We've had some fun adventures this fall. Last week, we rode the Sundance ski-lift with my family and enjoyed the beautiful colors from up high.
This weekend, Travis took a day off work and we drove to Heber to relax. We rode the Heber Creeper and got to pick some free pumpkins afterwards.
Then we checked into our hotel (which I got a killer deal on) and spent some time at the pool. The next day we drove to nearby Cascade Springs and enjoyed a fun walk around the springs.
Before heading back to Provo, we just HAD to stop for lunch at the "train place". Travis and I love this hamburger joint, and since discovering all the ceiling fans there, Jaxon now loves it too.
I'm so glad we've taken these opportunities to get out in the crisp, mountain air. It's definitely one of the perks of living in Utah.
My blogs have become a bit more few and far between due to online classes, my calling, and an active toddler. I don't mind that much 'cause it means when I do blog it's just about the main things that've happened, not little things. Although sometimes those little things are fun, too. Right now I am purposely putting off a research paper to update you on the happenings in our family. So, ha!
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The coming of fall means it's time to can grape juice! Last week my friend and I went to my parent's house to pick grapes. They don't juice them anymore, so we figured we'd take advantage of those lonely grapes who, without us, would serve no purpose. :) Our boys were good sports while we picked for a couple hours. My friend was very gracious to let me borrow her juicer after she was finished juicing her grapes (one of the many things on my list to get once we own a bigger house).
I loved how the whole house smelled like grape juice as they were being juiced. It reminded me of my childhood. I love the rich purple color, and the taste is 100x's better than any grape juice you get at the store. I went back later that week and picked more so I could make more juice. :)
This summer I've canned grape juice, peaches, and peach-raspberry jam
This month, our ward decided to have one big fiesta to celebrate multiple countries' Constitution Days and invited local folk dancers to dance for us. My young women were also awesome and danced a traditional dance for the audience. They were so beautiful, I was beaming with pride. Jaxon had a lot of fun watching the folk dances.
We are so excited for fall to get into full swing! I've got so many ideas of things I want our family to do to celebrate this beautiful time of year!
We went berry picking last week at McBride's Briar Patch with some friends. There were a few blackberries, but tons of raspberries! They were so sweet, delicious, and a great deal! I'm tempted to go back for some more blackberries when they fully ripen.
Jaxon got the hang of picking berries from the bushes pretty quickly, but he insisted on giving his berries to his friend. He liked eating them straight off the bush, too. :)
Sneaking berries into Bennett's bucket
We used some of our berries for a delicious smoothie later on. :)
We now have a two-year old toddler in the house! To celebrate Jaxon's birthday last weekend, we went camping up Hobble Creek Canyon Friday night. Jaxon loved exploring and his first taste of s'mores. :)
Unfortunately, he didn't sleep very well (who does camping, right?) so he was a bit cranky the next day- his birthday. What a way to begin the "terrible twos"! But we made the most of his special day by going to Tucanos for lunch where he ate to his heart's content. It was the first time I'd actually seen him refuse food because he was full! Usually he's a bottomless pit. Afterwards, we walked over to the toy store where he ran around and played with all the toys he wanted.
We celebrated our 5 year anniversary yesterday! When Travis came home from work yesterday, he knocked and when I opened the door he was holding flowers and chocolate covered pretzels (one of my most favorite treats ever!). He also just happened to be wearing one of these:
It definitely threw me for a loop and I couldn't help but laugh. He's just cute like that.
We dropped Jaxon off at my sister's (thanks, Caitlyn and Jon!) and had a yummy dinner at P.F. Changs. Then we went to see the play Guys and Dolls at the Hale Center Theater. It was a great performance. After the play, we got some Cold Stone and watched some aerial fireworks that were being lit from a nearby parking lot. I guess that's one advantage of having your anniversary close to Pioneer Day. We pretended the fireworks were being lit in our honor. :)
Travis is my best friend and I'm so glad I can talk to him about anything and that he's patient with my moments of craziness, like when I burst into song or dance spontaneously. He just goes with the flow. I love you, Husband!
The Andersons had another fantastic family reunion last week. It was Kami and Brad's turn to organize it this year and they chose Lake Powell as the destination.We rented a houseboat but camped on the shore. The weather was very hot, but we kept cool by staying in the water.
See our kayaks on the top?
Jaxon was a trooper. As a toddler who always wants to be on the move, it took him a couple days to get used to just being in the water all day. He was much happier opening and closing the sliding doors on the houseboat and climbing stairs. Naps were also a little tough since it was too hot to sleep anywhere but outside in the shade and breeze or he'd wake up very sweaty and dehydrated. Eventually, I had to hold him for his naps out on the shaded deck. I didn't mind. It's been a while since I've been able to hold him like that. :)
We had fun swimming, fishing, boating, tubing, and water skiing!
I always got flung off on corners.
We also got into colored teams and had some fun activities like sand castle building and relay races.
My favorite part of any reunion, though, is being able to catch up with everyone and see what's going on in their lives, and for Jaxon to spend some time with his cousins.
We look forward to our next reunion in 2015 with much anticipation!
