Thanksgiving

I didn't realize it has been so long since I've posted! Although we had car problems, we did make it to Idaho for Thanksgiving and we had a wonderful visit with family. Here are pictures from our trip in no particular order.

We went to Grandpa and Lita's house the day after Thanksgiving. We were so glad to see both sides of the family in one trip.

We met Mark's family at a lodge for Thanksgiving. It was nice to have plenty of space for everyone.

Megan entertained herself by dressing up.

A lot of the entertainment came from this big slide. It took Gavin a little while to gather up the courage to go down it by himself.

This is most of the slide, minus about 10 feet at the top. It took me a while to get enough courage to go down too, but it was a lot of fun.

This was our first attempt at heading to Idaho. We we able to pick up the truck with a new, expensive fuel pump a few days after we got home. I am so grateful for the many blessings we've received this year, and particularly that we were able to spend Thanksgiving with family.

Great daddy

Megan had severe stranger anxiety for the first 16 months of her life. She got sad when I would leave the room and even cried whenever Mark would take her from me. Needless to say, it was a rough time, but now Meggie is a daddy's girl! Here are a few cute pictures of the two of them.

Fiasco and fortunes

We had a rough day! These pictures were not taken today, but they fit the day's circumstances perfectly. We left early this morning to visit my parents for a few days before traveling to spend Thanksgiving with Mark's family. The kids were happy and all was well until, 70 miles out of town our truck broke down. Thank heavens we have roadside assitance and our insurance company was awesome! They called a tow company and within 1 hour they towed us to their shop. The fuel pump had gone out, and because we were in such a small town they didn't have the part we needed, so we called a friend to come get us. 8.5 hours later we ended up right back where we started.

While we were waiting for the diagnostic test on the truck we went to a cafe to eat. We had sandwiches and soup for lunch then they gave us fortune cookies. I've never been given a fortune cookie at a place that wasn't chinese, so I was a little surprised, but I loved what the fortunes said...

~ "You will have much to be thankful for in the coming year." Like a second vehicle, good friends, and excellent auto insurance.

~ "Use your abilities at this time to stay focused on your goal. You will succeed." The kids were angels, and everyone (the mechanics, waitress, and gas station attendant where we hung out for 2.5 hours) was so nice and helpful.

~ "An unexpected event will soon make your life more exciting." I don't think I would call our vehicle breaking down in the middle of nowhere exciting, but it was definately unexpected.

~ "Treat yourself to a special time this coming weekend." Celebrating holidays with loved ones.

~ "Keep up the good work. You will soon be rewarded." It's nice to be home.

So tomorrow we will try it again! Wish us good luck!

Just a few cute pictures of the kids

In the last few weeks I've had several friends and family ask what new has been going on in our lives. Honestly, I feel like our lives are average and not too exciting, but nevertheless we are very happy! Here are a few pictures of what we do to stay busy.

practice not eating dirt
walk in the "woods"

splash in puddles

look cute

admire cuteness

play with shaving cream... this picture probably needs a little more explanation. Gavin often sees me put moouse in my hair and wants some, so I decided shaving cream was a cheaper option with a similar texture.

Zoo pictures

As I mentioned a few weeks ago during my last post, we took a family vacation to Utah last month to visit Mark's brother and his family and to go to Temple Square and the zoo. Here are more pictures from our trip.
I do realize Halloween was 1 month ago, but Megan was so cute I wanted to share one last pumpkin picture. She now loves candy and was suppose to help daddy and Uncle Kent pass it out at the trunk-or-treat, but I think she ended up putting plenty of it in her own bucket or in her mouth instead.

This is a super cute park in Hoogle Zoo. We let the kids play while we relaxed after a few hours of visiting all the animals.

If Mark were a turtle, this is what he would look like...just in case you all were wondering!

Megan taking a leisurely stroll around the zoo.

This was one of my favorite animals, but now I can't remember if it's an ape, chimpanzee or gorilla! Anyway, I thought she was cute!

My camera is not zoomed in! This giraffe came right up to us!

More giraffe close ups.

I'm sure most of you have been to a big zoo before, but this was a first for all of us (unless you count Tautphaus Park in Idaho Falls), so I got a little carried away with pictures!

None of us are the same size as an ape...again, just in case you were wondering!

We had a great time at the zoo. Thanks Kent, Mariam, D and K for coming with us!

Trip to Temple Square

For several months now I have been wanting to take the kids to the zoo and Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Both Gavin and Megan are curious and fascinated by their surroundings, so I thought now would be the perfect time. We stayed with Mark's brother Kent, his wife Mariam and their two kids D and K for a few days and we had so much fun!
Gavin was pretty convinced all the beutiful fountains were swimming pools! Of course we didn't let him jump in like he wanted, so he was content with splashing in the water instead.

Temple Square is one of the most amazing I have ever been. I love the spirit that I feel there, and the Christus especially reminds me of the love my Father in Heaven and Savior have for me and my precious family.

My adorable little girl!

I love to see the temple and want my children to see it often so they will want to set goals now to go inside it someday.

These are just a fraction of the pictures I took this weekend. Stay tuned for zoo pictures to come in the near future.

A week of playing dress up

With Halloween quickly approaching we have had plenty of opportunities to attend parties and play dress up. I participate in a group of full-time moms who practice and perform plays for children at our local library. This week we spent two days performing for schools, preschools, and the public. It was exhausting but tons of fun!
I am the one with the affro. I played the parts of a chubby pumpkin who ate nonstop, and I was also a ghost.

Last Saturday I went to a friend's party. When I spend time dressing up I like to feel pretty, so I decided to be a fairy.

The cutest pumpkin around! I know you all have seen Meg in this costume before, but I added the slippers and leggings since the last photo and I think those accessories complete the outfit!

Last Friday we attended a family party and costumes were required so Mark borrowed a M&M costume and Gavin was a bat. He makes a great little bat and he's been practicing bat noisy frequently.

Christmas shopping

As many of you know, Mark took up the hobby of radio controlled flying a few years ago. It is his way to relieve stress and a favorite Saturday activity. A few weeks ago a memeber of the local flying club passed away so his family put all his airplanes and supplies up for sale. Mark was grateful for the opportunity to add to his collection, I was grateful Mark was Christmas shopping for himself, and we both were grateful for the opportunity to help Darrell's family with medical and funeral expenses. He got several planes and parts for a really good deal.

These are the two new planes he bought.

These are all of Mark's planes and he has another one to build this winter. I am so glad Mark chose a family friendly hobby, and it is so fun to watch his collection grow.

Snow

We awoke this morning to the first snowfall of the year and Gavin and Megan were so excited! I didn't realize we'd be needing snow clothes this early in the season!

The day started with a few inches, but by afternoon we had at least 6 inches and reports of 6 more inches during the night! Crazy! A friend of ours has a sign posted in his dental office that lists the 4 seasons of Wyoming as almost winter, winter, still winter, and construction. I didn't realize "almost winter" started so early. I can't believe that on Wednesday we were in shorts and today we're in snow pants.
I love the snow but I'd like a few more weeks of sunshine!

Our temporary pet

A few weeks ago we went on a caterpillar hunt with our friend Melissa. I didn't have an eye for finding any, but Melissa did, and she was kind enough to give Gavin a caterpillar to take care of and watch for a few weeks as it became a butterfly. Gavin loved the process! Everyday he would check on his little pet and say "Look mom! My butterfly turn into a cocoon then a butterfly!" After 4 days it made a cocoon, then after 10 days the cocoon turned black and 2 days later the butterfly emerged.

This is the Monarch after just a few hours. If you look closely you can see the open cocoon next to the butterfly.
Isn't it beautiful?! We let it ret for 1 day then let it fly away.

Visit to the pumpkin patch

We made a visit to the local pumpkin patch last Friday and it was so much fun!

Megan will occassionally smile and say "cheese" for pictures, but she often gives this scowly look instead.
This is the lucky pumpkin we bought and brought home.
Gavin was more interested in climbing the hay bales than searching for a pumpkin.

Leaves Leaves Everywhere

We love Fall and have enjoyed playing outside in the leaves!