A Fun Evening

 I'm feeling kind of negligent of my blog lately.  Sorry to my readers out there (all six of you).  I do it as 1) I desire and 2) as I have pictures and something to say.  I guess probably both of those things have been lacking lately.  Nothing to say? Shocking, I know. 

We've been just going through the days here:  school, homework, more school, sleep.  Weekends are precious to us around here.  It's not often that we get a break in routine and do something special (although we do try).  Thanks to Nick's work, we got the chance to break the chains and have some fun together at Cornbelly's.  On a weekday night no less!

Daisy was a bit freaked out by the big slide.  Can you tell in that photo?  She was a champ though and went down it several times.  Gripped me dearly each time.

The kids went over and over again:

We had fun getting lost and then unlost in the corn maze:

 Notice Daisy's wristband on her foot?  She was being a stink.  Three-year-olds, I tell ya.  Oh, and unhappy faces.  There is always one (and sometimes more!)!

I'd say one of our favorite places was the corn pit.  So much fun!

 Daisy LOVED it.

Sure love this man of mine!

 We had corn falling out of our pants all night long.

And this is an awful photo, but it proves Nick and I still act like kids:

Yep, peed a little.  My bladder is not what it used to be.  :)

Great time with my favorite people!

Fall

 Saturday was a delightful day.  Nick and I attended the temple sealing of a good friend.  I'm so thrilled for her, and felt so honored to be able to be a witness of it.  And, be reminded of the sacred covenants I have made in the house of the Lord with my sweetheart as well.

On Sunday, we took a trip to the mountains to enjoy the beautiful Fall colors.

1, 2, 3, weeeee!

 When we got home, my phone told me that Nick and I were out taking engagement pics that very day, 12 years ago.

We've changed just a bit since then, eh?  

Moments I don't ever want to forget:

 Life is sweet.

And Then There Was One

 We had one fabulous weekend, filled with family and friends.

On Saturday, Maren was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It was a very special morning!

 I love Everett's paper airplane and look of concentration in that photo.  :)

 We are so grateful to our families who came and supported and loved on our Maren.  Afterwards, we hosted a lunch at our church, which really turned out great!  A huge thank you goes out to my brothers and sisters (and in-laws) who helped set up and take down and who were just there.  It was really a stress-free event, surprisingly.  It was just so nice to enjoy family.

That evening, we hosted another big party.  My high school friends/BYU roommates/book group girls and their families came to our home for dinner.  I can not even express what a wonderful evening it was.  I love these girls so much and am so grateful for them in my life.  And, it made my heart so so happy to watch our kids having such a blast together.  I was sad to see them go when the last car left at about 10:30 pm.  Good food.  Great company.  The photos I took were kind of lame-o, but here's proof of the event:

I should have gotten one of all the kids, but didn't.  They were off and playing the entire time and just had so much fun together.  They loved breaking open glow sticks and flinging it all over the place.  My Maren, all aglow:

This photo was taken the next morning, right before my nephew's baby blessing:

 Another family event where we could just soak it all in.  I love my family!

On Labor day, after bottling 2 batches of peaches from our very own tree, we took the kids up to one of our favorites, Silver Lake in Big Cottonwood canyon.  We've been up there half a dozen times and I've never seen so many people there.  I tell you, the Utah mountains are just insane.  It's just gotten ridiculous in the last few years.  Way too many people for my liking!  Time to move somewhere out in the boonies where we can explore our own wilderness.  That part of our outing was a bit frustrating.  Thankfully it was still beautiful up there.

 Daisy was not a happy camper for about half our time there.  Three year olds are fun!

 We're missing a kid.  Ellie, the lucky duck, got to go camping with my brother's family.  We sure missed her but I'm glad she could have some fun with her cousins.

In those photos you can't even tell how crowded it was.  Maybe I should pretend it just wasn't.  ;)

And then, this morning, this happened:

Lainey Lu, off to preschool!  She is so thrilled to finally be going to school like her big sisters and brother!  She had a fantastic time and can't wait to do it again tomorrow!

Which leaves me with one at home.  Daisy and I celebrated by going on a long bike ride:

I'm fairly certain we're both going to miss LuLu while she's at school.