The month that was October

Is it just me, or what? I mean come on! Elizabeth is 2 1/2 months old. Christmas will be here before we know it. Time is racing at an alarming pace. And it's a pity because this is my favorite time of year and I'd love it to drag out a little bit. Fall colors, sweaters, soup, a chill in the air, wearing slippers around the house, etc. Just a wonderful time of year.
We finally broke down and took the boys to CornBelly's at Thanksgiving Point. They've been asking for a couple years now and we just didn't ever do it. We went on a chilly afternoon a couple days ago. Lots of bounce houses, go carts, pumpkins, pig races, a pitch black walk through beast, and to top it all off, the biggest corn maze I've ever been in. We actually didn't even make it through. We got to the second checkpoint to let us know we were on the right path, which took 45 minutes. There was a watch tower to climb so you could get a hint and a peak at the lay of the land. We climbed up and realized we were barely a fraction into the huge maze. And my kids had had it by that point. I thought they'd have more fun in the corn maze, but it was super tricky. Way too many options and dead ends and sneaky loop arounds. They were frustrated and bored. Maybe it's meant for an older crowd. So we made our way back out to the entrance. Too much corn.




Do you see the beast laying down in the distance? It's massive! And a completely dark maze you have to find your way out of. You come out near his rear end.








And of course the annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch to select our family pumpkins to be carved. Lots of fun. Isn't fall the best?!




We've also recently hiked the City Creek trail up in SLC with my brother. It's a hidden beautiful little trail that works its way up into the hills above the capitol building. We hit it at the perfect time with the fall colors at their most vibrant. So lovely. The boys brought their scooters because the trail is paved for bikers. They had a great time (going back, downhill anyway).

Something to do

Yesterday was Greg's day off and also was early out day from school. We decided to make use of the day with Dad home and go have some family time. We drove up Provo Canyon to Sundance. We kept going up the mountain enjoying the beautiful fall colors. We saw signs for Cascade Springs, which we'd never been to, and decided to go. There is a short little paved trail up and around the springs and we took a little walk in the beautiful mountain air.








Last weekend we had family in town for Elizabeth's blessing. My parents suggested we take the boys to the Kennecott Copper Mine up Bingham Canyon. We'd never been and it was really interesting. The boys loved looking down the huge hole in the earth to see the trucks and machines excavating way down there. We watched a little video in the visitor's center about the mines and some interesting history.






And who can resist a naked baby shot? She's more loveable every day.
Belows is a small preview of Halloween Costumes to come. Can you guess what my boys' current obsession is? It's odd how they go through phases. It used to be Star Wars and everything to do with it. Now suddenly it's all about the man with the lightning scar.

This and That

Life is rolling right along. Elizabeth has been the joy of all our lives. She is a main topic of discussion among the boys, still. They love her so much and I'm so grateful they feel that way. We just finished up General Conference weekend which we spent in Idaho with my parents. For one of Andrew's Cub Scout requirements he is supposed to attend a live cultural event such as a play or concert. My mom is the president of the Community Concert organization and she brings in performers to our small Idaho community. Anything from Carnegie Hall Opera singers to the Bar J Wranglers from Wyoming or to Broadway stars singing their stuff. So conveniently, I sent Andrew along with his Grandma Susan to go see a stringed quartet who performed Saturday night of Conference weekend. I should have gotten a picture of him and Grandma all dressed up for a night of concert going. But I forgot. He went up on stage with her to announce the performers and to help with a drawing she was doing. He was a little nervous in front of the huge crowd at the KFAC but he did great.

Recently Andrew and Nathan's elementary school participated in a walk-a-thon fund raiser. I was so proud of my boys for running/walking their laps for a whole hour and not ever stopping or giving up. Greg and I pledged some money and they also went around our neighborhood collecting donations and pledges. The school received more than $14,000 and was a huge success.


And here's our precious little Boo. She's getting big. And big. And big.


Of these two sweet babies, which one would you say is older? You'd be wrong. The giant sized baby (Elizabeth) seen here next to her cousin, Abbie, is the younger of the two. My baby loves to eat and apparently it's doing her body good.