Halloween

The kids had fun getting hopped up on sugar. Almary was a fairy princess, Ryan was a T-Rex (the best one we could find), Bryce was an aligator, and Ty-Ty was a pumpkin. We also have four new blonde daughters. See the pictures below for more information.

From cell phone

From cell phone

From cell phone

From cell phone

Other cell phone pictures

Saint George Vacation and Zion National Park

We had lots of fun staying in Saint George over the extended UEA holiday. Mark went camping with the scouts at Zion National Park Friday and Saturday and then the family went down to Saint George Sunday through Tuesday. All the kids need for a fun vacation is a swimming pool and a little bit a cartoons. We did a hike in Zion NP on the way back since we had a pass from the camp-out. Tyler was a little hesitant about swimming at first but soon loved it. Ryan and Almary are turning into very good smimmers and Bryce is at the old Ryan stage - a constant hold onto a parent finger in each of his hands.


Illumfamily at St. George

We usually have hiked the Angel's landing hike every time I visit Zion but since the scouts needed to do a 10 mile hike we choose Observation Point (8 miles round trip with over 2,000 ft climb) with another short hike. It was fun to look down on Angel's landing which is still my favorite hike.

Scout camp-out

Getting Ready for Halloween

We found a good deal on a dinosaur costume for Ryan. Cheri and I were very happy about it. It is a little big but will work. All of the kids wanted to wear it. Bryce got a crocodile costume that can be seen on last week's blog slideshow.

Bryce was super cute. He modeled how he prefers to wear his underwear - backwards. This is the only way you can wear it and see the cool cars, choo-choos, etc. He also has one onesie that he snapped on the outside of his shorts. Of course I had to take a picture.

Tyler is still crawling with one gimp leg - he likes to be ready to sit up at any moment. We found out today that he crawls better with some slippers on. He always stands though whenever he can.

Ty-Ty First Unofficial Haircut

Ty-Ty had his first haircut compliments of his two brothers. Ryan said he wasn't really cutting but Bryce at least really did much to his mother's dismay.

From 2008 10

From 2008 10

Conference was great. Thanks to Eric and Julie for a fun Sunday afternoon session. Ryan said conference is great with caramel popcorn.

Sleep over on the Trampoline

The kids were super excited to sleep on the trampoline even though it was predicted to rain. The weather said 30% chance on Friday, 40% Friday night, and 80% on Saturday but we tried anyway. About 5 in the morning it started sprinkling enough for Daddy to carry all the kids inside. Other pictures include setting up the trampoline which turned into a nice gymnast set for the kids and Bryce's new costume for this Halloween. Earlier when we asked the kids to get warm pajamas on for sleeping outside, Bryce came out from his bath with just his costume on. I asked him to put some warm pajamas on with the costume and he said he did. I am sure it would have felt quite breezy in the nether regions, arms, and legs.

Backpacking with the Scouts

I went on my first backpacking trip since I was a scout a couple of years ago (or maybe 20 years). Luckily it was just 1.3 miles although all uphill (no not both ways). It was really fun and pretty. I will just post one picture since most are not of me or the family. Some of the boys sure liked to pack heavy. It was a good learning experience. Two of the boys forgot the poles to their tent. It was fun helping them solve their problem with rope.

From 2008 0927 Pine Hollow

Other news:

Cheri and her sisters, Julie and Kristi, got to attend the general Relief Society Meeting on Saturday night in the conference center. It was such a great experience and a wonderful spirit. They really had fun with their girls night out!!
Mark would like to comment on his guys night out enduring hard work and dedication so their wives could attend the Relief Society meeting. A few games and movies were played and a little pizza, to help lighten the load.

Tyler is crawling like crazy and getting so big. We are hoping we are finished with ear infections, but he has an appointment with the ear, nose and throat specialist in a few weeks to see if we should put in tubes for him.

Thanks to Eric and Julie, we got the trampoline which we are trying to set up in the backyard. Needless, to say the kids are very excited. We might sleep out on it this weekend in our sleeping bags.

Fishing, Ryan scores a goal, Bryce potty trained, Ty-Ty crawls, Almary B-day party

We went fishing last weekend at Salem Ponds. It is a nice pond with a park. Daddy forgot the worm hooks so we didn't catch anything. Yesterday we went fishing at Cabela's kids day. All of the kids got a hat, hot dogs, and drinks and then went fishing in the swimming pool like pool. Ryan caught a fish and the others really wanted to. Other news: Tyler is officially crawling, Ryan scored a goal at his game last week. Daddy only got a picture of him almost scoring. Bryce is potty trained even through the night. He even gets up in the middle of the night to go potty and then goes back to bed. We always know he is up in the morning when we hear his door open and then him going potty. Almary had a fun Hawaiian luau party. They played plenty of games including: limbo, pass the coconut, and relay game (andrew looked pretty cute in the grass skirt and shell lei running across hot lava).

Tyler had another Doctor's visit. His aortic arch is still looking good. His valve is the same to slightly better that the last visit. I asked the doctor more about what the units are on the numbers she told us. It is the pressure difference from before and after the aortic valve in mm of mercury (mmHg) The measurement this time was in the low 30's. normal is below 20. If the pressure difference is 60 - 80 requires correction.