Getting Ready for Christmas!

 Yes--we're still here and busy as ever! Lots of dance shows, gymnastics shows, parties and getting VERY excited for Christmas!!!

Sophia and I even got to go see the Nutcracker last night with cousins, Grandma Ward, and both Aunt Melissas!! Girls Night Out--as Sophia says!

Incredible Halloween

We had an INCREDIBLEs Halloween! How about you?

We had fun at school parties, parades, carving pumpkins, etc. Then at our annual family party we had a good time eating yummy food and treats, playing games, etc.

Ethan loved his Dash costume--a little big, but wow could he ever run fast in that thing!

Violet was stunning and very disappearing!

And baby Incredible

We had fun and the kids had a great time trick-or-treating of course! Our whole neighborhood had a great time despite the drizzle!

My sister and brother-in-law put on a spook alley for their ward and did an amazing job! Click on "The Hightower" blog to watch the video--they inspired my kids who were turning their bedroom into a spook alley all night long for Travis and I to come get SPOOKED at!
Happy Halloween!

Call Me Anytime!

I love talking on the phone. Even if all I do is say "Hi!" repeatedly and give kisses, I've got to keep up with my people. Trust me, I FREAK out if I can't talk to everyone that calls. I can hold the phone against my shoulder, talk with my hands, say long ramblings of random thoughts--there's a lot going on over here. Here I am talking to Aunt Laura tonight. I miss her. Anyway, got a call coming in, so see ya! Love ya! Call me!

"Staycation"

Travis went to Florida....so we needed a break from the usual too! Our "trip" was lots of fun too! It involoved:

An art fair--complete with projects for the kids to do followed by ice cream 

A pool (visited it a couple times)

A Star Party!! With NASA telescopes to look at the moon, stars, Jupiter, and Venus! Very exciting!

Red light flashlights to help view our star charts

A Planet walk

HUGE Shakes at our hotel, jumping on the beds as much as we wanted, staying up late, cartoons, and breakfast that mom didn't even have to make OR clean up!! Awesome! 

A definite highlight was riding the elevator and pushing the buttons (Ethan's job) and using the card key to open the door (Sophia's job)

My favorite line repeated frequently by Ethan was "KIDS ARE IN CHARGE!!!" They loved doing whatever they wanted all weekend long! It was a fun break.

To top ot off--Grandma Stewart was here for a quick visit!

Travis had a good time in Florida too--at the beach, good food, good friends, BYU football game, long drive home!

Last few days of Summer...

We've been enjoying the warm weather and last few days of summertime.

Last trip to the outside pool...

Ready for church!

Dinosaur museum

Bubbles!!



Farm country

Hike up Big Cottonwood Canyon

Boots at the park!



1st day of school!!

It's that time of year again! But this time she's gone all day long!! Yikes!

Here's our cute girl all ready to go!

Ethan started prechool the next week. He is having a great time too!

Lake Powell

The Stewart's Annual Trip to Lake Powell!

We all had a great time at one of the greatest places on earth! Warmest water, best glass to ski on, fishing, games, food (notice no adjective to describe--my parents tried to pass a bean and rice thing off as a hamburger is all I can say--trying to force their "diet" on us--yikes), hiking, lots of swimming, and FUN!! Unfortunately not everyone could be there (Laura started her RN job in SF!!) so here's some pictures to fill you in sis!

Sophia loves tubing--Justin and his friend Jill went with Sophia on a 14 mile tube ride if that tells you anything! It was in the channel where there are mile markers; that's how I know the distance!

Daddy and his girls rafting

Fishing! Ethan, Sophia, and Dad all caught a TON of fish--catfish, bluegill, carp

Waterskiing! Sophia waterskiied on the boom to the side of the boat! I think she mainly just liked the outfit, but she did a great job too!We did have some rain, but don't worry--the boys had 8 anchor lines out! Can you tell we have been here a lot and know about the storms that can blow in?!

Skiing on glass!! (early in the a.m. of course thanks to my brothers!)

Justin's run--still got it after the mission--Eric and I aren't sure how he managed to miss only one year of The Lake but served a 2 year mission?! (an early June trip before he left in 2008, missed 2009, back for 2010--well planned Jay)

Eric's definitly still got it--he and Justin are also getting pretty awesome at the sky ski (air chair) but I didn't ever have my camera on the boat.

Dad getting ready--he's still great too!!

We call this "Praying for the glass" Really, Eric already had his ski on before the boat gremlin shorted out the starter switch. Once dad got it going again, we had to go searching for some glass.

Brynn playing with Grandma!

Ryan catching some air

Sunrise or Sunset? Only the breakfast club gets this view! Fun trip! Thanks Mom and Dad!