First Snow

Today we got out first real snow of the year! 

The kids were so excited and couldn't wait to get all of their snow clothes on and go out to play in it.

Last year Lilly was just a newborn and never went outside.

She wasn't sure what to think about the snow.

We didn't stay out too long. She doesn't have the proper clothing.

The older kids had so much fun playing with their friends.

They were even able to build a little snowman!

Thanks for the snowman kit Angela!

Winter is HERE!

A couple of days ago I was out shopping and running errands with Jack and Lilly. It was a busy day and I needed Jack to cooperate. I told him that if he would be good and patient that I would let him pick out where to eat for lunch. (thinking something along the lines of McDonald's or Chick-fil-a) When we were finally all done and got into the car I turned and told Jack he had been so good and asked where he like to go for lunch? Olive Garden! Okay, not what I had in mind, but he really had been so good, that I had to follow through. Even if he was wearing a Iron Man costume and Lilly needed a nap. It was such a nice lunch, I'm so glad my little guy thought to go there. Later that afternoon when we picked Ella up from school Jack couldn't wait to tell her how he had gone to a "real" restaurant. (To him Olive Garden is pretty fancy! ha!) Ella was a pretty disappointed she had missed out. So the next night Ryan took Ella out to dinner at the Red Lobster. Which is good since Jack and I hate seafood and Ryan and Ella love it. 

Mom's Trip to Utah

It was so fun to have Mom here for trick or treating, but the fun wasn't over yet.

We did lots of hanging out, cooking and shopping!

Ella and Grandma enjoying their first glass of eggnog for the season. Of course it needed to be fancy.

One of the evenings we went out for a girls night.

Brielle was showing all of us her dinner.

Brielle kept wanting to hug the baby. Very sweet.

Another morning we got up and drive to Salt Lake.

We had lunch in the Nauvoo Cafe.

Love Jack's smile and Lilly's cookie

The wild girl had to stay in her stroller or she would be off in the street or playing in a fountain.

Jacob's half way through his time with us already! 

This time next year he will be out in the mission field!

Three generations 

Off to the church history museum. My pioneer baby

It was crazy, right after these pictures were taken a man walked up and placed a small box at the foot of the Christis. We all decided that maybe that was a little strange and one of us went and told security. Who then evacuated the entire building. SCARY! We never did find out what was in the box or if they found that man. I hope it wasn't anything dangerous. 

It was so fun to have to Whittakers come and see us too! Kelli had to come and see my Mom since they were so close. 

These wild boys were too tired from staying up so late the night before hitting on girls.

Nat and Andrew

I hadn't seen Andrew in years, it was so great to chat with him!

I loved watching these Mom's working together. They are such a wonderful example of friendship. They have been best friends since I was a baby. 

So much food, Lilly got too tired!

The next day it was the plan to meet Ella at school for lunch, however due to a scheduling change that I wasn't aware of we missed it. Ella was so sad, so I just yanked her out of school for the rest of the day.

And met everyone at Culvers!

Before we knew it, it was time from Mom to go home. For our last night we went out to one of Mom's favorite places.

Lilly loves to dip her fries in fry sauce. She loves dipping everything now.

It was so nice having my Mom her. It always goes by too fast!

Thank you for coming!! Love you!! See you soon Mom!

October Instagrams

1. Lilly starting to outgrow her newborn car seat, finally!
2. Ella's school picture. Is it just me or is she seriously gorgeous!? Best school picture ever!
3. Lilly puts a lot of importance into oral hygiene- hence the TWO toothbrushes.
4. Visiting Abby at work.
5. Cool face paint from our neighborhood Halloween party.
6. See #5.

The Shumway and Reed families came to visit us over conference weekend.
1. Bathing babies
2. Sleeping in the car seats together at Culvers.
3. Only in Utah can you watch Conference in a restaurant!
4. Harvey is starting to warm up to me.

1. Jack found this motorcycle at Ross and was sobbing he couldn't have it. We called Daddy (thinking he would AGREE with me and say no. Nope!) Yet another crappy toy that makes noise and will break in a week!

2. The Shepherds got us a couple of tickets to General Conference- yippee for Ryan and Jacob!

3. How Lilly eats popcorn

4. Lilly with crazy hair

5. Lilly first taste of whip cream from a can

6. Matching sisters. I love these outfits!

Jack's field trip to a farm

1. Lilly wouldn't stop getting into the dirt.

2. Jack loved playing in the corn

3. and 

4. Lilly LOVED the little piglets!!

5. Jack is my little piglet!

6. Lilly loves all swings

Fall break up in Park City

1. Getting ready for fun in Park City

2. Jack's a fish

3. with muscles

4. Sami came too... sad the next morning I miscarried... :(

5. The house Ryan and I lived in when we were first married and where Ella came home to from the hospital.

6. Jack LOVES smoothies

1. Shopping for Jack pirate birthday party
2. Lilly playing in the back yard
3. Getting to check out a fire truck in the grocery store parking lot- thanks for the stickers fire guys
4. What a nice friend I have- buying me food and shoes to cheer me up! Thanks Angela!
5. How could we not buy it? If she gets tired while tick-or-treating she can just ride in it!
6. Sleepy little lady

1. McDonald's with friends is always more fun

2. Lilly is messing with ice cream cones

3. Jack loves PB&J

4. Ella got money from SCHOOL!

5. Excited to be in a movie theater

6. Loves our HUGE pupkins

1.Lilly loves dancing to Jacob playing the guitar
2. Good morning Lilly!!
3. Lilly thinking she's helping. Doesn't that hurt?
4. Nice and clean
5. Ella was in one of her school libraries ad's
6. Lilly's hair is getting long again

1. Jack loves making couch forts
2. Lilly in the cold
3. Trying something new with her hair
4. Jack and Seth = best buds
5. Movie time with friends
6. Cleaning the church building

1. Carving pumpkins with Jacob, Tyler, Sami and Abby

2. Jacobs

3. Lilly's and Sami's. Sami's is scared!

4. Ryan and Ella's

5. Everyones

6. Jack's

1. Preston's Halloween birthday party
2. Pumpkin pizza
3. Trying on her new costume and playing with Ella
4. Getting into trouble with pots
5. Getting into trouble, almost breaking drawers
6. Our good student doing research for her bobcat report

1. Sleepy Lilly- with a binkie
2. Wasted half of them, only getting small from now on
3. Supporting our favorite team- go 9er's!
4. Waiting for Ella at school and being weird
5. Waiting for Ella's Halloween parade.. still sleepy
6. Chocolate cupcakes means you can't look at the camera