play the 'puter

We are loving 'puter time lately.

I am constantly surprised how much she can do.

I love how her little arm wraps around the mouse.

You can see how much concentration it takes.  :)
Also, I love those brilliant people that create amazing sites that a three year old is amazed by

potato soup

 I made soup for the hunters today.  Makes it officially fall, traditions run deep this time of year.  Or maybe a little superstitious.  Same foods, same group, same place, seems to work out for them  :)

I know it looks like he is waving hello,  BUT I really know it means, once around the block and I'm out of here!

Run, Bambie run, the boys are on their way!

nectarines

dried.

loader

We needed to do some yard clean up, and so Casey brought this home.

as you can imagine the kids thought it was so exciting.  (I love Bridger's look of awe)

and Kate well this is how she helped.

OK, you are wondering if I picked up the shovel or just took pictures, I did a little of both.  Yes, Kate comes by it honestly!  Casey gets all the credit for the real work for sure!

and

peaches.

fire

We had family over to celebrate September birthdays.  (Nana and Dave)

with today being the first day of fall who knows how many more fire nights we will get.
I love the fire pit and the time we spend around it.

It was a good night.
Welcome fall!...so nice to have you here!

mom

Happy Birthday!

hike

Sunday we went for a hike after Stake Conference.
at first we were excited, Dad promised a waterfall. We had snacks and water we were ready to go.

Soon there were tears and frustration (mostly Hayli) but we had a lesson on "hard things", and learned that we can do them.
(Kate is part mountain goat, as long as she had a snack she jumped along the trail)

After never finding  the waterfall and the sun starting to set we turned for home. The whole way up Hayli just wanted to go down.  But after turning around, going down was hard too.  She kept losing her footing and the sun was in her eyes.

In the end we learned it's hard to go up hill and hard to go down hill... When I asked Hayli why that was "I don't know mom I just want to get to the car." She wasn't up for any analyzing but I couldn't help myself.  Wasn't it Gorden B Hinckley, " find joy in the journey!"  As Hayli learned  that day all trails are hard.
Welcome, little one,your first lesson on becoming a adult.
(I think I forgot how to use my point and shoot not one picture in focus.)

mums

Not really a favorite before,

But this year I am charmed, I find myself so ready for fall and these...

these are perfect.

leap frog

I could hear the explanation through the window while I did dishes...

the rules were pretty funny,

but the visual was, well...

hysterical.

ruth's chris

May I just say...DELIGHTFUL!  There were even rose petals!
Thanks to LeAnne for watching the girls... amazing how just one night away can make a difference,  still made it home in time for a really great Stake Conference session.
Mark it down as  a great weekend!

mary

  "Look mom, I'm the Christmas lady"

 "you mean Mary? *blank stare*  "Jesus' mom?"

 "No, I'm the Christmas Lady!"

Clearly, my amazing parenting/teaching skills showing through...

14 years

Happy Anniversary to us!

clearly we got married when we were twelve,
Doesn't 14 years sound like we are old, like we should have life figured out?
Why then does it feel like I am still pretending, hoping no one notices that I am not sure what I am doing.
I do know we are better when we are together.  We will have to figure out the rest as it comes.
Here's to the next 14. 

kate

She fools you just a little bit with her girly choice of all things that sparkle and frilly dresses.

She adores her bike, she is always outside, loving to go fast.

The Rasbands pulled out the bike jumps, and the rest was history.

 See Kate likes to run with the big boys around here,

While the rest of us play on the grass with our girly toys,

meet Eden.  I adore her baby fingers!

 All the while keeping a close eye on the bike show.  :)
P.S Have I mentioned how amazing the weather has been lately? 
We over here are loving it!

peanut butter

It really does taste better shaped like a heart on a pink plate...

just ask her.

salsa

check.