My Favorite time of the year!

I am in the thick of my most favorite time of the year and I love it! I love Thanksgiving not because I like turkey...It's okay I guess, but because It's one of my only chances to get to hang out with family. I love my family! I have a really special family that I don't think I could write eloqently enough to describe here but my heart understands. I'm talking about my entire extended family that was with me Thanksgiving day that for my whole life has made Thanksgiving and Christmas morning so special. These special days are just not the same without being with you! Grandma Lake, Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Con, Susan and Harold and kids (okay it just feels a little wrong to put Jake in the kids catagory) Scott and Mikell. I am so thankful for occasions to spend time with you guys. Thanks for such a great Thanksgiving day!
Oh, and Susie......I'm really glad I didn't have to toilet paper your house! I much more enjoyed going out to the movie with you! I love you all!

Bald is Beautiful!

Well, he finally did it. I don't know what finally came over him to take the plundge but he did it. He's talked about it for years now, ya know, just shaving it all off, but never did...until now. I'm speechless.
Everytime we ask Brooklyn if she likes her daddy's haircut, she just giggles.

P.S.... I'm starting to get used to his new look and have to admit there's something a little sexy about it. Don't tell anyone I said that.

Yes folks, I'm still in Oct. news...where did the month go?!!!

So we made it to the pumpkin patch on a monday instead of the weekend since the snow wanted to make it's debut on our pumpkin patch weekend. It was a sunny beautiful day, only the rides weren't open on the weekdays.
Brooklyn got over it soon enough and appointed herself the official pumpkin picker-outer. And by the way...she only tipped the wheelbarrow over like five times.

Guys?...uhhh...guys? Hey guys...the pumpkins are over here! Guys? Where are you going?
There's no stopping them now. They spotted the horses!










This pony stole the show! It was all about the horses. I think he and Ryan became best friends forever.












This is Ryan checking out another pony. He must have stood there for what seemed like forever, not moving at all....like he had some connection with the animal. I think he shows early signs of horse wispering capabilities. I'm not bragging or anything...it's just that I think he has signs of natural talent and all. I mean look at the way the horse is trying to poke his head through the fence to see Ryan...yes he must have a gift. I'm so proud.

A few reasons why I love Sundays

I love Sunday mornings. Here are the kids coloring together. The boys are really into sitting on a booster chair at the big table.

Ryan and I were making funny faces in the mirror but when I tried to get a picture it didn't exactly capture the moment....but his face is so sweet!


Zachy took Ryan on a spin on the Dora quad. He loves to drive this thing!

The boys got to eat dinner at the big table and they were so proud of themselves! Now if I can just get them to quit feeding their dinner to buddy!

Today at church we had our Primary presentation on faith in Jesus Christ. Brooklyn had a part in it and she did awesome! She is a true performer in heart because she was fearless as she walked up to the podium to speak into the microphone and said..."Jesus is the creator of the world". Yes it was a small part but she delivered it in style! She was definitely the most articulate little sunbeam and I was so proud of her! The program was wonderful and I loved singing the songs with the children. Primary is such a great calling.

Change of plans

Okay, since we couldn't go to the pumpkin patch on Saturday, this is what we did instead!

Zachy is too self-conscious about his looks...he thought this hat made him look like a porcupine :)

Ryan, however LOVES the hat and didn't want to take if off! Go figure.

If there was anyone that should have been self-conscious...well, lets just say we all got a good laugh!

just wrestling around with Dad!

Snow in October!

We had plans to go to the pumpkin patch Saturday morning....until we looked out the window and saw this!

My weekend with the kids

Saturday morning......what? All three kids playing nicely together? No whining or crying? It's quiet and peaceful...AAAHHH, what a great day!

I just love this face.

Normally when there is a Duck game in Eugene, we pack up the family and head over to visit. As much as I love being in Eugene and staying with Mom and Dad, sometimes it just feels overwhelming to pack up everybody for the weekend and making the trip over the mountains and back again. Well, honestly the hardest part is having to pack back up and head home again! Once we are there, we never want to leave! So this weekend Pete made the trip alone since he had work to do on a rental we are getting ready to sell, and then to of course enjoy the Duck game on Sat. So this Friday and Saturday has been a mommy and kids weekend. I have been so blessed for everything to go smoothly and we have been having a lot of fun together. Friday evening I packed up the kids and first stop was the Wendy's drive-through for dinner. Then we ran a few errands ending up lastly at Fred Meyers. I was looking for some flashlight keychains for my primary class on Sunday (my idea as a handout to emphasize the scripture in Matt. 5:16...Let your ligt so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorigy your Father which is in heaven. I know I know....it's the best I could come up with! They are 9 yr olds...I thought they would like a flashlight keychain! Brooklyn loves hers! I also found pens with a light on them so I bought those too...I haven't decided which to use yet so if you have an opinion write me!

Brooklyn talked me into buying this game called Elefun. It's an elephant that blows butterflies out of its trunk and the one to catch the most in their net wins. Well, I am so glad I did because it was the highlight of our night! I laughed so hard at the pure excitement and fun these kids had catching butterflies. Zachy has never been so vocal and animated as he was playing this game! I tried to video them, but the lighting was very bad. I'll try to put the movie clip on here.

Well the movie clip didn't work but here is Ryan with his butterfly catching net!

Pure Happiness

I was born to be a mother. Nothing brings to me the PURE kind of joy and happiness more then staring into the faces of my children. They are a constant reminder of who I am supposd to be because of their sweetness and innocence. They remind me of the Savior and of the trust that has been given to me to love and protect and teach them. Sometimes I wish it came easier for me to go with the flow and enjoy even the mishaps. I wish I could say that it doesn't frazzle me when the boys are throwing their yogurt across the room splattering everything in site including the dog, or when Brooklyn refuses to wear a single article of clothing that even remotely matches as we're trying to get out the door to preschool. At least I can look back and laugh, but usually not in the moment! But that is spiritual growth....to see your weaknesses and have a desire to improve. But oh how I love these kids! Yes, I was born to be THEIR mother.

General Conference Weekend

I love General Conference Weekend. I feel so uplifted and joyful after listening to the inspired talks of our church leaders. And most importantly, I feel a closeness to my Savior as I get the chance to focus on his Gospel Plan. Even with the boys crawling all over me for most of it! Thank goodness we taped it. Somehow I am always very aware of my weaknesses after being spiritually uplifted and I feel a urgency to do better. Brooklyn really loved this weekend too since she got to pretty much watch cartoons all day downstairs while we watched conference upstairs! We didn't even get dressed all day Sunday! Brooklyn loved staying in her nightgown all day a little too much I think. In between sessions Pete and I worked on organizing projects and he went to town with his plastic bins and label machine :) It was good to have such an uplifting and relaxing weekend.

Still figuring this blogging thing out! Bare with me.

Okay...just some random photos, but I like them. As you can see, taking a "family" photo is almost near to impossible. No one will ever be looking at the camera at the same time and the boys are usually trying to escape!

More summer fun

The girls loved swimming at the Driftwood Shores pool. I love how Brooklyn looks in a snorkle mask! I think my favorite of all favorite activities is camping with the family at Honeyman. The kids LOVE the sandbox and it's easier for me now that the boys actually stay in it to play instead of running away as fast as they can! I'm sure Pete's highlite would be getting the satalite to work to watch the Oregon game and the BYU game on Sat. He worked on it for 2 whole days!

Highlights of summer 2007

I love the sumer time! Some of our highlights were hanging out in Eugene at Mom and Dad's. The boys fell in love with the goats and ran around saying "bah bah bah". We went to the Lane County Fair where Brooklyn enjoyed every ride she could get on! The boys got to ride a pony! Ryan thought this was the absolute coolest thing ever, where Zachy took longer to warm up to the idea. Brooklyn's main reason for wanting to go to the fair is to get her fix of fairy floss (cotton candy) We had a great time. Another highlight was for me and Brooklyn to get to take Grandma Lake to the coast for a week! We stayed at Driftwood shores and had a blast. We went to the Aquarium in Newport, and did a little shopping at the Lincoln City outlet mall. Roamed Oldtown Florence with Matt, Jessie and Molly and got to just relax and enjoy the beautiful ocean.