Goblin Guts

Sunday the 16th Jeff and I hosted my families annual Halloween dinner. It was great food (even if it didn't sound like it from the menu) and great company. This is something we all look forward to ever Halloween.  

 For dessert we sang & celebrated Chris's birthday and then sent the kids outside to eat their chocolate cupcakes. Thank heavens the weather wasn't too cold. Jeff I really didn't like the idea of cleaning up cake crumbs from the carpet.

Dream Big

First thing the next morning after landing back in Salt Lake, we got up and headed to the U. Because of our trip we missed the first day of Special Olympics, but Jeff and Emily would not let us miss it all together. We helped around campus for the first little bit and then helped pack hundreds of lunch bags with cookies and chips.  Then we loaded up almost 100 of them into the back of a golf cart and drove around delivering lunches to other GOC members, athletes, and officials that couldn't make it over to the pavilion during the lunch hours. Then we took a break to eat - Jacob thoroughly enjoyed his Doritos.

 We helped were we could and held Jacob off a nap for as long as possible before heading back home. Of course the kids loved it as usual. I'm not sure what they enjoy the most - the people, the golf carts, the games, or all the treats.

After a quick nap we had a short visit with Brad & Heather and their girls (and met Hadley for the first time). They were heading back home to NM the next morning so we tried to get as much time in with them as possible. The kids jumped right into playing before we headed to dinner at Red Robin. We were all sad with the short amount of time we had (especially Emily & Ella), but we're crossing our fingers we can see them at Christmas time. 

Pumpkin Patch

Right after conference we met up with my family for our annual trip to Lyle's Pumpkin Patch. Everyone got to pick some pumpkins and then we snapped some family pictures and attempted a grandkids picture. It's always a fun thing to do together and we're grateful to Lyle for inviting us over every year.

 Picking out pumpkins (one of the few words Jacob actually says) and Jeff talking to Lyle

Matthew

Matthew finally came home for the weekend! We hadn't seen him since the first of August when he left for school. It was a quick whirlwind trip - he drove home late Saturday night after his football game and had to leave after dinner on Sunday - but it was necessary to finalize and submit his mission papers. All the kids were really excited to see him and loved every minute he spent with them. We're excited for the next time we see him - most likely it will be when he gets his mission call!

Red

We went to a ward BBQ for the BYU/Utah game on the 17th. We ate great food with great company and enjoyed a great game. The kids had a blast running around with friends and occasionally would tune into the game. Needless to say, we were extremely happy with the outcome. GO UTES! 

GNO ... almost

On 9.16 Jeff was reffing a football game and Ryan was on a camping trip with Sam. So Jenn came over with her girls and we had pizza, made hair clips, and watched The Swan Princess and ate popcorn. Jacob didn't seem to mind that he was the only boy around. He has a lot of fun with Ally and Sara, absolutely loves baby Kate and his sister Emily, and can't ever get enough of Gracie. It was a fun night.

Fair

We went to the State Fair on the 13th with my mom and Stacy and her kids. The Little Hands on the Farm was amazing. The kids each got a bucket and an apron and went to a granary and got some corn. Then we went to the dairy and fed the cow the corn and then Emily got to milk the cow. Jacob wouldn't go near it - even though it wasn't real.

 Then the kids got to pick some apples, plant some 'seeds', harvest their vegetables, gas up a tractor and ride it around.

 Then they got to brush a sheep, gather some eggs, and then turn in all their goods in for a paper dollar. Then the last building was a store where they could buy a treat with their dollar. It was well done and the kids had a blast.

 Riding the BIG slide

 Visiting the animals

 We got to get a treat at the end and of course Emily chose chocolate ice cream. It was a lot of fun and great to spend time together and with some cousins and grandma.

Chocolate U

 9.10.11 - The kids and Jeff were decked out in red and U gear for the game...

 ...at least until I had chocolate beaters.

Both our kids LOVE chocolate and Jeff and I don't really care for it. We once asked Emily where she came from and her response was, "chocolate world."

After eating lots of chocolate ice cream at the street ice cream party on 9.12.11

Ballerina

Emily started dance again today. She was excited to see Miss Julie again, to have Mamie from preschool in her class and also several of the girls from last time in her class again. She's learning lots and I love seeing how much her dancing and prancing around the house has evolved in the last year. We're looking forward to her Frosty the Snowman dance this Christmas.

Bookworm

This morning I asked Emily if she would keep an eye on Jacob while I showered. When I got out I found them cuddled up on her bed reading. Emily has always loved books and is doing REALLY well with her reading. Jacob has just started getting into books and I will often find him in the rocking chair with a stack of books next to him. I love it!