sweetness in seatle

Josh and I made a super quick trip to Seatle. Some passes Beck had given us were just about to expire but we were able to squeeze the trip in just before the deadline. We were SOOO grateful to Liss and Mark who watched the kids for our final couple retreat before becoming a family a five! It was just one full day, and two nights, but it was perfect. We ate amazing food and didn't have to feel too guilty because walked so much. I learned what a good shopping buddy Josh is... not only does he encourage and compliment but pick up the bill as well! What a treasure to step out of mommy/daddy role for a minute and get to hang out with your best friend.

Of course coming home to this makes it all the sweeter.

our pumpkin harvest

All and all, a pretty good season. We planted late. We lost a few to gophers. We still had a "tractor bed" full to be grateful for. Not bad for novices.

fireman's breakfast

the anticipation...
the enjoyment...
the exceeding all expectations...
Daddy and Noah went on a father-son outing to have breakfast with the firemen. Noah had recently got a fireman outfit for his birthday (thanks aunt b.) and so he was even dressed the part.

fall is here, can you feel it?

I lOvE fall!!! It's truly the season for all senses. I am actually looking more like a pumpkin than I should at this stage in the pregnancy due to my pumpkin obsession...pumpkin muffins, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin bread (yes, I have made/and eaten all of those in the past week!) We have loved our fall walks, trips to the park, working in the yard, getting to have a fire, hot cocoa, soups, sweaters, frost in the morning. Last weekend for conference we were able to spend time with the Sanders crew continuing the fall festivities.

stika family fun

Grandma and Grandpa Stika took us to our first Bees game. We had a super time!

Adam and Darcie had an amazing show in Provo that Josh and I went to, and left the kids with Grandma and Grandpa. We turned it into a mini family vacation by spending over that night. We woke up in the morning to crepes, picked fresh blackberries, and went to the Provo farmer's market. Yummm! I dreamed of those blackberries for a week.

FHE craft

This is when procrastination promotes ingenuity. I was picking up dinner and was thinking of what to do for our family home evening activity (that night) when it came to me. I grabbed some extra napkins (one for everyone...even scouty). Instead of using them for dinner I had us make a little ghosts (one for each of us). The grand finale was taking them upstairs to hang them from the ceiling fan. Noah turned the switch and then he and Clara danced at the magic of our ghost family taking flight.

reduce, reuse, recycle (a b-day party for my green boy)

Noah is definately doing his part to keep this world a little greener. After watching a Curious George episode on recycling he has checked the bottom of every item since, to see if there is a recycle sign. That coupled with his love of garbage/recycle trucks gave me the idea to do a recycle party. He loved it, I don't think the other kids got it at all and their mom's probably think I'm the new tree hugger neighbor, but that's okay, it was fun.
(Toss recyclables into the bin.)
(Pin the recycle can on the truck)
(Plant a flower in a recyled water bottle.)
(The party hats...I didn't get a picture but the favorite game was bowling using bottles I pulled from the recycling)
I stressed way to much over this one. Do I include just new neighbors, old friends, family, when do I have it? I winded up doing it on the Friday morning of his actual birthday and invited a bunch of little friends his age. Since only half of the expected guests came it made for a very low key but still enjoyable party.