Everything Else October

I like to see that even though the kids complain when they have to sit near each other most of the time, that there are times when they do it by choice. And even have an enjoyable time while doing so. I like it enough to get a picture when it happens. I also like the statement I overheard from a neighbor kid about my bed. That it looks like a hotel bed. Motivates me to keep making it daily although Im usually the only one to see it. And maybe she was talking about my room in general and how its like a hotel because there is a weirdo sink in there instead of in the bathroom!

 Keeping this little guy out from under foot while my sister and I do fun things with apples and canning jars.

 Donny and his projects. This one was an attempt, and a pretty one, at covering the metal stairs on the great wall. It didn't turn out as awesome as planned but it will eventually be.

 Harley Dog enjoying her yard. The grass has been a lovely blessing. And she hasn't dug a single hole out there yet!?

 Aunt R. came to visit and have some baby expecting parties. She is such a kid magnet, and so Loved! We can't wait to meet little "Costco" haha come Christmas time.

 Watching General Conference with Grandpa and Grandma Merrill. Best spiritual recharge since the April edition. Im so very glad to have these conferences where we get to listen to the Prophet and hear great uplifting talks from church leaders. Good time to refocus and really reflect on our spirits and thoughts and actions and our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ our Savior.

 Fall carnival time is so fun. S. took down an old classmate with a big grin on her face.

 Z. enjoyed herself too. This must be some kind of mustache gang?

 Famous "Giant Pumpkin" growers brought their prize winner to the school to let us all see and marvel at.

 Cousins! Cousins! Cousins! We love them! And can't get enough!

 Snuggles with Grandpas "Salt and Pepper".

 Another fun Donny project. Bomber canoe for the scouts. Finally looks like something they'd be proud to row.

 Halloween is on the kids minds nonstop. They come up with so many creative ideas and ways to celebrate. Facepaint and fake wounds on clothing sounded like an exciting way to make the backyard spook ally a hit.

 Cleaning up all the facepaint wasn't as exciting. Especially off of the walls and doors. Whoops.

 T. caught red handed sneaking some "Poptropica" time in on the spare computer while he was supposed to be doing his homework!You know if its quiet he is up to something. I didn't even know that old computer still worked! And, like hiding his face was making him invisible or something?

 I Love(!) that N. has a mind for math. Its also great that Z. trusts him to help her out with hers because its already beyond moms comprehension.

 S. and her carpool buddies! What a little SuperTeam they are. Their backseat conversations and singing keep me very entertained! Im a little nervous that soon they'll be speaking Chinese together and I won't know what theyre saying. Hooray for Chinese immersion.

Carving Pumpkins

S. and T. were so motivated to carve theirs that they were nearly finished before I even knew they were doing it at all. 

 They love to leave some "guts" sticking out of the mouth to look like the pumpkin threw up. Gross!

My favorite part is the thorough job they did of cleaning up after themselves. Oh, and they cleaned up a pan full of seeds for toasting all on their own. Nice!

First grade FieldTrip

Lucky mom got to go to the Zoo with S.'s classmates.

 S. LOVED the Zoo. Loved watching the silly elephants play in the water. Loved watching the polar bears giant hairy paws while he swam. Even found a new boyfriend, Lion!

Fall Break Campout

Last family campout of the season. We invited ourselves along with neighbor-friends. That way Z. didn't miss out on a campout with friends and we could still keep the "no sleepover" family rule. The weather and scenery was beautiful. We got a camp spot with a giant boulder in it before all the deer hunters showed up.

 Fall means a fire is necessary for heat and not just for a fun cozy atmosphere. There was a lot of experiment time, creating fake meals with bugs and pine needles.

 Breakfast in the trailer. The other table is bigger but keeping it a bed is easier, so they all jam onto the little one. Glad we have a heater or they'd all be sleeping jammed together too, for body heat!

 Z. and her friend posing on the boulder. She loves that she finally got to camp with a friend.

 When the rock looses its excitement a tree replaces it. This was filled with kids. Like 7 or more!

 Grandma and Grandpa A came along as well. The little river was a beautiful spot to play.

 Harley joined in on the river play, can you spot her? Love that camouflage dog!

 Grandpa took T. fishing. He was so excited to catch 2 trout. They tasted delicious roasted over the fire.

 Thanks Gpa for gutting those fish, but you seem to have ruined Z.'s "Glamping" trip with fish guts.

 Soaking in the morning sun on the boulder. At this point the trip was over and they were filthy, exhausted and covered with adventure scratches but they still didn't want to leave. The mountain has a special feeling. Magical feeling.

 Mom saving as much of that sunshine warmth as possible for the long winter ahead.

 GoodBye camping for this year! We will be back to those mountains as soon as we can!

Dodge Ball

Veggie ball style. Which ever limb is hit has to be out of play. Till you loose both legs and arms. 

 Its even fun for little arms who can't throw far.

 The enforcer.

 Only 1 leg left!

S. Fork family Air/Car show

Daddy and his buddies. In their Heelies. 

 Happy to be with Aunt/Uncle cousins and grandparents on such a beautiful day.

 Waiting in line. Not sure what this show is all about yet. We are all together so its bound to be fun!

 Firetruck. Nice.

 Airplanes. Nice.

 Heli airplane thingies. Nice.

 Old trucks with skating skeletons. Nice.

 Hangars filled with fun stuff, even teenagers think are cool. Nice.

 Flying above Utah Valley in a Cessna. For free. Awesome!

 "This is the best day of my life so far!" Awesome!

August ends, September begins

 Orem Skate park with the scooters. Now they know if they beg long enough mom will actually take them. T. is very convincing and fortunately also very good at catching himself at the very last second!

 S. was super scared to go down any of the steep cement ramps. She finally spared the butt of her skirt and tried it on a scooter. And loved it.

 N. likes to have a younger sister to tell her she is doing it all wrong. He is a good responsible kid and takes his role as older brother very seriously. I'm not too worried about Z. though, she has some built in caution when it comes to wheels.

 End of August means we get to party for cousin S.'s birthday, and moms. The park is the perfect place for it. Turns out the cousins like heights. They are all smiles while they wait for the piñata beating.

 Happy birthday cousin "Elsa". Adorable happy girls. Wish every day could be this way!

 T. takes advantage of giving the grandparents a heart attack. He has perfected his landing roll.

 September means Anniversary! 18 this year! We went to Park City overnight and were amazed at all the beauty. Fall is magnificent! Thoughts on 18 years of marriage? Love it! I'm blessed more than words can say. Seriously.

 S. is the class clown, and by class clown I mean Dramatic Dancer! She hammed it up for Grandparents day songs and had us all laughing.The kids have all fallen into their schedules now that school is back in. They have super teachers and are excelling! I am amazed at their minds and their example to their classmates. What a blessing they each are!