Family pictures

I was bound and determined to get family pictures in front of "The Mittens." This is the part of Monument Valley that we see depicted everywhere- it's like quint-essential American west. Anyway- it took a lot of tries, but finally we had success!
This was our first try. the sun was right in our eyes, so the boys would not look at the camera.

This was on our way to the tour. I hoped to kill to birds with one stone, but we decided dressing warmly was more important than dressing cute.
We tried to beat the storm and did not succeed. Freezing rain was falling as we took this one.
Finally a nice day and happy boys. James isn't smiling, but after all those other attempts- this is definitely success!

James

James is growing up so fast! He is finally walking around. He always says "Yeah!" as he walks because so do we. He is such a cute little boy. He wants to be just like Spencer, so he tries to chase after monsters too. My favorite thing is that when ever Devon or I come back home he has to give us a big hug. He is such a sweet boy!

Super heroes

Spencer earned his Hulk costume for doing things (putting on shoes, getting dressed) by himself. Now when I ask him to do something himself he says "I don't have anything to earn yet." He is way to smart for this game!
Anyway, now he has a real costume for superheroes. This is his friend Jackson as Spiderman. Spencer decided he wants a Spiderman costume for Christmas. Save the day!

Painting

Spencer loves to paint. Lately James has wanted to do everything Spencer is doing, so he got to join in the painting. Good thing this paint is washable!

It's always fun at Grandma's House

For Thanksgiving we went to Devon's grandma's house in California. On the way we had to get new tires. It took about 4 hours- so the drive there was long- but worth it. We had a great time. Before we went Spencer said "I want to hug my Grandma all the time." No one hugs like a grandma- and he got lots of hugs. Devon's cousin Lorie was there too, and she was willing to play super-heroes so Spencer loved her. James loved being in a new place and finding things that aren't "James proof," he is in a very curious stage right now.
We did a lot of shopping. Also we went mini-golfing at the place where Devon's mom used to work in high school. Spencer loved it. This is his celebration after he got the ball in the whole- after 20 tries. He was still very excited.

His technique was a little odd. He would always ask me if I needed help getting it in. James was pretty mad to be left in the stroller- but it was the only way to keep our balls on the ground. Maybe next time James.
Here are the boys and grandma Roberts.
We got a good family picture for back-up in case there is no more good weather in Monument Valley. Thanks for helping us out Lorie
We had a wonderful time- thanks for letting us come Grandma!

Monument Valley Tour

So I really haven't posted forever! The book fair went really well, making more than double my goal. It was a lot of work- but it worked out well. I wish I could say it's totally done and out of the way- but the freight company only comes out here the second Thursday of each month- and I called on the second Friday- so we just have to wait until January- otherwise it went great!
So before Thanksgiving we went on a tour of the back country of Monument Valley. We have driven around it before, but there are many roads you can't go on that we went on on the tour. The Lafont's- our new friends from the library- who actually manage Gouldings invited us on the tour. They have twin girls Spencer's age. He absolutely loves to play with them. This was an amazing tour. I felt like a new explorer. It was cold- but beautiful!
So in no particular order, here are the pictures
Spencer is holding up one finger like the monument in the background, the totem pole

This is inside "The Hogan." It's supposed to look like an eagle when you look up at it- I didn't see it, but I don't have that huge of an imagination.

That's James out there in the distance. We mostly put him down in the dirt to play while we explored, he was perfectly content, and my arms got a little break.



Spencer was a regular mountain goat, and he loved climbing on the rocks!
Here are Vivi and Dessa climbing the hill. Isn't it cute that they are holding hands? This was a huge sand dune!
This pictures is sideways- I don't know how to turn it at this point, so just imagine!
This is water left from rain about 2 weeks before, that's pretty crazy. Spencer loved throwing rocks in the water.



James playing in the dirt- we live in a good place for boys who love to play in the dirt.
Our attempt at a family picture, it was freezing up here. Once we got into the valley it blocked the wind a little.

A little better family picture
All the kids throwing rocks into the water
Can you see the dragon sleeping?
Checking out the wares
We took the sunset tour- so the ride back was beautiful.
It was a great tour! We had so much fun- the boys loved it. Dirt, rocks and a bumpy ride, right up their alley.
We are very sad that the Lafont's actually moved last week. We miss them already!

Book Fair

Remember those book fairs you had in Elementary school? It was so fun to go to the library and actually buy books. Well, I decided to try hosting one of those at our very own Monument Valley Community Library. Because of how education has been set up here on the rez in the past (mostly boarding schools) families are slowly trying to add education to their homes. My parents always had tons of books, and I was lucky. People here don't have so many books in their homes. The library is great for that, but there is nothing like owning a book. So that is why I decided to host a book fair. The books are inexpensive, and hopefully people will take the time to come in and take a look. I am really crossing my fingers that it works well because it has been a ton of work. Usually a whole PTA works on it- no PTA here, so just me. Actually the honors society did help me out with decorations, good thing because I cannot draw (where are Elizabeth and Catherine when I need them?) So 41 boxes of books arrived today. Wish me luck and I'll see you in a few weeks when the maddness is over!

Family pictures

I had to record our failed attempt at family pictures for Christmas cards (we took 94 pictures, and they all look this bad), because someday I will think it's funny-right? Good scenery though. Spencer looked over the wall and said "I can see the whole world from here!"
This one turned out cute, but what boy isn't happy when he is crawling on a rock?

Hats

James loves crawling under and through things.
Also, trying on hats- isn't he cute?

Halloween

We painted our Halloween pumpkins this year since the boys chose really tiny ones. This is James' first experience with paint. He thought it tasted pretty good.
This isn't the best picture of Spencer, but he loved painting the pumpkins.
Spencer wanted to be a green monster for Halloween. He always helps me be creative. I think he looks like a cross between a Dr. Seuss character and a viking, but he thinks he looks like a green monster, and that is what counts.
I was Little Red Riding Hood, and James was Curious George. He loves George just like Spencer. He always points to the TV and says "Jo." his costume lasted about 10 minutes because he had a fever and it was hot- but it was cute for a few minutes!
These are creepy Jack-o-lantern pictures. Spencer was pretty sure they were real. Actually, when the fire alarm went off in the school he thought it was these screaming. Such an imagination!
Here's the whole family on trick-or-treating night. Devon is a "space cowboy" but you can see his buzz lightyear gun.
We had a busy week with a library party on Thursday, a carnival on Friday and trick or treating on Saturday. The party went well, by far the best attendance at a library event. It has been fu to get to know other people in the community through the library.
Devon put together a ring toss for the carnival. He was very excited about it, and it went really well. There was a line most of the night, and he made pretty good money.
Now Halloween is over, on to Christmas!