Makenna was in the Nutcracker this year. She was a flower and a candy cane. She really loves taking ballet. Here she is with Erin a tin soldier.
She looks like she should be on one of those jewelry boxes we got as little girls.
Her fans minus a few that were busy trying to break into lockers!!! Shame, shame on you.
The cast.
This is Caden on his first day of "real" school. We've had a few personality conflicts, so after many arguments, discussions and tears, Caden enrolled in the 4th grade in a school here. He calls it "real" school. He is enjoying it thus far, but on the second day wanted to know when summer break starts, and then a few days later wanted to know if he could go back to k12. We will keep you posted.
They went caving....
Caden ripped his shirt on a rock....
Makenna's idea to take a picture laying in the street.
Although we were suppose to be in Boise for Thanksgiving, the only way for us to see Dean was to meet in St. George. So the kids and I left Tuesday afternoon and Dean left at midnight Tuesday to meet up with us. We stayed with Dean's Mom, who does everything from scratch!! So the boys jumped in and helped. Makenna was still sick and we didn't want her in the kitchen. Although she would have come up with an excuse anyway, cooking not her thing.
Jenny had gotten these kits for the kids to do. We had a friendly competition between the boys and girls. They took it very seriously. Each team worked in separate rooms and tried to send spies to check out what the other was doing.
Adele, Anna and Piper were flying to Boise to spend Thanksgiving with our family, but ended up with a detour to Salt Lake. After many delays and running through airports they made a stop in Salt Lake. It was not a scheduled stop mind you. So they came with what Adele had in her carry on, aka a diaper bag, and that's it. But we loved the one night they stayed with us. The girls are so happy and easy going, they are a blast to be around. And although you can't tell, Adele is pregnant with number 3 due in May!!!!
Rhett has been fascinated by archery for quite some time. He always asks when he can have a real bow and arrow, and we just skirt around the topic. So the other day, he made his own. And it works. Pretty smart kid.
Dean is such a show off!!! Every year he does a great pumpkin carving. I am so old school, a couple triangles and and mouth and its good. But not Dean. He's done things from Winnie the Pooh to bats, 16 years of Halloween's and his is always the best.
Rhett was a Cereal Killer, Caden a Mummy and Makenna for this picture a ballerina.
Then she changed into her flapper costume.
Pumpkins and snow!!!! These were taken with my phone. I need to take some with the camera so they turn out better. But it looks like the kids may be trick or treating in snow suits.
It was a do it yourself year. The boys each wanted to do something different...
Caden wanted to carve.....
Rhett wanted to paint....
And Makenna didn't want to do either. 
Dean came home for his birthday, so we took the kids to a corn maze.
Makenna
Rhett
Caden
The kids went through by themselves and they found their way out. Luckily I had Dean with me and he has some sweet navigation skills. Otherwise I may still be lost in there.
Rhett got to meet one of his favorite authors over the weekend. Brandon Mull writes the Fablehaven Series and Candy Shop Wars. We went to a question and answer and then stood in line for almost 2 hours for his autograph. Mr. Mull was very kind and took time to talk to each fan and sign as many things as they asked him too. 
While driving to California, we went the back way around Utah Lake and came across this gas station. Okay, there was no gas, but it was really cool.
Dean went for a ride the other day and this is where he ended up. Beautiful view. Guess the street bike is now a dirt bike!!!
Makenna's first day of high school after she got home!!! I totally forgot to take a picture of her in the morning, so here she is after her first day. :) She has a full schedule, Honors English and Geography, Debate, PE, Biology, French, Algebra and Seminary. She is enjoying all her classes and being at a "real" school this year. The sling, I will explain in another post, dirt bike accident.
We have been busy, girls camp, California, Scout camp, Idaho, Makenna's first day of high school, GO TOOELE BUFFALOS. But....we have also had a new cousin born into the family. He is so lucky to have so many Aunts, Uncles and cousins to love him. Duncan Tyler was born on July 23rd to Tyler and Aubrey. I promise to update in the next few weeks. Dean is living in California and the kids and Jill are still in Utah since the house hasn't sold yet. Have a lot to put on here, just keep running out of time.
On May 24th Dean ordained Rhett to the office of Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood. Rhett wanted to wait until Dad was home. He got to pass the Sacrament for the first time the same day. He was very excited. 
The whole family. 
We had 17 flags in our front yard the other day. On Flag Day, June 14th, it rained so on Monday we had all the flags in our yard to dry. Rhett's Scout Troop puts them up as a fundraiser for camp.
It poured rain on them, they were covered in mud, but still had smiles on their faces.
First stop, bathroom. Flushing toilets and a mirror!!
Makenna left this morning on Trek. They reenact the Mormon Pioneer Handcart Companies. She will be gone for 4 days, pull a handcart, sleep outside in the rain, kill a chicken and walk 25 miles. If there were a Pioneer Pageant these girls would win. So cute Madison and Makenna.
Some of the youth from our ward going. I can't wait to pick her up on Saturday and hear all about it. I doubt she'll look this clean.
Dean came home in May and was here for 3 weeks. Then he was off again to North Carolina for 3 weeks. We had wanted to go camping, but it rained almost everyday he was here. We put sprinklers in the backyard in hopes that the house will sell.
The kids made this sign. 
These loaded backwards, and I'm too lazy to redo them. Makenna was a black bird in the Sleeping Beauty ballet recital. This is all who came and watched her perform, Natalee, Charlene, Madison, Kai, Caden, Reese and Rhett. (Not pictured: Jill and Allison)
Tormenting Prince Phillip. Makenna even stole his sword.
Following the Evil Queen.
Showing up at the party to celebrate the Princess Aurora. 