Turkey Day '09...(no words needed)...

Carvings, Costumes, and Candy

One hallowed eve, a group of orb chiselers gathered for a night of inspirational artistry.Each selected a special instrument to guide them in their quest for achieving a masterpiece.

Some decided upon delicate features and and happy faces while others went

straight into battle with sharper instruments and quick minds. The concentration in the room was palpable.

Some feared the camera as it disrupted their concentration.

Then later had a change of heart.

Some practiced and perfected other forms of art...like ballet.

While others pretended to not know the ones who were dancing.

There was just enough snuggling after the work was done.

Each artist proudly stands in front of his or her masterpiece.

All the cousins gathered at Aunt Evelyn's house to find appropriate attire.
Some were green with shells.

Some were pretty.
And some were just plain scary!
Each had one goal in mind.

Collect as much tooth decay as possible!
You could do a triathalon and work it all off.....(by the way, it was an INDOOR triathalon consisting of 1 hour of running, 1 hour of biking, and 1 hour of lap swimming). No wonder it was called the Gold's Gym Tri-Like-Hell. If at first you don't succeed....tri and tri again!
Happy Halloween!

How Old is Grammy?

On Grammy's birthday she wound up subbing to teach seminary. Much to Uncle Shane's horror she posed the question as to how old everyone thought she was turning. The guesses were quite a range with thirty-something being a favorite of Grammy's. Finally she revealed she is in fact a very YOUNG 60 years old. She proudly patted Shane (who is 16) on the back and congratulated his beet-red face on having the "oldest" Mom in the school. We love our Grammy and definitely had cause to celebrate her being a part of all our lives!

They're Not Brazilians....

they are just plain nuts! This year Carey had its own soccer team and boy did these kids play. Coach Chet did an awesome job and had a 4-1 season. Bayley (#2) was the only one of our kids who played but he had a blast and did fantastic. All the teams had such great parents and coaches and rather than separating into home and away team sides of the field, often the parents were huddled in one freezing group just encouraging all those players. And BONUS! ...every week someone showed up to sell hot cocoa for .25 cents a cup (I'm glad some people realize there is a recession). Way to go Carey! And, YES, that is Bayley donning a MAROON jersey even though it is a Texas A&M color. (He lost out on the suggestion for burnt orange).....

Oops....

Happy 6th Birthday, Jennaveve!

On October 16th our OLDEST daughter (she likes to remind us), Jennaveve, turned 6 years old. I think Jennaveve may have started a new tradition for our family. We had family coming into town on her birthday and we were scrambling to get everything done. My AWESOME friend Sharon suggested instead of stressing over a cake, let her design her own cake. I threw out the offer and Jennaveve LOVED the idea. We stopped at the mini-mart in town and let her pick out whatever she wanted to put on the cake--of course it was nothing but candy.

It is the most insane cake I have ever seen but everyone wanted a piece and ate it just because of the novelty. She felt very special that so many people were here to celebrate her special day!

Grandpa B. lights the candles.

Dad, Bayley, Cheyanne (and Thayn), Brooke, and Shane in back, with Jenna, Meisha, Hali and Skyla in front.

Uncle Shane rocks!

Hali loves a good party.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Meisha!

On October 4th our baby turned 3 years old! I can't believe how the time has flown by. She wanted cupcakes arranged like flowers and anything with a fairy or princess on it. She loves Belle because she has dark hair and dark eyes just like her. We love you, Meisha!

Dad and Mom Birthday Bash

Bart and Andrea celebrate birthdays only days apart and it is always fun to see who is more clever. This year Bart wins hands down. Andrea got SPOILED with an overnighter in Hailey (close to the same area we celebrated our Honeymoon), and a brand new BOSCH!!! No more excuses for not baking. Bart's cake also wins....Bayley thought he should have the ESPN press box which Grammy B. graciously created.

Skyla, Meisha, Bart, Grammy B., and Payson

Andrea won for weather upset of the year. This is what happened on her birthday!

Fall Happenings

Once school is in session it seems life is a whirlwind! Bayley is in soccer and the rest of the kids are taking gymnastics, we are working on lots of projects around the farms, and it seems every day we hit the ground running and don't stop until bedtime. The first "big" event (for Carey) was Homecoming. There was the parade with all the teams and royalty.

Waiting for the parade to start.

Carey football team.

Homecoming royalty.

That evening there was the bonfire followed by the game against Dietrich. Carey prevailed and all had a great time.

The Binghams also hosted the first Foothill Fun Run/Walk which was a great success. Aunt Evelyn came with her kids, as well as Uncle Jordan and Aunt Cheyanne, Uncle Colt and Aunt Serene, and Aunt Brooke with Pat. We had a blast running together and Shane wound up being the overall winner. We gave medals to the kids, glass mugs to the overall winners with a foothill etching on it, and mini loaves of bread with the logo "I'm the Family Breadwinner" for age-group prizes. It was a lot of fun and all the athletes had a great time!

Endurance Festival

If you ever want to participate in a fun and free athletic event we highly recommend the Endurance Festival. Pocatello hosts it and for folks 17 years and younger it is FREE! The fun kicked off with a spaghetti feast and race packet pick-up the night before.

There are several events that run including a kid half-mile race, both road and trail 5k races, bike and run courses and a kid bike race. All of the Bingham and Williams cousins ran the half mile (except for Bayley and Payson who ran the 5k trail run). Kaeley and Jessie did the bike race, as well.

Guela (left) with all the eager athletes.

Kid bike race finishers!

Kid half-mile start.

Even Meisha made it the half mile! She was the youngest participant entered and wasn't all that happy about jogging the half mile but we were very proud of her for making it.

The morning of the race Payson said to me, "Mom, I don't really think you should wear a bandana and sunglasses." Hmmm.....I guess I can see why...

Bayley and Payson ran the 5k trail run. It started at the bottom of the hill and pretty much went straight up the mountain and then came back down on a switch-back trail. Here is a picture taken from the crest of the mountainside these brave runners ran up. Payson had a terrific day and wound up being the OVERALL male winner of the 5k trail run (yes, you read that right....not just his age group winner but the first male to cross the finish line).

Payson coming down the hillside holding up his #1 finger to let us know he was in first!

Way to go Paycie! Bayley came in second behind him....we'll just say he had some humble pie that day. Aunt Evelyn ran the last bit with him.Kudos to both those boys for enduring that course! After, they had even MORE events like a jumprope contest, armcurl contest, and dart shooting contest. What fun!

Labor Day Weekend Fun

Payson driving in the mountains with Grampa B.

What better way to spend Labor Day than laboring along a lovely 10k course in Midway, Utah for the Swiss Days Festival? My loving sisters-in-love (thanks Amber...that's a much better terminology than in-law) Tanya and Cheyanne ran this last year and invited me to come along this year with them. It was sort of like another mini family reunion. We stayed up in a cabin just outside Heber City and enjoyed some great fun and family time together. We raced (along with a lot of the kids who performed smashingly) and came back with a good majority of the glass-mug trophies. The good news....no one fainted or lost their breakfast. I think we are becoming quite the road and trail athletes!

The kid race.

Bayley

Payson

Jenna in the finish chute.

Cheer squad for the 10k runners.

Andrea
Jordan and Cheyanne
Tanya with her AWESOME kick to the finish.

On Sunday Bart and I headed back to Pocatello, Idaho with our kiddos to be present for cousin Tyler's baby blessing. We had a fun picnic in the park and layed around till the effects of the nice big lunch wore off and we were forced to return to our homes and get back to the daily grind.

All 10 "Hamilton" cousins.

Grampa H. doing what he does best.

Jace and Shannon doing what they do best.