3 Day Getaway

Our little family took a quick little 3 day getaway to the slightly sunnier south last week.

On our way we took a little detour and stopped at Cove Fort, a Church History Site. We were greeted by a very friendly tour guide and were given a very informative and fun tour of the fort. We learned why the fort was built, what happened there on a day to day basis, and a little bit about life in 1867.

The kids were happy to get out of the car and climb around on the fort. We had a picnic lunch there, then continued on to our final destination.

Once we'd checked in to the hotel the only thing the kids could think about was SWIMMING! Bob's such a good daddy, he braved the freezing cold indoor pool to swim with the kids. I was the official photographer...and did not brave the cold water. The hot tub quickly became a favorite spot, even for Ethan and Avery who bathe in luke warm water.

Ethan remembered to bring his goggles and diving fish. He had a blast diving down and retrieving the fish. He was so proud of himself every time he came up with one.

Avery warmed up to jumping off the side to daddy's arms, but her favorite thing was to float around in the hot tub.

While Bob attended a work meeting the kids and I went miniature golfing at a Family Fun Center. We had a good time. Ethan is a serious golfer and is pretty good at it too. We had a great time in the arcade too. Choosing our prizes was the toughest part of our day.

After we picked up dad we headed over to the city center to ride the carousel. It was fabulous. The kids each got to ride the ponies 4 times.





We were impressed with the splash pad and park surrounding the carousel and might have to come back in the summer.

Before dinner we walked around the Temple Grounds. It was beautiful. There were a few nativities out to look at and the temple was lit up for the evening. I loved how peaceful it was and how our kids knew it was a special place.

Our last adventure was to go hiking at the state park. Avery was an independent hiker this time. She was so cute down on all 4's making her way up the large rocky mountain.

Ethan was the king of the hill. He lead the way up the rock and loved exploring once we were at the top.

We were sad to have the getaway come to an end. I love that we make the most of each moment and love being together!

PS Avery had to "call" her friend Sophie to tell her all about the trip...isn't she a doll with her purse on her arm and her bright pink phone. Such a girl!

It's Our Daddy's

BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday Daddy...We love you!

Fire Power

Last weekend Bob and I had the opportunity to attend a Live Fire Exercise at the National Guard Training Facility. Bob is on a committee that is studying Joint Land Use with the base and surrounding cities. You might remember his Ride Of A Lifetime a few weeks ago. Well last weekend was another fabulous experience. This time he was able to invite someone to come along and I was that lucky someone.

We donned a Kevlar helmet (very heavy), hearing protection and shuttled out to the firing range. We were invited to join the firing crew inside a Paladin (think tank) and fire off a Howitzer. Bob fired off 2 rounds while I video taped the whole show. As the "onsight photographer" I sat on a little shelf in the back of the Paladin, my back resting on the ammo for 5 rounds of fire. The newspaper's video I took turned out best. Check it out HERE.

We were amazed that the aftershock was worse outside the vehicle than it was inside. It was a great ride as the tank rocked back after fire and then rested back down. All the while the computer calculating the recoil and adjusting for accuracy.

It was lots of fun. We came away amazed at the fire power in our own back yard.

Apple Picking

Last week we planned on going to a pumpkin patch with some friends. After a little searching and a few missing directions we found a small pumpkin patch and orchard to stop at. They only had a few pumpkins and a small playground, but they also had a u-pick apple orchard...so we made the most of our stop and harvested a few apples to take home, hoping to counter balance all the Halloween Candy!

We gave each of the kids a bag and told them to get to work. We only picked a few apples, but the kids had a great time searching for the biggest and best apples.










I love giving my kids all sorts of experiences and this was fun. Growing up in Washington I've picked my share of apples!

After letting the kids play on the hay wagon, tractor and playground and buying yet a few more pumpkins for our front step we headed over to McDonald's for lunch. We had a great time! Thanks to our fun friends for joining us on our pumpkin patch wild goose chase turned apple picking extravaganza!

Halloween-A Real Party

We had 4 Halloween parties this year. What a great way to spend a week before a Holiday. The 4 year old boys playdate and the ward party started us off, then the family parties began.


We had the Cousins' party at Grandma's and celebrated 2 birthdays at the same time. We played games, ate chili in pumpkin bread bowls and took lots of pictures of these costumed kiddos.

Aunt Amy had her annual party complete with lots of fun games, prizes, soup and dips, her famous gross punch with frozen gummy body parts and a candy buffet: Witches' Hats, Bat Wings, Eyeballs, and Creepy Worms. We had a great time and were ready for the actual day to come!

Halloween wouldn't be complete without a package from Gram and Papa. The kids love to open our mailbox and see a package box key. Ethan knew right away it was from Gram and said Gram should send us packages more often...he'd take mail everyday if he could! The kids loved the treats and toys!

On Halloween I took the kids trick or treating while Bob patiently stayed home to greet the neighborhood kids who stopped by. Avery was thrilled to knock on the doors this year. At first she would ask me if they had a dog before knocking, but after a few candy rewards she would say, "Let's go next one mommy!" and take off running after Ethan. We knocked on lots of doors and were out for over an hour.

The kids made a haul and are kindly sharing it with the whole family. We love Halloween and can't wait for next year!

Carving It Up

I love pumpkin carving time. It's a fun family tradition...and I love to roast the seeds and love seeing our creations glowing each night. We used a pumpkin from our own garden...not very big, but the kids didn't mind.


This year Aunt Amy dropped by to help with our monster pumpkins. The kids love to make these and I love how easy they are and how great they look during the day.


For Family Home Evening the whole family cut, scooped, and carved our pumpkins to make some pretty great Jack O Lantern faces for the front porch.

Avery was a little hesitant to scoop out the guts, but eventually got in to it.






Bob and Ethan are so good at collaborating to create a perfect face for their pumpkin. Ethan wasn't thrilled about the slimy guts either. I love his face in this picture.


These awesome Jacks dressed up our front porch this year...pretty great huh!

Hauntingly Crafty

We pulled out all the stops this year and crafted up a Halloween Storm!

We made glow in the dark painted paper plate jack o lanterns with our friends. The next day we made glitter pumpkins with the same friends.

Amy and I painted a scarecrow photo backdrop for our 3 Halloween Parties. I put mine back out Halloween night for everyone to use!
They turned out great. It was fun to see all the people taking pictures with their heads poked through the holes...as many adults as kids!




We also created a bean bag toss pumpkin game. It was so easy we may be making a toss game for every holiday.

For the boys playdate that was at our house again this week we made Pumpkin marshmallow shooters. I cut the bottom out of a paper cup and we stretched a cut balloon across the bottom. It worked like a sling shot. We had contests to see who could shoot a marshmallow the farthest, the highest, hit a target, and make the most in the bowl. Mostly I ran around outside the fence picking up the marshmallows!

The party favor after playdate was a Spider Sucker Ethan had made...everyone was thrilled!






For the ward Trunk Or Treat I decorated the back of the Jeep for the kiddos. I loved how it turned out...easy, a little spooky, and fun! (PS I made Avery's ladybug skirt...isn't she cute!) Ethan asked if he could be the dead meat in the mouth, so he climbed in and kicked around a little...silly kid!

We had a super Halloween of crafting and creating...not to mention lots of playing around...stay tuned for even more Halloween Fun!

Fall Fun

It's become our tradition to go with cousins to the local Halloween Festival. We love spending time with cousins and this is a great place to do it.


This year Avery was drawn to milking the cow. I told her it would make Papa proud...she's got good form dad!

Ethan loved the Pedal Bikes. He impressed many by riding the biggest bike like a pro. Must be all the 2 wheel bike riding we've been doing at home!

Bob was able to come with us along with many of the other uncles. We about filled the hay wagon with just our family.

Another great year!