Perfect Autumn Day

This afternoon on our walk home from the bus stop Belle and I were talking and finding crunchy leaves to step on. The sun was shining, the wind wasn't blowing, it was quiet and peaceful, and the smell in the air was crisp and clean. It was a perfect moment.

Then Belle looks up at me and says, "Mom, I love you as big as the whole earth". To which I replied, "And I love you as big as the whole earth and all of space". Then she smiled up at me grasped my hand and told me, "lets never let go".

I could have cried if I wasn't smiling so much. Now that was the perfect Autumn Day. I love you Belle.

Fall Break Trip to St. George and Zions

Angels Landing:

Found and Imprisoned a Lizard:
Too Tired to Finish:
Saw Baby Deers:
Hotel Fun:

Cold Morning in Zions National Park:

Playin' in the Sand:

Lots and Lots of Swimming:

Playing at the Park in Coral Canyon:


I am just so proud of these kids! First, the car ride to St. George and back was so quiet and peaceful that I didn't know what to do with myself. The kids just colored, read, played, and watched movies. There were no fights, no meltdowns, and no yelling. Success!

Second, they showed off their endurance at Zions. Tre hiked all of Angels Landing, The Emerald Pools, and some of the Narrows. He also climbed every big rock he could, climbed through caves and entertained our friends Haley, Tyler, Ivy, and Lennox. He only complained a tiny bit, but then again, so did I! Anabelle did great too. She hiked up most of Angels Landing and part way down. She hiked up to Emerald Pools and some of the way down and she played in the sand, shimmied up rocks, and climbed in caves. And all of this in just ONE day. Then later that night we went swimming and while the grown ups relaxed in the hot tub the never ending energizer bunnies ran around, swam, jumped, dove, and splashed their way to a VERY restful sleep.

Some highlights of the trip:

• Meeting up with my new BFF :) Haley and her family
• Running into my cousin Emily and her fam in Zions on the Angels Landing hike
• Seeing a lot of animals, mostly deer and chipmunks and lizards
• Hanging out with my kids
• Making memories that will last
• and Having one last vacation in some great weather

Can't wait to do it again next year!!

Crazy Hair Day

Spirit week is my favorite time of the school year! Check out my two crazy haired kids.

Witches Tea

This year I was invited to my friend, Chelsea's, yearly Witches Tea. Here's the deal. Everyone dresses up as witches. This years' theme was "glamorous" and there is a prize for best dressed. Dinner was served on a gorgeously decorated table, games were played, friends were made, prizes were won, and fun was had! What a great party. Thank you so much for inviting me Chels. I had a fabulous time.

Chelsea

Donita (far right) was the winner for most glamorous witch.

Famous professional looking table.

All the witches gathered around...caramel popcorn? Yum!

First Snowfall

7:00am on the morning of Sunday October 12th 2008

Belle: It's SNOWING!!! Tre, wake up! It SNOWED!! Tre! Come here! IT SNOWED!!!

Tre: Okay, okay. Oh, my gosh! It SNOWED! MOM, MOM! Wake up! It SNOWED!! Can we go play? Oh, I don't have any boots...MOM! I need some new boots...wake up! Can we go to the store right now to get new boots? Please?!

Me: Holy $#!% It snowed!

It is always a shock the first day the snow sticks to the ground. You'd think after 31 years of this weather I would get used to it...but no, I don't. It's a good thing we live right up the street from Cabela's. Which, BTW, has great snow gear for kids. Welcome to WINTER!

Timpanogos Summit

The view from the top

My friend, Amanda, and I hiked to the summit of Mount Timpanogos yesterday. We planned on it taking 8 hours or so but ended up finishing in 5 hours and 55 minutes! It was tough and my legs are feeling it today, but it was worth it. The view is gorgeous and the accomplishment pretty fantastic.



The summit of Mount Timpanogos is 11,749 feet, second highest in the Wasatch Mountains. The hike is 7.5 miles one way with an elevation gain of 4580 feet. We saw plenty of mountain goats. In fact we had to scare them off the trail so we could get by them. We passed within 5 feet of a mountain goat that sat there and stared us down. I also spotted a small brown animal with a tail that looked suspiciously like a mountain lion. Since they hunt mountain goat, I'm not too far off in thinking that's what I saw. Gotta keep things interesting, you know!

mountain goats

Amanda and the goat ahead on the trail

Funny story about this "toilet" if you can call it that. This is about 3/4 of the way up the summit right on the mountain side pretty much in plain view. Sure it's off the main trail a bit, but really not any better than using a tree. At least the walls were somewhat in place. Needless to say, I didn't need to go that bad!

My baby is all grown up

Belle started Kindergarten today. She was so excited that last night felt like Christmas Eve. I wonder if she got any sleep. Today she woke up on her own at 6 am, got in the bath, and was ready and waiting to go to school a full hour and 15 minutes early. What a wait! Then at the bus stop she wouldn't even stop to say goodbye. As soon as it pulled up to the curb she was second in line and made a bee line inside that I barely had time to take a picture. Wow, I've never seen anyone so excited to start school. I hope it lasts until she graduates!! Her pictures tell the story better than words. Look at that face!

Belle all ready at 7:15am!

Clothes set out the night before...even clean underwear

Check out the new clothes! Mom had fun

Bee line to the bus. Wait...don't you want to say goodb...okay, see ya

Waiting in line out in front of the Kindergarten doors with best friend Paige. Yes, I followed the bus to the school to make sure she got off okay and made it to the Kindergarten playground.