Gardener Village

I can't get enough of his smile...Happy Fall...This is a standard family tradition. It's a MUST in the month of October. My kids look forward to this for days. So we decided to go before it starts getting to chilly! It was beautiful weather. Awesome.

Here is our happy child. Seriously, smile little buddy! But it was a great shot to show our avid readers out there that he got a hair cut. This morning, I looked over at him in his pajamas and realized what a MOP that kid had on his face. So I decided to do the dangerous thing of trimming a 11 month old baby head of hair.

Thankfully he did ok. The crazy thing is that I cut nearly an inch off everywhere. His hair is still super long, but at least it's NOT on his eyes, ears and neck anymore.

This is a genuine smile of complete delight that he heard the Monster Mash song playing. He's adorable.

He of course started dancing. I hope this child doesn't ever loose his love for life. He inspires me everyday to seize the moment and live!

Our cute kiddos enjoying finding all the witches.

Who knew my kids were so into crafts. They kept pointing out these crafty pumpkins all over and asking if I would buy them...um no. But they were really cute.

The hot dog witch.

The bike riding witch.

I was SO glad that Jared left work early to join the fun. For 20 minutes I braved the village alone with the four kids and it...was...intense. Considering Caleb loves to run and dance and see and touch everything! So Jared quickly became GLUED to Caleb. Thankfully, we all made it home safely.

The happy family.

We love October!

Really we LOVE the month of October. If there is any excuse to make sugar cookies for a holiday we are all over it. The kids LOVE these sugar cookies, and so do the neighbors! So we love to make a huge double batch, load up the stroller and go out and deliver. Yum.

The cute kids working together.

 

Seriously, who doesn't love sugar cookies. To be honest, I NEVER have liked them until my darling friend shared a great recipe with me. Since then, sadly I could devour too many to mention. But a few times a year doesn't hurt anyone!

The kids of course picked the largest cookie to frost and eat...the giant haunted house.

My cute little princess.

She LOVES to bake. It's been really fun because lately she's been really hands on in the kitchen. It's been fun to see her actually being capable of cooking and understanding cooking concepts.

So we had a quick visit from our favorite sister-in-law Ashley from Texas. The kids were THRILLED all day looking forward for our visit with her.

Lovely picture of Jake's photography skills.

Costumes...well, this isn't what Alayna is this year, but she had a Halloween dress-up birthday party. I was out of town and this is what Jared came up with. What a good dad to figure something out!

I love this picture of Jake. Lately, my kids have become more and more responsible for themselves. I attempted to make him breakfast one morning and he said, "That's okay mom but I'd like to make my own healthy breakfast!" Well, okay then! So off he went and this is what he came up with. Cereal with strawberries and bananas. I realized my kids can live with out me!

Now, on to our chubby shag haired baby.

I told you he's a chubster!

This is his newest hobby or trick. He has DUCKY lips NON-STOP. It's hilarious. He's forming all sorts of sounds and mumblings and it's so cute to watch him because he keeps pursing his little lips.

My posing boys. They wanted me to take a picture of the beanbags bottom...funny kids.

Our crawling baby.

My favorite boys to hang with all morning long.

These two play so well together. From the moment Alayna leaves on the bus to school till its kindergarten time for Jake they play, play play!

See the ducky lips...

A mother of any boy will appreciate this picture. So I found my kids on the counter rocking out to Pandora toddler music...and then I over hear them saying, "You stink...No you do...It's totally you...I don't stink...You do!" Yeah, so pretty much boys are stinky and they never want to admit that it was them. I was just cracking up at how silly they are together!

Family Camping

Yeah, so the VERY same day I returned home from girls camp we headed up within the very same hour I returned home for some family hot dog roasting camp. 

Two cousin buddies. Caleb and Everett.

Olivia and Kierra

This picture is the before picture of Caleb literally falling into the fire.  Thanks to Ange putting her arm out and catching him. Oh, it was SCARY! Moments like this it makes me SO grateful we said a prayer before we left to go up there. Thank you our angels that watch over my children. Seriously, we are watched over.

Roasting lower to the ground now...no way for tipping in. 

 

Enjoying their creations. 

 

At a safer distance now. 

 

 

 

Sad little Ben. But he was positioned far away from fire, kids with roasting sticks, hot marshmallows, hot dogs, etc. I didn't need another accident to happen. Let's just say after about three hours of being up in the mountains I was ready to be home. Where bathrooms are clean. The floor isn't covered by dirt. But I did miss saying good bye to the mountains. It was so beautiful to be up in nature. I love it. I must say it was WAY more stressful being with little kids instead of young women though. I realized quickly that I was a mother of four kids again. :) 

Wedding and Hair...

So my darling cousin was married this last Friday in the Draper temple. It was beautiful. Honestly, from the wedding dinner, wedding then the reception it was awesome! I loved all of it. It also helps that I find my entire family just wonderful to be with. Seriously, how lucky am I to have such a beautiful family.

Conner came to the temple as the "baby" watcher while we were inside for the sealing. He was not willing to take a serious picture, so this was my dad teasing him. What a fun grandpa he is.

These are my three beautiful cousins. Kimberly on the left was married about 10 months ago. Then Morgan in the middle. Then Brianna will be married here soon. They lived in Oregon their whole life and were about 5 years all younger than us. We've always thought the world of them, not to mention they have this amazing style and beauty. Gorgeous girls!

Grandma Perry...honestly, this picture describes her. She is WONDERFUL, full of life, and an ever example of joy and happiness. Her counsel to my cousin Morgan in the sealing room after the ceremony was to remember to laugh. Laugh at each other, and have fun together. Life has enough serious moments, but take the time to laugh and enjoy each other. I think she did just that! I sure love her!!!

So this picture is of my three uncles (my dads two brothers), Alan on the left, then Doug the father of the three beauties in the middle, then my dad.

OK...and here's for the NEWEST change for the day.....

 Long lushes locks...gotta love the straight from the pony tail and braid hair pictures.

 Awesome before pictures!

 Back view...gotta say she has some great thick hair...she must take after her momma!

Before....and After....She was so excited to cut off more than 8 inches of hair to donate! She set it as a goal and she totally accomplished it! 

Oh, and here is Alayna....she chopped her long locks of hair off! I can't believe it but she did...and she LOVES it! Here comes second grade!

So cute.

And a happy oh so lovey wedding anniversary to us...11 years baby! I sure love this kid more than words on this blog will ever describe. We had a perfect date and it was honestly the most fun I've had in a really long time! I love you!