Spontaneous Trip to Manti

So last week Liz called me up to see what we were up to.  She had just finished a midterm and wanted to play so we packed up the kids and a picnic lunch and headed down to Manti.

Wilson has been living in his spider man suit.  I can't wait for Halloween costumes to go on sale so I can get him a new one and get rid of this one.  It has one million holes in it and all the seams are ripping but he LOVES it!

Madame Chauffeur

Unfortunately when we got there the temple was closed for 2 weeks. 

Darn it!  

So we sufficed with playing on the lawn and taking pictures 

which the kids loved.

Liz teaching the kids mad posing skills.

:)

Sure do love these three!  

This past month has definitely been a test of my patience.  It is no easy task to be a single parent.  Thank goodness that relationships can repair and that kids forgive so easily.

Let's just say it has been a humbling experience. 

:)

We stopped for (freezer burned) ice cream in Ephraim.

yuck. At least the kids enjoyed it.

And really we should have stopped for dinner because the drive home over the Nebo Loop took a long time.  A gorgeous long time.

It was dark coming down Payson Canyon but there was a beautiful harvest moon.

It was the perfect fall drive.

Minus Zina and Wilson's throw up of course.

Fantastic

Today Wilson swept the floor for me twice.  The second time was Zina's HUGE mess of cut up papers from the book she was making.  He happily swept away and did an excellent job.  When Grandma and Grandpa pulled up to drop some things off he was outside by himself...vacuuming out the van.  Just happily cleaning away by himself for at least a 1/2 hr.  And - I couldn't have done a better job myself.  Yesterday he dutifully helped me dig up some of the flower bed and plant our tulip bulbs AND when we got ice cream in Manti he happily gave his sister the first lick of his superman ice cream cone without a second thought. 

Tonight whilst he was sweeping up her mess and Sam was helping her with her job (picking up the legos and blocks) Zina came into the kitchen and declared, "My brothers are FANTASTIC!!"

I couldn't agree more.

Snow & Pumpkins

So last week it snowed.  Let the cocoa inhalation begin.

I think we went through at least 5 or 6 rounds of hot chocolate. 

Our blood is still working on thickening up after our 3yrs in AZ.

:)

But honestly, to say the kids were excited would be a huge understatement.

This must be the best day of Zina's life.

Sam, he's not to sure about all this. Probably because I put Zina's old strawberry shortcake boots on him. Sorry buddy.

On Sat. we attempted Rowley's Red Barn and Pumpkin patch with Grandma Judy.

But it was awfully cold.

Wilson has started getting really ticked when I take pictures of him.  It's kind of cute.

The kids still enjoyed the hay ride, and maze.

Wilson was really mad at me when it was time to leave because he really wanted a donut.  I don't even know if they sell donuts but his nose smelled it and he really wanted a darn donut.  He moaned, "donut, donut" all the way home. :)

Seriously, the snow on the mountains is SO beautiful!  I did sort of, almost really want Mark to be a Apple Orchard farmer instead of an anesthesiologist.  I just want to live in the middle of no where and take care of my kids and my apples. oh ya, and my milk cow. :)

It was that pretty. yep.

We had Grandma and Grandpa Thomas over for Canadian Thanksgiving on Sunday.  It was delicious, but this is the only picture I have of the event.  And my most poignant memory is of grandma's fresh peach pie. sigh.

Yesterday we hit up another Pumpkin patch with Angela, Lincoln and baby Dylan.  This time it was much warmer and the kids LOVED it.  Not to mention it was free and way cooler (if not quite as pretty as the middle of an apple orchard).

Strik'n a pose!

Yet another maze.

We'll just climb on top to find our way out. :)

Sam's OBSESSION! 

I don't remember my other kids being obsessed with something at this age with as much passion as Sam has for cars and trucks.

And the poor little kangaroo.  Yes, there was a real live Kangaroo at the petting farm.  The first real Kangaroo I have ever seen and it looked so sad.  I just wanted to take it way somewhere it could be happy. :(

Kings of the castle and a little dirty rascal!

This is a perfect example of what Wilson does all day every day.

Only he usually has a red cape flying out behind him. :)

They had this crazy sand corn box that the kids had SO much fun in.

Ah, what more could a girl ask for?  A corn bed!  She truly is a princess. :)

We love our cousins.  (and the beautiful mountains!)

Sammy really wanted to leave with this pumpkin!