Maxwell's 7th Birthday

Maxwell's birthday this year was celebrated over a long stretch of time.  It started at Grandma and Grandpa's house last week, and then Grammie and Papa came for a visit after we got home.  Along with them they brought Non's youngest sister, Aunt Rosemarie.  One of Maxwell's gifts was to go see the Tournament of Kings, which is a dinner/show at the Excalibur.  The kids loved it!  Annabel is really into horses right now so she was very excited to see all the horses up close.  We almost didn't make it to the show because about an hour before we were suppose to leave Annabel was stung by a scorpion twice; once in the right foot and once in the right hip.  Oh I felt so bad for her.  We quickly took care of it and she still wanted to go to the show.  I actually think it was a good distraction for her.  Saturday was Maxwell's  birthday and we did the traditional cake and ice cream, and more gifts.  His favorite present is his new green bike.  He spent some time on Sunday getting use to a bigger bike and the hand brakes.

Front row!

Maxwell got a big surprise when he opened his door Saturday morning!

I can't believe I have a 7 year old!

Make a wish...

Gabrielle couldn't resist!

His cool new bike

Not trying to jump the curbs with this one yet.

   

Roadtrip to AZ

Our trip to Green Valley was a successful one.  Our goal was to get there in one day and we did it!  It took us a little over 8 hours which we were happy with.  It was colder than what we would like, but we still did a lot of outdoor activities.  Maxwell and Annabel had fun riding their bikes around a lake that we were going to go fishing in, but it was way too windy that day.  The next day the weather was nicer and we decided to go to the Desert Museum in Tucson.  We enjoyed walking around and looking at all the different plants and animals.  Maxwell was very excited to see some javelinas.  The way home was a bit more trying with Gabrielle.  She just did not want to sit in that carseat!

At the Desert Museum

Smile!

So cute!

Pretty flowers and pretty girl!

Maxwell playing with his birthday gift from Grandma and Grandpa.

Gabrielle loved exploring the yard.

Laughing too much to smile for the camera

We don't have too many pictures of us anymore so I had to include this one.

October Fun

We did so many fun things this past month that it went by so fast.  A couple Halloween parties, the pumpkin patch a few times, International Children's Day at school, and, of course, trick-or-treating last night.  We went to about 15 houses before we got to the Miller's (Harvey and Patti) and that is were Maxwell and Annabel passed out candy for about an hour.  They had about 800 kids come through!!  It was madness!  Here are some pictures of our October:



At the pumpkin patch

After going to a Lego birthday party, Maxwell was inspired to make these Halloween figures.

Annabel loves Dance class

So darn cute!

German soccer player & Spanish princess for ICD

Annabel and her friend by the Leaning Tower of Pisa

My job was to take pictures of the kids holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which was in Annabel's homeroom.

On the way to school Halloween morning

Gabrielle loves playing in the courtyard...

and smelling the flowers.

Cherry Jam (from Strawberry Shortcake) & a punk zombie

Annabel likes anything with a microphone

Our little peacock

It was so hard to get a good picture of her.  This is it.

Birthday Busy

Imagine another weekend of birthday parties.  Yes, it's true.  It seems like this school year has started out with a plethora of kids' birthday parties.  So this weekend Maxwell had parties to attend for two of his classmates.  I almost forgot to mention both were costume parties so Maxwell got to try out this years costume and break out last years for one more adventure.  Before the party on Saturday we went to Floyd Lamb State Park to do a little fishing.  Well, very little since we didn't catch anything.  But the kids had a good time and Annabel got to break in her new fishing pole.  Later while I took Maxwell to the first party, Art took Annabel and Gabrielle to the South Point Casino Arena to see the Budweiser Clydesdale's.  It was pretty amazing how huge horses and free Budweiser can fill an arena.  But Annabel loved seeing the horses up close and didn't complain once about the smell... or the droppings.  So that plus a little popcorn and she had a great time while Gabrielle loved people watching.  On Sunday, Art took Maxwell to the party while I got to spend some alone time with the girls.

Maxwell waiting patiently for a fish to come along

Annabel and her pink fishing pole

Maxwell trying to catch a peacock!  Peacock??

So cute!

Gabrielle wanted to be part of the fun!

Say cheese!

Mommy & Maxwell on the way to a Halloween party

Punk Zombie

No beer for Art

Horses!

I had to post this cute picture of Gabrielle.  This is for Grandma & Grammie!

Scary!

 

 

Mount Charleston

Over the weekend we went camping at Mt. Charleston which is about an hour away.  The low temperatures do not make you feel like you are anywhere near Las Vegas.  There is not a whole lot to do up there so we took our bikes and lots of games.  I thought Art and I would get to relax, sit back and watch the kids play, BUT that is not possible with an 18 month old!  We took turns chasing after her and taking the rocks, pine needles, ect. out of her mouth.  By the time we got home Sunday I was exhausted.  Maxwell and Annabel had a great time though!  They hiked, rode bikes, played Candyland and meet some new friends at the next campsite.  Here are some pictures that go along with our trip:

This was Annabel's own personal stage.

Maxwell and I hiked up this little mountain and saw a big buck!

Gabrielle enjoying the cool weather

Annabel & Daddy trying to keep warm

These kids love to ride their bikes!

Maxwell...riding his bike! 

Home away from home

Animals!!

We spent our Saturday at Maxwell's friend's birthday party.  The kids enjoyed swimming and they got to see and hold some exotic animals.  Here are a couple of pictures of the day:

Annabel and a toucan

Maxwell holding the toucan

Maxwell and the red-tailed boa constrictor
This was too heavy for Annabel to hold

Annabel and a caracal

Maxwell's turn

Annabel and a bush baby

Maxwell and some sort of monkey

The kids had fun jumping into the pool (10 feet deep!)

Smile!