Halloween

We used to go to the Halloween store and buy new costumes for Trick or Treating every year.  It was fun. Then I decided we had way too many costumes that weren't getting used.  So the past couple of years I've had the kids come up with their own costumes using what we have.  They have a spending limit of $10 for little things that they might want like face paint, or suspenders.  I've loved seeing what they've come up with.  Alexandria was extra crafty this year and found this dress to be Elsa at Goodwill.  There was just one problem.  It was pink! So she brought it home and painted it blue. I was impressed with how well it turned out.  Well done on the costumes kids.  You guys look awesome! 

 

Phoenix Temple

 

We have been so blessed this year in Arizona to have two temples finished and dedicated.  My kids are thinking that this is an everyday thing.

 

Isabel was super excited for the dedication of the Phoenix Temple though.  She missed the Gilbert Temple because she wasn't an official member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints yet. But she got baptized and confirmed a member just in time to see the dedication of the Phoenix Temple.

 

I wish I could have bottled her energy as we shouted Hosanna. She was literally bouncing up and down with excitement.  Then she turned to me with a huge grin and a twinkle in her eyes and I tried to set that moment in stone.  It was one of those moments you never want to forget.  She was perfect, happy to be a member of Heavenly Father's church and delighting in the spirit of the dedication. Cutest thing ever!

Chop it off

 

This may have been one of the scariest things I have ever done, scarier than a C-section, scarier than getting married, scarier than flying across the pacific ocean with 4 kids under the age of 6 but it had to be done. My hair has been through a lot with two pregnancies in one year.  2012, finally caught up to me.  So I took a deep breath and chopped it off.

 

And you know what I decided? I like it! Why did I not do this earlier? Short hair is sassy! I can do sassy, right?

Watching the Game

I'm just sitting in my little camping chair watching my big brother play a flag football game.  Mommy thought I was cute and snapped this picture.

Still a Kid

Stella is one.  She likes to ride in carts at the grocery store.  She asks for them.  There's just one little issue we encounter.  As soon as she gets in she asks whoever is with us to sit by her.  "Ba, sit!" She'll say.  They always try.  It's a little cramped.  We get a few stares and smiles.  The kids think they're the ones doing the work to keep Stella happy but they don't know how heavy that cart is with them in it! But I'm glad that they don't think they're too old and they'll still be a kid.  Anything for the baby, right?

Grandpa's Guns

Isabel loves her Grandpa! She spends all afternoon over there after school with him often.  He gives her mints, lets her shred the papers, watch movies and teaches her about guns.  She's becoming a little expert.  In fact she probably knows more than the scouts in the house. I'm thankful that she has a Grandpa and that they have a close relationship.  I would have loved to be able to spend time with my Grandpas like this.

The Moon Pool

In the mountains of Midway there's a hill that's not full of dirt but hollow and full of warm water.  It's a natural hot spring that makes your skin silky smooth and I'm sure does something to improve your health as well.  So we decided to take advantage of this Midway bath and soak for an hour or two.  Grandma has memories of going there as a kid when she lived in Heber, another one of my most favorite places on Earth.  There seems to be a few of those and they are mostly in the State of Utah.

See why I love fall and Heber. Don't you just want to lay out on a picnic blanket in that green pasture and soak up the radiant sunbeams and glorious colors that surround you?

In Park City

You've got to love Park City, Utah and all of the creative art sculptures that are roaming the quaint downtown streets.  We admired some of the shops, got kicked out of a few for having too many kids and politely told off store employees for criticizing "the children".

 

Can we talk about fall?  I miss it soooooo much! We hit Utah at the right time this year.  The leaves were just barely changing and it was breathtaking.

Then there's AJ who just has so much super human strength that we are always amazed.

Day at Salt Lake Temple

Back to my favorite square mile of real estate, really I can't get enough of this place.  Alexandria wanted to do baptisms for the dead in the Salt Lake Temple.  That was fun to get to go with her.  I adore the 19th century construction and all the details that went into building this House of the Lord. Gorgeous!

Isabel picked the best place on Earth to have her baptism pictures taken, at the Temple.  What a perfect place for such a monumental occasion!

Bears in Caves

I love taking vacations with Grandma and Grandpa! Grandma always has the best spots to stay and fun things to do.  She even does things with the kids like crawling into this bear's cave!

 

And crawl out laughing at how she was taking pictures of the boys by the bear and didn't want to come out even when some strange kids started poking her legs and telling her to move.  It really was pretty funny.

Then there's the family time that happens on vacations like this moment of DJ showing Stella the world through the third story window.  Adorable!

Conference with my Kids

Look at us! We made it to Salt Lake with LDS Conference Tickets in hand.  I was probably more excited than they were to take them to conference in the Conference Center.  This little square mile of real estate is one of my most favorite places on Earth.  The spirit here is beautiful as are the buildings and the landscaping.  We have a pretty fun tradition having conference at home but seeing it in person was marvelous.  Only one complaint, they wanted to be closer.  One day guys, one day.