We've Got Some News!

I honestly haven't felt much like blogging lately, sorry about that. But I do have an okay excuse for it...

Halloween 2013

Our ward had a Halloween party a couple weeks ago, with games and a trunk-or-treat. Jaxon won the award for the scariest costume. I guess a lot of people are scared of clowns!

On Halloween night, instead of going trick or treating, we invited some friends from our ward over for dinner and then just sat and talked afterwards while our kids played. It was very relaxing. :)

Fall in the Mountains

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.

Pumpkinland 2013

Earlier this month, Natasha and I took our boys on their annual trip to Pumpkinland. Every year gets better as the boys grow and are able to do more.

Finally old enough for inflatables! :)

Front Runner- very fast, and very close!

September Recap

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!

Berry Picking

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. :)

Jaxon Turns Two

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.

An afternoon thunderstorm started up so we played outside in the puddles and watched the fans go round and round in the air conditioners. Did I mention Jaxon has an obsession with fans?

Then it was cake, ice cream, presents, and bed time! We certainly love our growing boy. :)