Fall Break!

We had such a fun fall break!  The weather was absolutely gorgeous.

On Thursday we headed over to Trafala with our buddies the Clark's and Bolinders.

Here is Olya and little Quinnie on the lighthouse ride.

I love that the kids ride these rides over and over and never get tired of them.

Brecken, AJ, and Lana in the airplane ride.

Friday was actually a very stormy day, it was raining like crazy.  So, we met up with Branson at the pool in Lehi for some swimming.  I think it was everyone's favorite including Torv.

 Monday we had a Joy School Field Trip to the zoo.  Because it was fall break our big kids got to come too.

We loved FINALLY getting to see the new Northern Shores exhibit.

How many kids can you fit into an eagle's nest?

Lana, Brecken, and Brooke trying out the new statue.

I loved the silhouettes of the kids in front of the seal tank.

The Polar Bear is a total show man!  He loved swimming right up to the glass and then popping up suddenly.  He was so fun.

Brecken, Brooke, and Chantelle taking a little break.  Chantelle is my children's other mother.  She is so awesome at helping me out with my crew and they love her so much.  Especially Lana.

The girls found this grate in the ground more intriguing than the animals.

The kids compared to bears.  How cute are they????!!!!!

Haley, Quinn, Brecken, Isla, Lana, James, and Caden.

It was a super fun day and Mindy even survived riding with us and 6 noisy kids riding in the back.

Having our Cake and Running it Off Too

We love participating in the Cupcake Charity 5K race each fall!

This year Brans and I ran it together with Torv in the stroller.

Afterwards Olya brought the kids over and we all enjoyed some cupcakes for breakfast.

Branson won second place in the men over 30 division.  His prize was this awesome cupcake.

I was asked to make a cake for the event.  The cake was for the little girl with diabetes for whom the race was put on and benefiting.

The hubby and I in our awesome shirts later that day.

Yee Haw, Brecken's Rootin' Tootin' 6th Birthday Party

Brecken turned 6 in October!

After much deliberation between legos and cowboys, Brecken decided to have a cowboy birthday party.

A friend of his just had a birthday too so we decided to do a combined birthday party.

 We decorated country style:

While waiting for all the little cowboys & gals to arrive we had them do some colorin'.

Here's the whole gang, we figured there were about 15 of them, plus a few little 'uns.

Then it was time for some games.  Here's tossing a snake in the boot:

 We also had some Lasso practice. 

And what's a cowboy party without some horse racin'?

After all that playin' the kids were ready for some grub.  So, they roasted some dogs and s'mores.

Then it was time for presents.

Brecken admiring one of Maren's presents.

Cupcakes for cowBoys and cowGirls!

Checking out the Pokemon cards with buddy James and cousin Dillon.

Witches and Hiking

During the Priesthood Session of General Conference we went to Gardner Village to check out the witches with Grandma and Aunt Britty and cousins Dillon and Deakin.  The kids had so much looking for and counting all the witches.

This little "witchy poo" was my favorite!

The kids taking a little "sit a spell".

The kids and I were bored on one sunny day after school so we decided to check out the bike park here in Eagle Mountain and do a little hiking.

It was so fun, even without bikes.  We will definitely be going there when it warms up again next spring.

The leaves were just starting to change color.

The kids decided they love to hike and that it's right up there with camping and swimming.

Even baby Torv had a fun time.

September in a Glance

Lana had her friend Rosie over to play one afternoon.

Daddy and Torv chillin'

Some Sunday hair for Lana.

A happy baby!

Best Buds

Ready for some cougar football.

Nana sent us some mustaches!

An evening bike ride, it's so beautiful out here.

Soldiers Caden and James building an army base in the back yard.

Brecken overcame his fear and learned to ride without training wheels!

Sleepy Torv.

After tubby time.

Brecken got very adventurous.  In September he did soccer, learned to ride a two-wheeler and mastered the rock wall at Trafalga.

Buddies.