Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was celebrated with my family at my sister Christine's house. Everyone was there. My parents along with my older brother, Galen and his wife Julia, along with Julia's sons Sheldon and Galen's four kids, Austin, Trevor, Dallin & Haleigh. Julia's parents also joined us for dinner. My younger brother Doyle, his wife Jody and their 2 kids, Allie & Ryan. Christine's family including husband Sean, kids: Garrett, Tatum & Dusty. And the youngest, Denise with her husband Cole and their kids, Addison, Lincoln & Linden. With my 6 the total came to 25. Christine's back yard was the perfect size.

Like every year I tried to take a few family pictures in preparation for Christmas. This was our "funny" shot. I think we could take 100 pictures and still not get great ones. So this will have to do for now. I'll see if one of the others makes the cut for our Christmas card. The kids enjoyed the trampoline, playground set and sand box before and after the meal.
Trying to make everything fit on around the buffet table.

Grandpa carving the roasted turkey.

Sean carving the smoked turkey.

Christine, Julia's Mom and Denise arranging and rearranging the table.

One of the kids' table.

It was a nice afternoon with family. The weather was cool but sunny.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Mesa Veteran's Day Parade

It has become a tradition for our family to go to downtown Mesa for the Veteran's Day Parade. This year we picked up Grandma and Papa Hastings and took them with us to the parade. My sister Christine met up with us just before the parade started. She brought 2 of her kids, Tatum and Dusty. Sean had to work and Garrett was at a sleepover.

I took a few pictures of us waiting for the parade to start and then turned the camera over to Jacob and Tyler to take whatever pictures of the parade they wanted to take.

165!

That's how many pictures they took of the parade!

165!

and they killed the battery. But it kept them happy and they got some fun pictures.Aaron, the only picture dedicated child I have. Everyone else could care less that I was taking their picture!

My Mom, Sister Christine and nephew Dusty.I tried to get Dusty to smile, but he wasn't having it!

Aaron and Tatum

Jared

Tyler

When we went to pick up my dad and mom, my dad had old army hats for the boys to wear in honor of Veteran's Day. Tyler wore his the whole time. Aaron's was off and on.
Jared's didn't last out of the car. Jacob wore his for about 5 mins. The best was Aaron thought he got the keep the hat and was surprised when Grandpa asked for it back. Aaron was told he could wear it anytime he visits Grandpa.

Mesa Citizen's Academy Graduation Night

Tonight was graduation from the Mesa Citizen Police Academy. Joe and the boys came along to the ceremony. They had a few speakers and then a slide show presentation, which we all got a copy of. Then they presented us with a certificate and class photo. Then we ate cake, a favorite for the boys.

Jacob was in charge of the camera. He had to "test" to make sure it was working correctly.

Getting my certificate from the Assistant Chief Dvorak.

These are the girls I sat with each week.

On the left, Adrienne Hassan, and on the right Danielle Fallbeck.

It was a very nice ceremony. I thoroughly enjoyed the 12 weeks in the academy. It was a great experience and one I suggest to anyone interested in the workings of the Police Department.

It seems a little weird that it's over. It has become quite the habit to go every Wednesday night to class. I'm sure I'll find other ways to fill my time.

Finally Retake #3

The final retake arrived via mail today! Just in the nick of time. I had a project I've been working on that was time sensitive due to an amazing coupon that expired today. So I can't say how excited I am that the final picture arrived. No more stress regarding this project. It's done, sent off and the coupon was good. This has been the best thing to happen all week. I'll take it!

By way of pictures....Aaron looks great. Kindergarten wears him well.

Retake #2...Tyler's 3rd Grade Picture

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Tyler's retake photo came back great!

2 for 2 so far. Hopefully Aaron's comes back great and we'll be 3 for 3!

Trunk or Treat

Tonight was our Ward's Trunk or Treat. We only took pictures before we headed down to the church for Halloween fun.

Here are my boys. Jacob wouldn't say what he was. Tyler was the Black Spiderman. Aaron was Bumblebee from Transformers. And Jared Buzz Lightyear.

The Trunk or Treat was really fun. Everyone dressed up, parents and kids. This year they had a sponge throwing board that the Bishop and Elder's Quorum Pres got it. It was a total hit.
Mom the Witch with the boys.

Joe was supposed to be a lumberjack. He left his red suspenders at his school office. That would have completed the look.
Happy Halloween!

Walk to Cure Diabetes

This morning we went down to Tempe Town Lake for the Walk to Cure Diabetes. The Asay family came to walk with us. There were so many people there, it was crazy. We started out walking and were planning on going on the short 1.5 mile walk. Quickly we realized we were on the longer 3.5 mile walk. So we took a short cut and went over the bridge with the big group and then doubled back over the other side of the bridge back to the park. It was better that way for us. The kids enjoyed looking out at the lake at all the kayak and boaters.

This is us getting started on the walk.Here is the Asay Family.
Tons of people. You can see them going up and around the hill.

And there were still tons of people still coming over the bridge and looping under the bridge.

They announced that over 1 million dollars was raised for research. I was able to raise $135. Thank you to all that donated. We are hoping that research can find better treatments for Type 1 Diabetics.