The Great Pumpkin...

Tonight we spent the evening painting/carving pumpkins.

Abby loves to use lots of colors.

Abby and Ella seemed to enjoy painting their pumpkins.

I think the activity turned out to be a big success.

Ella won the lady bug o'lantern.

Abby won the most colorful jack 0'lantern.

Renee won the smilinest jake o'lantern.

Adam won the scary jack o'lantern.

Birthday Celebration

We have a relatively new tradition to celebrate Aunt Andrea's birthday at the restaurant at Gardner's Village, then walk around to see the witches at their best. It was so great this year because all of our family was able to attend. It was a nice surprise to see Mike and Becca and their children as well. It wasn't too cold which made the experience nicer also. Happy Birthday Andrea! We all sure love you!

Bean Museum

Our preschool took a field trip to the Bean Museum on BYU campus on Tuesday. We showed up at a perfect time. There was another group that had scheduled a reptile show, but then didn't show up. We were able to see the show instead. The kids learned about snakes, turtles, lizards, crocodiles, alligators, and were able to touch some of these. Abby took the pictures of the instructor holding the reptiles because she would prefer to hold the camera then touch the live reptile. Although she did touch the dead ones. It was educational and fun for the kids.

Wheeler Farm

Last Friday, we joined Bekah and her kids at Wheeler Farm for some fall fun. We walked around to see the animals as well as took a tractor/wagon ride. The kids had fun. We bought some corn to feed the ducks and geese. Little did we know that as soon as the geese saw the bag of food, they would attack us to get it. Abby was a little frightened and tried to get away from them. One duck bit Ari on the finger. The rest of the morning was great. It was beautiful weather.

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

"Joy" School

I joined a neighborhood preschool for Abby which we started the beginning of September. There are five children and four other mothers that are involved. I started the first week with the letter A and the number 1. We made "A" books, made Apple Jacks cereal necklaces and colored and glued noodles to paper in the shape of the number 1. The rotation has gone through the other moms and it was my turn to host again this week. I was supposed to do letter f, and then letter j in November, but I decided to switch the letters of the week and teach J this week and F in November. On Tuesday, I taught the children about Jack and the Beanstalk and we planted some "magic" beans that I had found. Today for the activity, I purchased some small pumpkins and they painted their Jack-O-Lantern. It was really fun. I meant to take some pictures of them painting the pumpkins, but I forgot, so I will just post the finished products. I made some wheat bread and served it with some plum jam that Adam and I bottled for snack. It was a hit.

Favorite Grice Family

While serving my mission in England, I met the Grice family. We taught two of their three daughters, Lydia and Ellie. Ellie got baptised while we were serving there and later her two sisters made that same choice. This family is so dear to my heart. I have had the opportunity to see and visit with them a couple of times as they have come to America. Tim and Julie recently came on holiday to Utah and I was able to spend an afternoon with them. It was so lovely to hear how well they and their children are doing. They are doing a great work. I feel so blessed and grateful for my acquaintance with them. They are truly some of my favorite people in this world.

Happy Birthday...3.5 months late!

I have wanted to post these pictures for at least three and a half months now. My baby is growing up way too fast. I have really enjoyed having her in our family. Ella is a huge tease! (I don't know where she gets that from). She puts a smile on each of our faces every day. One of my favorite things that she does right now is when Abby is crying, she finds her and hugs and kisses her. I especially love it when Ella consols her sister when she is on timeout for doing something to Ella that she shouldn't have done. I don't know how effective "timeout" is when this happens, but I know that these two girls love each other and that will make all of the difference.

Play on Dad

Our girls love to wrestle with their dad. He loves laying down on the floor when he gets home from work and the girls climb on him and "get him" while dad tickles them. Adam is such a wonderful dad. I am so grateful he loves to spend time with them and take care of them. We are so lucky to have him part of our lives.