fall break

The kids have two days off of school and Grandma Lucy is in town, so we headed to Jake’s pumpkin patch in Springville.

hay ride

Porter running to give us the pumpkin Carter threw off the hay ride, such a nice brother.

There was a petting zoo, with an oreo cow!

And lots of different animals, like pigs and even a kangaroo.

The favorite part was the massive corn pile, like a giant sandbox of corn.

Carter loved it and had so much fun throwing corn with Grandma.

It felt so relaxing laying on a bed of corn.

We had some yummy cotton candy- Porter’s all time favorite.

corn buried kids

The slides were fun, I love this face plant shot of Marlee landing in the corn.

Carter’s big brothers took him down the slides and he loved it.

Sometimes picking just 1 pumpkin can be hard.

Then we headed to the Bean Museum.

There is so many amazing birds with such crazy feathers that they almost look fake.

Carter was in “geegle” heaven. That is what he calls all birds.

I love this photo- I think this is a tired group.

We headed to BYU Creamery for ice cream and dinner (in that order).

When we got home we put the pumpkins on the front porch.

These are the pumpkins each kid chose-

Carters, Porters, Claytons and Marlees.

TV bums

Marlee and I were suppose to go to the pumpkin patch with her class today, but she got sick this morning. So we stayed home and had a lazy day of TV watching. These two sitting on the couch with their smoothies and popcorn were too cute…

And I am loving Carter’s bald head.

This is what he does when you ask…Carter, where did your hair go?

feeling blessed

This morning as I was at my 5:30 am spin class, my heart was full of gratitude. I am almost 1 year out from my left hip replacement (and 8 years since my right hip replacement) and I am back at the gym as of a couple weeks ago. I’m going with my friend Corrine, otherwise I’m sure I would hit snooze on that alarm. We go 3 days a week, to spin, pump and kick boxing. I’m loving it for so many reasons. I’m feeling amazed that my body has been through so much and is stronger for it. I feel thankful for my metal hips and all they can do as I peddled that bike today. And when I came home around 6:30am, I felt even more blessed. Carter woke up when I was at the gym and like a good older brother, Clayton took care of him. I loved seeing my kids on the couch, watching Thomas the Train. Porter was in the shower, but these couch potato's were pretty cute. And I’m loving Carter’s shaved noggin.

proud momma

Today Clayton and Porter had their very last cross country meet for the season. They both ran JV in the district meet.

Their biggest fans- Me, Laun and Carter (Marlee was at her after school club).

Carter is probably the funniest baby we’ve had. Here he is tickling his own nose with grass.

He is a daddy’s boy.

  Getting ready to start…

These boys ran strong.

The race is a mile and a half long and there were 141 JV boys total.

Clayton got 16th overall with a time of 9:56

Porter got  64th overall with a time of 10:51

So proud of these two, who both got their PR today!

The top 20 get a ribbon and Clayton got 16th, way to go T!

Tonight the youth in the ward put on a Halloween party for the primary kids. Clayton helped take kids through the haunted stage. And Porter missed the party, he was playing in a soccer game.

They didn’t have a costume contest, but if they had, this little old man would’ve won for sure!

Laun shaved the top of Carter’s noggin.

Carter went all out: real shaved head & real walker.

Little old man & UofA cheerleader

Carter did not cooperate for the picture, all he cared about was throwing the pumpkins.

When we got home Laun shaved the rest of Carter’s head…it is one beautiful bald noggin.

sick

It’s been one of those days where I’ve seen some disgusting things. Carter was sick and threw up several times. He even covered his car seat in puke, but on the whole seeing the good, at least we live in a home and not a trailer and I could wash the car seat cover right away. And with him being sick he’s been extra cuddly, which I love. He fell asleep in my arms, so we napped together.

Laun sliced his calf. He was hitting his ax with a hammer and a piece of his ax flew off and stuck in his leg. Talk about a freak accident. He super glued it and hopes it stays shut. And yes, that is his bloody leg on the kitchen counter.

This totally reminds Laun and I of Clayton:

busy Saturday

Brytin Hall (Brandon and Mary’s daughter) was baptized today. She asked Laun to give a talk on the Holy Ghost. We were so happy to be part of her special day.

Then we went to Porter’s soccer game and Grandma Lucy came! The game ended in a tie of 1-1.

Porter is taking art at school and has really enjoyed it.

I’m glad he brought home something for us to see:

And Laun put those shelves he bought at the auction to good use…our garage is looking so much cleaner and organized today.

BYU soccer

Clayton and Porter went to the BYU Women’s soccer game tonight with the Shooter’s Club Soccer teams. They had a great time and BYU won.

Cosmo (BYU mascot), Clayton, Seth and Josh-all on the same soccer team

see the good

I feel so inspired lately. I went to see Nie Nie talk, watched the General Women’s Session and both the Saturday and Sunday Sessions of General Conference. I felt a recurring theme, be positive, look for the good in others and yourself, be happy and have hope. I’ve also read several quotes recently that have a similar theme.

I like to have a family theme for each school year, that I present at a back to school dinner. This year started off crazy and we were living in a camper at the start of the school year, so I put it off. I’m actually glad now that I haven’t gotten to it, because the school theme has now changed form what I originally wanted.

Laun told me the other night that he thinks the theme for this school year should be: See the good. I think this fits perfect for what our family needs and with all the recent messages.

On a side note, I’m seeing a lot of good…I’m finally caught up with my blog!!!!