A Little Late I know

This is how our Halloween went this year. For some reason I had a really hard time getting into the spirit of Halloween so it snuck up on us and we weren't ready for the Alvey Halloween Party. Mandi was awesome and let me barrow her cute witch costume and Kyle went as a Huka Warrior. I thought he looked super cool.

Jake did all of the drawing for us. Good thing cause I have the drawing skills of a 4 year old. Its sad.

Jake and Anni

Jack loves Star Wars. I thought his costume was the cutest ever.

On Halloween we decided to dress up as dead Cheerleaders. I was pretty excited to still fit into my old uniforms and Kyle was able to wear my old Drill Jumpsuit. I thought is was pretty funny.

The Wind Talks Back

The first time I read this post I felt like it was talking right to me. It was helping me know that things aren't as rough as I think they are and that I am so SO blessed. It helped me see trials in a true perspective. I have never been good with words so just read it. You will love it. She is amazing.

Good Bye Summer

It was really hard to me to let go of Summer this year. I was not ready to freeze everyday and have snow for 4 months but then I remembered Fall. I love the leaves changing colors and all the fall candles that make everybody's houses smell amazing. I love the jackets and being wrapped up in blankets with hot chocolate. But most of all the love the smell of Fall when you walk outside and the crisp air blows in your face and everything feels fresh and new. I think Fall is my favorite smell of all time!

It seems like things have been getting tough for everybody lately and sometimes I get caught up in all the worrying but I realized all I have to do is take a step outside and take a deep breath or go for a drive up the canyon and see the beautiful leaves and all my worries start to fade away. I can't get over how pretty things are right now and how wonderful Fall smells. I love the colors and the crisp breeze!

The peace that I feel when I take a walk outside during this time of the year is just one way that Heavenly Father lets me know that everything will be ok. I need to try to keep that peace with me all the time. But until I master that art I will continue to enjoy all the blessings of Fall....thank you for the reminder.

My little sister Jacee had her 12th birthday a couple weeks ago so to celebrate we all went bowling. It has been a long time since all of us had been bowling together so we ending up playing 4 games. It was a lot of fun.

Jacee (the birthday girl), Jenae and Mom

Kyle and I....before...you will see...

We got Dad's shoes for him and were happy to know that they had a size 12 for him but in our curiosity we had to ask what their biggest size was. So as a joke we gave him size 18 shoes!! They were so big! He was really confused and all he could say was wooooh over and over again.

Kaden and Jenae. For future reference, bowling balls smallest weight is 6 pounds. haha Jacee and Kaden struggled but ended up doing very well and gained a little muscle at the same time. ;)

The after picture... Kyle and I like to make bets while bowling. For like the last 4 times we have gone he has kicked my trash and I'm pretty competitive so it never made me too happy but this time I did awesome!!! Well, for my standards. This is Kyle's sad face cause he was loosing. I think it is so cute. I won a head, neck, back, and butt message as well as I got to pick were to eat dinner that night. Sconecutter anyone?! Speaking of, I still need to claim my other winnings. Can messages gain interest. haha

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Mandi wanted to go to the Owlz game and with it only ending up to be $2 a person we were all for it! Owlz kicked trash that night so that made the deal even better. I mean who wants to watch a crappy team right?

Josh, Mandi, Me and Kyle

Eric, Whitney, Josh, Mandi, and Me. I'm still waiting for your update Whitney....

Ice Blocking

Ice blocking is so much fun...the end. Mmmk? Ok it may get a little dangerous at times but we all turned out ok at the end of the night so its all good. I'll show you what I mean...

Our 3 man tower...during the ride...

And after...

After we found out that we were safe from the crash we took a good picture. Isn't Jenae pretty? I can't believe how grown up she is. Its a good thing I'm all moved out cause I would be wearing all her clothes and she might not like me as much after that. ;)

Kyson, Max, and Eric's attempt at the 3 man tower. Kyle gave them a good push to get started. Before...

And after... haha I think Max is laughing at Kyson groaning in pain. haha Being on bottom of those 2 boys took courage I'm sure.

The record long train of the night. Sydney, Jenae, Jacee, Andy, Dillan, Payton, and Kaden.

Eric, Max, Kyle, and Kyson at the end of the night. I can't look at this picture without laughing. Notice Kyle's face and then that it looks like he peed his pants. And then Kyson looks like a charging handicap. I love it.

Fishing, 4-wheelers, and Guns

Fishing...

Dad and Kaden have been wanting to go fishing for a long time so we took them to this awesome pond where you can catch dozens of fish but....just because we took them there we didn't catch one thing. It was pretty sad. I guess we will just have to go again soon. :)

Kaden, Dad and Kyle on the dock. I took this as Mom and I drove away to the fabric store. I could have stayed in that store for hours!!

Kaden and Kyle trying to fish around the moss. I think that is what messed things up cause when we went there last time there was no moss. It kinda grossed me out.

Mom the supervisor

4-Wheeling...

After fishing we went on a short trip up Spanish Fork Canyon to go riding and shooting. Dad found this new place that was pretty fun.

Mom trying to cheer up Jenae. Can you tell her smile is a little forced? haha

And Guns...

I think this was what the boys were most excited for. Dad has tons of guns so Kyle is all about going and trying them all out with him. They have a lot of fun together.

Kyle being a hard a$%. I kinda like it!

Dad and Kyle

That gun was pretty heavy for me but that didn't stop Kaden. He just went over to his 4-wheeler and started finding the targets.

Me trying it out...believe it or not I'm a super good aim when I am trying!

Jenae and Dad

$2 Tuesdays

The Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point is having $2 Tuesdays for the whole month of August so a couple weeks ago we got to go and see everything. It is amazing how big they were. I think they are so fascinating to learn about.

Jacee, Mom, Jenae, and Eva looking at the Dinosaurs.

Kyle and I by a Utah Raptor.

Jack playing at the Erosion table. We thought it was so cute that he was just hanging there on his tummy so that he could reach the sand and water.

Mom and Kaden playing in the sand.

Jake...well...being Jake. Doesn't it look like he is conquering the Triceratops?

Kaden, Jenae, and Mom at the Giant Turtle. I don't know what it is called but it was HUGE! Look at how big that head is.

One of my Favorite Summer Things

A couple weeks ago we got to float the Provo River. I just barely got pictures from Mandi and since it is one of my favorite things to do in the summer I thought I should post it. This year the river was FREEZING (especially if you fall in...no comment) and a lot faster then normal but it was still super fun and I can't wait until next year to go again.

Mandi, Corinna, Kyle, Me, Max, and Eric

Me and Kyle

Whitney holding on while Eric shows how real paddling is done. Flip flops are a must.

Kate and Mandi

Kyson, Whitney, Eric, Kyle, Me, Jordan, Corinna, Elise, Ted, Kate, Mandi, Katie, Nate.

Yellowstone: Part 2

Before we went home we wanted see just a little more of Yellowstone so we drove over to the "Grand Canyon of Yellowstone". All I can say is wow!

Yellowstone River. It was huge!

Me, Kyle, Jenae, and Jacee at the Yellowstone River.

The Upper Falls

Climbing down the 358 stairs of Uncle Tom's Trail to see the view of Lower Falls.

The view during our hike. There was a rainbow in the middle of the view most of the time but I must have been at the wrong angle to catch it in the picture.

We made it to the bottom of the Lower Falls! It was so so beautiful. I'm so glad that we were able to make it to Yellowstone this year. It makes us want to travel all the time.