Halloween in Arizona

So this year for Halloween we surprised Sierra with a trip to see her cousins in Arizona.
We told her about a week before we would leave that we were going. At this point we had not been able to make out for about a year and a half, and Sierra had been telling us lately how much she misses her cousins. So we got things in order and headed off for the Johnsons.

Friday morning was Sierra's Halloween parade at school. So as soon as we were done there we hit the road. Sierra was so excited her hair was standing on end.

Luckily for us Sierra has always been a good road tripping kid. Just pop in a few movies, and pack some snacks and drinks, and she doesn't complain. This allows us to drive all the way from home to Chandler with only one stop. However that one stop has to be the Flying J on the AZ side of the river. Sierra has always picked up a bottle of "bug juice" and some beef jerky once on the way out, and then again on the way home. This time she added a corn dog to her pickins.


We arrived at the Johnsons about 8:30pm and the kids came running out the house like caged monkeys escaped from the zoo. We were all excited to see each other. The next morning we got up and Jess had planned a fun halloween day starting with a spooky breakfast.


Jess and Meghan cooked up some ghost and jack-o-lantern pancakes complete with blood syrup with floating eyeballs.


Jake made some monkey bread and breakfast was served.


After breakfast Jake and Andrew took the kids to play at the park while Jess and Meghan went shopping and gossiping.



Sierra had so much fun playing with the kids.


I thought Jess might appreciate this picture of her fearless Ethan.











Witch fingers, monster mouths, and warty pizza


And worms in their drinks




Later for dinner before the kids headed out, they had mummy dogs, with blood sauce



Then we were off trick-or-treating






When we got back home Andrew fired up the pit and the sugar loaded kids roasted more hot dogs and freakishly large marshmallows




Sunday afternoon we packed up a picnic lunch and spent some time at a near by park.




We all took turns riding down the hill





Monday morning the kids decided to play hide and go seek



The cousins all had so much fun playing together



With a last outing to target to do some Christmas list shopping we were ready to hit the road back home.


It was so good to see Sierra have such a fun weekend with her family. Her cousins are never missed in her prayers, and even at her school thanksgiving party she said the thing she was most thankful for was her cousins.


Sunset crossing the border back into good 'ol Cali

Biker Chicks Rule!

Mom and Dad gave Sierra a new bike for her birthday present this year. She was so excited that she rode it up and down the driveway a few times. Then later that week she took her bike along to grandma Betty's house. Unfortunately she took a few falls while out on a short ride. Now being the stubborn girl that she is, she refused to ride again for almost a week, because she did not want to fall over again. So I took her to Balboa Lake to ride around on their pathways. She was very nervous about it and would only go about walking pace. When ever there was any kind of slope, even the slightest, she freaks out because it was to fast. So once we got to the picnic table we took a break and had some lunch. Sierra decided to try and catch one of the white egrets. She has taken a few more short rides since then, and is getting more comfortable on her bike. I just use 7-11 as a reward destination. Slurpees! I am sure a few more trips out, some bumps and bruises, and she'll be hard to keep up with.

Tuesday was Sierra's first day of Kindergarten. She is attending the chime charter school in Woodland Hills. She has been anxiously awaiting this big day all summer long. Mostly because going to kindergarten meant the death of her arch nemesis, the mid-day nap! She was up at the crack of dawn, mom was going to work late, and dad came home early from work, and we all headed out.

She was glad to meet up with her church buddies when we got there.


Sierra with friends from her primary class.
The two girls in the center, Aerlind and Stephanie, are in Sierra's class.
Veronica and Giselle are in another class together.

Each child was asked to bring a breakfast food that started with the first letter in their name. Sierra chose strawberries.

Helping her friends get a cup of water.

First time lining up for breakfast!

The teachers asked us to say our final goodbyes and Sierra would not smile. She was really nervous, but very brave she didn't cry.

I am so glad that she had friends there with her.

Heading to the classroom.

Sierra is a STAR!!!

When they go in to the classroom they have to essentially clock in.

Checking out the room.