In August, we pulled out the sidewalk chalk at Mana's one evening- it was the best distraction ever! The kids made all types of stories- I wish I would've remembered to take a picture of Xander and Max's storybook hop scotch- it was so cute! I love these kids so much! 
Xander and Mara had their jump ropes out too, so Karri and I took it upon ourselves to teach the girlies how to jump appropriately....too bad I couldn't remember many of my old rope jumping tunes :( Conli actually didn't do too bad- and Sawyer was just hilarious to watch- with her hoodie on and all that concentration!
Nothin's better than Squaw Peak for FHE in the fall. The colors were splendid and so was the rock throwin'. As long as I didn't let the cliff below scare me too badly, we were just fine up there. I am such the scaredy cat of heights- SOOO not on my team!!!! But the kiddles were in heaven! Dirt, a gorgeous view, rocks to be thrown, a new adventure,and all being there together=the best!
Me and my sweethearts
the view from here
some little ones throwing with all their mights
Daddy and his lil angel girl
After approximately 8 minutes, the Goo turned into the Dirty....Mountains- they'll getcha every time!
Daddy and the troops- how they love that man o' mine
there's almost nothing better than driving up the canyon as the leaves are changing....it's breathtaking. And my pictures don't even do it the smallest bit of justice
Lil Miss
Here we were, all rearin' and ready to listen to conference. Conference Eve is as fabulous to me as Christmas Eve- I get so anxious and excited that I have a hard time falling to sleep! And I tell you, I am NEVER let down! Conference this time around was just beautiful. I am sooooo grateful to be led by a modern day prophet who is filled with so much love and goodness. I am grateful to be surrounded by good people and so blessed to have the family I have. I am eternally indebted to my Father in Heaven for the blessings he has given to me. I am grateful to be reminded by these sweet, dear brethren every 6 months of the everlasting truths of our gospel. They are truly apostles of our Lord. All of the speakers touched my heart, but I did have a few favorites- Osguthorpe, Bednar, Uchtdorf, Oaks, Eyring, Holland (can you say power?), Christofferson. They all make it so easy to believe and I always walk away with a renewed desire to live my life better- to prove myself to my Father in Heaven and to be a better mother, wife, friend, sister, daughter. I KNOW this church is true! I KNOW Joseph Smith restored this gospel in these days and am so grateful to have been born of goodly parents into this gospel, with examples all around me. I am grateful for the atonement and the role it has played in my life numerous times- how it has saved my life. I pray daily for family members, (and friends) begging our Father in Heaven to bring you "home", to bless your lives with hope, understanding, patience, love, and the desire to be better. I am grateful for a Father in Heaven who helps me daily, who doesn't give up on me, who's arms are stretched out still- NO MATTER WHAT. I have so many shortcomings, but I am grateful, so grateful, for the gospel in my life, and for the many many times it has held me up. For this, I am eternally grateful and I say this in the name of Jesus Christ....Amen.
Between conference sessions Saturday Heather decided to throw a shindig for her boys' bdays. Of course it was insanely perfect and fun! good food- not telling how much pizza I ate, but I loved chatting with my buds for a bit!
the lovies....if Easton wasn't with her every 'ittle second, she was in. tears.--- i mean really----it's started already??? oh the drama we have to look forward to
Last week, my mama had another CPA exam in the SLC, so she and dad surprised us and came down. Have I mentioned I love them???? Seriously, my kids are so lucky to have the best grandparents ever!!! (yes, that means both sides) Dad gave Sawyer horsie rides like this for about 20 minutes. She was giggling so hard I thought she was going to burst! (can you tell by her cheeser mania??) It was one of the best visits EVER and how we miss them. I wish so badly that they lived closer and that we got to play with them more often. Mom even wants to wear the "lezh" for Halloween!!! (we'll see if you're that lucky mama)I love you mom and dad!
Just post tubby posing on the bed.
i can't help but giggle every time i look at this horrid picture of Sawyer...her wings, her scrunchy fish face, her hands on her knees....heheheheheheheheh! I love that girl!
Saturday night we got together with Martin's, Ahlmann's, and Whalen's and headed up to South Fork for a weenie roast. BLASTED cold, but fun!
Jess's homemade "roaster" done good!
Sawyer loves her some "mellano's" (marshmallow)
oh scary bears in the forest! BEWARE!
our helpers collecting firewood
man roasting
Bubba rolling down the hill/sidewalk
ok- this is only going to make sense to me, Nicolle and Jess, but after 47 tries, i still didn't get a decent picture of the children- oh well, they're more fun this way right???
Lily's paying no attention to the monsters around her....just enjoying her apple goodness
Max was nice enough to get the mama's and papa's in a picture
heheheheh
who knew the kids loved frisbee so much?
modelicious
Brent's mom made one of my dreams come true last week- amidst her disaster of dishwasher mishaps, she decided to get rid of her piana, and I was the lucky winner!!!!!! She had movers move it from her house to our garage, but after finding out that it was $5 per stair, and $15 to go around the corner at the top of my stairs, Brent persuaded her to let him and his buff man friends take it from there....oh bother. We saved mom money, yes, but oh ma poor house!!! I guess I should be grateful there weren't any casualties in the move, because I hear it was quite the ordeal, but oh ma poor walls....luckily Ricky had oodles of spackle to cover up the dents....And really, it's fine- thank you fine gentlemen for helping, because now, one of my most favorite things on earth can happen. Saturday night I pulled out my music and sat down to strike a few chords. Withing seconds my Max had come up and placed his head on my shoulder, his arm around and the little girls encircled us round about. Seriously had to choke back the tears!!!! You see, music is where I go to release any and all emotion, and playing the piano, it soothes my soul. Growing up, my dad and I would sit at the piano and sing Michael McLean ballads for hours. It's some of my fondest memories, and now, with the reaction my kids had to it, I get to pass it on to them. Even last night for FHE we had music night and each picked a song to sing. It was the best EVER!!! So, sorry Skinrood's I do love you so much, but sometimes i gotsta soul soothe!
because you seethese moments
are priceless!
