iphone pics

We put our Christmas tree up the other day. The kids got up so excited to see the tree box. We put on some holiday music and had a fun time decorating the house. They even put up the little trees in their rooms.

My parents went out of town so we had our dog Noodle back with us for a few days.

 Kali took this photo on my phone and I had to share it. She's getting so grown up. She's pretty and so kind to others. She struggled with school the start of the school year and now she's doing very well. I'm really proud of her. It was a big learning curve to change to a more challenging school. She's in student government and year book and loving it!

 Kali has had asthma since 1st grade and was sick a lot during the fall/winter months but since Dr. Padrez told her she needed to gain weight it been a HUGE change. Kali has not been sick and not used her inhaler once. She is so happy to be able to go hiking and not miss any school. We hiked one of the trails at Squaw Peak and the views were amazing! It was a such a beautiful clear day.

It's been SOOOO cold this week. Like in the 50's which is nuts for November in Phoenix. Kora and I have been happy to wear our winter hats.

Hiking

It has finally cooled off enough for us to go hiking again. I love this time of year!

Nicer weather

It rained a lot a few weeks ago and of course the kids ran right outside to play in the puddles

 Then we headed over to Home Depot and bought garden seeds, plants and winter grass seed. Our grass is coming up now and so are our pea pods, sunflowers, lettuce, sage, cilantro, okra, spinach and broccoli plants.

 We also helped plant a garden at the school too

 Kai and I enjoyed a hike. I am so glad that we're finally out of the 100's.

 Kai is definitely happy because now they don't get so hot at recess.

Lately....

I've been trying to sub two days a week so Kora spends time at my parent's house and my Mom took these cute pictures of her playing. 

 Here we are in the van waiting to pick Kali and Kai up from school.

 Kora LOVES going to her preschool class. Her teacher said she is such a good girl.

 We went hiking last week with my friend Heidi who I've known since 7th grade. 

 Kali was such a good helper with the little girls. 

 It was such a beautiful day & we could even see snow on some of the mountains to the east

 today is Cardinal's spirit day at school so the kids are all dressed up in Card's gear

 Kai is SO excited for the game on Sunday. Last game he made us all these cardboard hands to wear during the game. 

Mountains

Kali and Kai came with me to hike Lookout Mountain on New Year's Day. It was the first time they've come with me & they loved this hike.

We all went on one last hike before back to school on Friday. We took an easy trail on North Mountain for Kora. It was fun and the weather was perfect. 

Hiking Quartz Mountain

It rained yesterday morning so Kai's soccer games were cancelled so we called his soccer friends to come over and go on a hike with us. It was a beautiful clear day since the rain got rid of the pollution and we had a great view. 

Hiking

Hiking Weather

Hiking the hill

The other day the weather was perfect!

While Kora napped & I cleaned,  Francis took the kids hiking on the hill by our house. Kai brought his little goo ball shooting guns and they had a great time.

 Kali is really working this pose with a water bottles and our rock stacks we all made on the hill.

 I love how much our kids like to be outdoors.