So much to be THANKFUL for!

Our Gratitude Tree

It has been so fun adding leaves to our tree this month!

I don't consider myself a creative person, but I am proud to say I did come up with this by myself - without pinterest. :)

We really miss fall colors and every time I see this tree I smile! Anyone who has visited our home (and many who haven't) have added a leaf to our tree. This is our second year - though I am much more pleased with the tree design this year - and I believe it's a tradition that we will keep!

SO grateful for our AMAZING family! Missing you all!

We LOVE Aunty Mibi!

Most Sundays we sit at church by Aunty Mibi and the girls typically choose to ride home from church with her. (And I ride home all by myself . . .)

 Father-Daughter Hike to Wailele Falls for activity days.

 Charmaine had never been on a hike before. Even though it took us 5hrs round-trip, she never gave up and didn't even really complain even after falling a few times. I was so proud of her!

Kenna being brave and jumping off the rock. (Sorry for the blurry picture.)

Yes, she is wearing socks. :) Her tennis shoes were too small so she got some serious blisters on the way up that hurt when she jumped into the water. We tossed the shoes AND the filthy socks when we got home. The hike down was challenging because her heels hurt. She did great - especially after reminding her that "There is nothing so bad that whining doesn't make it worse."

Bryn and Kait helping Mom make Grandma Peggy's strawberry pie.

 Since we couldn't be with family, we did the next best thing - 

the beach with friends!

This is beautiful Kahana Bay. I think this will be the backdrop of our next family pictures.

Our friends borrowed a few kayaks so we ventured out into the ocean and explored up a few channels that flow into the ocean. So much fun!

Thinking of Uncle Norm and Aunt Judie!

We LOVE it when it is SOUP weather and we can dust off our snowman dishes!

Mike was the Devotional speaker Nov 26th.
You can watch or read at:
http://devotional.byuh.edu/media131126
He did a great job! "Be There and Be Happy!"

We were SO blessed to have Mike's Mom out for Devotional. We all LOVED having some really fun Grandma time!

 That's one tired Ladybug Girl!
This didn't actually happen in November, but it was too cute not to post it. :)
 She fell asleep on the walk home after trick or treating. 

September and October

Since my family is spread about as far as possible across the US (Hawaii, Montana, Idaho, Utah and South Carolina), we started a family blog to help us keep in touch better touch with each other. We've all committed to posting on the first Sunday of the month (though some of us didn't today). I figured I might as well add it here also. Maybe that will inspire me to get back into posting and recording our lives.

It was a very busy summer, that led into a very busy fall with a new school year, a bunch of birthdays, mainland trips, and some memorable BYU–Hawaii events. Here's a smattering of our happenings. 

Whitney's 12 and is loving the responsibility of getting to babysit and being involved with student council at school. Here she comes, Beehives!

Celebrating with her friends :)

Remember THIS game, Jones siblings? I'm sure all of us played it at least one of our parties! 

Two dice are rolled and when someone gets doubles, they put on the mittens and try to unwrap a kiss with two spoons. When someone else gets doubles, they get to steal the mittens.

Kait turns 3! She is so funny and full of spunk!

Bryn's Birthday Sunrise

We really live in a beautiful place! Mike and I began running three mornings a week back in March (yes, we love being able to run year-round). Besides getting to spend uninterrupted talking time, we get to see the sunrise most days. It's a wonderful reminder of God's love for us! 

Bryn turned five on October 3 - third b-day in four weeks (we're birthday-ed out!). 

Our little Merida.

Ever since she watched the movie "Brave" she has been trying to make a bow and arrow out of anything she could get her hands on. So for her birthday, I made her one like the ones Krystal made at Grandpa's funeral. She was SO excited!

Bryn's party.

Each fall break our elementary school does a "play in a week." Sixth graders help write the script, auditions are Wednesday before break and practice starts Monday. With only two hours per day, the lines, costumes, and set all come together ready for the performance on Friday. This year's play was "The Case of the Missing Porridge," where two detectives went looking through fairy tale forest for the bears' missing porridge visiting several different fairy tale scenes. Kenna performed a dance as one of the ladies in waiting in the Rumplestiltskin scene and Whitney was Mary Q. Contrary, the lead detective. Both did amazing and I was one proud mama!

Mike's first fall trip was to UT for some meetings and he got to see the beautiful fall colors! Of all the things I miss (besides family, of course) the fall colors are at the top of that list!

Timing worked out perfect to drive up to Pocatello to surprise attend Cahlin's baptism. HE really enjoyed being with family - (and we wished we could all be there)!

The boys hot-rodding with Uncle Mike in his rental car.

Kenna as Super Citizen-chosen for outstanding academics and taking initiative to help a fellow classmate.

Another run and a beautiful rainbow.

Liberty Bell

Mike's second fall trip took him to Philadelphia for the PRSA conference. He couldn't leave without seeing some of the historical sites there. 

The Rocky Statue

Those steps can be killer!

Happy Halloween! 

Annabeth (from Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief), a gypsy, witch and Ladybug Girl! (If anyone said that Kait was a ladybug, she quickly corrected them that she was Ladybug GIRL!)