Fall is in the air!

Well fall really is in the air, and I love it! I love the changes of the seasons. The different feelings each one brings. It seems every time fall comes around, I find myself wanting to get crafty. It always puts me in the mood for really great soups and stews. Just being cozy in the house. Anyway, we got a super weird virus on our computer and had to take in to get it fixed, so it has been a while since I have written.

Some good friends of ours had a Hawaiian-cowboy party last weekend with a roasted pig and everything. The food was awesome, it was good to catch up with friends. And the kids loved riding the horses.

Also, last weekend Grandma Jean got us all together for a weenie-roast up Spanish Fork canyon. It was beautiful! The leaves are just starting to change and the view was wonderful. I can't believe this the only picture I got that night. Lucy and Sadie deciding whether or not to get in. Well they did get in and got soaked. But they all had fun. It was great to see everyone! we missed you Heidi!!!!

Happy Birthday Aunt Cindy!! Last Monday we went to greatest restaurant to celebrate! It is called Bucca Di Beppo and it was a blast! If you've not been, you should put it on your list. The food is super good and the atmosphere is so fun. They have every inch of that place covered with the most random pictures and statues and just weird stuff--it is great . I could have just stayed there all night looking at the pictures. I had to put this photo in to redeem myself from the one on Lindsay, Heather's and Amanda's blog--talk about Jaba! Anyway we had a great time cacklin' and hootin' with mom and Cindy. With them it always promises a good time! I love you guys--missed you Heidi.

Saturday Cody was still on the mussleloader's trip, so I loaded up the kids and we went to SLC. We went to Liberty park and the Tracy Aviary. We had so much fun, the weather was perfect, except for the fact that I almost got attacked by a peacock. I swear those birds most know I am afraid of them-it never fails every time I am the one they come after! This time the kids totally abandoned me and left me for the crazy peacock. All they could do is stand safely on the side and watch while their nerdy mom ran around screaming her head off, trying to get away from the dumb thing.
I wish you could see this picture better, it is a Golden Bald Eagle, and just about the most beautiful thing you've every seen. They are pretty amazing, just how big they are. We also got to see a couple of really creepy vultures and a condor that was bigger than me. It was a great day with the kids. They always make it fun.

This is random, but I am so excited for the Body Worlds exhibit in SLC. Has anyone been yet? What was it like? That is all I want for my birthday this year. We were talking about getting everyone together and going-so let me know.

Fashion Show...

I wanted to post a few pictures of our fashion show- I thought it turned out so nice and the girls all looked so adorable. I got the opportunity of speaking to our Stake girls about dressing modestly and still being 'fashionable'. We had a little fashion show and luncheon. They had it decorated like a Garden Party with fresh flowers everywhere and soft music playing. It was just beautiful. The ladies that did the decorating did an outstanding job. I am such a boob, as soon as the music started playing and those sweet little girls walked out; I just started bawling and couldn't stop. They are all just so special and sweet, I love these kids. It was fun for Emma and Abby to be in it with their cousins Kailea and Maili, and good friends Lilly and Laura. They all did a great job. Thank-you girls!

More Catchin' up...

So this is what I came home to after YW the other night. We've got one child with the life preserver on her head
...and the other with some kind of African make-up on. That's okay at least they were safe and had pants on. I can't complain, Cody is always so good to help with the kids.

Saturday Adventures...

We had a wonderful day Saturday, we rode the Front runner to SLC, went to lunch at the 'Old Spaghetti Factory' and just milled around Salt Lake for a while.


We also went to Temple Square. The grounds there are gorgeous right now. It was just breathtaking. There were so many couples getting their pictures taken and beautiful brides in their white dresses. The girls could have stayed there all day, just watching all of the brides.
I love these days, when we are all together as a family; we had a great day!

Our newest arrival in the family; Puffball(Abby named her). She is a dwarf 'lion head' rabbit. And she is about the cutest thing you've ever seen. Now I am not the biggest animal person, but you just can't help but love this little bunny. I pray it survives the kids though. It has already been thrown down our stairs twice onto the wood floor by Sammy. And chased by Maggie(Old English sheepdog) around the yard, til I thought her little heart would explode. I hope she makes it. She is great little addition to our family.

Kids at the great county fair.

catchin' up...

I dont mean to bore anyone, I just thought I would add a few more pictures of summer stuff. The dinosaur park is always so fun. The kids never seem to get tired of it.

Sam fell in love with this scary pirate. Everytime we would pass it he would beg for a picture. I love it, because usually that sign says "I will smoke pot for food." It just always made me laugh. Sam finally got his picture.
The kids loved play group every Wednesday; especially with their favorites: Spencer & Samantha.
Grammie always comes up with the most creative parties. She really is so great and she loves the grandkids so much. We're so lucky.

Labor Day Weekend

This last weekend was so fun. It was great getting together with everyone. We missed you Heather, it just wasn't the same without you! We had a great little party for all the Aug\Sept. birthdays, complete with a Barbie cake and all. I always wished for one of those when I was little. All the kids are growing up so fast.

We hit the traditional 'Band Concert' and enjoyed the great show that always goes on there-from the people that turn out to the musical numbers that they always seem to come up with. The night wouldn't be complete without the kids begging to hang out on top of the old bear cage. Okay, we can admit that we all wanted to hang out over by the bear cage at one time or another; growing up in Payson during the 'Band Concert'. What was really in the bear cage after all?! Does anyone really know? I guess that will always be a mystery. But there is some alluring power about that great green cage-you just want to go sit on it. Right at the end of the concert, the rain started to come and it did not stop. We got soaked! But we still had fun walking back to Grandma Karen's in the rain.
Well, the rain came down and it really didn't stop 'til Monday afternoon. We made it to about two floats into the parade and it just down poured. It was kinda great seeing all the people just running for cover. We tried to be tough, but one by one we ended up under a tree. Cody, Mari and Abby were the only die hards. They stuck the whole parade out under that soaking wet blanket. We all still had a blast!
Here are the kids before torrential downpour hit us. They are all so great! Oh, we all stuck it out in the rain to see Steph ride on her 20th high school reunion float, and wouldn't you know it hers was the very last float of the whole parade! Oh well, you are worth it Steph! I just can't believe it has been 20 years!--and mine is just around the corner-how weird! Where does the time go?!
Sweet Grandma Jean. She is the best! I seriously can't think of a greater person in the world. There is no one like her that's for sure. For the Labor Day festivities she entered a pie contest in three different categories and won first place in all three. Way to go grandma!
Despite all the rainy and cold weather, we had a great weekend! When it all comes down to it, the best times are always spent sitting around mom's kitchen table, eatin' and laughin' and just being silly. We missed you Heather.

Well, here goes....

I can't believe that I am finally getting around to making a blog! Thanks to Heather and Heidi for helping me figure it all out. I am so looking forward to keeping in touch better with all of my loved ones. I have enjoyed so much reading your blogs and seeing your beautiful kids and hearing about all of your adventures. It is so fun to see what everyone is up to.
This summer has been so fun and full. We were able to do so many fun things. Most of all, I just love the freedom of no agenda, just waking up with no committments and just doing whatever we want. I love going on adventures with the kids! We found a lot of awesome places to hike this summer. We are still learning about this area. There are so many great places to hike and explore here.
Our favorites this summer were swimming lessons and 'little explorers' camp, but most of all just getting together with our loved ones. Both Grammy & Grandad and Papa & Grandma Karen always plan the greatest get togethers. It is always the best when we can get toether with all the cousins, aunts and uncles.

Anyway, I am super excited to keep in touch with everyone. Now, we just need to get Steph goin'. Thanks guys for your help.