Grandma and Grandpa Hakes came to visit on Columbus Day, October 10th.  They were able to come for a day trip and see Clayton and Daivd play in their soccer games.  We're so glad they live close enough to come for these kinds of visits.  It means a lot to the boys to have their grandparents come to their games.
Here's Lucas with Grandma and Grandpa

Cora Swinging it was a beautiful day so we played a lot outside.

 Lucas swinging

Grandpa was hiding behind the playhouse and would grab Lucas and Cora as they went swinging by.

 Grandma and Cora playing catch with her doll at the soccer field

 My dad and Marcus

 Pretty Grandma and Grandpa watching the games.

The Fruits of our Labors

Garden 2011

Tomatoes

Squash

                                                                     Green Beans

                                                                     Acorn Squash

                                                                            Okra

Show Low Cabin Trip

For Labor Day this year, we went to the Hakes family cabin in Show Low, AZ. It was so nice and cool in the mountains, and we had a great time with all the family. My whole side of the family was able to go, minus Cassi and Kelly. All the cousin kids had a good time playing together, and the adults had good times talking and playing games at night.
Our family went off to the go-kart place for some fun racing. Here's David and Marcus on a double: Cora's waiting patiently for her turn:

She was swinging from the bars waiting for her turn. I love this straddle position. I used to teach this to kids at gymnastics, and here she is doing it all on her own. I'm sure she loves having this angle of her posted on the Internet, but I'm such a proud Mommy I'm putting it on anyway.Lucas got to ride the 3 and older go-karts all by himself!

I had to work really hard to get this shot. It's Marcus and David sharing a double and Clayton driving a single right behind them. That was not an easy pic to get since they were moving so fast!

Clayton going solo:

They had a trampoline with bungee-type cable hooked to it so you could jump really high. Clayton was the only boy brave enough (well, really tall enough) to do it.

He tried so hard to do a back flip. Got really close.

Playing around by the cabin.

Meesa, Cora and Carrie going for a 4-wheeler ride. Lucas is trying to jump on. Looking lovely ladies!

Joe, Nathan, Meesa, Lucas and Clayton plus back of Hailey and Cora. The 4-wheeler was really fun for the kids. Meesa was really good about giving rides to her nieces and nephews.

Kalli and Melissa on the swing with baby Alyssa.

Emily with Katy.

Cora and Meesa. Just love that outfit! Me and my Cora.

Cora wouldn't give me kisses for the camera!

Grandma and Grandpa Hakes coming back from a walk Sunday afternoon. A little PDA

Dad, Meesa, Kalli, Carrie and Mom at the Mogollon Rim overlook.

Our family getting organized for our picture turn. Managed to get mostly everyone normal for the picture. Let's just say this isn't going to be blown up and hung somewhere! Cora, David and Lucas are making sure of that.

Joe and Katy and family.

It's really pretty at the Rim overlook. It's a nice, short hike near the cabin.

Josh and Melissa and fam Another picture of Cora. I know, I'm obsessed.

Sweet picture of Kalli hugging Cora

The big boy grandkids. I think grandpa Hakes was making them laugh!

On our way home we passed the giant satellites outside of Socorro. This is the same place they have in the movie Contact. Pretty cool. I should probably mention the incredible gas mileage Marcus got on the way home. Where our Honda Odyssey is rated for I think 25 mpg, he pushed it to 29 mpg? I'm thinking that's the right number. It really was impressive. If only I could learn to drive like him....

Snowflake Sweet Tri

Kimball, Josh, Kalli and I did the Sweet Tri in Snowflake, AZ. I did it as an individual and the others did a relay. Josh swam, Kimball biked, Kalli ran. They did really well. It was really fun and I'm glad they did it with me. I didn't do so well. I had an unfortunate wipe-out on the bike. I couldn't get my shoe to unclip from my pedal when I lost my balance on a turn/water station. I was really trying to steady my

self and almost had it until I looked up and saw a small boulder in my path. I crashed pretty good and still finished, but without much enthusiasm. Here's a shot of my road rash: Lots of fun!

Marcus's Birthday August 18th

Marcus got a tractor cake for his birthday. Lucas picked it out.Happy Birthday!! We love our dad!Cora and cousin Brynley liked the green frosting!

Cora's 2!!!

Cora had a birthday party for turning 2 on August 12th. We dressed her up and did her hair and she was so excited. Sorry, but there are a lot of pictures! It's really hard to do 2 fingers when you're only 2 years old! She came close anyway with 3 fingers.

Cora singing the Happy Birthday song. She's been practicing for weeks!

She's been practicing the blow too. I love her wrinkled up nose! Eating cake and ice cream.

Bethany and Brynley

Clayton, David with Trey

Cora loved opening presents.

She got pretty gloves from Brynley!

Thanks to our friends for coming. It was fun!