Sept.-Nov.

State Fair

Ammon made a good first mate.

In Sept. we went to the state fair.  My 3 oldest earned a free entrance, 1 free ride, and a free lemonade.  We got discount tickets for Al and I and free parking, Joshy and Gideon were free.  It was the way to go.  I really liked the bubble machine, and diving show, but my favorite would be the pirate show.  It was good, funny entertainment.

Drive in Movies

We went to our first drive in as a family.  We watched Madagascar 3, Ice Age, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog days.  It was way late by the time we were done, and I don't think I want to do it again with little kids, but it was so worth the experience.

Middle Canyon

In October we went on a picnic up Middle Canyon.  The colors were so pretty and it was nice to get out.  The best part is that it is only abt. 10min. away from our house!

Gideon got his new bed.

Also in Oct. Al decided to put together the toddler bed for Gideon.  I was helping with something else and came home to it all made.  Gideon loves his new bed. 

Sam turns 13!

So handsome in his new suit.

Samuel turned 13 in Oct.  I can't believe my baby is a teenager!  What a handsome boy.

Halloween

So creative in their made up costumes

Look at all that candy!  And he has another basket full.

For Halloween, I told the kids that I wasn't buying anything for Halloween so they had to be creative with their costumes.  Ammon is the invisible man, Sam a soldier, Joshy a skeleton, Bella a hunchback, and Gideon used Joshy's old costume, a ninja.  We had a fun time trick-or-treating in our new neighborhood.  We found out that our next door neighbor gets way into Halloween.  I guess everyone comes down our street just to see what he does for trick-or-treaters.  It's fun, but we ran out of candy.  I thought we had plenty with 5 bags!  Next year we'll have to plan for more.

 Going to the Temple

Sam got to go to the Temple for the first time the 1st of Nov.  It took us way to long to finally take him.  We thought we had to have family names so we kept holding off.  But we finally got him there, and it was a good experience.

Weenie Roast

In Nov. we were able to roast hot dogs and marshmallows in our own back yard.  It is so nice having a built in fire pit right in our back yard.  It's like camping, only more convenient. 

Joshy's Snowman

The first snow fall of the season Joshy got out and made a snowman all by himself.  So cute!  I think he did a great job.


Another highlight of Nov. is we got to have Thanksgiving dinner in our new home.  It was so much fun to host a holiday dinner for the first time in a long time, and have everyone come over.  We did it 2 nights in a row.  Once with my side of the family then the next night with Al's side of the family.  It was nice to be able to do it.

End of July and Aug.

Pioneer Parade

Bella and Joshy and I participated

The rest watched.

My ward participated in the Tooele Childrens Pioneer 24th of July parade.  I walked and the kids road along in the trailor.  It was hot, but the kids had fun.  They had a bunch of activities afterwords for the kids. 

Time at the Cabin 

Mom invited anyone who wanted to come up to the cabin with her to come.  I hadn't been in probably 10yrs or more so I wanted to go.  I was amazed at how much it had changed.  It was beautiful!  I'm grateful to all those who have put in so much work, time, finances, and possestions to make it what it is today.  It's wonderful!

My kids got the camera

Ammon and Sam down by the river

On a walk

We painted while there, and came up with decorations.  This is one wall

 

Gideon loved throwing the rocks.

Brigham City Temple Open House

On the temple grounds

In front of the Brigham City Temple

 We got the opportunity to go to the Brigham City Temple open house.  We made a little trip of it and stayed in a hotel with a swimming pool so the kids could go swimming.  Then we got up early the next morning to go to the temple.  It was beautiful!  Gideon was in awe the whole time but especially in the Celestial room.    It was nice to take the kids through the temple before the dedication.  They've had the opportunity to go through 3 temples now.  It has been an awesome opportunity to be able to take them.  They can feel the spirit and love of their Heavenly Father there even before it is dedicated.

Bowling

Before School started we got the opportunity to go bowling with a kids bowl free thing they do here.  The kids are free you just have to pay for shoes.  It's a pretty good deal.  Here are some action shots of the kids bowling.

Joshua

Sam

Ammon

Bella

Gideon Loves to dance.  Too Cute!
 

And so dose the rest of the family!  Every once in a while we like to get our groove on.  We have so much fun.

Before school started we had an end of summer party.  We invited family and friends from our old area and new area.  It was a ton of fun getting together.  I especially loved being able too.  Al and I have always wanted to do something like that but never felt we had enough space.  We did it in our back yard and had plenty of space.  It was fun to show our old friends our new house too.  Tried to convince them to move out here.  I don't think I got any takers.  Oh well.  We had so much fun doing it that we want to make it a yearly tradition.

Back to School

Joshy's 1st day in class

Joshy's 1st day of Kindergarten

On about Aug. 21st our kids went back to school.  We had some big changes here in the Ramirez home.  Sam started Jr. High, and Joshy started Kindergarten.  Joshy didn't even want me to go in with him.  He said he didn't need my help.  He just couldn't understand when I said I was going in with him anyway.  Bella is now in the 3rd grade, and Ammon is in the 6th.

Trying to catch up June and most of July

It's been such a long time since I've blogged I would like to catch up on at least the high lights.  Maybe I'll get done before Christmas.  Ha ha ha.  Or should I say HO, HO, HO.

Al's a Winner!

In June Al received 2nd place in a Business Concept competition he entered for Tooele County.  We were invited to a special lunch where they awarded him there.  He received a plaque and some money.  Wu Hoo!  Way to go Al!

Merilee and Mark are sealed

 On June 9th I was able to go down to Las Vegas with my mom and sister to be a part of Merilee and Marks sealing.  It was so neat to be there with them and share that special day with them.  

 For the 4th of July we tried to find somewhere to go watch fireworks.  We found out they were doing some at the Deseret Peak after a rodeo they were doing.  We decided to tailgate it for this one.  The fireworks weren't that great but we had fun.

Scout Camps

Sam at Maple Dale.  Trying to stay cool.

Ammon's 1st scout camp

Sam went to Maple Dale for Scout camp this year.  Al went with him and said he wouldn't go there again.  Sam had fun, but dad not so much.  Al also went with Ammon on his 1st scout camp trip.  It was here in Tooele.  It was only one night and not so bad.

Swim Lessons

Bella

Joshy

Sam

We gave the kids swim lessons this summer.  Ammon took them too, but I didn't get a picture.  It was fun to see them all improve so much over the summer.  Sam was even able to pass off his swim requirement for scouts.  Yeah!

Matt and Evelyn's Reception

In July we had a wedding reception for Matt and Evelyn.  They had it at the Sky room on BYU campus.  It was a very nice reception. 

Matt & Evelyn dancing

Girls being silly & Gideon thinking they are crazy.

Keeping busy and oh so cute.

Joshy and Holland

Gideon and Alexandra loved playing with each other.

Ammon loved his job

Daddy daughter dancing!

Pretty in Pink

Family Camp out

 

We had a fun and adventurous camping trip with the Sharp side of the family.  It was raining off and on the whole time, but it was nice to be with family in all kinds of whether.  We even got a very wet, and for some muddy, hiking trip.  I think it was quite memorable and a great bonding experience.