Happy Halloween!

Our Halloween starts a few days early.  We like celebrating our birthdays around holidays.  So Isabel, AJ, and DJ all get one big Halloween birthday party.  The best part of our Halloween party this year were Grandma and Grandpa. Or is that Edward and hippie chick?

Did you recognize them?  Neither did I when they walked in.  Here's a close up.

And I can't get the rest of these pics to go where I want them to go.  But for your viewing pleasure we have some of the yummies we enjoyed and a couple more awesome Halloween costumes.

My Boys' Date

I love my boys!

We had a date a couple of weeks ago.

Papi took the girls to father daughter.

And I got to hang out with these handsome fellows.

We went miniature golfing so they had to wear their golf hats.

Aren't they adorable?

DJ found a frog.  That was a highlight.

He wanted to keep it but I'm sure that little frog was much happier when he decided to let it go once we found it a friend.

And who can pass up a picture opportunity like this?

Not them.

Twin boys are the best.

I recommend it to everyone!

Last Day

Do you Utahns know how lucky you are to live in such a beautiful state?

Our last day we went back to Salt Lake to take the kids around to the sights without all the conference craziness.

I could stay here forever if it weren't for all the people I would miss in AZ.

Good thing we can visit.

Around Park City

Life picked up in Park City after Grandma and Grandpa arrived.

Grandma knows all the tricks, bus routes, old towns and museums.

We had fun in an old west jail and an old time train.

And AJ got stuck on the antique potty.

So glad Grandma and Grandpa came.

It was way more fun with you guys.

Remember!!

Nine months.  While time doesn't heal everything it does make you forgetful.  Mikey is forever ingrained in my heart. But the feelings that I felt while he was here with us are becoming more distant.  Somehow through that rough trial there was peace in our family. I always want to remember the joy and the sorrow I felt holding him in my arms.  I want to remember that peace and that "warm" feeling, as DJ called it, that we felt in the hospital room while he was with us.  I want to remember being held in his arms on those long nights when I couldn't sleep.  Remembering these feelings encourages me to be better.  So, I've added "REMEMBER" to my quote board with a picture of Mikey.  I will do everything I can to feel him again.  So I will remember.

BYU Brain Washing

On my quest to brain wash my children into going to BYU we stop by the Cougar campus whenever we can.  Between me letting them get whatever they want in the bookstore, J Dawgs and the creamery it's always an exciting part of our Utah trips.  We tried hiking up to the Y but a few of our family were all hiked out from Timpanogos.  So we didn't really make it to the top.  Instead we got some great pictures with that beautiful fall coloring that you just don't find back home.

Tuesday

Up, up and away!

I think this was Papi's first time on a ski lift.

I heard he had a hard time getting off, something about not lifting his feet.

Haha, and he wasn't even wearing skis.

Who ever thought of sliding down a mountain was brilliant.

Welcome to the Alpine slides.

 Since it's a cool 50 - 60 degree day we sat around the fire and made s'mores.

 Then, of course, on a cold day they would want to go swimming.

 But just in the hot tub.

Tomorrow is BYU.

My kids can't wait for the creamery.

Two Hearts Becoming One

I love this stage of our family right now.  

Kids are old enough to do fun things

but we're not into the teenage years yet.

The adventure of the day was the Timpanogos Cave.

 After 1.5 miles of a steep uphill climb we made it to the top and awaited the tour.

 Of course, the cave didn't disappoint.

With so many cool stalactites and stalagmites to gaze upon the kids discovered a whole new world under the mountain.

 They became true "cavers".

Just a warning if you have small children and decide to take them into a cave,

make sure they use the bathroom before you go in even if it is an outhouse

because if they don't the tour guide will have you hold a bag for them to relieve themselves in.

It's a little messy.

Of all the stalactite formations the favorite was this gigantic 4,000 pound creation.

According to the tragic legend of Timpanogos the hearts of the indian princess Ucanogos and her love, Timpanac, were melted together by the great spirit to form the "heart" of Timpanogos.

Since the hike down was easier than the hike up we stopped and marveled over the miracle of the changing seasons in the Utah mountains.

These fall colors are like candy for your eyes.

It's beautiful!!!

I miss not having an autumn season in AZ.

Thanks Timpanogos for the stories that you've inspired and the nature that you offer us.

Now what will tomorrow's adventure be?