Sam's Homecoming

Today we went to the Bay Area to listen to Sam give his homecoming talk. We decided it would be easier to take the RV so I could help the kids get ready on the way and we wouldn't have to wake everybody up quite as early. Every time we pile in, I feel like we are a scene of out of a Chevy Chase movie! It's awful, but I'm sure it's one of those things we will look back at and laugh about someday. I'll let you know when someday comes.

It was a three hour balancing act! If you've ever taken an RV anywhere with kids, you know what I mean! Between blow drying the girls hair, getting breakfast for the kids (cereal and milk), cleaning up, snacks for Ashlyn, putting on my makeup between bumps in the road and a quick stop for gas, starting a movie, helping my mom with her new hair style (yes, she came too! So did my dad!), and trying to keep Ashlyn entertained all without falling down, was definitely a great ab workout!!! I was exhausted by the time we got there! :-)

We climbed out and my mom snapped a quick family picture. It was the first one in a long time that had all of us in it! (Yes, I changed my hair again...)

It was great to see the rest of the family and hear Sam give his talk. He has grown so much and we are so proud of him.

We spent some time visiting after Sacrament meeting and then headed home.

Linda's Baptism

On Saturday, we went to Sacramento to see Aunt Linda get baptized. The spirit was so strong as she was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I think we all felt Ronna's presence there, watching over her sister. We are so proud of Linda and are so grateful we were able to be part of the occasion.

After the baptism, we went over to Linda's house to celebrate! As always, it was so fun to get together with everyone! Kim and Linda

Linda, Grandma Bates and Ashlyn

I even got to meet Heidi! I met her once before at Ronna's funeral, but I'm not sure if that counts. The day was sort of fuzzy. We have been blogging friends for a few months and it was so fun to see her in real life! Heidi

Grandma, Ashlyn and Jason

Fresno State Football

Friday night, we went to another Fresno State football game. This time, we brought Austin. It was so much fun to have him there! He was really excited about how close we were to the field! He loved watching the game and I loved watching him get excited about the plays!

Some of his friends were there. They had a good time dancing around when the music would come on during time outs! It was cute! He has some moves!

They felt really grown up when we let them walk down to be closer to the field. They even helped a guy get the wave started! It was pretty funny.

I think next year we will get season tickets. We have really enjoyed going to the games this year!

Uncle Sam

Sam came down to visit on Thursday. It was so good to see him, but seriously, it was one of our busiest days in weeks! I felt so bad, but he didn't seem to mind at all.

Here is what the schedule looked like for the day:

8:10am- Lauren's Parent Teacher Conference. We are so proud of Lauren for doing so well in school! She received straight A's for the first quarter!

8:40am- School Awards Assembly for Lauren.

Lauren accepting her Academic All Star Award

9:30am- School Awards Assembly for Jessica

Jessica Accepting her Academic All Star Award for Reading. She was also awarded a certificate for High Honor Roll (all A's and one B)

2:15pm- School Awards Assembly for Austin- My camera stopped working!!! Luckily my sister, Jen, was there and took the picture for me. I'll post it once she emails it to me. Austin also received a certificate for High Honor Roll.

3:15pm- Pick up the kids from school

4:15pm-5:30pm Lauren's soccer practice

6:15 to 7:30 Jessica's soccer practice

It was SO busy! My assistant had the day off, but I was so lucky Jason had taken half the day off work so he could hang out with Sam. I was making lasagna and realized I didn't have an onion and there was no time to load everyone up to run to the store. I called Jason who was out running around with Sam and they brought one home for me! Yeah! Later, Ashlyn was taking a nap when it was time for Lauren's soccer practice. Once again, it was Jason and Sam to the rescue! They were happy to go, but I felt bad having them run around for me. Sam said it was nice to feel like he had a purpose for the day. Sigh. I love him! Thanks Sam!

Ashlyn wasn't sure what to think of Sam at first. I think she was nervous because he is so big!! He's like 6'5" or something! Seriously, how tall is he? He was really cute with her though. I got this cute picture of him trying to win her over by reading a book to her. (She loves books!)

Jason, Ashlyn, and Sam

We were glad she got to spend some time getting to know her uncle Sam! We are so glad to have Sam back home. Jason missed him so much while he was gone.

Football Highlights

Austin's football season has come to an end. I will miss seeing him all decked out in his uniform! He looks so grown up! Here are a few pictures from the seasonAustin

Going for the tackle

Gotcha!

Me (Tara) , Grandpa (Bill), Grandma (DaNae), and Ashlyn

Tara and Ashlyn

Lauren

Austin all tired out after the game

It was a great season! We are looking forward to next year!

Halloween

Halloween was so much fun this year! Jessica, Austin and Lauren Lauren and Jessica

We went to my parent's house for dinner and then went trick or treating in their neighborhood with them and my sister, Jen, and her family.

Ashlyn loves her uncle Jeff! Ashlyn, Jeff, Jen and Brynne

Ashlyn, Jason and Tara Rickards

Ashlyn and Brynne
Ashlyn trying to get into her candy

Garrett, Jessica and Lauren with their loot of candy

After that, we went over to the McCauley's for a Halloween party! The kids went out trick or treating again and loved spending part of Halloween together!

Haley made a bunch of very creative and yummy Halloween treats!

Haley McCauley (Isn't she beautiful?!)

Haley, Peyton and Aaron McCauley

Our favorite rock star for the night, Jason Smith

Jason with costume envy!

Pure Happiness

Driving home from the San Francisco airport Thruday night, I looked over at Jason and noticed he had a far away look in his eye and a slight grin on his face.

"Okay, share," I couldn't resist asking. "What's on your mind?"

Jason's answer came a lot faster than I expected. "I want a tractor! If I had a tractor, I would be so happy!" His tone was half teasing, but I could tell he was almost serious! "I could move dirt all day! I could make whatever I want! I saw one on craigslist for $4500. Can you believe that? $4500 bucks for pure happiness!"

Here are some old pictures of Jason on borrowed "happiness"

Jason and Austin December 2005

Welcome Home Elder!

Thursday night, Sam came home from his mission in England! I can't believe it has already been two years! We let the kids stay up late Wednesday night to make posters to welcome him home. They were so excited when we picked them up from school. They couldn't wait to see Sam and didn't complain even once about the long drive to the San Francisco airport!

Elder Schull, Austin, Lauren, and Jessica

Elder Sam Schull and Ashlyn

I wish I had captured more of his first minutes off the plane, but I had my hands full! ;-) I'm going to have to get copies from Danale and Mindy!

We hung out at the airport for ever! It was so exciting to see him that nobody wanted to leave! I think everyone had sore cheeks from smiling when we finally left.Sam, Steven, Ashlyn, Jason, Danale, Colton and Justin

Colton and Ashlyn

Welcome home Sam! We missed you!