The Spooky Skidmores

All of my mom's hopes and dreams came true -- we had our first Skidmore Family Halloween Party. We just love our spooky Grandma and the cute baby cow. (We think Grandma should keep the dark hair, too!)

All of Jeremy's kids want to be "something dead" for Halloween. Here's our dead zombie Jade with Grim Reapers Jack and Dallin.







The highlight of the party was a guest appearance by Darth Vader. Cameron (Mario) and George (Link) tried to take him down. Carson was so scared that he wouldn't come upstairs until Vader was gone. (I used this during church today. I said I'd get Vader if Carson wasn't reverent. It worked for a while!)

Field Trip to the Dinosaur Park

Jason's sister Karissa is the most amazing preschool teacher ever, with super fun field trips each quarter. The kids even get to ride a bus! Cameron and Carson thought they were so cool.

Here's George next to his "girlfriend" Meka. He came home after the first day of school just gushing about her: (imagine a deep, loud George voice) "There's this girl named Meka and I just love - I mean like her a lot. She has long hair and wears a pink shirt and I just love - I mean like the way she looks, etc., etc."

I thought I was eating lunch with a bunch of dinosaurs.

Cameron asked me to help him color in the lines. He tried so hard and I think he was quite creative.

The boys had so much fun. They loved playing at the dinosaur park, walking around the trails, and exploring the museum. And, Carson only got lost once!

5 Minutes Before Preschool

And I thought they were being so good playing outside together! After a few pics and a quick shower, we were off to preschool.

The Magical Layton Park

Not that I'm biased, but the Layton Park is the most beautiful park EVER. Where else do you find an amazing duck pond, winding paths, scenic bridges, and a playground with the banished, dangerous, retro merry-go-round!


Six boys under the age of 8 -- all under one roof at Grandma's house!


Oh the memories of being thrown from a merry-go-round. The boys cannot get enough! I must be a grown-up now, because I thought I would die after getting on just to take this picture. (Oh, the dizziness!)

Life at Grandma's

Life at Grandma's is pretty good. I did have to lay down the rules for my mom, though: No cooking or cleaning up after the kids. Just "Grandma Stuff" -- leave all the dirty work to me.

Grandma loves a good tea party. She has been known to throw together some Root Beer/Diet Coke mixers.

Tea parties with 6 little boys can be a little rough. Grandma has to deal with plenty of burps, spills and the occasional food fight.



Cheers!

Grandma hosted a Mad Libs party. The boys were pretty hilarious! (I just LOVE Utah Summer nights!!!)

Here's Jack and Dallin's Studio Apartment -- complete with kitchen table, fridge, toaster and sink. I walked in the other day at 4 p.m. and found them all eating cereal and Eggo's. They think they are so cool!

Viva Las Vegas!

Goodbye Las Vegas
(Or "Lost Begas" as the little guys call it.)

We dragged the boys to various Las Vegas sites during our last few weeks as "Vegans." Don't they look thrilled in these pics? Cameron is my favorite -- he looks thoroughly dejected that we are taking his picture.

The beautiful Bellagio gardens.

Our farewell fountain shows were two of the cheeziest songs: "One, Singular Sensation" from A Chorus Line and "My Heart Will Go On," from Titanic.

Ahhh, Max Brenner -- my dream restaurant come true! I felt like I was at Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. Even the air smelled like chocolate!

Jack and Dallin loved their cocoa and milkshakes.

Here's Carson's chubby little paw going after the amazing cake/chocolate/marshmallow hamburger complete with strawberry ketchup and creamy mayo dipping sauces.

Cameron was in complete heaven.

Bucket List Time!

The Grand Canyon
Pathetically, we had never visited the Grand Canyon while living in Arizona for 8 years and Las Vegas for 4. So, (inspired by the Allreds) we took a day-and-a-half-trip to Kingman, the Grand Canyon Caverns and the South Rim.

We stopped by our old neighborhood in Kingman. We loved this home, and not much had changed in four years.



Good old Route 66. It's so "Radiator Springs" out there!

It was crazy taking an elevator 21 stories down! The boys loved the cave. Carson loved terrorizing us in the cave. He kept trying to touch everything and then would run away from us. He especially ruined the "moment of silence" the park ranger tried to do to show us how quiet the cave was. (She tried three different times and Carson would make a weird sound every time. We were so embarrassed!)

We were in awe of the Grand Canyon. Even Carson seemed impressed by its grandeur and beauty.

Nauvoo

The boys were SO excited to fly in an airplane that they were in the car by 6 a.m.!

Our first stop was Kansas City, MO. Check out all those Taylor cousins!

"Elder" Grandpa Taylor gave us a great wagon ride and tour of Nauvoo.



Learning how to make candles from "Sister" Grandma Taylor.

Don't let that innocent smile fool you. Carson enjoyed terrorizing Nauvoo -- picking flowers, running around at all of the sites, and yelling inappropriate things (like "Stupid Baby!) during spiritual moments.

Cameron said he was "making crepes" for all of the kids at the pioneer park.

No, this handcart really isn't that heavy. Nauvoo is just a super sweaty place!

The chaos before a family picture. (I'm not sure who took this photo since Jason and I are in the picture? It's another Nauvoo mystery!)

We just loved the temple. Especially our VIP tour by Pres. Spencer Condie! Those Taylors are the stars of the mission, and they arranged this little surprise for us.

Nauvoo is a magical place. You can feel the spirit of the pioneers so strongly there. We are so grateful to our missionary Grandpa and Grandma who provided this amazing week for us!