Holiday Magic at The Fair

 We decided to do something different this year and try out "Holiday Magic at the Fair" in Puyallup.  They had a few fair rides, light displays, some shops, food trucks, and a scavenger hunt for kids.  It was the perfect thing for the 3 of us and we all had a blast.  

They had one of the barns set up with each animal stall decorated as a different photo booth.  They had about 20 of them and they were all so cute.

Summer's new smile...no teeth:)

Summer charmed one of the workers into giving her this cute gecko tattoo for free:)

 

We timed it just right and avoided lines for the rides. 

 

We did the Christmas train, Ferris wheel, and carousel.

Even the shuttle from the parking lot was decorated with lights. 

We had yummy hot cocoa, burgers, and dad even splurged and got us an elephant ear!  Summer finished the entire gnome scavenger hunt (with only one clue) and was slightly disappointed with the basket of prizes to choose from haha.  Overall, I would call the night a success.  I think we might have to go back next year!

Thanksgiving Weekend

Let's be thankful for all the good...and acknowledge that the bad, isn't really so bad...and be thankful for that too:)

I made my own pie crust this year and it actually turned out!

And I got to make a little jam role, just like mom used to make with the extra crust:)

Setting the table is one of my favorite parts of holidays.

We were missing Kya and Clayton this year.  They had work, and homework, and decided to stay in Rexburg.  Luckily Clayton's Dad and Stepmom joined them so they weren't alone.

The food was delicious.

The Thankful Jar tradition continues...

We headed down south to the Air and Space Museum

They had an amazing gift shop, which was the highlight for me haha.

We decided to decorate our tree on Thanksgiving, so Jordan and Mikel could do it with us.  

Then we headed to their apartment on Sunday to see their cute tree too!

I am so thankful for this beautiful life I get to live, and all the wonderful people I get to enjoy it with.

The Long Month of October

The beginning of October is always a little exciting to me...the fall leaves, cozy sweaters, pumpkins, parties, decorations, and even the crisp cool air.  But boy does it take forever for Halloween to get here!  By the time it does, I am more than ready to move on to Thanksgiving and Christmas:)

Here's a little of what we did in the long month of October:

Decorating

Derek Hough at the Paramount with Jordan

It was a fantastic show!

They finally finished paving our road

Summer said she had never had apple sauce, which I'm sure is not true, but we made some anyways. Definitely not as good as my moms!

Summer tried her first grilled cheese

(and LOVED it)

Tyler and Trevor came to stay with us--so fun!

Tyson celebrated his birthday in Rexburg...without his mom:(  But Kya and Clayton took him to Texas Roadhouse and showed him a good time--haha.

I had to bribe Summer to go to the pumpkin patch with me this year...luckily she'll do anything for a good treat, especially pumpkin doughnuts!!

Halloween Parties...the "s" is important.  She got to wear this costume FOUR times this year!

Trunk or Treat

(Our trunk even won 2nd Place!!)

Carving Pumpkins

(By myself again this year SMH)

And finally...trick or treating!

My Little Harvest

Lessons from the garden (really year 1 for most of the things):

Not a great year for blueberries or apples

Plenty of raspberries (for their first year)...but we want more

Waited to long to plant strawberries

One zucchini plant isn't enough when you have a great zucchini bread recipe

Pumpkins were ripe too early...maybe plant them later next year!

There IS such a thing as too many tomatoes...oh ,and putting cages around them is important

Next year, I'm sure we'll make new mistakes;)

BYUI--Take Two

We are all going to keep getting older.

Kids are going to keep growing up.

Time just keeps ticking away.

I guess I better start believing it, because it really is happening.

We dropped Tyson off at BYUI this fall, and it has really done a number on my emotions.  I honestly feel like maybe I didn't really believe my kids were going to grow up.  Thank goodness I have a few more years before Summer sets out on her own...but, I've learned, that day will come too!  

Being a mom is hard...and wonderful at the same time.

Since Tyson and his friend Luke were rooming together, Michelle (Luke's mom) and I decided it would be fun to drive together.  I am glad we did, because not only was it more fun, but it was so nice to go through everything together:)

One funny/sad thing that happened on the drive, was Tyson's bike fell off the bike rack .  Who knows how long we were dragging it behind the van before someone waved to us to pull over.  Luckily the tire was the only thing broken and we could get it fixed once we got to Rexburg.

The boys' new home for the next 9 months...with 6 other boys!  

We met most of them. They were all freshman, and seemed like nice, normal, friendly kids.

The hall of bathrooms for all those boys

Grocery shopping with these boys was interesting.  We had to force them to buy any fruits or vegetables:(  Hopefully they will eat them, but probably a high hope.

A lot of protein drinks--haha

He's officially a BYUI student

Our last dinner together for a while

Saying goodbye

Michelle and I trying to distract ourselves from the fact that we are leaving our boys in Idaho

I asked for a first day of school photo, and this is what I got! I think they're at Walmart--haha.  At least they are together.  I am so grateful that they have each other.

And look at them hanging out in nature together:)  This makes my momma heart happy.

Now I just look forward to the texts, phone calls, pictures...and Thanksgiving!!!