Magical Disneyland

This was one of PJ's favorite parts because Fawn and Tinkerbell took PJ into their world with her and ran to talk to Peter Pan. PJ was in heaven when they introduced her as her friend.
PJ and Dad being silly sitting in the flowers while waiting to enter Pixie Hollow.
Jasmine with PJ. While waiting PJ was singing at the top of her lungs, "A Whole New World". When she saw Jasmine she ran into her arms.
The first of many meeting with Mickey Mouse. PJ wants all to know Mickey saved the Christmas holiday by saving Santa.
This is in Sleeping Beauty's castle. She loved going in here so we went a couple of time.

We had a great time in Disneyland and will probably go again in a couple more years.

Turkey Day

PJ and I made turkeys for Thanksgiving, and hers looks tons better than mine. We had a great time just hanging out together in the kitchen together.

PJ made a tea party for Rick and me to attend. It was a very delicious party.

Our Trip Back Home

We went back home for a couple days earlier this month, and tried to get everybody visited, but that is hard with so many family members on each side. So while in the Salt Lake area we decided to visit Temple Square since we haven't been for a good 5+ years. Claudia, Christopher and Ethan came along with us. PJ was actually having lots of fun, but hates being in pictures so this is the closest one we could get with all of them.

We snuck this picture in, and it turned out really cute.

In Idaho we drove up to Dry Ridge and helped everyone look for a good Christmas tree. This spot now has a good 3 feet covering it I'm sure.
Family Picture.
Goodbye Idaho, home sweet home. We miss you dearly.

U of U vs AF Football Game-Kind of Late

My not so little little brother Stephen came down to visit us and go to the U of U game. We had a great time with him and a great game.

While waiting for the game to start PJ and I wandered around and found this jumpy thingy that she loved. I let her play on it for as long as they would let her, and it worked out okay because she fell asleep in the second quarter.

It got kind of close there for a few minutes, but thankfully the U pulled it off.

If only I could see Utah State play here too. That would be cool. But, in the mean time--Go Utes.

Flying Away

PJ has been wanting to fly like a bird so Rick helped her make some hawk wings. They were a big hit and she flew outside with them all day long.
We just got the bindings on her skis, and had to test them out. Plus we figure this way she gets used to wearing her boots. She now knows french fries and pizza, good ways to keep her balance, and to not cross her skis. Not too easy, but she is doing great so far in the house. Now all we need is some snow here.

It's a Halloween Fright Night

For Halloween Fright Night (what PJ calls Halloween) she dressed up as the Barbie Muskateer, Corrine. Thankfully, we already had everything except for the mask so the costume ended up being very easy to put together. She has had the muskateer moves down for a good year too.

...which she taught to her friend, Eden. They ran around together all evening.

This is the spooky, scary part. AHHHHHHHHHHH! She turned into a monster! It didn't last long because the teeth kind of hurt in her mouth. Amazingly, not much candy was eaten either.

She can't wait for the next Halloween Fright Night when she wants to dress up like Billy the Exterminator. She wanted to be Lady Gaga this year, but it didn't work out. Sorry, PJ, fish net tights and high heels for a 3 year old are hard to find.

Last Month

We have a ton of squirrels around our house, and they eat anything and everything. They are so fat (insert fat joke). They are that fat. If you have food in your hand they will walk right up to you and eat it out of your hand. PJ and Rick were feeding peanuts to them.
Dogsitting. This dog hates most kids, and will usually bite them, but not PJ. Petey snuggled right in with PJ. It may be because Petey was at our house and not his. When we go there he still doesn't bite, but he will run away scared whining. And then come lick her toes. PJ thinks it is hilarious.

Good times...

Go to Helen Hunt...Falls for it. Okay, that joke doesn't really work in writing, but I couldn't resist.
Eric, Emily and Owen came out for a quick visit one weekend and we enjoyed everything with them. One of the trails in Garden of the Gods.
Bobsled. Cool runnings man. US Olympic Training Center.
PJ at Garden of the Gods.

Some Last Dance Moves From Summer

I'll try to get some newer pictures on sometime this week.

I love this one because Kelly goes, "I see a moon.", PJ looks up and says, "Where?". Not to mention the sweet moves. Ben would also lift her up any time she asked.

Here Comes the Bride...

Okay, not for quite a few more years. PJ loves this dress. It is her marrying dress. She always talked about getting one so my mom took her to the material store and let her pick out the material, then took one of PJ shirts and made a dress. She wanted to wear it everywhere for the next 3 days.

The last couple of days we were in Idaho and went to run an errand with my sister to the Fire Department. While we were waiting for her they asked if we would like a tour of the trucks. They let us sit in the and test out their packs that were way too heavy for us. It was really cool for the kids to play in.

Here's PJ getting one last shooting session in with her bb gun at Grandma and Papa Barkdull's. She always made sure she had her safety goggles on.

On our way home we stopped at my sisters, and visited the zip line park. We all had a ton of fun riding.

We finally made it back to Colorado Springs and Ben finally got to look in what we call the Spy Plane. There is another name for it, but I can't remember what it is call. It basically has a giant radar system built into it and they could control a lot from the air. This one doesn't fly anymore and was last used in Vietnam and the Korean War. The guy standing in the back actually flew this plane at some point too.

It was a good time visiting with family, but it is great having Rick back with us to make our little family.

Grandma and Easton are taking Owen for a little walk and showing him all the wonderful things about camping.

The younger kids put on a show for us. It was an original song by Nick and Ben. Nick played the harmonica, Ben sang and Easton and PJ danced. It was very good. For some reason the video of it didn't want to load so maybe next time you'll see the actual production.

Here's Ben helping PJ dance to Lady Gaga. She somehow turned it into a clogging number, and occasionally would instruct Ben to lift her up into the air.

More Camping with the Beins'

While we were up there, Nick was her best friend. They formed the Bandana Gang and you could only be in it if you had a bandana. Unless, you were Easton and he didn't need one.
They were really tough and made mean faces because if you are a gang you have to be mean and tough.
PJ was enjoyed orange soda which she decided was good to drink and was enjoyin watching the cold water challenge the guys do every year.
They had to dig a hole deep enough for all of them to sit in. They start out standing and eventually lower themselves lower and lower. This water is freezing and the first minute or two your body has to get use to it, or go numb to be able to stay in. I'm pretty sure they had hypothermia or the start of it because their bodies were tingling for a while and they were all freezing long into the night.
The little guys did the challenge next and lasted quite a long time. They were having a hard time moving after getting out. Every year my mom also does a scavenger hunt for the kids (Brent and Sara helped with clues and hiding this year), and they got pull string boats they could play with in the water. PJ loves hers.

Camping with the Beins'

Here is cute little Owen with Emily. He was in desperate need of a nap. He was such a good little camper though, and such a handsome one too.
Here's PJ keeping cool in the freezing water. Her pants got wet earlier so she just hung out in her underwear. And, don't worry we don't throw trash in the creek. It is just a great fridge.
Fishing with Conner.
Coming back from 4 wheeling. She originally had a helmet, but another driver on the road came around the corner in their lane and PJ was in the back ( had fallen asleep), started to fall off the side with the brake and the tire pinched the helmet shattering it. Thankfully, Kelly was driving or it could have been a lot worse, and thankfully we put a bike helmet on before she left. She was a little shaken up, but jumped back on the next day. We now have a little sturdier helmet too.
Playing in the sun and water. Your feet will go numb if you leave them in for longer than 1 minute.

Working to Get Ready for Camp

This picture was just too cute and she thought it was hilarious to see.

PJ is trying to get all her work done before we head up 8 mile to set up camp. Boy, was there a lot of typing to be done. I can't figure out what it says. It is encrypted really good.

A typewriter is so foreign to kids now days. They think it is the coolest thing. I remember it was awesome when we got to go to the computer lab to play Oregon Trail once a month. Oh, DOS where did you go?

We camped at Cold Springs. It has a creek that runs through and is freezing. You will get hypothermia if you stay in this one too long, but kids love it because there is a nice shallow spot to play in.

Maybe One Day...

So, this is Nonan Valley not too far from Montpelier, Idaho. One day Rick and I might live close to here and feel the tranquility of this beautiful place.
My brother actually keeps cows out in this pasture, but I think it would be the perfect place for a home.
PJ went for a little ride with her cousins Britney and Bella. She loves hanging out with these girls. They know how to rough it, but can be very girly.