I did get my outside fall decorations put together and they came together better than I expected, even without the wagon/wagon wheel.
I was able to put this together with Greg's help of course and a little inspiration from Google and a shopping trip to Walmart and Smith's.
Also this week I've taken these photos.
He likes to make a bed out of just about anything that's left on the floor.
Had a little one on one time with my niece Miss Lexi.
Charlie's got to be one of the boys.
This is where the puppy goes when he needs a safe place to hide from the kids. (Under my chair.)
Greg and the boys are camping in the back yard tonight because Greg is on call and can't be up in the canyon with the rest of our wards father and son camp out that's going on tonight.
They will be going up the canyon with the ward for dinner so they aren't too broken up.
Also this week we had the privilege of hosting the missionaries for dinner. That's only the second time we've had that opportunity in 20 years. Unfortunately I didn't take any photos. So that's our week. Next week we'll be celebrating McClane's fifth birthday! Time goes too quickly with these kids. :-)
These warm days are drawing to a close and we're all in a little denial.
Summer should never end!
M
Charlie is still obsessed with her wiggle car.
And enjoying fresh salsa is going to come to an end soon as well.
This is the best way to eat your veggies.
And some days you just need a burger from In N Out.
These two are FUN!
We've also got some major roadwork in our future.
Nothing like huge equipment slowly driving down our quite little neighborhood streets.
We've already been dealing with quite a bit of construction type stuff in our neighborhood all summer and the worst is yet to come. Asphalt grinding and more but a new road when it's all done so we'll take the mess for now.
As for me, the plan today is to display the 15 pumpkins that grew in Greg's garden all summer. I don't love the cooler weather but I do enjoy some of the perks of fall.
Look for photos of my pumpkin display next week. From the photos I've been looking at online it looks like I'm going to need an old fashion covered wagon or at least some wagon wheels and a few other things to really make it what I want but I have a feeling I'm going to be slightly disappointed but I'm sure we'll get something decent put together.
I'm going to start with what has become our newest nightmare. Some people don't think terrible twos are all that bad and some people don't even believe in them. But this is my reality! I walk despite the utter insanity that ensues but I sure don't love it. This is just a small glimpse of what goes on with Charlie while riding in the stroller.
This literally went on for over 30 minutes. My friend and I could not believe her tantrum endurance. She definitely should win some sort of prize for her persistence. And I'd love to hear the thoughts and comments of all the strangers we passed on the trail who couldn't believe what they were seeing.
As for the rest of the week we've had some other fun stuff going on. There was the Kmetzsch gathering at Sugarhouse Park where the kids had lots of fun on their scooters and playing at the nearby playground.
Charlie and Brock
Brock, McClane and Isaac
Kayli and baby cousin, Lexi.
I also enjoyed a morning date with two of my "people" at Denny's.
And tonight I'm headed up the American Fork Canyon with Isaac and his scout group for a mom and son camp out. It was fun last year and I'm sure it will be just as fun this year.
And here's how much I'm loved by at least one family member.
This is what happens when I walk out the door and he isn't allowed to follow. I sure love this small fur ball!
We're in the thick of harvest time! We've been enjoying batches of Greg's infamous salsa about once a week and he was able to put up about 8 or 9 quarts of pickles that the boys will devour this fall.
And just because.
He's fairly comfortable I'd say!
Her first time with painted fingernails and she was pretty impressed. Thanks to Aunt Ann for the fast drying nail polish!
I've never had much leverage when it came to Mark. He's never cared that much about anything including getting decent grades or putting forth much effort in his school work. Well, that's all about to change. Meet the BEST leverage....
He may not be 16 yet but he's just bought his first vehicle and he thinks he's pretty hot stuff. This is his 1997 Ford Ranger that's got some body damage, a little over 100,000 miles and is a 'gutless' stick shift. (According to Greg.) Needless to say, Mark is on cloud 9 and I'm just happy I have the best leverage in the world to keep him focused on keeping his grades at a C or better level!
Quick spin around the cul-de-sac.
Now where are we going to park it?!
Here's a fun napping photo taken just a few hours ago.
The best way to use a football pad.
And a perfect posed photo from our newest addition.
He may not be potty trained yet but I still think he's the CUTEST!!
And here's a few other photos from our week.
A Charlie sandwich.
Cookie making is so yummy!
These two were very 'helpful'.
Their tiny drones arrived right on time. Isaac got one too but wasn't around for the photo. Unfortunately Carter's has been compromised by McClane but it was fun while it lasted.
So that's our week and we actually survived our first full week of the school year. Only 'too many' more to go.
Well it happened! School has started once again! I love the schedule but I hate the homework and all the signatures that are required. Obviously there is no homework the first week but you can bet next week is going to hit hard for all of us.
Isaac's a Sevvie this year. Jr. High school!
Mark's a sad sophomore.
Mark's a cooperative sophomore.
Carter's a happy 5th grader.
Charlie's wishing she was something other than just CUTE!
Brock's an excited 2nd grader.
McClane is so excited about preschool!
He couldn't wait to get involved, no tears for him or me!
We also had a visit from my sister, Ann and her family for a couple of days. I didn't get too many photos but it was fun to see them even if it was for just a brief time.
David, Vienna, London and Asher enjoying a spin with Isaac, Charlie, McClane and Brock.
McClane had a couple of sleeps in odd places this week.
And then he requested I take this photo...
Everyone loves to snuggle the dog.
Greg had a nap or two this week as well. I documented this one...
He loves snuggling with the puppy too.
Speaking of Greg, he met with the cardiologist on Monday and apparently his heart is either too fast or too slow 25% of the time, which is a problem. After Greg explained all of his work responsibilities and the stress he's under the doctor agreed that he has too much to worry about. Greg can literally say his job is killing him at the moment. For now the doctor has him on a very mild anxiety medicine that will hopefully eliminate the major stresses and help him to manage the stress for now. They'll reevaluate in a month. So far it seems to be helping. Having someone trained right alongside him would also help but that's probably not going to happen this year.
On another note, I was released from being a relief society instructor and I'm now the new Webelos den leader. I'm definitely happy to be done teaching and hopefully Webelos will be a fun change and far less stressful.
Alpine Days this past weekend was pretty awesome. Whoever was in charge made some great improvements to most everything, especially the events Friday and Saturday. After the parade, which was pretty typical, there were bouncy slides, carnival rides and some game booths at the nearby park. Initially we went to see all the activities available only out of curiosity. The all day wristbands were eight dollars apiece and we had no plans on purchasing any but then a kind City Councilman came across Greg and the kids and couldn't understand why Greg wouldn't be given free wristbands for his kids since he's a city employee. So the kind man took it upon himself to walk over to the ticket booth and made sure all of our kids got wristbands. Obviously the kids were in heaven and spent the rest of the day at the new park going on rides, jumping off bouncy slides and cliff jumps until they were sunburned and happy. And the fireworks show later that night was something you just had to be there to witness because it was absolutely amazing. Overall it was a pretty great celebration.
Let the parade begin.
Showing her patriotism like a good girl!
These kids love the free stuff handed out at the parade.
In awe of all that is available to be enjoyed.
Train ride.
Swings!
Boats.
Rockets, only Charlie was allowed on this ride, the boys were too big.
Isaac in a freefall.
I can't believe another Alpine Day's celebration has come and gone. A little depressing.
Sunday can be exhausting!
Naps are hard to come by on Sundays.
Then it was Charlie's 2nd birthday! Charlie's fun, busy, loves strawberry milk, takes the best naps and is loud and demanding. We think she's pretty great!!
Birthday Girl!
Sporting some cute new pants.
Time for the family to eat cake and ice cream in honor of Charlie's big day.
When you're only two Mom gets to choose your birthday cake. (3 lbs. of fudge just in the frosting! YES!!)
This is one way to eat cake and ice cream.
Time for presents.
Aunt Heidi was a great gift opening buddy!
Aunt Kristin was a great distractor from opening the rest of the gifts. (Please ignore my finger in the corner, I struggle with that!)
Her very own wiggle car, she's in heaven!
She loves her new ride! She's a wiggle car riding fool.
It's been a fun week and the last full week of summer vacation. Only 5 days left before school starts! Two backpacks are already full of supplies. We won't know for sure who Carter's teacher is until Monday afternoon but Brock has Ms. Jacobs who was Isaac's kindergarten teacher 6 years ago and hopefully will work well with Brock. Of course Mark and Isaac won't know what supplies they need until they actually start attending classes but hopefully we have a good stockpile of what they need so I won't need to run to the store for another couple of weeks. Have I ever mentioned how much I dislike school?! I am not looking forward to making lunches every day and I especially dread homework but I am somewhat excited for going to bed earlier. At least I only have three kids to make lunches for instead of four. (High school students/Mark are on their own for lunch.) Here's to making it through another school year!
