Annual Pilgrimage to the Pumkin Patch

So every year we make a trip to the pumpkin patch. This past October was no exception. The kids have fun picking out a few pumpkins to carve, picking out the design of choice, and helping dad make a really big mess of mommy's kitchen.

Is Brendan's head really stuck in this pumpkin? Pull hard kids! Get it off!

Livin' It Up at 5th Grade Camp

So being in the 5th grade, that means Karley is one of the big kids on campus at Jefferson Elementary this year. One if the fun things about being in 5th grade is spending 3 days at 5th grade camp with your buds. Karley especially had fun because mom got to chaperone (7 months pregnant and all!). Fun times! Dad even managed to keep the wheels on back at home while mom was gone.

Being 8 is Great!

Connor had a fun birthday party....four months after the fact, with his buddies. Here they are at Dig It sifting through the sand looking for fossils and rocks...It doesn't get any better than this when you are an 8-year old boy!

Last Glimpses of Summer

It seems like we had a pretty lousy Summer as far as getting much warm weather is concerned. We did manage to squeeze a few extra days of warm weather play time in toward the end. Here are a few pictures of us at the resort with Grandma and Granmpa Carter and at Silver Lake park by our house...including a more mild example of what happens when Lauryn and Karley get a hold of the camera....yikes.

School's In!!!

So we're way behind, but here is a picture of the kids on their first day of the new school year. They are doing great and loving school as usual.

Road Trippin' to Utah!

We made our annual pilgrimage to Utah a little later than usual this year. The kids had a great time staying at Aunt Shannon's, playing on Uncle Todd and Grandpa's farm, and BBQ'ing with the cousins.

Besides the hike to Timpanogos Cave that nearly put Janae into labor (okay, so Brendan forgot how steep the trail was), everything--including the hike--went well and we all had a great time. It was hard to leave, and we already look forward to our next visit.

One of the highlights of our trip for the kids is always the endless pool parties in Aunt Shannon's pool. These four little fishies have tons of fun!

Shannon and Kevin and the kids took us up American Fork Canyon to have a picnic and ride 4 wheelers. Needless to say, the kids had a blast. Connor and dad even got very close to some deer while riding.

The kids love playing with all the animals, especially Grandma's dog BeeBee.

Carter thinks Bryce's dog looks thirsty. He'd better help him get a drink.

Uncle Todd has lots of baby Alpacas on the farm this year.

Look, Connor found a baby Alpaca that matches his hair!

4th of July Fun!!!

Only in the Pacific Northwest can you go for a casual day hike and run into snow...lots of snow. we went for a fun little hike with the Heacocks and Weeks to Boardman Lake. There was plenty of snow, and when we got to the lake, it was still frozen over! Afterward we went back to Heackock's for our annual fireworks display. It was a great day. We're so lucky to be able to spend time with family.