Our Family.

A couple of months ago, I began realizing that we so desperately needed to get some family pictures. I have not had them done since before Emma was born [sadly] and made an effort to start looking around to find someone who could take them for us. I was lucky to find Natalie Park through a friend of mine on Facebook and thank goodness I found her because she was just what we needed!

Here are some of my favorites.

Braddock looking like he is praying or going to do a cheer jump???? Either way, I was getting so frustrated with him because he hates the camera and trying to take a picture of him was beyond difficult. Natalie was so patient with us!

So there you have it. I am in love with all of these photos! In fact, I have looked at them everyday for the past week trying to decide which ones I am going to put in my family room and which ones I am going to give to family. There are so many others that I loves that I did not post on here. So much fun!

Thanks again to Natalie for taking such amazing photos of our family even if they were not perfectly posed, they describe us perfectly. If anyone lives in Utah or wants to get their pictures taken in Utah, visit her site HERE . Not only is she talented, but she's reasonable! Give her business and trust me, you will not be disappointed!

Halloween.

Halloween was pretty exciting in our neck of the woods. I started the morning off by running a 5k in Salem provided by our good friends, the Salem Hills High School Cross Country team! Key word in that sentence is HILLS! Yes, there were some moments while I was running where I would have preferred falling over and dying than enduring those treacherous hills, but somehow I endured! I completed the 3.2 mile challenge in 27 minutes and decided afterwards that my next race would have to wait until we approached the warmer months.

This here picture was stolen off of my dear friend Marilee's blog. We even dressed up in costume for the event!

{My eyes look creepy. This was intended for Halloween}

So this was not on Halloween, but we all know that celebrating Halloween should begin at least a couple of weeks in advance. Me and my buddy, Braddock decided to make some yummy sugar cookies. You can't go wrong inviting a three year old boy to make a mess on the counter.....or can you? He loved rolling out the dough and digging his little hands into the flour container. I think, however, his satisfaction peaked when he got to decorate and taste test {numerous times} the frosting.

We also celebrated my niece and nephew, Del and Melanie's birthday. All of the kids were greeted at Grandma Marilee's home with pirate attire and swords. I'm seriously inlove with his moustache.

So costumes............Do I really need to explain more?


We had to REALLY talk Braddock and Emma into getting into these masses of fluff and fur. Can you blame them? I had the bear costume hanging in their closet a week before Halloween and every night when I put Braddock to bed he would say, "Shhh, mom.......can you hear the bear? He's snoring." I really think Braddock was convinced that it was alive. Finally, after much talking through and BRIBING, we managed to have them in costume for Halloween night. We did not go door to door, but instead headed over to the good ole' Trunk or Treat that our ward put on. I vote that that is the best way to trick or treat for toddlers and I am sticking to it!

September & October Highlights.....

I could write a novel right now if I wanted to on how busy we have been the last month, but I won't bore you.
{Here are some of our highlights} :

1. Date night with the kiddies.

Jim was super busy the last couple of months with work, which meant mom couldn't leave dad to entertain the kids for the night while I relaxed.

So what did we do?...........Built a fort! What else?!! We've been watching movies while under this fort and sometimes I was even brave enough to give my kids popcorn which always resulted in a good vacuum the next morning.

Under our fort.

2. Mom's Birthday Celebration
On the 12th of September, we flew my mom up here to celebrate her 30th birthday!! (Okay, so I edited the numbers a little bit). It was so nice to have her up here and the best part of it was..........

........We got to watch her beat a pinata!!! (I guess Sesame Street was our only choice?)

We love you, mom and can't wait to have you up here with us!

3. Spending a number of days at the park.

The weather here in Payson, Utah is pretty much celestial-like right now. It's been nice to have rainy cold days, but I sure do treasure the sunny ones too, and so do my kids! We've even gone a few times with my friend and her cute little boys.

I heart these faces.

Baby Krew: Is he not the cutest thing ever?!

4. Hayride

We headed over to the Red Barn in Santaquin where they offer a fun 10 minute hayride to their pumpkin patch! This was Braddock's birthday present from mom and dad. A tractor ride, pumpkins, and an icecream cone........what more could a kid ask for?! {Also on a side note: their maple nut icecream is divine}.

Auntie Lyssa came with!

Our family.

Isn't mine and Emma's hair awesome?

5. Birthday party for Braddock.

Jim's mom put on a lovely birthday party for Braddock!

{Braddock used a portion of the pinata as a party hat.}

Thanks, Mom for making Braddock's birthday an extra special one!

6. Adding some "fall" to our home

If you know me, you know I love the months of October through December! It means pumpkins, candles, blankets, cornbread and chili, Christmas music, sweaters, family, and putting out your festive home decor.

I love rod iron pumpkins.......

......holiday wreaths and signs.....

and anything else I can find to put in my house!

7. A new calling.

Two weeks ago, Jim was called to be Elders Quorum President in our ward. This has been a calling that has kept Jim on his feet and me, once again, having lots of time with the kids to myself. In no way am I complaining! We have seen the blessings flow from the time and energy he has put into it.

Other highlights have included:

-finishing my research paper for my Human Development Lifespan course.

(it's not due til' December.....which means I'm a nerd......and also I don't have to worry about it through the holidays!)

-took the kids to see Toy Story 3-D. It was a hit! Braddock still says, "Mom, we went and saw Buzz Lightyear last night, huh?!" (he doesn't understand the concept of time yet)

-Sudying, studying, studying for my math final

-Wiping noses

-Being cautious about my diet for three weeks in a row(first time ever)

-Watching old western movies with Jim every night.

-Eating apples with peanut butter (thank you, Jenna for the brilliant idea!)

- Going to D.I. and trying on costumes

-Cleaning and organizing my unfinished basement

-Skeet shooting with the Elders Quorum

All in all, we have had a busy, yet enjoyable month!

Happy Fall, Everyone!

Braddock's Scripture Study

For the last while, Braddock has been talking more and more, but his speech has been a little hard to understand. Jim and I decided to have him read a couple verses every night from the scriptures and we are already seeing some progress! I posted this video because it makes me happy. [I laugh at the very end because he always argues with us how words should be said].

Three and Cute as Can Be!

Tomorrow is Braddock's 3rd birthday and I just want to take a moment to express my love for our little guy! He is one of the greatest blessings in our lives. Here are some reasons why we love him....

His eyes smile.

Right after I delivered him, he hung out for an hour in the room with me and just looked at everyone. He was totally chill. Every time I think of that moment, I smile inside. He really was the best baby!

His sweet face.

His beautiful blue eyes.

His chubby cheeks.

His sweetness.

His "fix-anything" attitude.

(This is him at 14 months old. He found a screwdriver and after watching his dad, he decided to work on the garbage disposal underneath the sink. To this day, he always has a tool of some sort and can associate what each of them are used for.)

His love for his sister.

His love of playing outside. I would have to say that the outdoors is where he feels most at home.

His shyness. (Look at that bashful face!)

His admiration for his dad. He really is his hero and I'm not just saying that!

He's a mama's boy.

His many silly faces.

Braddock, we love you so much! Thank you for your patience, love, and sweetness. Even though you don't know it, you teach your family so many things. When mom and dad are quick to get angry with you, you are always so quick to forgive. It brings us joy to hear you say your prayers, talk about being baptized, and how you are going to be a missionary when you get bigger. Thanks for making mommy laugh everyday! You never fail to quote the movie "Elf", which is fine with me cause that's my favorite movie! We are so proud of you and all that you have learned this past year and are looking forward to what you will learn during your 3rd year of life!

Happy Birthday, Bud!

When Jim goes hunting......

....................I am usually sad.

But when Jim told me a couple of weeks ago that he would be hunting......

I was thrilled!

You see, my very good friend Kassie {who by the way is my neighbor} informed me that her husband would be going hunting too.

What does this mean??

Craft time!!

Amber, thank you for posting this fun glittered pumpkin project on your blog! Such a great idea!

I have to say that the pictures that I took of these pumpkins look way uglier than they actually are. They look pretty darn good up close and personal!

{The finished product}
{First step: buy some small FAKE pumpkins at the dollar store. }
{Second step: Paint them brown.}
{Third step: Brush mod podge glue all over them.}

{ Last: Cover with glitter.}

[I would recommend the fine powdered glitter as it gives the pumpkins

a much more elegant look]

We are finished!!!

Seriously, what should have only taken us 2 hours to do, took us a whole 11 hours!

Remember we had 4 children under the age of 2 we were partying with.

To your surprise, I would have to say the 11 hours was worth it!

Here is what we did (besides the pumpkins):

-played with the kids

-ate this caramel apple Skor bar dip thing (we'll have a whole 'nother post on this one later)

-played with the kids

- talked and talked and talked

-ate more dip

-refereed the kids

-talked

-ate pizza with the kids

-brought in another dip - artichoke this time.

-put the kids to bed before they all killed each other

-talked

-laughed our heads off

-took ridiculous pictures (they are pure black male and probably won't be posted on this here blog)

-talked some more

All in all, we had sooooo much fun!!!!!

Look how pretty!!

I now give you the suggestion to find a fun friend to make glitter pumpkins with!

You won't be disappointed.

Now they're sitting on my counter. I can't wait for fall!