The MIghty Hunter

Dallin is our kid that was born to hunt!! It is seriously in his blood.  He can't get enough of it! He was the lucky duck that got not only an antelope this year, but our only kid that got a deer.  It isn't the "big" one he wanted, but when you are running out of days and time you take what you can get.  I'm proud of him. Hunting pictures are the ONLY pictures we don't have to tell Dallin to smile in.  You can't wipe the smile off his face when he is hunting. :)

Painting and Carving Pumpkins

Annual Hawkins Pumpkin Painting! We painted and did dinner on a Sunday afternoon this year so all the grandkids could be there....well, except Rhett.  He got the stomach flu Saturday and was still dealing with stomach ache and fever Sunday so he had to stay home.  Such a bummer!

 The kids are getting big enough now that they paint the face on the pumpkin so we never know what we are going to get.  This year we got a pig nose.  You know, because most pumpkins have pig noses. ;)

 For FHE Monday night we carved our pumpkins.  Oakley's pumpkin was SO HARD we couldn't even get a knife in it so she gave up and used marker for a face instead.  That works.  We are not picky people. 

Sure love this little family of mine. So blessed to be their mom and that even though they are getting older now they still go along with my crazy holiday traditions. 

Frightmares....ooooohhh

This year with our season passes to Lagoon we were able to go to Frightmares.  So fun!! So insanely packed with people (NOT FUN!) but still so fun! We went Friday night and again all day Saturday....until we couldn't stand the people and the lines anymore that is. 

 We were able to take Sage with us.  Her family didn't come because of new baby Autumn.  Laiklie was so glad to have her best friend with her and I was glad these two were good about letting me tag along since the "big" kids don't let me anymore. ;)

 We also stopped and grabbed Tyce to go with Rhett.  Rhett doesn't have a cousin his age on the Hawkins side and so he is always feeling just a little left out.  He was more than excited that Tyce was able to go with us.  I hardly saw these two the entire two days....unless they were hungry that is.  Then they would come looking for me. Hahaha!

 Oakley and Macady kind of just do their own thing too.  They are more patient than the rest of us and stood in some pretty long lines for the haunted houses.  So fun to be a teenager!

 No pictures of Dallin.  Him and JD get a ride with us to the park and home from the park and otherwise we NEVER SEE THEM! 

This has been a fun summer to have a season pass and be able to make several trips to Lagoon.  Such fun, fun memories for the cousins to make together! It seriously has been a BLAST!!!

Homecoming 2016 #TWO

Oakley is the lucky duck that got asked to TWO homecomings this year.  She got to go with Cody to Sugar's Homecoming, and got asked by Cannon to go to Bonnevilles.  After the dance with Cody they went out for ice cream and Cannon happened to be there and came over and told her how pretty she looked and so she was not about to wear the same dress again after he had already seen it.  So once again we were dress shopping in a short amount of time.  We found this gorgeous one online and it only needed a little triangle placed in the front which her mom was able to do. Yay! She looked absolutely GORGEOUS!!

 For their day date they went razor riding.  It was pretty eventful with one razor starting on fire. Ah! Everybody was fine though which is most important.  They then went to dinner at one of the boys homes.  This was a large group and several of the girls were cheerleaders and Oakley was nervous about going with them.  All week long Oakley said over and over again, "I just don't want to be the ugly one in the group." WHAT?!?! This girl has NO IDEA how gorgeous she really is! You can tell she fits right in and is definitely not the ugly one in the group.  Silly girl! She had a great night with Cannon and was excited to go to homecoming at her own school this time around. 

New Baby

Yvonne had baby Autumn on October 6th, so we were able to have her other 4 girls with us over the weekend that week.  We've had the babies most mornings while Yvonne tries to catch-up on her sleep from the long nights with new baby.  We love having these little girls in our home.  There is nothing better than cousins that live next door! :)

Rhett

Rhett is by far my most courageous kid.  He decided to run for Student Body President this year.  The process consists of anybody wanting to run writing an essay (in school without parent help) stating why they want to run and why they would be a good president, vice president, secretary or treasurer.  Then the principal and a few of his sidekicks pick 3 students to run for each category. Out of 50+ essays turned in Rhett was chosen as one of the top 3 for President.  He ran against two of the cutest, most talented girls you've ever seen.  He worked hard all week campaigning and on his speech/skit.  Of course he chose his bestie Raegan to be his campaign manager.  He got up infront of all the staff and students and did his speech/skit all by himself.  I am SO PROUD OF HIM!! He ran a great race and was excited for the girl who won.  He was asked by his teacher, Mr. Shiffler, to be the Class Representative in the Student Council, so he still gets to be a part of the student council and the decisions made there.  He teacher told me he ran a great race and actually won the vote in his class so he was pleased with Rhett and wanted him to be a part of the program.  I'm grateful for good teachers who make great efforts to reward kids that work hard for what they want.

Rhett also worked his guts out just recently to try out for the Drama Club part of Lumiere (the candle) in the Beauty and the Beast play that our elementary will be putting on this spring.  Lumiere has 2 solos and a large speaking part and Rhett worked really hard to be ready for tryouts and once again amazed me as he stood infront of the adult judges (I get to be one) and the other students and sang his song all by himself.  We were excited that HE GOT THE PART! More on that to come in the spring!

Powder Puff

Oakley got to play in the Juniors vs Seniors powderpuff football game this year. The Juniors were the yellow shirts.  It was a COLD night, but so fun to watch.  The ref's were TERRIBLE....probably paid off by the Seniors....hahaha! Doesn't surprise me.  The Seniors are suppose to win.  Fun game anyway!

Laiklie Turns 10!

And just like that our baby turns 10! Makes my heart sad that all my kids are double digits now.  She has been so fun to watch grow, I can't wait to see what the future holds for this precious girl! Laiklie was our little surprise that Heavenly Father knew we needed more than we did.  I'm so grateful that His plan is always better than our plan! He was definitely right on this one!!

 She is also a fuzzy lover like Rhett and wanted a fuzzy bathrobe....which she needed. Her other one was getting short enough we were about seeing bum when she would bend over. Hahaha! We got a long one this time! 

 She also fell in love with her brothers new fuzzy chair and needed one of her own.  We found a different version for her room though.

Laiklie is so good at everything she does.  She is becoming a great dancer and pianist. She is so friendly and everybody, young and old, love her. She is timed and shy and kind of hard on herself, but she is AMAZING and hopefully one day she will see herself the way those around her see her.  We love you Little Lu! Happy Birthday baby girl! You definitely are our Sunshine!

Hunting Season 2016

Ryan and a couple of the kids had antelope tags this year.  Dallin was the only one with time to go hunting with his dad and was SO EXCITED to shoot his first antelope! Congratulations Buddy! So proud of you!  His dad ranted and raved about what an excellent shot it was! Right on the mark! Great Job D!

Looky, Looky, We have a 40 Year Old!

I don't know but I've been told

Someone here is getting Old!

My sister Arnica turned 40 this year on September 28th, so a few days before her birthday we surprised her.....kinda.....she was expecting us!! We took her shopping and to lunch and spent the day in Logan together.  We surprised Jenny when she turned 40 too so I'm pretty much expecting them on my 40th as well. ;)  So much fun to have great sisters and a great mom! We love these fun days creating memories together! 

Rhett Turns 12

Rhett turned 12 on September 21, 2016.  What?!?! Crazy! I seriously can't believe it! What a blessing this guy is in our lives.  We love him so much.  He keeps us hopping and on our toes, but I don't know what we would do without him!

 He wanted a drone this year and anything fuzzy.  Rhett has ALWAYS been a fuzzy lover.  We found not only the fuzzy blanket he asked for, but this fuzzy chair for his new room.  He LOVED it!

 Trying out the drone.  It has been a little tricky to figure out, and the windy weather sure doesn't help. He is getting it though. 

 And of course, CAKE!

 Oh these two seriously wear me out! They also hold my heart! Love them!

Turning twelve also comes with receiving the Priesthood.  What an exciting day for dad and son.  We did it in our home Sunday evening, September 25th, because Grandma Hawkins had been out of town and that is when she could make it.  Grandma/Grandpa Jacobson were also able to be there.  Such a special day for a special boy!

Like I said before, these two little boys hold my heart.  They are only deacons together for 2 months.  Watching them, big brother, little brother, pass the sacrament together the first Sunday after Rhett received the Priesthood was such a neat thing for their mom.  I know it is only the first of many special opportunities they will get to do together both being Priesthood holders.  What a blessing to be able to raise sons in a crazy world that are worthy to hold the Power of God.  Incredible.  I am so blessed!

Homecoming 2016

Oakley got asked by Cody (from dance tour) to his homecoming at Sugar Salem High School this year.  She was so excited and they were so stinking cute together.  

Mickey needs Minnie and Tiger needs Pooh, and I need to go to Homecoming with You!

 For their day date they went four-wheeling and had a blast.

 She did her own hair and make-up.  This girl is talented!

It was kind of short notice so we had to HURRY and find a dress.  Finding a modest dress in a hurry that isn't a fortune was a challenge, but we lucked out and found this gorgeous one for $115.  That is seriously a steal! Grandma Jacobson covered the spaghetti straps with a sleeve and it turned out perfect.  She looked AMAZING!