Family Night Fright

• Made fruit pizza 
• Brynn gave a lesson on being thankful
• We all carved pumpkins

I have to say, this was our most creative year! 

October Thrills

 Let the parties begin! Our neighborhood get-together was full of festive treats, prizes, and games for the kids.

I took the exchange students to their first, and possibly last, haunted cornmaze. Oh the screams! Crazy clown followed them, scary guys in chainsaws, and the cornstalks rattled with suspicious creatures.  Our kids had fun too! Especially when they added more scares for the students. 

I got to help with the 1st grade pumpkin carving activity. I was a little late but Cannon wouldn't carve it without me, "I know my mom is coming, " told his teacher. We whipped out a pretty awesome squash if you ask me.

One more week until Halloween!!!

Week of Fall

Kate and Sofie enjoyed some fun activities with their young women's church group.
Sofie and her cute friends went to the canyons for a cookout and photo shoot.
Kate went to the movies to see Meet the Mormons

Sofie cooked us dinner: delicious danish meatballs called frigedeller. They tasted just as good as the aroma that filled the house. 

Sending the kids off to to catch the bus during a beautiful sunrise. 

Halloween Preview

The big event this weekend was the FAMILY HALLOWEEN PARTY in Payson.

We met at the nearest church for a sloppy Joe dinner and filled 5 he rest of the night with fun and games...

Stick pull, limbo, cake walk, relay races, monster mash, a pinata, and a spooky story by Uncle Devin.  Does it get any more festive than that?? Yes! We returned to the homestead for a wagon ride through the haunted orchards.

Sofie couldn't believe the sheer numbers of one family. Welcome to ours!! She said she was grateful to be a part of such a big wonderful family because they were all "so nice!" 

Feeling Canadian

It's great to have Canadian neighbors. They hosted their annual Canadian Thanksgiving dinner. It was Sofie's first Thanksgiving ever. She loved all of it. I made 120 "buns" for the occasion. It was a great time with great neighbors!

Cowboy Country

This week Kate finished 8th grade volleyball and Sofie ended her high school soccer season. Kate finished with an all-day tournament in Panguitch.  

Adrie and I came along for some adventures in outlaw territory. We discovered some fun antique and cowboy shops, and had homemade donuts in a cozy bakery. 

On our way home we pulled over to check out the coolest roadside attraction. Butch Cassidy ' s home. Adrie and Kate climbed the nearby Cottonwoods and were sure they found his perfect hiding spot in a tree hollow.

Our next stop was Big Rock Candy Mountain for some beautiful fall foliage.

The Red Hills are Alive

Pumpkin Patch

We were excited that Greg joined us from California for our conference traditions.

Saturday Pumpkin Patch

Kids pressured us into spinning our guts out on this contraption! Wheeeeeee!

This is how we do it...

LDS General Conference

We made the obligatory trip to Christensen's and everyone chose their favorite from the candy department. Of course, we balanced it out with some vegetables

• Sacrament is the most important thing we do in the week. It's a time to recommit and repent. 
• Ease the burdens of the POOR. Those who are poor physically and poor in spirit.
• With whom will we live when we die?
• COURAGE is standing up for God's principles even when it is unpopular
• FAMILY PRAYER * FAMILY SCRIPTURES * FAMILY NIGHT * TEMPLE
• If we actively turn to the Lord, we will endure any trial and hardship
• Are we fulfilling our patriarchal blessings? 
• How to make best decisions: 
• 1) consider options with the end in mind
• 2) be prepared for the challenges that will come
• 3) share this vision with the people we love