Date night

Tonight was another date night.  Davis and I got to go out just the two of us.  We went to Olive Garden, and I only had to remind Davis to put the game down 2 or 3 times.  I told him, he was being a rude date just playing on his phone.  Once he unplugged we had a great evening chatting and laughing together.  These kids are growing up, they are fantastic kids and I love hanging out with them! 

Different Shoes

Football/soccer season is now done and the kids are putting the cleats back into their closets and pulling out their gym shoes.  Football/soccer season is complete and they will dust off the basketball and switch from one mode to another.  It is a tough change to make, but they enjoy basketball too, I'm just a little biased towards football. 

Pumpkin Picking

Driving down in Hooper, we saw a sign "pick your own pumpkins; $5 an armful."  I figured we would get a great deal with Owen and his long arms.  They had a great time picking their own pumpkins and I was right, we got some huge pumpkins.  I felt a little guilty for the load we got and left an extra "armful" tip. 

She can drive

Lulu got her license on Wednesday, and she told Gator to just call her and she would be there to play with her and hang out.  Gator didn't waste anytime taking her up on her offer and Lu came running and they had a fun evening playing board games and soccer. 

Bridal Veil Falls

 

Fall Drive Day!!  I love this day every year, and the kids were happy for the first 5 minutes.  This excitement didn't last long.  I had Bridal Veil Falls on my summer list, but ran out of time before we made it, so I kept the idea in my mind for fall drive day.  I've never seen the falls and don't remember ever driving up Provo canyon, so it was a perfect place to visit for the color of fall. 

Gator got a little carsick and needed to take a breather. 

 

 

What a fright

After football/school/work today we went and played at Lagoon.   Frightmares is going on right now and we love *most* of Frightmares.   A few things make all of us nervous, I can't blame it all on the kids, I get freaked out as well.  Welcome fall, we sure love seeing you every year!!

 Davis's way of not seeing the zombies and clowns. 

Near Future

Our ward had an activity tonight for the youth that Owen loved.  They divided into companionships (Owens group had 3) and went to members homes for dinner and the first discussion.  Ally and I had some cute "sister missionaries" join us for dinner; and the family that Owen went to sent me this picture.  Owen has had some awesome experiences lately that have really helped his testimony, I love seeing him grow in the gospel and be genuinely excited to serve a mission in the near future. 

Dinosaur PARK

The Dinosaur Park hosted an evening for Ogden/Weber school district's teachers.  Davis had football practice so he wasn't able to go with us:( but Owen and Ally and I had fun.  I took the boys here quite often when they were little, but Ally has only been once when she was really little.  She was more interested in the slides and swings than the dinosaurs, after all "it is called a park mom." 

Quick evening

 

 I just couldn't wait this year for my conference weekend fall drive.  I was so anxious this year to see the beautiful colors of fall.  Davis doesn't have football Monday night so after Owen's practice and Ally's friend went home, I told the kids I just had to go see fall in the mountains.  With just a couple of hours of daylight left, we went up Ogden canyon a little ways and got out in a couple of spots to explore and take some pictures.  The kids were not happy about pictures.  They felt I had lied to them by sneaking in an extra fall color picture day.  In their minds it just wasn't fair, that is until we went to Walmart and they each got their own package of chips ahoy/oreos.  After that, all was right in their universe again.  I got my pictures and they got a treat. 

I've driven up this canyon numerous times, but I've never noticed this landmark on the way up.  We read about it and it was a kiln used for limestone.  Pretty cool little history lesson tonight.  I also learned I was scared of heights as we walked up above the kiln and was on top, looking down it was all I could do to not throw up.  I freaked out and hyperventilated a little.  Davis and Gator went back up on top, but Owen and I were happy on the ground. 

Not only did they get cookies, but we've been wanting to try the exotic meat of the month at Burger Bar.  We went and got dinner and an order of Gator meat to share.  Gator did NOT believe that we were eating Gator, we all gave it a try though and it was really good.  Gator only had her one bite and then went back to her chicken fingers, she just couldn't stand the fact that she was eating Gator.  It didn't help that the boys told her she was a cannibal.  Boys can be so mean! 

 Forever a lover of animals, she tried to feed a stray cat her Gator meat.  The cat wasn't a fan either, which made Gator so sad she couldn't get the cat to eat from her hand. 

I loved my evening with my all time favorite people, and completely enjoyed my fall color preview. 

 

 

 

Fabulous Weekend!!

We live for the weekends.  September is always a "slow" month.  We are just getting into the swing of the new school year, and we have football every day and soccer also.  So we are pretty predictable as to where we will be, either school/work or the football/soccer field.  But on the weekend, we like to break lose a little and have some extra fun.  This weekend was a busy one, but a fabulous one!!

Rocky Mountain played on Friday afternoon.  Even though a loss is tough to take,  when you play as awesome as Owen did in the game, you just still have to be so proud. 

 I missed out on Davis's game this week because he and Gator played at the same time.  I couldn't make it at half time either because he was playing up in Mountain Crest.  They remain undefeated this season and here are some pictures from last weeks game. 

 Gator played her little heart out, even though she got hit with the ball numerous times, one square in the face!  Her team was short players this week, so the 5 that were there had to play the whole hour.  Gator was forward the whole time and rocked it!

 She was pooped, and had to hitch a ride to the car. 

 For 3 months, Owen has been practicing with the ward for the Cultural Celebration in conjunction with the Temple rededication.   The performance was last night at the Dee Events Center.  Parents were asked to stay home and watch the broadcast at the church because there just wouldn't be room for everyone.  So I stayed back and was amazed as I watched from the church and felt the spirit so strong.  I got a text from Owen after the performance, he said "the spirit was so strong, it was so cool."  It made me so happy to receive that text and hear that he had such a testimony building experience.  I felt it and I'm grateful he was able to as well.  He was so happy and excited when he got home, I love that he had this opportunity. 

 Grace came in town for a short visit.  We were so excited to see her.  This morning, we had a family breakfast so we could all visit and enjoy the morning together. 

 I'm sure the kids were expecting this.  I wasn't going to have them all together and not a get a picture!

 A Sunday during football season calls for this attire. 

 And if Gator is anywhere near Lu a picture has to be taken! 

 After breakfast, we were planning on going to the dedication of the temple and helping Krissy out with watching her younger kids, so she could in turn help with Ally.  We thought it would be pointless to go all the way home just to come back to Kaysville so we went and crashed at Stewarts house and turned the day into a all day family day. 

 What an awesome cloud burst there was today.  And cause we would hate to miss a good rain storm this happened......

 Davis, Owen and I went to the dedication.  I hope they felt even a little of what I felt.  And I hope I always let them know how important temples and family are to me. 

 Sheila let the boys turn her basement into a "man cave".  They love their football watching place and get together on Sunday's for Sunday night football. 

 Ha ha ha, the boys wanted to take mug shots today with their numbers.  I went along with it after they promised these would be the only time pictures like this would ever be taken.  They thought they were pretty funny.