Pumpkinland and Baby Preston!

On Monday after school, I surprised the kids with a fun outing to Pumpkin Land. They loved it, and I loved watching their excitement. I took a ton of pictures trying to capture some of the kids' excitement throughout the afternoon.

Taylor and Mom!

Ever since Taylor was little, when she gets excited, she clasps her hands together until they shake and grits her teeth. This picture reminded me of that excitement.

Austin, Jody, Jaxson

The BOYS in my life! Love these little guys!

CORN MAZE

Don't judge me, but corn mazes kind of creep me out. Really, they do. The kids got a kick out of the tall corn and carved pathways for us to explore. Here we go!

And they're off!

Meow-Meow Alyssa!
Along the way, there were little head-shot opportunities like this. Now who is the cutest kitty in the world?

Taylor Jae

Batgirl!

Austin, with his cheezy grin!

Heading into the corn maze

Alyssa Jean

Which way should we go?

Anybody who knows Jaxson can imagine that the Corn Maze was the ultimate experience for him! He loves to explore and run everywhere. I was just happy he kept his shoes and socks on (although you can detect the loose shoelace from this picture).

Jaxson, taking a rare break

Austin, Taylor and Alyssa

After we escaped the corn situation, we went on to the animals and play areas. The kids loved the rabbits, chickens, goats, ducks and other birds. Their mother loved staying away from the chickens, goats, ducks and ALL winged creatures! :)

Austin in the hay house

(Grandpa Hatch- this would have made for a fun grandkids play-area on the Idaho ranch!)

Baby Girl

It was here, on the swingset, that I learned Alyssa has started to turn on me. She really has. She threw a major fit, threw herself on the ground in the sand and bawled over nothing. And it wasn't like I could just turn and walk away, leaving her there. Ahhhh, not fun.

On our way out, we chose some pumpkins to buy for carving. While Taylor and Jax carried them to the long checkout line, Alyssa saw an over-priced lollipop. The next thing we knew, she was screaming her lungs out for it. I told the kids to put down the pumpkins and to get out of the store. To my surprise, the kids were actually so great about it. Guess we'll have to go back and get some pumpkins! :)

A Visit from Sister Jen and Baby Preston!

My sister was unexpectedly in town from Arizona for the funeral of her husband's grandmother. I only got to see her for about 30 minutes but they'll be up at Christmas again so we can see her sons and let the cousins get to know each other better.

Anyway, her new baby is yummy! Seriously, his little smile just melted my heart.

Hi Preston!

Our family with Preston

Alyssa was terribly jealous of the new baby. Not a fan of mom holding any other baby but her!

Taylor just loves babies and couldn't wait to hold her new baby cousin.

Jaxson and Preston
After Jenny left, Jaxson said, "I wish that Preston could stay in our family and be our little baby." Wish on, son! Wish on! :)

Austin and Preston

Can't wait until Christmas!

All In The Family

A few Sundays ago, I had to snap pictures of the kids before the war, I mean, before Sacrament Meeting. Alyssa wore her little Drindl from Austria. So adorable.

Doesn't Jaxson look like a missionary? Love it!

Jaxson and Alyssa have the most darling smiles.

Love these faces Dave and I created.
Love these kids!

Thumbs up to mom!

Austin needed a last kiss.

Harry Potter.....or Jaxson in glasses.

Trafalga with Daddy

A few Saturdays ago, Dave took the oldest three to Trafalga for the afternoon and they had the blast.

The Neatest Night I've Been To In Years......

A few nights ago, I got to go to a combined Relief Society/Young Women's party for my two new nieces. Cheri's daughters were darling and delighted with the attention and gifts. The ward members SHOWERED these girls with love, attention, and more love. Here are some of my favorite pictures of these sweeties.

Telling the room 5 things about themselves

These are quilts were made by the Relief Society

Cheri and her daughters

This sweet neighbor gave the girls statues of young women and of Christ. I couldn't believe it.

OUR NEW-FOUND LOVE......

MOUNTAIN BIKING!

I used to love to go biking, especially as a student at BYU. Most Saturdays, we would get up early and bike out to Bridal Veil Falls with breakfast in our backpacks.

Forward 15 years, and NOTHING!

Until now! It takes getting Dave involved and things happen. We went on a bike ride a few Saturdays ago and it was freeing for everybody. Here are some of my shots:

My boys!

Riding ahead of mom!

Baby girl did pretty well in her trailer. Got bored by the end, but who wouldn't?

Straddling the bike for the picture

While Dave loaded up our bikes, I snapped a few more pictures of the kids.

PRE-SCHOOL FOR AUSTIN

Julie, our child-care provider for Austin and Alyssa while I teach school, is GOLDEN when it comes to..., well, EVERYTHING! She is a baby whisperer, smart and a master educator. Three days a week, she works with Austin and 2-3 more boys in preschool. Austin just began and he is already reading. Like really reading. We can't get over it.

Austin, with his ladybug hat, and his daddy

Dave, the tease, is making certain we don't miss Austin's ears.

Hi son!
Hello Ears.