Santa Barbara and Noah's birthday

We were able to go to Santa Barbara to visit family and go to Disneyland.  My sister, Kelli, flew in from New Zealand to spend a month in the states.  We were able to see her for a few days and meet beautiful Kaela.  :)  We also were able to celebrate Noah's 6th birthday with family, which rarely happens.  What a special time for him!  The weather was perfect (low to high 70's the whole week).  What a great trip!

Great weather for a beautiful ride with his new toy

Beach day

So sweet!

Cousins!!!!!

St. George temple

Noah's 6th birthday party 

Disneyland!!!!!

We have waited for 8 long years to take the boys to Disneyland!!!!  We just have never found the right time.  My mom and sister Lyndsi took care of Luca while we took the three older boys to the happiest place on Earth!  I have been here so many times throughout the course of my childhood that it was so fun coming back to enjoy it again as a parent.  The crowds levels were great!  We didn't have to wait longer than 20 minutes on any ride, sometimes walking right on.  Perfect!!!  The boys earned the money over the course of 3-4 months doing chores, selling pumpkins, etc.  It was the most perfect day our family has ever had all together.  No whining, no fighting, no grumpiness, no tears, no complaining, etc.  Just smiles and laughter.  So fun!!!!!

Thank goodness Disney bought Marvel.  Meeting the superheroes was their equivalent of meeting princesses for the girls.

Harvest 2014

Making salsa and applesauce

The boy's annual pumpkin sale (to earn money for Disneyland).  My cousin Jesse decided to join us from Guatemala.  :)

Halloween 2014

Isaac's "Olaf pumpkin", Ethan's "Vampire Pirate pumkin" and Noah's "Zombie Vampire pumpkin"

Charlie and Lola (fitting costumes, seeing as how we stayed in The Montecito Inn, started by Charlie Chaplin, in Santa Barbara on our wedding night.  Santa Barbara was the original Hollywood before it moved south closer to LA).  

Trick-or-treating

Owl Creek Pass

We went for a drive and took a few pics while were up there.  We love Colorado in all its glory!

Utah with the Moores

Even though we don't have many photos of our time with the Moores we had a great time together!  They have 5 young boys (perfect for us) and a bike trail around their property (perfect again).  Jonathan and Tyler are great friends from BYU cycling days.  They had the chance to go on an epic ride in the Wasatch mountains.  Olivia and I were able to go and watch the Sunday morning session of conference.  It was wonderful!  Every message was exactly what we needed to hear!  

Provo with the Hirschis

We took off to Provo, UT for some R&R with good friends of ours, the Hirschis, a family we met in Charleston.  Our kids get along great, as do the adults,  :)  We went on a hike to Timpanogos Caves and went to a BYU football game.  We had an amazing weekend!

Timpanogos Caves hike

Timpanogos Caves

Our Alma Mater!!!

Fenton and Noah

Our Sunday devotional

Cascade Springs

Camping in Little Cimarron

We went camping with the Merritts for only one night, but it was very fun regardless!!!

Hiking in Little Cimmaron

Our family went on a pleasant hike in Little Cimmaron canyon.  So beautiful!

Luca Turns 1 (sniff, sniff)

Luca Ivan turned 1!!!!  I can't believe it!  How did he grow up so fast?  Every time he reached a milestone I was sad, so sad.  This kid has stolen our hearts, big time!  What a great year we have had with him!

Before and after cake demolition

We recycled that train from Noah's first birthday (a friend had it so he had never seen it before).  Haha!

Sweet little Luca is a blessing to our family!!!!

Imogene 2014

My husband is crazy!  No, really!  For several years now he has participated in this crazy race, Imogene Pass Run.  It's 18 miles, 10 of it uphill, reaching over 13,000 ft. in elevation.  We drove it in our jeep a few years ago and I still think he's nuts!  But...he LOVES it, and that's what counts.  :)

A training run with his friend, Chip, up to Ice Lakes

The race finish

School starts!

I have a love-hate relationship with the first day of school.  My freedom is taken away, but so are the brotherly fights ad daily drama.  My sweet little Noah started school for the first time.  He wasn't the slightest bit sad, which made me even more sad.  He is such a good brother and helper around the house that I knew I would miss him terribly.  When he got his shots he didn't make a peep or shed a tear.  When I dropped him off he ran excitedly and was so happy to finally be doing something for and by himself. I was so proud of him!  I was of course sad to see Ethan go as well, but it is his 4th time leaving for school (the first was in New Zealand).  I cried as I walked for 2 blocks, but then put in my headphones, turned on my music and went for a refreshing and liberating run.  What a great feeling!

Noah Manuel - First day of Kindergarten

Ethan Alessandro - first day of Second grade