back with buckets full of treats! Paden was a knight, Amelia was Hermione and Reesa was Tigger. Some neighbors thought that Amelia had a pretty great wig on, and were amazed when she told them it was her real hair. What a fun night! 
I am sure glad that Rich tackles the pumpkin carving every year. He does a great job and lets the kids choose whatever design they want. I think Paden and Amelia need to start doing their own next year, though. Nothing like carving a pumpkin yourself! 
Paden had the Raingutter Regata and had a pretty nice boat. Rich had never built one before and Paden got beat by the boy that ultimately won the competition. I think next time Rich will have a few tricks up his sleeve.
Amelia lost her 4th tooth and looks so cute! She wanted to do the doorknob trick and you can see her little tooth dangling on the floss. The funny thing is that later that night she wanted the tooth back in her mouth. She told me her mouth had let her down and she didn't want the Toothfairy to take her tooth. I think she didn't like not being able to pronounce her f's and s's as well. This is the child that was talking sooooo clearly at 1 year old and has always been very articulate. Now her other front tooth is loose... maybe she'll have them both missing for Christmas! 
Our ward had a Trunk or Treat so the kids got double the candy and fun! Reesa had a few costumes to choose from and played dress up all month long. 
Rich and Paden went to a Father and Son's campout and got to fish a bit. Paden is quite the fisherman!
With our season passes to Sea World and Six Flags, we had lots of fun with all the spooky Halloween happenings. This character was walking around and little Larisa insisted on posing for a picture. She is one brave cookie! I took the kids on "mommy dates" individually to the theme parks and they loved being able to go on ride after ride without the long lines. All in all, October was a great month! Now we are looking forward to some birthdays and the holidays, and then our new baby will round out the year for us!
