21 October- Alisa's Birthday

Happy Birthday!For Alisa's birthday, the kids helped me wrap her presents, and then with hid them in two large plastic bins filled with foam packing peanuts. First she had to find them, and then the battle ensued.

Dad starting the epic battle

Cassidy's packing peanuts snow angel

Photo after the Final Battle

It's what fun...is.

Several days before Alisa's birthday, we decided to take the kids to Lagoon. They had never been and honestly, it had been a long time since we had been there either. The weather cooperated and it ended up being a really fun day.

Mckay and Mom on the Jumping Dragon, and Cassidy and Mom on Odysea

Cassidy: "I want to ride on the high thing."


Cassidy and Mckay riding their favorite ride.

Mckay wanted to be the pilot of his own helicopter.

Funny Face Contest:

Dad's entry (Cassidy took this picture)

Cassidy's entry

Mom and Mckay's entry

Cassidy laughing on her favorite ride

Mckay and Mom riding the "high" ride

Potty Trained

The day after Cassidy's fifth birthday Mckay woke up and said,

"Mom, I changed my mind. I don't want to wear diapers any more."

So cold turkey, I took the diapers away.

He has done great. After two days he has going potty down to a science and he has perfected the cross-legged run to the bathroom. I am excited because Mckay is trained a whole year earlier than Cassidy.

So for the first time in 5 years plus one day, Taylor and I are celebrating a diaper free life. We have taken the kids places, and not needed wipes and a diaper. Life couldn't be better.

However, there is opposition in all things......

Mckay has discovered how fun it is to put a whole roll of toilet paper, or paper towels, in the toilet. I am much better at plunging the toilet now.

Today while I was plunging, I found something unexpected in the toilet. (please view the picture below)

I'm not quite sure what I should do...should I just chuck it, or should I try and clean it for the kids to play with again???

May it begin.....

The Ensign's love NBA Basketball season.

We love the Utah Jazz.

On Thursday, October 15 we were given some tickets to a pre-season Jazz game. (Thank you Tyler) We decided to brave taking the kids to the game. The kids were so excited. They got dressed as fast as they could in their Jazz paraphernalia. We headed off to downtown to celebrate the beginnings of another Jazz season. We had a blast, the kids were great, and the Jazz won.

Waiting for Dad to pick up the tickets at will call

Having two kids is a blast. Now that they are older it is fun to be able to do so many fun things as a family. Cassidy and Mckay are such good friends too. I love to watch them play together.

Family photo, we are celebrating a win.

Our seats were great. The kids sat so much better when the could see what was happening in the game. Cassidy's goal was to dance and get seen on the Jumbo Tron. She would dance at every break. In the third quarter we made it.

For real life....this is Mckay's excited face

Taylor is always full of fun ideas. During the game, we left one of our cars at a state building where I work. When we stopped to pick it up, Taylor unloaded the kids from the car to go down the slide before we finished our drive home. It was dark and freezing, and the kids loved it.

October 12- Cassidy's Birthday

Cassidy waited and waited for her birthday. To her, this was the biggest day of her life. She was so excited she woke up twice in the night and then was up for the day by 7 am. Mom thought she would sleep in a little bit, so I had not decorated the day before. The first thing Cassidy did was look in the kitchen to see if it was decorated. I decorated as fast as she could after that!!! After a brief morning celebration Dad left for work. Cassidy, Mckay and I walked to the library to get Cassidy her very first library card. Then I had to head off to work for a quick meeting. Michelle, my sister-in-law, came over to watch the kids while I work. I told her to try and give both the kids a nap. While Cassidy was laying in bed, Michelle heard her say,

"This is the worst birthday ever...I have to take a nap."

Needless to say, Michelle let her get out of bed.

Morning Hugs!!!

After I got back from work I took Cassidy to get her hair done up for her party. I never knew there was such a thing as glitter hairspray.

Cassidy loved it and glitter is still stuck in her hair today.

We went to Bouncin Off the Walls for her party. So many people that love Cassidy came and made it the perfect party for her.

Thank you to all those that made the time in their busy schedules for Cassidy.

The Braggs

Cassidy and Pa Pa Eric
Brianna and Mason. Two of her 14 cousins.

Uncle Hunter performing a dare devil trick.

Cassidy and the "Burger"

Cassidy and Annie

Camille, the Aunt that always plays Barbies and Makeup Thank you for all the wonderful gifts. Cassidy loves everyone of them!

This was the best birthday ever!!!

The Apple Dumpling, no, The Apple Juice Gang

Wins-consin, October 8-10th

I have a sister that lives is Wawatosa, Wisconsin. Cassidy thinks she lives in Wins-consin. At the beginning of the month we had a sister/parent reunion at Ashlee's house. We spent a day as tourist in Chicago and a day in Ashlee's home town just outside of Milwaukee. It was a blast! Thanks to Taylor and Michelle for keeping the kids while I was gone, and to Mom and Dad who made this whole trip all possible.

This is me at the beach. I had never seen Lake Michigan before. It was fun to visit, but I am glad that I don't get the winter chill from that lake.
I love the sound of leaves crunching under my feet.

This is my kind of beach. Felt like a canyon and a beach all in one. It was really cold, the ten minute visit was all I needed.

We went to "So you think you can Dance?" in Milwaukee. It was a great show. Made me miss my dancing days. I just may have to purchase the "So you think you can Dance Exercise DVD" now. Get me back into shape, like my dancing days.

Mckay loves garage trucks. When we saw this yellow truck I had to snap a quick photo. We only get to see green and blue garbage trucks here in Utah.

Mums grow everywhere in Chicago. The busy streets are lined with beautiful arrangements, and they never need sprinklers. Wow, how would that be? The flowers at the Chicago temple were just beautiful too.

I love water fountains, especially if my kids aren't around to climb or fall into. I loved this one, I love the circular effect.

The Chicago temple and our rental suburban. Driving all around in a suburban with my sisters brought back so many memories. We must have matured some since the Weaver suburban days; we all willingly took turns in the backseat/middle, no more fighting over where we would sit.

September 29

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAYLOR!!!

Sorry the post is a little late....we still love you.

For a month before Taylor's birthday Mckay kept saying he wanted to get Dad a really, really big bouncy ball. When we went to Target they were all out. So instead Mckay chose dart guns. Taylor knew for 2 days before his birthday that he was getting "shooters" because Mckay was too excited to keep it a secert. During gift opening Mckay thought that because he was giving the gift he should open it.

Birthdays are so fun when you have kids to celebrate with. The kids were so excited to give Dad their presents.

Taylor got off work a little early and we hit the afternoon showing of "Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs." It was a great show, but it was even better because it was the first movie that both of our kids sat through. We didn't leave the theater once, and we weren't scolding the whole time. What better birthday gift could the kids give their Dad??

They will be invited to more movies again in the future.