$2 Tuesday
$2 Dollar Tuesday at Thankgiving Point Farm is always a good thing! Priya's first pony ride.
Park City Practice Run
We went to Park City for Aaron's longest training run before his marathon. This way he could run 20 miles at a high elevation running down hill and I could do our back to school shopping at the outlet malls. Perfect plan, except the kids woke up at 5 a.m. after I fought all night to keep Porter quiet so Aaron could get enough sleep, it was terrible! But it was also a blessing because our second car started overheating on Aaron's way to his start point so because the kids were up we were able to rescue him! He also had an amazing run!
Stomping on every weed.
The ones I love!
We got out and about in the pretty area up there. Porter loves being outside and with fall we don't mind being out in the cool, crisp weather one bit.
The ones I love!
The kids sporting some of their new church clothes! My kids are so stinkin' cute!
Aaron's a good Dad
I was at physcial therapy one morning and Aaron sent me these pictures. He's such a good Dad, the kids are always happy to be with him.
The Beauty of Nature
I literally get up at the crack of dawn for PT, but this kind of amazing sight makes it all worth it. I have such gratitude for the beauty that is everywhere if I just open my eyes to it!
I took this in our neighborhood. We live in such a beautiful place and Fall is my favorite season in Utah. It's perfect really!
I really don't think there's anything so inspiring to witness like a sunrise. They always fill me with hope.
Sickness and Labor Day
all rolled into one... holidays and illness don't blend well.
Porter started getting sick Sunday so we went to sacrament meeting and came home after that meeting to keep from spreading the ick to be safe.
Priya was so excited to be home from church. We're a few weeks away from Nursery and church is torture at this point for her. When Daddy got home he took the kids out to play in what he calls the "Crazy Coupe". It's one of our kids favorite activities, but it also resulted in Priya's first car accident. She went down hard and fast in the cozy coupe in our driveway and she was terrified. Luckily, she was just fine with the exception of the raspberry on her forehead.
That night Porter ended up in bed with us not doing very well and not happy about it.
Finding an Instacare Clinic open on the holiday was stressful and the wait was so long. I was so grateful they were open and didn't mind the wait because it was worth it. Porter had a sinus infection and because we were able to start him on antibiotics right away he was still able to start school that week.
Passing time in the waiting room. He got himself all set up at this table and then signed food to me. It was adorable and I was happy to oblige.
Whatever Porter got he passed to Priya who then passed it to me and one of us was sick for the two weeks that would follow. It was a long duration bug.
All Time Favorite Sick Day Photo right there! They were watching Toy Story.
Back at the doctor's office.
When I got sick Aaron had to really take over a lot of things for me and he did an amazing job. I had to talk him off the edge several times because he was petrified he'd get sick as well and at this point we were into the week right before his Marathon. He was foreseeing a repeat of the Strep Marathon nightmare from last year. Luckily, he's one healthy guy and he never got sick!
I had a few days where I was down and out so Aaron decided to pick up food for us. I didn't want what we had decided on for the kids so I just asked for soup. I was hoping for Zupas tomato basil and was slightly disappointed when he came home with Kneaders Chicken Noodle. Until he hugged me and explained, "I know tomato basil is your favorite but you've been having acid reflux from this sickness and that soup would make it worse. So I thought this would make you feel the best." AHHH!!! Melt my heart, what a thoughtful guy! Every bite was delicious and I was so impressed that he knew me better than I did! Yay, for amazing Husbands!
There comes a point where you just have to move on with life well or not. That's what this photo is I was trying to motivate myself to keep going despite feeling nasty.
When I lay awake at night wondering why I can't sleep I can alway find the good in it if one of my children wakes up. I'm better able to take care of them at 1a.m. if I've never fallen asleep. That's what happened this night and blanket cuddles with my boy were so sweet!
We Canned Peaches:
3- 1/2 bushels
Up all night
messiest thing I've ever done in my kitchen
I did it all by myself
it was a great success!
Aaron stayed up with me and helped so he would better appreciate a home canned jar of peaches.
Weeding:
A photo story illustrating Porter's favorite chore.
First Day of Preschool:
Porter was a handsome STUD! Priya got a Jamba juice for our now regular one-on-one time! She eats up her mommy time and is a completely different kid when she has me all to herself.
Putting Porter on the school bus was so weird, but he loves that big yellow ride! He has the most amazing bus helper and driver ever! And for now he's the only kid on their route so he gets a private ride. Can you find my wee little guy in this photo? I followed the bus and spied on him.
My spying has lead to some awareness of some troubles with Porter's private school placement. I'm going to keep spying, but it looks like we may have to make some changes. Too early to tell, but it hasn't been easy. He's doing great with his public school class and I am so impressed with the curriculum being taught and how it is taught!
Sydney waits for Porter to come home from school.
Buddy Walk 2012
We've become much more laid back about the buddy walk the past few years for better or worse...I don't know.
We started the day off special with a trip to the Dunford Donut Bakery Headquarters
I thought the walk was really great this year and we enjoyed our morning/afternoon with family.
FHE: The Church Art Museum with Friends
This was a last minute decision. A friend and I were hoping to see the Art for the international art competition before it leaves following conference. (aren't you so excited for General Conference?!) Aaron watched all 5 kids in the children's museum while Kandis and I walked through the art exhibit. Kandis' husband had to work late at the last minute, so we were so grateful Aaron let us get a little kid-free spiritual nourishment in.
The Children's Museum was so awesome! It's better than the local Children's museum and there are missionaries there who play with your children... sign me up for that mission when it's time! It rocked the socks off our kids, they had a ton of fun!
Large soft blocks for building a temple.
or napping
Part of the museum was focused on mexican culture and you could put on authentic-ish dress up and dance to some music and scenes that showed you the moves.
Priya LOVED her skirt and dancing.
My friend Kandis, her son Will and Priya.
Yes, this is Priya's first dance with a BOY and it was adorable! I hope she keeps dancing with good boys like Will.
Porter working on a harvest in garden.
The back of this truck was filled with animal puppets. Porter spent most of his time playing in there.
It was so dang fun and even better with Friends!
Bested by My One Year Old:
I don't let Priya have maple syrup because she's the messiest eater. But Porter gets to pour his own and her not getting any just doesn't work for her. So I've been pretending to have her pour syrup with the lid closed. Well this morning I was helping P for like 15 seconds, I turned around and she had opened the bottle and poured half our syrup onto her plate. She was using her hands to smoother her french toast in it. I wasn't upset at all. The only thought I had was, "Well played Priya. Well Played."
Aaron Ran The Top of Utah Marathon:
I'll leave all the details and running photos to Aaron. We stayed with Aunt Kaleena and Uncle Couper and the kids were so excited to see them. Porter and Priya gave them a taste of the future when their baby is born around New Year's. Porter ended up sleeping in their bed when my kids got into a yelling fight about who woke whom up first. Aaron slept at a friend's place so he could actually sleep.
They love their Aunts and Uncles!
We made Dad a poster and of course Porter insisted there be a horse. :)
Dirty Dash:
Yes we did! More on that to come.
FHE At Snowbird:
I'm not about the let the most amazing time of year to pass me by without some fresh mountain air. Little Cottonwood Canyon is changing colors, the earth is damp, the air is fresh and we all were better centered after a few hours away. There is a very easy trail that leads to a large playground at the ski resort. The kids were in Heaven.
Again, I am wowed by the beauty that Heavenly Father has blessed us with here on earth. Standing in it, breathing in and out, just being alive feels my heart with JOY!
Random TidBits:
She picked out her outfit and I {heart} baby skinny jeans.
YWs movie night at our house and the girls were fascinated by my old fashioned way of making popcorn. They ate a ton of it and left more of it on the floor than my kids ever have.
Priya loves baby Whitley!
Bee's Game
Dancing in the Kitchen--what else is it good for?
Porter got to pick this month's movie for neighborhood movie night... of course he picked George. :-)
She's a Diva
Again with the baby love, this time for Paityn.
We have to wake them up some mornings for school and they are grumpy so they get to watch an episode to snap them out of it.
First pigtails: I've been putting this off because I knew it wouldn't be fun. I'm not going to lie, they are so cute with her natural curl, but the tears killed me. Her hair is so beautiful on it's own that I'm not sure I'm going to bother messing with her. She has these perfect ringlets, I don't have to add any product to her hair or anything they're always there. I'm not sure I could ever get her hair straight.
I got to take these amazing Young Women to do baptisms for the dead and then on a dessert dash.
Lastly, my favorite picture from this month. I've been trying to get the kids outdoors as much as possible before we're snowed in. This is one of our favorite places and I just love how young and perfect they look in this picture. It is an every day moment that means a lot to me. So grateful for our lives and the blessings we enjoy! Particularly-- these little children of ours!
P.S. 4 Babies Were Born into our lives this month:
Bree, Logan, Maisy and Baby Girl H
(she's the newest)
two of these tiny loves landed themselves spots in the NICU. It has been so hard to see families and babies we love dearly struggle. However, we've also seen the Lord bless and work in their lives in miraculous ways. Wishing all you newborn babes and families well! We're praying for you all.
