A day off from school

Today the kids had school off for Veteran's Day. I was originally disappointed when I found out it was a day off during the middle of the week and more disappointed when I found out Brendon couldn't sneak away from work so we could go camping. But it ended up being a great break and a nice way to break up the week. Last night we had a quiet night at home and were finally able to sit by the fireplace outside and snuggle up with blankets. We played a couple of games and went to bed early. In the morning we enjoyed being able to lay in bed and watch some cartoons before we were off and running. Daisy had her first trip to the groomers. We were shocked when we picked her up and she looked like a big fur ball. She looked twice her size and we hardly recognized her. On the way home Makenzie asked if we checked her tag because it looked nothing like our new puppy.
It's hard to believe how much our little Daisy has grown. The picture above was taken today. The picture below was taken only three months ago in the same chair. I can't believe how much she has grown! The "poof" that she got at the groomers doesn't help much.

The kids have even grown.......time really flies!
I had heard recently about letterboxing and found a website www.letterboxing.org) that gave us hints to a letterbox up on "A" mountain by ASU. We went to Michaels and found our family stamp and then went on our scavenger hunt. Madison brought her friend Lexi along.

The kids found the box really quick but we still finished heading all the way up to the top of "A" mountain. The view from up there was incredible. I can't believe I've grown up in Tempe, went to college at ASU but I've never hiked up the mountain. It was so much fun.
The kids made it all the way up to the "A".
After our scavenger hunt we met the LeClaires at the zoo.

The stingray exhibit was awesome!
We stayed until close and the animals were ready for dinner. We got to hear the lions make noise and the tiger roared a few times at us.

A week with Hunter

This weekend I was going through some of my pictures from the week and I realized how many I snapped of Hunter. I sat and giggled at each picture and realized how funny my little man is. Most days he can be SO LOUD but at the same time that boy is so funny. He brings so much happiness to our family......I thought I'd share some of our moments. Sunday, November 2: All ready for a Ranger ride with dad
Sunday, November 2: We made brownies and the kids wanted to lick the bowl. Hunter took it to the next level.
Brownie batter all over his face!
The girls thought it was disgusting.....he thought it was great!
Tuesday, November 4: My sister (Kayla) is getting married December 5. Hunter is going to be a ring bearer in her wedding. We tried part of his outfit on and Hunter thought he was so cool. He is so excited that he gets to dress like his dad. As soon as the camera was out he had all of the moves going on.
Hunter and big sister Makenzie

Sunday, November 9: The kids (including Kandra) playing out front. Hunter thinks our blow up is a chicken and tells all of his friends at school that they need to come see our chicken.

This week went by so fast. Makenzie had her second grade music performance at school and did a great job. Madison is back to participating a little in soccer and is doing really good at physical therapy. Her limp seems to be disappearing and she's not walking like a rapper anymore. I'm not sure they will let her play in a game the rest of this season but we're hoping she will be all better by the time she plays again in January. My sister, Kandra, came in to town this weekend for a bachelor/bachelorette party for my sister Kayla and her fiance Aaron. The girls went to lunch while the guys played golf and then we all met up for bridal party olympics and a bbq. It was the bridesmaids against the groomsmen in relays in the green belt by their house. It was so much fun. My sister in law Christy took a fall for our team but provided all of us with some great laughs. I think there will be a rematch very soon......All of us Hoffmann girls are too competitive.

Halloween

Last night we got together for Halloween! Madison was a clown, Makenzie was a witch and Hunter was Darth Vader.

The cousins joined my kids for the night. Collin was batman, Brody and Braden were the cutest cowboys in town!

Grandma and Grandpa Stratton joined the fun!

Kyle with Braden

Michael Phelps (Aaron) and Aunt KK joined us. Their costumes were hilarious! For weeks they kept telling us they had the funniest costumes but they wouldn't let us know what they were. I laughed so hard when they got out of the truck. They definetly won the costume prize!

Hunter loved pushing Brody and Braden in the wagon.

Before we went around the neighborhood, we enjoyed dinner in the driveway

Christy with Lil' Buckaroo Braden

Madison, Daisy and Kayla

Collin and Makenzie

Madison with her friends Annalise, Nikki, Mala and Chloe

Hunter with Christian LeClaire

Brody had so much fun riding around on this scooter. He would take a picture and then run over to the screen on my camera and look at himself. Everytime he'd look at it he'd say, "Aaaahhh!" He is absolutely adorable.

What a great night.........exhausting, but great! I am so thankful that our friends and family joined us in the fun! The kids loved being together and had so much fun trick or treating. All of the kids finished our neighborhood and were ready for more. The parents, however, were exhausted and talked them in to playing in the cul-de-sac. It was a magical evening and I'm so thankful for our time together.