Disneyland!

We keep reminding our kids of what a fun year we've had this year--Disneyland twice! Wow, we're really living it up! I have a feeling 2009 might not be quite so extravagent! Our November Disneyland trip was so nice--beautiful weather, short lines, family togetherness...We went with my parents, the Swoggers, and the Dave and Myndie Tullis family (altogether we had 10 redheads, and yes, I did count myself!). I must say the kids were surprisingly good--even Bridget who knows how to walk this time wasn't too difficult. And Gabe was actually more manageable--he didn't run away or get lost at all. Of course we had a few meltdowns and injuries, but all in all it was very pleasant--even Steve would have to admit that:0). We saw Minnie first thing on the first day--so exciting!
It was my birthday so Steve kept taking pictures of me--lucky for you all...

Bridgie didn't like the princess Minnie hat

Bridgie's first Dumbo ride--she kept tying to jump out!

Teacups--an odd but fun combination riding together:0)

Awwww, love. Not one of our kids got chosen for the Jedi training:(

Always have to get a few pictures by the big ball.

The snow-covered castle at night. It was decorated for Christmas, but it felt like Spring!

This is the rope Jonah clotheslined himself on. He tried to run after Bridget and didn't see the rope--it got him right in the neck and he fell on the cement, poor guy. It did leave an impressive rope burn.

Here's the scariest ride ever--the caterpillar in "Bug's Life"

More Bug's Life fun with cousins. It was so fun to have Dave and Myndie along--Sydney and Asher don't have any first cousins on the Jones side their ages, but the Tullis kids are genetic step half cousins, right? Good enough!

Not sure why we didn't take more pictures of the Tullis/Layton cousins, but here's a shot of the back-ends...

Ruby and Ash finding shade by the Christmas tree

Horsy ride

We loved Sleeping Beauty. She told Bridget she had the same color hair as her best friend Ariel.

A picture of the picture they took on Splash Mountain. We went over and over again without even getting off--there were no lines!

Baby Jay was a good little sport too, with his wide eyes all day!

Sleepy girl

classic Gabe face

I love that Ash isn't too cool yet for Winnie the Pooh!:0)

Steve's self portrait on Thunder Mountain.

Good times!

Last day of soccer

Sydney and Jonah both played on soccer teams this fall, and their last games of the season were on the same day. Here's Sydney catching her breath--as a "wing" she does a lot of running. Go CRUSH!

Team photo

Two red-heads taking a rest on the field.

Hangin' out at Jonah's game

Gabe in his own little world.

Action Jo!

Every baby has to have at least one of these shots...

Poor little girl--too tired to finish her mac-n-cheese!

Veteran's Day

Asher has surprised us all this year by joining and sticking with choir and drum core. He has to be to school early every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and he hates to be late. He really sings with vigor, and the drums are way awesome. So here he is singing for the Veteran's Day program. Good job, Ash!

Blessing Baby Jeneveve

On November 2 we were "up North" to meet our new niece Jeneveve. Here blessing was in Provo, and later we went to BYU for lunch. What a trip down memory lane--well, not really since I had never been in the ROTC building before (that was where the lunch was held thanks to Taylor's connections). The kids had a great time with cousins and only managed to set off a security alarm once. All the crazy boy cousins together

Sydney posing

And Gabe...always good for a picture

As you can see we where in a classroom. What studious children--or the back row class clowns?

Bridget loves Lexie!

Me with the baby--cute and all, but no temptation for me!

Sydney and great-grandpa Layton

Sweet Grandma Layton--the original Jeneveve

Mel, Mark, Jake, and baby Jeneveve

Lovely....how'd this get here?

The star of the day...look at those adorable cheeks!

Dave, Sarah, and Kayla

And that's what I call a Layton-side party!!!!

Halloween 2008

Halloween seems like ages ago, but I can't leave these pictures out of my blog. Here's Bridget as a scary pink skeleton. This year four of the five kids were skeletons, and I think the boys loved matching with their baby sister. Part of me wanted her to be a fairy ballerina or something, but it was cute that they all wanted to match. Too bad I didn't get even one picture of all the skeletons together. I guess that's typical! Halloween started out with the traditional school parade. Bridge and Gabe played on the playground.
That evening we went to our fourth? annual neighborhood Halloween party in front of the Dolce's house. We had a bounce house and giant slide, and we were lucky enough to have been joined by Nacho Libre & co.--they kicked the kids out of the bounce house to wrestle.

Gabe enjoyed the food and beverage at the party.

Asher's costume was downright freaky...

Sydney's costume was inspired by the "Thriller" concert we attended at Tuacahn. She's one of the zombies.

Well, here's three of the skeletons trick-or-treating. Asher was off with his friends--he thinks he's so old now!

After trick-or-treating Sydney and Berlyn had a Halloween party at Slemboskis house. They set up the projector outside and watched a movie and ate more treats. They did not want to invite boys--I was relieved!

Young Women in Excellence--10/28/08

On Octover 28 we went to our very first Young Women in Excellence program as parents. Here's Syd singing "Anything you can do I can do better" with a group of girls. That girl has guts, I'll give her that!
Here's her display

The whole group.

Proud parents....

Way to go Syd! We are so happy that she loves the Young Women's program (even though I miss her in Primary). She is turning out to be quite a wonderful girl--we love you!

Accidents happen...

and we all need to be a bit more understanding, right? For instance, just last night this little boy tearfully explained that he "accidentally" ate a whole plate of fresh, homemade doughnuts (from Sarah--thank you so much anyway!) we were saving for our family home evening treat. He sneaked away during the story to "go to the bathroom," and before he knew it, he had "accidentally"eaten them ALL! I hate it when that happens!