It took 4 months

We've finally unpacked every single box from our move! It might have something to do with my mother coming to visit today. Just maybe. Okay it did.

Glowing Jack O'Lanterns

We were sitting around the house this past weekend and Josh looks around and asks, "So, have you finished putting up all the Halloween decorations yet?" I had. I must admit, that since we moved into this bigger apartment that our decorations looked pretty pathetic. So I was on a mission to find a cute, but cheap Halloween decoration. I was so excited when I found this craft here and here, that we ran to the store that night to get the few supplies I didn't have.


So cute right?! They hardly cost anything to make. Sidenote, if you can't find orange tissue paper you can always use orange napkins. A few of the pumpkins I used napkins and I bet you can't even tell the difference.

I must admit, they look just okay when they aren't lit.


Once you light them they change from "cute" to "oh my goodness, I must make some right this instant!"


My favorite is this little guy.


Now you could put actual candles inside to light them up, but I would recommend getting some flameless tea lights like the one pictured below. I got mine from Costco and L-O-V-E them. They turn one with a flip of a switch, don't make the glass scorching hot, are mess free, and the best part is that they actually flicker like a real candle would.


So if you are looking for a cheap but awesome Halloween decoration, I totally recommend making these. They are so easy, that even those who are craft challenged would have a positive outcome.

Pumpkin Patch

Who can resist taking the kiddies to the pumpkin patch? Not us, that's for sure! We decided to head out to the same pumpkin patch that we took Ava to last year.


Here's Ava trying to navigate her way threw the maze.





A favorite of Ava's was getting to play in the enormous sandbox filled with corn.


A favorite of mine was getting to ride on the cow train.


This ride might look tame, but just glance at Ava's face and her death grip on "Lillian". The driver takes you on a trail that goes through the corn maze. And they've carved some major hills for this little caravan to go over.


I seriously wanted to go on it again, but Ava would not have it. But of course, once we got her back to the car, she told Josh she wanted to go on the train again.


Reidy didn't get to participate in all of the activities, but he sure enjoyed getting to people watch :)

Utah 2009: Day 7

Here is the last day of our week long trip to Utah. We kept the last day more low-key. We made sure to have plenty of time to play with play dough. Ava could of stayed at the table all day if we let her.


We made sure to fit in one more walk. The views of the mountains are just gorgeous. Everytime we would go for a drive, Ava would excitedly point out all the mountains and then exclaim, "We've got to go through it!" (taken from one of her favorite books, Going on a Bear Hunt)


Reid loves going on walks. I love getting to put his beanie on. He's just too cute!


We had a good time one our vacation. Thanks John and Shelby for a wonderful time! We can't wait till our next trip.

Utah 2009: Day 6

On Monday the weather cooled way down, which made it the perfect day to take advantage of Kangaroo Zoo. Which is an indoor bouncing place. Ava was in love the moment we walked inside.


My heart skips a beat everytime I look at this picture. This little girl has no fear! She had no problem climbing up. But don't worry, everytime she climbed up one of these enormously steep stairs I was standing right behind her...just in case.


If you are ever in the Utah area you have to take your kids here. Ava just loved it.

(If you cannot view the video go to our website)

On our way out she told us that she was tired and she needed to take a nap. It was only noon. Music to any Mom's ears!

Utah 2009: Day 5

Sadly, after lunch on Sunday we had to say goodbye to this little fellow. It did make it a little easier knowing that we would get to see him again in just over two months.


On Sunday we tried to fit in a more formal photo shoot, but none of the kids were having it. Here's my best shot of the kiddos.


I just love this pic. I love how Reid looks like a little man in this pic and how you are able to see his little hair fuzz sticking striaght up in the back.


It isn't going to be much longer before Reid is going to be mobile. Look how well he's holding himself up already. This little boy is strong.


I'm such a lucky lady to have these boys in my life!

Utah 2009: Day 4

We spent most of the day watching conference. But of course we had to sneak in a few photo ops. Ahem. I must admit, I kinda went photo crazy.


But who can blame me when you have a cutie like this!


I guess Jared and Krys are cute too :)


I love this photo of Jared and Cole. Those overalls are darling and Cole's expression is so dang cute.


I have been known to swap a few faces from different pics to make the perfect picture. But I am happy to say I didn't have to do it in this shot. I still can't believe that we got everyone looking at the camera in the first shot. Ava's even smiling.


During the break between Saturday's conference session, we decided to go on a walk. The weather was perfect.


Krysten keeps thinking that she's taller than me. I completely disagree. I'm taller. She just look taller because her hair is curly.


Awwww. Who knew Utah could be such a romantic place :)


Ava loved all of the sunflowers that were blooming.


We decided that we needed to get one for Nana.


Ava and Reid adore their Nana.


Reid especially loved it when Nana would growl at him. No joke. He still giggles anytime any of us make a growling noise. He's such a boy!


Reid would get the biggest smile on his face whenever Shelby came over to pick him up.



After the afternoon session, the boys were off to the priesthood session. The lucky ducks actually scored some tickets at the conference center. While they were gone it left all us girls (plus Reid and Cole) to do whatever we wished. Which of course was to take more pictures.

Here's my best shot of trying to get all three cousins lined up on the floor.


Ha! Now Cole knows how it feels to be Reid.


I wonder who Reid learned this from? Reid would want nothing to do with any given toy UNTIL it was given to Cole. Then he found it irresistible. Other things Reid found irresistible: Cole's ear, Cole's head, and Cole's hand. We actually found Reid sucking on Cole's hand a few times. I guess he must of seen Cole sucking on it and decided that looks good!


Here's Ava trying to entertain the masses.


I think Cole was having a good time with his cousins.


This little boy loves to be upside down. When he's sitting on our lap, we've got to make sure we have a good grip on him because he's been known to fling himself backwards so he'll be upside down.


By the end of the day Ava was trying to take pics herself. By the end of the weekend she figured out how to take pictures without her finger on the lens!


By the end of the photo shoot, this is how Ava retaliated.

Reid's method of retaliation.


Cole decided to just to go to sleep. I think my kiddos seriously wore that kid out.


We even wore out the energizer bunny, aka Ava. This is a first, but she actually fell asleep at the dinner table.