Fall Break Fun!

There's nothing better than having a break from school! We always look forward to the Fall Break that falls in mid October. It is a great way to rejuvinate and enjoy being with family. We started the break off with McKinsey's 16th Birthday party which was held at Jump On It! I don't know how I didn't get a photo of the birthday girl but the party was tons of fun!

Here is Liberty doing a front flip...

Brit was in HEAVEN! Wall to wall trampolines...what else could a kid ask for?
Caleb catching some air while jumping...

Liberty was loving doing kart wheels all over the place
Zach doing a front flip off the platform...

Even Craig got in on the flip action...

It was a great party!

The next morning we gathered up our stuff and headed to the cabin. We decided to actually go somewhere for the weekend. It was so nice up there, the weather was perfect, the leaves were crunchy and falling, a perfect fall weekend. Sadly, just after Craig and the boys got home from scouting deer, Craig got sick, and the following day Zach wound up throwing up also. That was a bummer, but even with that we still managed to have fun!

Brit couldn't get enough of the 4 wheelers...he loved them, but still can't get used to the weight of his helmet and would wobble all over the place. That didn't stop him from wanting rides.

Here's some of the group making campfire pizzas.

Liberty relaxing on the elk statue

This boy was in heaven...drinking apple juice and eating cheetos all weekend long.

Zach still feeling a bit yucky.

Liberty waking up Saturday morning...I wish she woke up this happy every morning.

Zach in deep thought, waiting his turn for the swing.

Some of the kids eating cinnamon rolls just waiting to take off to go to the Snow College football game in Ephriam.

It was a great weekend. I love that we were able to go and do something. Nothing is better than spending time with family!

Fall Ride

Every year we talk about going on a Fall drive to the Alpine Loop. This year we actually did it. We probably missed the peak of the awesome colors but it was a very fun day. We put everyone in the car and took off.

We headed up Provo Canyon...of course honked all the way through the tunnel and headed up to Sundance.

Here I captured some of the colors out my window. It was a goregous day for a drive. Windows down and nice breeze coming into the car.


More colors out my window. The nice paved road all the way up the canyon was lovely...little did I know we were in for an adventure!

I caught Caleb in my side mirror hanging out the window.

Seriously, it was beautiful up there!

Just after taking this photo Craig decided to be adventurous...he turned on to the bumpiest road EVER! We were driving along the face of Mt. Timpanogas. It was pretty cool but he bumps, and dips, and jiggles weren't my favorite. Just look at the road...we drove on this road for like 2 hours. It was so bumpy! I wasn't loving it.

Craig kept telling us to watch for wildlife...I really didn't think we would see anything. We headed into a tree filled area, when all of the sudden Craig (looking to his left) yells, "THERE'S A MOOSE!" We all sort of freaked out, some with excitement, some thinking get me out of here! We were all watching the moose on the left when Caleb freaks out and yells... "THERE'S THE BULL MOOSE!" It just happened to be on my side of the car...if you know me, I don't like animals especially in the wild. I freaked out, yelling at Craig to roll up my window and he wouldn't...Zach was jumping up and down in the very back, Lib was hiding under a blanket, Craig started snapping pictures, Caleb and Brit were laughing. I didn't handle myself very well...I was sure it was going to charge our car and we would be stranded up on the crazy road for days. Craig started driving and honking trying to push the moose out in front of us...which meant I freaked out more. I was able to get this photo of the bull moose while shaking. It was staring us down, I swear it was!

After it ran across the road Craig continued on and found a spot to turn around, on the way back down the road, Craig saw them again and decided to get out of the car and take some more photos...he tried to get there attention by whistling, and having Caleb honk the horn.

It was a great adventure! One I am sure we won't forget. After all was calm and we were on the bumpy road heading home...we all got a great laugh at how I was freaking, and Craig said it wasn't a very big moose...but it seemed pretty big to me!

Next year we will be going a few weeks earlier, hoping to see the colors at their best!

Happy Fall Y'All!

One Year Older & Wiser Too!

My birthday came and went...it was such a great day. I was spoiled by my family and friends and it made me that much better! :0)! Craig surprised me at work by delivering a cake that had candles lit and teachers singing when I walked in to lunch. I came home to another surprise...a new dishwasher! I was jumping for joy, after not having a working dishwasher for over 5 months, it was a perfect gift. I love it! The family tried to make me a cake, the first round was a disaster, the second time it came out fine and the kids did a bang up job decorating it. By the time it was finished, Craig was beyond frustrated. Thanks for the great day!

Here is the first attempt...pans were over filled and then spilled out.

attempt number 2

the finished project...the kids decorated it.

don't mind that i can't put an outfit together at age 37! I was in my jammies and it was cold so i threw on a sweatshirt. I know it's a great combo!

me making my wish! let's hope it comes true!

It was a great birthday! Thanks to everyone for the wonderful facebook wishes and all the love sent my way!

Grovecrest Carnival

Grovecrest PTA Fall Carnival

Nails painted by Mrs. Day (I think) a sixth grade teacher. Of course she picked bright pink!

Lib gettting her hair done.

Liberty sitting very still to have her face painted.

Lib racing her teacher...Lib won...(I'm sure that wasn't intentional at all!

The finish products...both up-do (above) and face paint (below)

Once again the elementary put on a great carnival...the kids had a great time! This year it was just Liberty and I. Zach for whatever reason didn't want to go, so we counted it as a GNO (Girls Night Out).

This year they had some great booths...girly things (even better if you ask me!) But still had the traditional carnival games as well. Lib took full advantage of having her nails painted, hair done and face painted. She was all dolled up by the time we left. She was even thoughtful enough to use some of her tickets to get the boys a treat at the bake sale booth. Of course she got them the "Y" sugar cookies.

After glam and fun we stopped and grabbed some nachos (a perfect carnival snack) and headed home. One of the things I loved about this carnival is watching Lib interact with so many of the other kids. It is so much different with her then with the boys...she is social. Not that the boys are mutes, but they don't run around saying hello to everyone they see like she does. So fun to watch!

The PTA did a great job! It was a perfect GNO for Lib and I!

Labor Day 2010

LABOR DAY 2010

Brit was in HEAVEN all day long. He loves being outside, so maybe this day was for him!

Both these photos are blurred, but you can see just how much fun he has! He's such a cutie!

If only you could see his grin clearly!

See I was there...lugging my little man up the mountain.

Caleb with the falls behind him. They really are pretty cool.

Liberty posing on a cool rock.

Zach at the falls. This kid is so funny, the first thing he did was find a hiking stick along the trail.

The gang (minus me) taking a break while heading down the trail.

We all slept in a little bit on Labor day, which was nice. We are constantly going and doing and any chance we get to sleep in is super exciting around here! After breakfast we were trying to decide what to do...after many ideas were thrown around we decided to take advantage of our surroundings and take a hike. It is so funny that we live right at the base of the mountains and we hardly visit them.

We decided to hike up to Battlecreek Falls (I really don't know if that is what the true name is but that is what we call it!) We grabbed our water bottles and the baby pack and took off. It was a great activity. It didn't take forever (which was nice, because we were packing a 30 pound toddler on our back!), it was different and way fun. I won't lie to you, both Craig and I were huffing a bit, and yes we felt the burn! We blame all that on Brit! It was a ton of fun! After we got to the falls, we played around a little bit but it was still a bit cool, and the water was FREEZING! We snapped a few photos and headed back down. We grabbed some KFC and headed to the park. One of our favorite parks in AF. There is nothing like watching Brit at a playground, the kid is in HEAVEN! The older kids just let the inner child out and we all have a ball.

It was a great activity for our day off. I am sure we will venture out and do it again soon. I hope your Labor Day was as exciting and as fun as ours!

Mighty Caleb

While checking out some blogs that I haven't looked at in a while I found this photo on my niece McKinsey's. Even though I was all alone at the time...I busted out in laughter. I don't know why but this just doesn't seem like my Caleb. I guess EFY does some things to your child and you don't realize. Everytime I look at it I laugh. The caption said "Caleb being Mighty". I can't wait to hear the story behind this one.

It's so unlike him...but I guess what happens at EFY stays at EFY!

HA! HA! HA! (Me still laughing!!!)

I love my MIGHTY CALEB!

Back To School

It's hard to believe that summer is over and we are back to school. Check out how cute my kiddos are on the first day of school.

BRIT

When we asked him who was going to go to school with Mom he raises his hand. So cute. Brit is only 18 months but comes to school with me 2 days a week. He is doing pretty good...both days he has ended up sleeping in my classroom. I'm not complaining!

LIBERTY
Liberty is in 2nd Grade and even though she was disappointed that she didn't get the teacher she wanted, she loves her teacher. She will do great! Check out the cutest skirt and flower I made her the night before school started. I think it turned out so cute!

ZACH
Zach is in 4th grade. He LOVES his teacher and can't stop talking about him. Seriously, he is the topic of many conversations around here. It should be a great year!

CALEB

My big 9th grader. This photo is a bit dark but he is such a cute kid. I love how he handles new unchartered territory. He has some good classes. It will be a great year.

Have a great school year!