Annual Temple Trip

In August the kids and I accompanied the Primary to the Boston Temple. I look forward to this activit

y all year. It's such a great reminder to me, as a mom, of what I'm doing here and what my goals are. I think the kids get to feel the spirit of the Temple and strengthen their desire to live worthy to go inside someday.

The Temple president and his sweet wife came and talked to the children, they even came prepared with fun facts about the Temple like... Did you know there are fossils in the entry way on the floor? Pretty cool to my boys who both want to be paleontologists someday. It was a great day and ended with a picnic and Temple Cookies! Cookies the size of pancakes!

Keene Pumpkin Festival

We can't wait for the Keene, NH pumpkin festival. I just checked the dates and thought I would share them all with you ( in case you need a reason to visit NH in the fall).

Here's the link to the site:

http://www.pumpkinfestival.org/index.html

Fall can begin!

It seems fall can't begin till Aunt Tracy comes for a visit. We're so grateful her work brings her to the East coast so much. She's always so great about doing whatever we've got planned. So Saturday we dragged her to Elliot's dance class, then to our primary activity. We hoped we could show her a good time at a local orchard, apple picking.

Applecrest farms has apple festivals every weekend of September. I've never been, so I didn't know what to expect. There were several activities going on, scarecrow making, face painting, a bluegrass band, and of course apple picking. In fact apple picking was the main event and the line to get on the hay ride out to the orchards was way too long. And it seemed really pricey. Oh well, the yummy apple cider donuts we got were worth the trip. Plus the apple cider!

Getting back to Normal

Summer flew by, but life had to return to normal sometime. The kids started school Aug. 30th. Miles and Caleigh started Henry Wilson Middle school and Griffin is back at Valley View. I was a little nervous about middle school, but the kids seemed to have gotten great teachers and so far the year is going well.

Elliot also started dance class. She has gone twice and seems to like it. She was a little discouraged after her first class because she couldn't "twirl" like the teachers. Hopefully she'll gain a little bit more confidence as the year goes on.
Along with school, and dance, Piano started back also and Griff gets to start lessons this year. He seems to really be enjoying it.

The last leg of our trip

(I am so behind on my blogging, so I will try to catch up soon. This is the last vacation post, so enjoy...)

We had so much fun in Boise with our family and friends just seeing them all and being able to hug them and laugh with them was wonderful. But we could come home without a little time in SLC (or Layton to be exact). We wanted to spend our last few days playing with the Utah Peterson. Matt and Shannon just bought a house in Layton and were wonderful to house our big family. They hosted a BBQ for us with all the Peterson family that lives in Utah. Tracy, Craig and Gail and their family all came. Mikes parents flew down from Boise too. It was so nice to be together.

The next day we went to Lagoon and closed the park down. We had fun on all the rides. My kids were not the bravest, but they did warm up to the medium sized rides. Caleigh was particularly grumpy, but would laugh during any ride. We had a great time.

The next day we toured the Hillforce Aerospace musuem. The planes/jets were huge and the boys especially loved this tour. We ended the day with dinner at Famous Daves and a impromptu talent show at Craig and Gails house. The twins played piano, followed by the amazing Gail, and Annie sang for us. Everyone else was probed and prodded to join in, but to no avail. What a great time we had and hope the memories will last us for the next few years.

Meanwhile at the cabin...

The boys always have the most amazing time at 40 pines. They get to hike, fish, ride 4-wheelers and dirt bikes, shoot bb guns, fart, and tell potty jokes all week. And all without a female in site. Mike took a TON of pics so I won't be posting them all, but I did put together these few collages. Also this trip was especially eventful for my Dad and Griff. My poor father's axle on his trailer broke on the way in to the camp. Luckily a guy drove by and knew just what to do. Phew!

I have no idea what Mike was doing with these photos but I crack up every time I see them. There are more to the "series" but I'll only put a few of my favorites.

fierce

Sexy

Sad

Griff got into a little trouble himself. He jumped off the back of a dirt bike and caught his shin on the foot peg. They were away from the cabin (hence the dirt bike) and Mike knew he needed help instantly. Griffs face drained of color and he wouldn't talk. He later said it did't hurt he just got scared looking at it. Again my boys were watched over by some fellow woodsmen. They helped bandage up his leg and Griff got to go to the ER in Rexburg, ID. He got bragging rights to 11 stitches and spoiled rotten with toys and shakes. Mike said he didn't cry at all, but put on a brave face. I'm so glad my little man was being watched over and thankful for the help he got.

Who needs a doctor? Look at this stellar bandage. Duck tape works for everything. Truly I am so grateful that it wasn't worse and that everyone took such good care of Griff. Even back at home G. Frankie, Caleigh and I were buying stuff to spoil him when he got home.

The injured leg didn't interfere with the rest of the week too much. He did have to stay off of it, but fishing seemed to be a nice quiet activity.

A week with Grandma Frankie

After Mikes Dad, Tom grabbed my boys and headed to 40 pines me and the girls went to spend the week with Frankie. We had such a great time relaxing, playing in the pool, watching TV in our rooms (Caleigh loved her own TV and wanted to take it home with us.) We even did some shopping at Hobby Lobby and Michaels. It was a wonderful time. Thanks Grandma Frankie!

The Twinners turn 9

The day tested my last minute planning skills. We made plans then they seem to not work out, but all in all it was a fun day.

Since it was raining, we started the day with an early lunch at BK. The kids all got kids meals, which meant we had 7 sets of cats and Dogs running around.

Then we headed back to my Moms for movie fun. ( a quick stop at the dollar store for candy and Walmart for the movie) the kids had a great time filling their cups up with treats from the "concession stand"

then it was dinner, presents, and we ended the day with shaving cream whiffle ball. But first we squeezed in a came of "wiggle-O" Thanks Aunt Erin for that one.

Too many choices!

The kids all lined up for batting practice with shave cream filled whiffle balls. It was really fun, especially when someone actually hit it.

What a fun day!