A Perfect Day Off

Today we celebrated Nevada Day so there was no school. We decided to spend the day playing instead of doing chores. Our day started with breakfast out. Then we went to the Bellagio Hotel to see the fall decorations. We then made our way to Penney's to do a little shopping and take advantage of a coupon. Next on the agenda was a matinee. We saw "Amelia" which was good even though the critics didn't like it. Finally we went over to Desert Shores for a walk around the lakes. We met up with Natalie and her family at the lake and had a chance to play a bit with them as well. Thanks, Nevada, for giving me a three-day weekend. I needed a break!

Trunk or Treating

Natalie invited us to their ward Halloween trunk or treating party last Wednesday. It was a really cold, windy night so reluctantly we left our nice warm house and ventured out. When we got to the church, we found out that many games and activities were going on inside the building. They served hot cider which was delicious, and it warmed everyone up. After about an hour, all in attendance went outside and the trunk or treating part of the evening began. It was really fun to watch Cali and Miriam run around and enjoy themselves at the party. After the ward party we went over to Natalie and Thomas' house for a yummy chocolate cake for dessert. Happy Halloween everyone!

Pumpkin Patch

Last night after a busy week we enjoyed some fun at a nearby Pumpkin Patch on Rainbow and the 215. Cali was so excited to ride all the rides. She surprised me and enjoyed sliding down a long blow-up slide as well as being harnessed and jumping up and down on a trampoline contraption with adult help. We wandered through a little maze made out of bales of hay; and as we were leaving, we bought a large pumpkin to carve later. Even Ashton enjoyed himself although he missed a feeding because we stayed so long. Ashton smiled and smiled and spent the evening looking at everything. He wasn't crazy about the idea of sitting on a stack of hay, but he good naturedly cooperated. After three hours of fun we headed home for a bowl of nice hot soup and a delicious bundt cake Natalie made using her fantastic baking abilities. Now I feel like Halloween is nearly here, and finally fall has arrived although it was 82 degrees yesterday afternoon!

Sheldon and Julie are Stars on ESPN

Sheldon, Julie, Jace, and a friend from school all went to a college football game on Saturday. The University of Utah played the University of Oregon in Eugene. As you can see from the pictures above, they were filmed by ESPN near the end of the game. Julie called us after the game, and she told us that a friend had told her that she had seen them on TV. We quickly looked at our TIVO menu and saw that the game was being rebroadcast late Saturday night. Sure enough, we saw Julie and Sheldon as we viewed the footage. Wow, I think they are stars!

Labor Day

For Labor Day Natalie and Thomas invited us as well as his brother and his family to spend the afternoon at Desert Shores Lagoon. We stumbled upon a community party that the association was throwing for the residents of Desert Shores. They had free snow cones and lemonade plus there were big blown-up toys for kids to play in. There was a DJ and some very loud music going on that could be heard everywhere. The best part was a tug-of-war across the lagoon with men vs. women and various combinations for teams. We had a wonderful time, and I'm sad that the lagoon is closed for the summer. The lagoon is now a favorite summer hang-out.

Galler Family Reunion

This last week all four of my girls along with their families were home for a family vacation. We had a marvelous time doing tons of different activities. We enjoyed swimming at Natalie and Thomas' apartment complex as well as swimming at Desert Shores Lagoon and Desert Breeze Aquatic Center. We went to several different parks in the evenings for the children to play and run off some of their energy. We had a tea party, a Baby Jace Celebration, and a luau. Sunday we attended Sacrament Meeting together and Baby Ashton was blessed. The girls went shopping, got a pedicure, and all went bowling, and out for lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Cafe Rio. We played Wii for hours and hours and enjoyed playing with clay and coloring pretty pictures at home. It was a fabulous time, and I hope everyone went home with happy hearts and good memories to cherish.

Having Fun With the Ellsworths

After five weeks of vacationing we finally are back home. Although all the trips were fabulous it was nice to sleep in our own bed, drive our own car, and settle back into our normal routine which included spending time with Natalie, Thomas, Cali and Ashton. One of the first things we did when we got home was spend an afternoon over at Ellsworth's apartment complex enjoying their swimming pool. Cali turned three on July 20th, so we had a "Tinkerbell" party for her at our house. We had dinner, played games, opened presents, and had a yummy ice cream cake that Natalie made. All in all, I would say it was one fantastic birthday party!!!!