Family Pictures

Our good friend, Barry, is an incredible photographer. We asked if he would take some family pictures for us. We thought it would be fun to get them taken at a castle in Provo where I got my bridal pictures done. Thanks Barry--for putting up with our kids and for taking some great pictures!!

Wacky Wednesday

Our ward had our big Super Saturday (or Wacky Wednesday as we call it) this month. It is one of my favorite enrichment activities throughout the year. I love working on a project and being able to visit with friends in the ward. One of the options were wood WITCH letters. It was too cute to not do. I just signed up for the one project this year, since it was an eight hour project. We met the week before so we could finish the night of. It turned out as good as I hoped it would. It was a fun few nights putting it all together.

WItches Night Out

My good friend Ashlee invited me to go to Witches Night Out with her at Gardner Village. I had never been before and really looked forward to it. We both bought new costumes and plan on using them every year. It was really fun getting all decked out for the night. After dinner at Chili's (we had yummy salads and the best white chocolate molten cake), we headed over to Gardner Village. I couldn't believe how many people were there-it was crazy! We had fun walking around and looking at all the shops. We each bought an accessory to add to our costume. There were a lot of interesting people to watch including a lady with a real owl (of course she had to be wearing the same outfit I was in-don't you love that) and others with crazy skin masks and costumes. I had such a great time and enjoyed the laughs and being able to spend time with a good friend. Can't wait to go again next year!!

Pumpkin Patch

On Friday we took our kids to a pumpkin patch. My friend had told me how much they liked it and I have to agree. It was great and the kids had the best time. They loved the different tractors they could drive.
They also had a corn maze for the kids.

Jaxon and Claire loved filling the little wheelbarrow with pumpkins.


We all picked out a pumpkin to carve this week for Halloween!

Conference Fun!

Just had to do a quick post to thank Jeff for making it easier for us to listen to conference this year. He tried something his dad used to do with him when he was younger. They would build a fort out of wood blocks and stack Star Wars guys all over the forts. Then, it's battle time. Whoever can knock over the other person's guys with tennis balls first is declared the winner. Pure genius-the kids were so entertained and I was able to get more out conference than I remember in a long time. I was double excited when it worked for Sunday as well. Thanks Hon-you're a great dad!!

St. George-Fall 2009

One of our favorite places to visit is St. George. Jeff's parents have a condo there so we try and go a few times a year. The last few trips, Jeff's mom has been able to come with us. We love being able to spend time with her. Two of our nephews also came with us-their parents were running in a race in Vegas. Here are the things that we look forward to the most.

Date night including dinner and movie--we went to Outback and 500 Days of Summer. Both were excellent! We love the quaint movie theater with the grand piano playing and the after movie mints.


We hit In-N-Out twice this trip (no pictures-thankfully). Swimming is always a must for the kids everyday. I was able to get my hair done one of the days while Jeff took the kiddos swimming. Have I ever mentioned how much I love getting my hair done!

On Sunday, we enjoyed some good time with our little family at the temple. It is a beautiful building and we love walking through the visitor centers.

Jaxon and Claire loved picking out a cake for Grandma. Her birthday wasn't for a few weeks, but since she'll still be in St. George, we decided to surprise her.

We had a GREAT time and look forward to doing at all again in six months or so!!

Cornbelly's

Jeff went to the BYU game on Saturday, so I decided to take the kids to Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point. Some of the highlights were:

The jumping pillows:

The giant cornbox:

There were also pig races, big slides, duck races, a corn maze, and lots of other fun stuff that the kids loved! We spent almost the whole time there while Jeff was at the game.

More S'mores?

About a month ago, we went up Big Cottonwood Canyon with some of our good friends. There is just something about being in nature that is so refreshing--I love it! We had tinfoil dinners, hot dogs, and s'mores.

Claire enjoyed playing in the dirt as much as the boys.

The boys kept asking all night when it was time to roast marshmallows.

Tim with some perfectly cooked marshmallows.

Everyone had such a great time that we decided to do it again a few weeks later. We went up American Fork canyon the second time and it was equally as beautiful.

The boys found a couple of great spots to make some shelters.

They also had a ton of fun playing in a little stream. After putting their feet in the water, Jaxon told Jeff that his feet were too cold to walk back to the campsite.

We were able to perfect the s'mores this time around by putting the graham crackers and chocolate on the grill and letting the chocolate melt. I've never been a big s'mores fan, but I was converted. I didn't know s'mores could taste so good!

They were some very enjoyable nights and I wish we would have done it more often. Oh well, there's always next summer!

Starting School!!

Jaxon started preschool last week. He goes for 2 hours 2 days a week, and he is loving it! His teacher is Miss Cameon--a family friend who we knew in Price. He loves learning and making new friends.

The last time we were with Jeff's family, a family member asked Jaxon if he had made any friends at school and what their names were. Without missing a beat he said, "Optimus". We all got a good laugh at that. I asked him later if he had seen Optimus at preschool that day and he said "I was just teasing." (Duh, mom.) I love being involved and hearing all about his day. We love him and are so proud of him!! He looked so grown up and handsome on his first day.

Jeff has also started another semester of school. He is keeping very busy with 12 hours of school and his regular full time job. I feel like we hardly see him during the week, but I know it will be well worth it. I am so grateful for all he does for us and the the sacrifices he makes! We love you!!

NFL Suicide Pool

2009 NFL Suicide Pool

	Matt	Dave	Shantelle	Josh
Week 1	Patriots	Chargers	Ravens	Saints
Week 2	Packers	Redskins	Redskins	Packers
Week 3	Eagles	Cowboys	Eagles	Ravens
Week 4	Redskins	Texans	Giants	Texans
Week 5	Giants	Giants	Patriots	Giants
Week 6	Chargers	Jaguars	Packers	Eagles
Week 7	Colts	Patriots	Jets	Colts
Week 8	Bears	Titans	Colts	Chargers
Week 9	Seahawks	Saints	Jaguars	Seahawks
Week 10	Vikings	Vikings	Saints	Vikings
Week 11	Steelers	Packers	Steelers	Patriots
Week 12	Cowboys	Jets	Chargers	Cowboys
Week 13	Panthers	Steelers	Seahawks	Steelers
Week 14	Ravens	Ravens	Vikings	Titans
Week 15	Titans	Seahawks	Titans	Cardinals
Week 16	Saints	49ers	Cardinals	49ers
Week 17	Falcons	Colts	Bears	Falcons

	Adam	Jeff	Amy	Travis
Week 1	Ravens	Ravens	Cowboys	Ravens
Week 2	Redskins	Redskins	Vikings	Vikings
Week 3	Eagles	Vikings	Steelers	Eagles
Week 4	Saints	Texans	Titans	Bears
Week 5	Giants	Eagles	Giants	Giants
Week 6	Packers	Packers	Redskins	Patriots
Week 7	Patriots	Patriots	Patriots	Panthers
Week 8	Chargers	Chargers	Chargers	Cowboys
Week 9	Seahawks	Jaguars	Jaguars	Falcons
Week 10	Vikings	Titans	Bears	Dolphins
Week 11	Cowboys	Steelers	Saints	Saints
Week 12	Titans	Cowboys	Cardinals	Chargers
Week 13	Steelers	Panthers	Packers	Colts
Week 14	Colts	Colts	Bengals	Steelers
Week 15	Cardinals	Cardinals	Falcons	Broncos
Week 16	49ers	Saints	Broncos	49ers
Week 17	Falcons	Falcons	Jets	Jets

My Favorite Things about Summer

So here is the rest of my list. They are in no particular order.

1. Vacations

2. Swimming

3. Flip Flops

4. BBQ-ing (especially Jeff's BBQ--he made some yummy new meals this summer-they will be missed)

5. Sitting on our deck, enjoying the beautiful nights, and talking with family/friends

6. Reading great books

7. Cousin Day (In the summers, we get together every Tuesday with all of Jeff's sisters and their kids. Some of the highlights this year were Gymcats and Cherry Hills.)

8. Spending many nights at our splash park and finding other great parks for the kids

9. The 4th of July and 24th of July (who doesn't love holidays?!)

10. Buying fresh corn on the cob and eating tomatoes fresh from the garden

1st Favorite Thing About Summer

Since summer is ending all too quickly, I decided to do a top 10 list of my favorite things about summer. I am bummed that the summer is almost over (where has it gone). :( Since having kids it has become my favorite season--hot weather and all! I love it! So my first favorite thing about summer is Bear Lake. We have a tradition of going to Bear Lake over the 24th of July and over Labor Day. I've been going to Bear Lake at least once every summer since I was 10. There are countless good memories from being up there. I look so forward to our Bear Lake trips and am glad the tradition has stuck around. I hope that our kids will love it as much as I did growing up. We always celebrate my grandma's birthday over the 24th of July.

The kids had fun helping to blow out the candles.

We usually spend a couple days at the beach. We stop at the pool on the way back to the cabin and then spend the rest of the night relaxing and playing games--just my thing.

Jaxon's cousin and good buddy, McKay.

It's also a tradition to do a humanitarian project while we are up there and this year we made hygiene kits. Jaxon really got into putting them together while Claire preferred chewing through the bars of soap.

The kids love riding bikes and cars on the long driveway.

The boys were backing up their "truck" to pull the boat.

Jaxon's cousin and other good buddy Ty. Our kids are lucky to have such great cousins right around their own ages to play with and older cousins who are great at entertaining them.

Jeff and I always try and start a new book while we are there. This year I read The Book Thief which was excellent. Jeff read Hunger Games which he said he really liked. We love reading on the deck or the lawn and enjoying the nice view.

Claire was really into giving Dad hugs and kisses. Jaxon was trying to get away to drive the boat.

We had so much fun and it's always hard to leave Bear Lake. You can't help but enjoy it and the time you get to spend with family.

Angel Moroni

Jaxon has been fascinated with the Angel Moroni and how he was struck by lightning. My mom was driving the kids around the Oquirrah Mountain Temple while she was here watching them. When they went by it, Jaxon said, "Grandma, I think the Angel Moroni wasn't holding a trumpet when he got struck by lightning. He was holding a marshmallow stick." That would make more sense to a 3 year old. I cracked up when my mom told me-I thought it was pretty funny and cute!