November Happenings!

Sam's Nana moved from Chandler to Utah. They had just finished loading up the truck and were about to hit the road.

Sam made a goal this year to ride in the El Tour de Tucson. It is 109 miles. He did it in about 7 1/2 hours. He did really good. We were so proud of him!

Sam's brother Ray and his wife Jacque also rode, and Hyrum and Alicia rode a tandem bike. Everyone finished! Hooray!!





Jacob woke up with me at 4 in the morning to take Sam to the start line. The race started at 7am, but they had to get there early for a good spot in line. There were over 7,ooo riders! Crazy people. haha

Here is Sam with Papa about 11 miles from the finish line. He looks good! My family has an aid station that we volunteer at every year for the past 20+ years. This is at our station.

Here is Sam working on his next project. Daniel loves to help daddy! How cute!

He needs his painting hat like Daddy too!

Betsy was frying up the rice balls that her mother-in-law made.

We had Thanksgiving at our house this year. We had 40 people. It was lots of fun. All of Sam's family plus mine and even my Aunt and Uncle from Utah came. It was fun to hang out with everyone.

The bro's - Tim, Sam, Ray and Meno. (Hyrum was with his in-laws this year)

More family!

More!

Even more!

And then some more!

After the festivites - Sam, Daniel and Michael were exhausted!

Lots of fun!!

Halloween's past

I went through my pictures and found these fun pictures from Halloween's past!! Each of my boys have been superman their first Halloween and a Hobo their second Halloween.

Jacob 10/99 --3 1/2 months old


Michael 10/01 -- 5 months old

Daniel 10/07 --2 1/2 months old

Jacob 10/00 --15 months old

Michael 10/02 --17 months old = center - I wish I took a better picture :(

Daniel 10/08 -- 14 months old

Halloween, Javelina's and no water!!

The past few weeks have been pretty busy! Halloween was a ton of fun! We went over to our church for the trunk or treat. Sam decided 30 minutes before it was time to go that it would be fun to take a movie and projector for the car decorations. He was able to set up the Charlie Brown Halloween and it was a hit. Some of the parents had a hard time to keep their kids moving. We set up some chairs in front of the movie screen and they were always occupied.

Daniel was a hobo. We also dressed up Jacob and Michael in this same costume on their 2nd Halloween - had to keep up the tradition. I will be posting pictures of them too at this age in this costume. It's so cute - he looked like a little man. He saw a candle and was saying "ooooo!!"

Michael was Indiana Jones. He was able to get his "loot" in his shoulder bag - that was one prop that actually came in handy! Jacob was a surfer dude. Good thing it was a warm night!!

Poor Michael has been having some pretty crazy experiences with the wild life! A couple Sunday's ago we had all the family over for dinner - so it was pretty crazy. Michael had asked to go and get something from the car (you have to go outside to get to the garage). We were starting with dessert when I realized that I hadn't seen Michael for a while. I asked Jacob to check if he was playing outside. Jacob opened the front door and in came Michael running - - then crying. He had seen Javelina and was scared to death! He didn't know what to do and they were pretty close to him so he froze! Poor boy - he was traumatized!

Then a couple of nights later I sent the boys to bed and I had left their window cracked open because it was a nice night. About half hour later Michael came into my room and said that he couldn't sleep because he could hear some Javelina's. I wasn't too sure about that and so I took him back to bed. I listened for a minute then I closed his window because he was right - this is what we found right out our front door -- about 10- of them including babies!

Our water main broke - we had a little geyser and it was no wonder that our water pressure had been really low! Here is the boys helping their Daddy. Daniel loved the dirt!!

My friend is the Primary president in our ward. She was taking pictures of all of the kids for a project that she is working on. She sent me the picture of Jacob in an email. Can you tell he didn't really want to take a picture?? haha - little silly boy. Can you tell who his Daddy is or what?

Tagged -- 5th folder

Heather S. tagged me to do this: Open your 5th folder and post your 5th picture.

This was Michael's kindergarten graduation! He's in 2nd grade now. How time flies!

I am tagging = Heather W., Tania, Echelle, and Amanda

Duron Family Cruise

We had an awesome opportunity to go on a family cruise. Sam's parents are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, so we decided to make a big vacation out of it. All of Sam's siblings (except for Melanie - she's in Bangkok) and their spouses were able to go. Ray & Jacque also brought their 2 kids along.

Here is Mom & Papa just relaxing on the deck.


Here we are just leaving the Port of San Diego.

Betsy's husband Tim just won 2nd place for the hairy chest competition. It was hilarious and kinda yucky too! (way too many hairy men!!! haha)

Formal night. Mom and Papa (Manny & Patsy)

Manuel & Michelle

Hyrum & Alicia

Ray & Jacque and the kids, Haley & Ryan

Betsy & Tim

Us

We were up on the deck at the perfect time coming into Cabo San Lucas.

This is a picture of our ship the Elation from the beach in Cabo. The water was awesome!

Hyrum and Alicia were also celebrating their 9th anniversary.

This was up on the top deck. I believe it was some kind of antenna that rotated. I took the picture at just the right time.

Sam in Ensenada. That Mexican flag is so huge!

Papa bought 2 guitars - he was a happy boy!

Happy 40th Anniversary!! We love you!!

In Ensenada the boys all bought shirts - except for Manuel (he said he wouldn't wear it again so he didn't get one) Hyrum, Sam, Manuel, Tim & Ray

Here is Haley just before we got off the ship. She went and got 2 ice cream cones. She was a happy girl! We had ice cream whenever we wanted. It was funny, they joked around on the ship that you have never seen so many adults walking around with ice cream cones in your life and I think that's true!

Here Sam goes again!!

Sam has been busy once again. This one took a while. There is so so so much detail in this painting. The floor alone is so detailed. I am amazed every time that I see one of Sam's finished projects. This is just a fun photo of Michael and Jacob playing like they are in the painting. It also shows just how big it really is!
More fun! Crazy boys!!
Here are the lucky recipients of this artwork. Sam's brother Manuel and his wife Michelle. They just made the discovery that Sam painted Manuel into the artwork. Sam had room and he had to do a little improvising so he decided to surprise them!

Lots more September fun!!

Daniel LOVES babies! That was one of his first words. He is with his cousin Kanela. He was giving her hugs and kisses. So cute!!

Our nephew Zackary had his 3rd birthday. He is such a fun kid. Into EVERYTHING! I loved this picture - so cheesy.
I don't think Michael ate any cake - only frosting! Blue - as you can see!
We got Zack a present that he could maybe wear himself out with. He loved it! Power Rangers punching bag. He gave us a little show! We were highly entertained.
ok - so this picture is a little embarrassing, but oh well. Anytime I sit or lay on the floor Daniel makes himself comfortable. Sam wanted to test it out so he told me to lay down on the tile. He came right over and layed down right between my legs! Silly boy!!Tata and Sam took the boys shooting.JacobMichael
Sam's Uncle David got married on the 27th in Peoria. Here is Sam and Daniel just waiting. My cute boys!Uncle David with Nana (on the left) and his soon to be mother-in-law.Uncle David and his 3 sons - Josh, Andy, and Jared.Uncle David and Linda.Here is Sam's parents dancing. They were having lots of fun.