Brock-O-Lanterns

The night before Halloween we do the traditional carving of the pumpkins. The kids draw the face and pull out the seeds and we try to follow their lines with the knife. 

I love these kids!

Love this cute little face!

Lastest Family Photo

It had been three years since our last nice family portrait. I thought it would be fun to try them myself. I didn't factor in the stress of trying to be mother and photographer at the same time. It's hard to arrange a family when you are a member of it that needs to be arranged. :) We put the camera on a tripod and asked Dave's sister to come get the kids' attention and snap the picture for us. I think it turned out well, except for the fact that Ryan wouldn't smile for anything! It's okay, I guess we captured one of his true moods. :) Again...a classic Ryan face.

I'm madly in love with this man!!

Mt. Nebo Loop

October 19 - Meet my brother Jeff. He comes up with crazy ideas...lots of them. 

This time he roped my sister, Stephanie and I into one of those crazy ideas. However, I must say that this crazy idea turned into a very fun and memorable excursion. He called me out of the blue one day and said "I want to go on a drive through the Nebo Loop and you can take pictures". He made it happen. The Aspen leaves were at their brilliant yellow peak. It was a beautiful drive.

A picture of the lazy photographer. :)

 Well, here's proof that we did actually get out of the van. :)  We were pretty much the only ones driving this road in the middle of a weekday, except one other car. They were two men in their 30's dressed in business attire. They became our interest as we'd pass them and then they'd pass us. For some reason we tried to figure out their story. Were they on a lunch break? In town for business? It wasn't a rental car so maybe one was from out of town and the other was showing him around? What's your theory?  ;)

We turned a corner and there was Mt. Nebo! It's peak is the highest in Utah. It was beautiful all covered in snow.

 From one point you can see the Utah County valley. That is Utah Lake and Mt. Timpanogos in the distance.

 Another of Jeff's crazy ideas. :) He wanted a picture of him upside down in front of Mt. Nebo. I obliged. :)

Here is part of the group from the viewpoint of the roof of my van. :) McKenna and Ryan were actually along for the ride as well. They were such good kids. They stayed in their car seats for the two-hour ride and stayed so quiet. 

There is a short walk you can take to see "Devil's Kitchen"...an amazing red rock formation. Jeff scouted it out for us and counted his steps, but he was way off. :)

Thanks for the crazy idea, Jeff. I can't wait to hear what you come up with next....but I can't guarantee I'll go along with it. ;)

My Oregon Trip - Day 3

This trip was by far not long enough. It's always hard to enjoy the last day, when the end is looming like a dark cloud overhead. I woke up Sunday morning and my countdown began to the hours and minutes until I had to catch my plane. :( I missed my family like crazy, but I was not ready to go yet. But how could I get too down when there was this cute little guy around. This was an extra special weekend with the blessing of baby Rex. 

My newest nephew on his blessing blanket made by Grandma.

The two stars of the weekend.

My sister and I are both learning the art of photography. We had fun playing with our niece and nephew and they were very patient with us. Laurel is holding a white baby blanket behind Kari. I wish I had taken a picture of that!

Traci is one of those mothers that I hope to become (if I ever grow up). She is kind and patient and does so many amazing things for her family. I truly wish they lived closer so that I could take daily notes from her.

I never want to be the first to leave anything. I want to make sure the party is good and dead before I go. I hate missing out! But it worked out that I was the first to leave. My parents and sister left the next day. After church Scott became tied-up in his bishop duties and, to no fault of his own, missed my goodbye hug. He left me a voicemail which I received once I was to my gate and it made me cry...okay, more like bawl! I had to send myself to the restroom to compose myself. I didn't think it would be so hard to leave. I was happy to return to my family, but I cried several more times the next day as well. We made so many great memories in that short time we had together. Move to Utah...Scott, Traci, Laurel, and Doug!! And there you have it...my trip to Oregon! And it was pure bliss.

My Trip to Oregon - Day 2

The next morning was spent getting ready for Kari's big day! On Saturday, October 9th Kari became a baptized member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! She looked like an angel! 

A mother-daughter shot after braiding her hair.

My brother is the bishop of their ward and he is so loved by the members. It was neat to see him up giving the "Bishops Remarks" after the baptism. Kari has amazing parents!

Little Joel is so stinkin' cute! I wish I could put sound to his pictures because he has the sweetest little voice. He was shy when I first arrived but he was cuddling up next to me by the end. And I had the privilege of entertaining him during the baptism program. We traced his hand about a million times on paper. :) I realize that I don't have many pictures of Kurt from the weekend. He was so fun to chase around the house. Around and around the living room and family room. He is a kind kid that loves to make others happy. Oh, and he has the best giggle!

The whole crowd. We had so much fun with Dick and Jane as well!

Kari found a lady bug while we were taking pictures. She fell in love with that little bug and kept checking on it. She's looking at her bug in this shot, but it also made for a sweet pose.

Kari's baptism bug. :)

After the baptism we returned back to the house and enjoyed each other's company. Kari opened presents from family...lots of family. She is a very loved girl! Scott grilled hot dogs and the kids had a picnic lunch in the backyard, played in the leaves, and roasted marshmallows. The adults talked and talked and it was wonderful! Later in the evening we had a pizza party, chased and tickled the kids, and I colored with Maddie, Kari, and Kurt until their mom sent them to bed. :(