Hello to Fall

We have been spending some time welcoming fall into our lives lately. We had some rain. We enjoyed the fall colors, and I think I'm almost ready to get the house decorated for Halloween. Cup of hot apple cider anyone? Scott took a day off work and we went in to Salt Lake for the Circus. Before the Circus started we walked around Temple Square with Kate. She had to touch every bit of water and for those who have been to the Square, there is a lot of water! I love this picture with the temple in the background. What a beautiful place to be and a wonderful spirit.

Kate with her Circus ticket. Every kid has to go to the circus at least once in their childhood. Scott doesn't remember ever going so it was fun for us to enjoy this together. I could tell Kate knew this was a special date to be at Temple Square and the circus. Now she wants to go to Disney Princess on Ice in November.

I think it was the next Sunday that we went up to the cabin to see the leaves. We just spent the evening, had dinner up there, and then jetted home. Scott had a fireside he needed to attend. But the leaves were MUCH more brilliant than I remember them.

We had three days straight of rain and I didn't mind one bit. It was refreshing and beautiful. Kate got her snow boots on and had some splashing to do.

Good Action Shot.

I had a pedicure, compliments of my mother-in-law (thank you tons!). I hadn't had one in forever and my feet feel fantastic!

Scott just got home for lunch and I think he wants me to make him a grilled tuna sandwich. I don't know why he thinks he can't make one himself. Somehow he thinks mine taste better. I guess I'll go serve the poor helpless creature and send him on his way. It's the least I can do right? I mean I live such a treasured life at home, doing as I please, while he goes out into the world and makes a living for us all to enjoy. It's a big thing he does. So big, that I will gladly make the sandwich. Here I go with a smile.

Correction: So, I went upstairs to help. I just started seasoning the tuna he had out and putting it on the bread and he said, "No, I'm gonna brown both sides first."

So, I guess I don't make them the best anymore. I've been demoted. Now what do I do? I can't even make grilled tuna. Well, thanks for being a good provider anyway honey. Since I can't show you my love, I just tell you...Love you tons!

More of the Same

I feel the need to apologize for being so boring. I feel like all my pictures and posts are the same: Kate doing dress-up; Kate doing dress-up with a friend; Kate doing something silly; Kate at a local attraction like a museum; Blah, Blah, Blah. So to mix it up, I have Kate doing something silly in the lazy Susan, Kate dressing up as wedding girl, and Kate at the zoo-Whoopee! I don't know what to say. How can I spice my life up? Any ideas?

Exciting Photo # 1

Kate snuck into the lazy Susan yesterday. She had the door shut when I found her. What a crack up. I don't know what goes through her mind sometimes. She's my feral child.

Exciting Photo # 2: Wedding Girls

It seems like I have a lot of photos just like this. Kate talks about her wedding a lot. Whenever she sees beautiful jewelry, flowers, or if she sees me in a dress she likes she says, "You can give this to me at my wedding."

Exciting Photo #3: Dress-up

Grandma M gave Kate this beautiful dress-up dress out of the blue. She also gave her the matching crown and wand but Kate was wearing this other crown because she just got it as a party favor from a birthday party she went to.

We went to the ZOO!

Exciting Photo #4: The Baby Elephant

My good friend got us into the zoo for free! We saw all the zoo babies that everyone has been raving about - fun!

Exciting Photo # (what am I on now, 5?) Kate & Elle

Exciting Photo # 6: Kate & Mr. Rhino

Exciting Photo #7: Us on the Carousel (Kate riding a Panda)

Exciting Photo # 8: Elisa and her two cuties

Exciting Photo # 9: More of the Feral Child

So, Kate and Elle ran off ahead of us and we found them on these statues. I'm pretty sure Kate shoved these kids out of the way and I'm almost positive their moms were trying to take pictures when Kate pushed them out of the way. SORRY.

Exciting Photo # 10

We took our pictures and quickly got out of the way.

On other news, Scott and I were recently released from our church calling with the Young Single Adults. We were surprised by the change and have been adequately bummed out about it. We will like not being away from Kate so much because we did have a lot of activities that we needed to find a babysitter for Kate and that was tricky but we LOVED serving in a calling together and being with the YSA. We've built friendships that we want to maintain and that has been fun.

Scott was called to be the Assistant Scout Master. He was just in a calling with the young men before our YSA calling as Second Counselor in the Young Men's Presidency so it's funny to have him right back there with a slightly different role.

So far, no calling for me. With each passing day of not having a calling I become more and more nervous that I'm not got going to like my next calling right at first. I'm hoping to be a teacher in the primary or something fun like that. We'll see.

And, I did end up moving the playroom upstairs. I would post before and after pictures but it's really nothing special. I didn't paint the walls a fun color or do anything special. But it has been nice to have toys upstairs and to have a purpose for the room. Now the empty room is downstairs and it doesn't bother me as much. Someday it can be a guest room or something.

A Plant, A Helmet, & Two Fawns

We were given a plant to babysit while some basement renters from next door vacation and look for another place. They asked me to watch their corn leaf palm for a month or so. And this is so rude but I hope they don't come back to claim it because I adore having their plant here. Kate and I need to come up with a name for it, don't you think? Any suggestions? We finally bought Kate a helmet. I figured it was time to teach safety-actually long overdue. We go to the cabin so much and ride four-wheelers and NEVER use any kind of protective head gear. That's irresponsible enough and we've been putting Kate at risk and she's too little and innocent to know better. So, breathe easy mom, her head is now protected (Have I ever mentioned that my mom is a CPS worker?). I should probably get one made just for ATV's. And I plan on it. But this is as far as we've gotten. The ATV helmets are not cheap so I'll buy one next spring since heads grow and we probably won't do much more four-wheeling this year as fall and winter approach. Now it's time for Scott and I to get some helmets so we can be better examples.

Oh, and I love the tap shoes. My sister, Jeni, found them (or maybe it was Sami) at the DI (local thrift store) and Kate loves them.

Kate spotted two fawns across the street from our house. They were eating the neighbor's flowers. We see a lot of wildlife in our neighborhood and it makes it fun.

Today, I'm trying to decide whether to move Kate's playroom upstairs into the empty room that Kate began calling "the rocking chair room." We've had a little TV in there that only plays VHS and Kate uses it in the morning to watch a movie while I get ready. Later in the day we use the rocking chair to read stories. But the rocking chair is getting uncomfortable, mainly because Kate is getting too big and the rocking chair is busting from all the abuse. The last week we've sat in the living room to read stories. If I get brave and dismantle the playroom, I'll post some before and after shots. I should just do it. We'll see.

Playdates & Preschool

Kate started Preschool last week! This has been wonderful for both of us so far! I love having the break to pursue hobbies and Kate comes back full of good stuff. I LOVE asking her questions about what she's learning. She gives me on-the-level answers even. Yesterday I asked her what Miss Connie (her teacher) does when she or other kids in the class are too noisy. Kate used her sing-song voice to say, "Zip up you lips everybody." and then she did the little zipping motion with her fingers on her lips. Too CUTE!
Last night, Kate had a playdate with a neighbor-friend, Cali. Since Kate is an only child, I am trying to hold more regular playdates with girls her age.

I love Kate's over-the-top poses she does. She can't just smile-she's in character. Oh, and these are the free-for-all roses that I set-aside as "fair game" for picking.

P.S. The other day Kate found a couple crowns of broccoli awaiting rinsing and chopping. Before I could say bobshrackle Kate was marching around the house with her "bouquet" of broccoli, humming the wedding march. What do boys do with broccoli crowns, I wonder?

Daylilies

This month, I learned that a Daylily bloom only lasts one single day. Now I kick myself because the name of the flower explains everything but I just thought it meant that they close up in the evening and open up again the next day-NOPE.
Since they only last one day, we've taken notice and enjoyed each new bloom. Between our three Daylily plants we always have one in bloom but today, we were given two! What a treat.

Everyday we come out to see which bud bloomed today. Remarkably, Kate hasn't picked any of them yet. That could be due to the free range I've given her with our one rosebush. I've given that one over to the children of the neighborhood including Kate. If they want to pick they can pick to their heart's content. And they do. Luckily that rosebush blooms profusely so they always have plenty to pick. They love to pick the blossoms and throw the petals all around the yard pretending it's snow. Often Kate makes up a bouquet and pretends she's a bride humming the wedding march--magical.

All this makes me wonder, how do you celebrate each new day???

The Bean Museum

We had a fun trip to the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum on the BYU campus last week. I was watching James for the day while Jill got her classroom ready and attended a teacher's conference. I thought I would make Sami come along to keep me company since she was home alone and all.

I should preface: I don't drive. I've NEVER driven to Provo. I had a few panic attacks but we made it and in one piece. I even managed to find my way back home, too! All Thanks to Mapquest. I don't know how people found their way before the internet.

I enjoyed telling the kids about the stuffed Liger they were about to see. I think they were dissappointed that the Liger looked so much like a Lion and not too wierd. When he imagined the Lion and Tiger mix, James envisioned something much more extravagant. But a Liger we saw, nonetheless.

Sami, James, & Kate with the LIGER, Shasta!
Katie with the "Swan Princess"

A butterfly composed of butterflies! That's cool.

BINGO!

I printed up the bingo cards from the Bean Museum's website. On the way to the BYU campus, the kids decorated their bingo cards. We searched the museum's three floors for the exact species mentioned on the bingo card and then we checked them off. Sam was the first to achieve bingo. Kate was the first to blackout-almost, we never found the bald eagle. Since Sam was the first to check off a row, she was able to decide where we went for our dessert.

The highlight of our Provo day trip was seeing Kate's face light up as we entered the Disney store at the University mall. I wish I had a photo of her eyes and the way she put her hands over her mouth and held her breath in awe.

As of Late

Scott and I celebrated our NINTH wedding anniversary! Still in love.

My mom found a dead snake in her flower bed-it was infested with maggots.

My Grandpa died-we had the funeral a couple days ago. We are all glad he is finally free.

I saw some of my extended family at the funeral most of whom I haven't seen in over ten years!

I sang in church with a small group of girls (double trio minus one).

People have told me that my skin is looking better and everytime, I break out more. STOP!

My niece, Whitney, dedicated her chapter book to me (so nice).

Kate and I walked to the park today for exercise but we were glad that our neighbor, Robyn, swooped by to pick us up because Kate couldn't walk anymore and it's a struggle to carry her up the hill on my own. Mercy.

Kate is playing with scissors, a loaded stapler, and tape. Hmmm...

Me and one of the YSA girls are starting a Jane Austen book club. I've never been in a book club before.

What am I going to make for dinner?