Boy this past week was as busy as ever!

Monday was my kids first day of school after Fall Break (two weeks off)...and we had just gotten in from Utah at 9 p.m. the night before. I got up at 5 a.m. because I really want to be a morning person and thought getting up that early would be an awesome way to start the week. I read my scriptures and wrote in my journal for an hour. Then I did this really hard work out, showered and was dressed for the day before the kids woke up! We had a wonderful FHE that night! if you want...I can email the lesson to you!

Tuesday I was up early again. I cleaned the bathrooms then I made whole wheat waffles from scratch....with fresh fruit on the side.

Wedneday I went grocery shopping. It is a fun way to spend time with the kids and get food for the family. They are great at helping me pick out nutritious things snacks and meals.

Thursday I was up cleaning the house again. I think It is awesome to get the house work all done before the kids wake up. At least the house is clean and sanitarty for them...even it if it is only for a few minutes!

My parents watched the kids for us Friday night and Brandon and I went to his cousin's daughters wedding reception in Phoenix. It was fun to see and visit with family there! There was a live band that was really very good!....a little loud...but good!

Satruday, we had time to relax...since I had gotten all the house work done earlier in the  week. So nice to have a day off!

Sunday, we got to church early and sat on soft benches! It was nice to not be sitting in the "over-flow" where you have the sounds of metal chairs scooting across hardwood floors to deal with.

And today....I am typing this post....which is 98% false!

Can guess which TWO days events are true!

Life

 My Grandpa Barrett...working on the farm

Holy Cow life has been busy around here!

I have pictures of stuff...but I don't feel like digging out the camera and downloading any of them.

September 22nd, my Grandpa (Golden Wesley Barrett Jr.) passed away in Los Alamitos, CA. He was 87. I love that guy! I am SO greatful for a Grandpa who as able to make my siblings and cousins and I feel so loved. He lived a good life. Up until he got cancer 5-6 years ago, he'd been as "fit as a fiddle"!

Last Monday (Oct. 7th) we loaded up the minivan with kids and luggage and headed up to Utah for my Grandpa's funeral. It was a good trip. Our kids like roadtrips...and staying in hotels...and since they were on Fall Break, we were able to take our time driving there and back. We loved seeing family that we haven't seen in five years or more.

Brandon and I loved taking the kids to Temple Square. I LOVE Temple Square. I have a lot of good memories from going there as a child and teenager. We hadn't been back since they renovated and created the City Creek Mall. That place is beautiful. It rained for sprinkled the whole day we were there...but we are from Arizona...so we LOVE rain! We walked through the Joseph Smith building, both visitor centers, the Assembly Hall, the Tabernacle...we sent a good amount of time in the Church History Museum. They have a great exhibit for kids. Then we took a tour of the Conference Center. Our guide is the best friend of one of my good friends mom who lived in Show Low. She was the perfect person to do our tour because she raised 5 boys and knew we had to be quick when the kids were impatient or let them take their time when they were interested. We ended the day at Sizzlers with a table away from everyone else and a chance to talk about our day.

My Grandpa's funeral was Saturday October 13th. It was a beautiful Autumn day in Logan, UT. The trees still had their Fall colors. There were also a good number of leaves on the ground.

The funeral was good for me. I hadn't cried about my grandpa passing until then. He was so sick and miserable. He just wanted "to go". We took the kids to California and visited my Grandparents in July. I knew that my Grandpa's life would be coming to an end soon. But the funeral was a time for remembering. I remember so much about my grandpa and it just made me cry. Mostly they were tears of knowing I will miss him...but also tears of joy. I know I will see him again!

My dad and I took the kids to the zoo today.

They have a cute area called "Harmony Farm". You can pet the goats and milk the fake cow. I sat down on a bench in there to feed Cameron while my dad kept an eye on the kiddos.

When I finished nursing him I noticed that I had fed him right next to this sign:

Nice, right? I guess I will have to be more careful next time I pick a place to fed the kid in public.

We had a good time though.
We saw the animals,
 rode the train...
the kids played at both splash pad areas.
We ate our snacks...and then it was time to go!