Arboretum Field Trip

The group and Kaitlyn always with a finger in her nose.

It's been so much fun doing Kaitlyn's Joy School this year. For a "field trip" we took the kids to the arboretum and enjoyed the "fall" weather (80's) walking around the beautiful gardens and pumpkin area they had set up.

Playing in the water garden

Kaitlyn with her friend Evan.

Playing in the Texas area.

I could only get one to sit in front of the pumpkins

There was even a little petting zoo. Again, only one child wanted to pet the animals.

Pumpkin Patch

It was time for our yearly trek to the pumpkin patch- it's just up the street from us. Normally we go during the week to avoid the crowds but my sister and her family were in town so we made it a big family event. It was a packed patch on a Saturday morning but good times were had by all. The favorites consisted of the bounce houses, train and hay rides, the hay maze and a snow cone at the end. Yep, it was 80 degrees so buying a snow cone was a nice little treat. Grandma bought small pumpkins for all the grandkids to paint and decorate at her house later that night. I think that will have to be a new tradition to add to going to the pumpkin patch.

I can't ever get them both to smile at me at the same time.

Train ride with Aunt Monica. No way I could fit in that car and Todd was not wanting to go.

Abby getting comfortable.

Again, won't look at the camera

I've got a good seat.

Weeeee

BYU Football

I haven't been to a live football game in about 4+ years. I was very excited to go to the TCU/BYU game this past Thursday, especially since BYU was playing so well this year. What a sad game, did they bring the B team? It was fun to be there with Todd and my sister and her husband. I think my favorite part of the game was the funnel cakes- inhaled in about 10 seconds.

Photo Tag

This picture is from last year when we were living in Melbourne, Australia. Abby is climbing one of the many cool trees that are in the Botanical Gardens. We lived down the street and going to the Gardens was a weekly thing for us.

I was tagged by Katie and was interested to see what picture would come up. A new twist on the tagging game. Here's how you play: Open your photos, pick the 6th folder and the 6th picture inside that folder. Add it to your blog and write about it. Then tag 6 people. I tag: Laurie, Lisa K., Lisa P., Kerry, Kelli, and Sarah S.

Fun with Cheetos

During lunch Abby decided to do a little spelling with her food...

Nap Time

Kaitlyn has never been as good of a sleeper as Abby. Abby loved naps up until a year ago. But, Kaitlyn is one to take a nap here and there. It drives me crazy. We'll put her in her bed and by the time the door is closed, she's up and playing with her toys. At least she'll have a quite playtime for an hour or so.

The other day, Todd went in to check on our "napping" child and found her like this on her bed. Guess she finally gave into the sleep. Notice the mess of toys and books all around her.

September Book Review

The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith: Mma Ramotswe, Precious, sets up the first ladies detective agency in Botswana. Once the clients start coming in, Mma R uses her smarts to solve her cases. This is a very light book to pick up and read. Each chapter basically covers a case. Great for the summer or some vacation. I really enjoyed the main character and her tactics. I will probably pick up more of the series. I give it 3 out of 5.


Bel Canto by Ann Patchett: This was very well written book. The story is set in an unnamed South American country where a big wig Japanese business man is celebrating his birthday. At the party was a famous soprano opera and many other diplomatic people from many other countries. As the story opens, the party is crashed by a terrorist group hoping to kidnap the President of the country, who is not there. The days turn into weeks that turn into months. I was very wrapped up into the characters and curious at how it was all going to play out. 4 out of 5

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orzy: "They seek him here, they seek him there. Those Frenchies seek him everywhere." Great adventure/romance novel set during the French Revolution. I loved the movie with Jane Seymour, but the book has so much more depth and detail (don't they always). Marguerite is blackmailed by Chauvelin to give him the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel. When she later discovers it's her husband, Percy, she races off to save him. 5 out of 5.