Happy Halloween!

 Fancy witch!

 Super Mario!

Yes, this is Porter all dressed up on Halloween.  I completely dropped the ball on his costume and thinking I could find the 3 other baby costumes we had stored away somewhere.  Apparently they didn't make it through the 3 moves we've made since Tanner wore one.  Regardless, we had a great time going over to our friends house.  The Browns live in the perfect neighborhood for trick or treating, the houses are closer together so not so much walking.  After round 1 of collecting candy, Paul decided to take the kids out for round 2 and drove them around in the back of his truck.  They loved it and came home with twice as much candy as before. 

Goosebumps and Down Comforters

 These Canadian Geese have been hanging out in our front yard for a couple of weeks now.  They are almost always there in the morning when we walk to the bus stop.  And other than a few geese poop left on the driveway, they leave us alone. We have named them (goose) Bump and Down (comforter).  I haven't seen them hang out in any other lawns so we feel pretty special that they come hang out in our yard.

 

One day last week they Bump and Down threw a party at our house.  I counted 21 geese.   They came back in the morning (for the after party I assume) but we haven't seen the group since then.  

We've also seen other wild life around the house, Paul saw a few deer in the next door neighbors side yard one night.  There are 2 groundhogs that live in our back yard and also travel to other neighbor houses.  A number of squirrels frequent the trees in our back yard.  And 2 days ago there was a flock of about 100 finches flying in our back yard.  They kept on flying into the family room windows and scaring the crap out of me.

Happy Birthday Paul!

It was kind of a low-key affair since it fell on a Tuesday this year, but he got what he wished for (a new receiver for his Bose surround sound system, socks and new dress shirts).  And the chocolate, chocolate, chocolate cake I got him was delicious!

Mark & Catherine's wedding

 We headed down to Virginia for a few days for the wedding of Paul's oldest brother Mark.

 The weather and scenery were just beautiful.  The kids had a great time playing with cousins.

 Apologies for the blurry cell phone pictures, but at least I remembered to take pictures!

Tanner and Brayden.  Inseparable when they are together!

Happy 1st Birthday Porter!

 We've come a long way this year!  From a teeny-tiny baby in Houston, TX to a sweet chubby baby on the Jersey Shore!

 This sweet boy is so loved!

 His current loves (a month later because I blog on time regularly...ahem)

Food likes: 

Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam sandwiches

Whole milk, but it has to be warm

Sweet Potato Puffs

Lucky Charms

Pancakes

Scrambled eggs

 Favorite toy:

The Hess Airplane

 Favorite game:

Peek-a-boo

Happy Birthday sweet Porter!

Six Flags Great Adventure

 

Paul scored a good deal on tickets to Six Flags Great Adventure off of Craigslist, so we thought it would be a nice way to celebrate the survival of the first week of school.

 

This little guy was super good all day long.  He had a runny nose the last few days so the plan was to go and see how long we can last.  Surprisingly the day passed quickly.  We didn't leave until almost 7:30pm.

 

Waiting on Lana and Dad to ride the bumper cars.

 

Waiting on Dad and Tanner to ride a roller coaster.

 

Selfies with the big kids on the Merry Go Round

 

Paul enjoying a thrilling kiddy ride.

 

The kids playing air hockey at the arcade.

 

Hot Air Balloon ride.  I was slightly nauseous after riding this, the kids kept turning us around and around.  Ugh.

 

About to ride the his second roller coaster of the day!

 

So for the first ride I took Tanner on the Runaway Mine Train, which is a small size roller coaster.  I hate roller coasters, so I took Tanner so I wouldn't chicken out.  We were hollerin' the whole time, I think Tanner was borderline hysterical.  When we got of the ride, the first thing he said to me was, "Mom!  Why did you take me on that ride???  It was so scary!!!" Then he paused and said, "That was the most awesome ride ever!"  Totally made my day!

First Day of School 2013

 

A part of me can't believe it's already that time of year.  Another part of me is ecstatic for a few moments of peace and quiet.

 

 

First day of Kindergarten with Mrs. Rubin

 

First Day of Third Grade with Miss Wettengel

 

Tanner finally got to ride the bus after 3 long years of watching Lana ride without him.  He was really excited.

 

Someone was not very happy about being left behind.  He went down for an early nap.

Fun times at the Hogle Zoo

First we dropped Porter off at Tutu's house to enjoy the air conditioning.  He absolutely loved being at her house.  It was the perfect day to hang out at the zoo.  The weather cooperated until just after we ate lunch.  Then the sun came out.

                                              We just loved hanging out with these kids!

 I haven't been to the zoo since sometime in grade school.  All I could remember was the large monkey pit in the middle (where the monkeys would throw poo at passersby) and this lion drinking fountain.

 Thankfully they've gotten rid of the monkey pit, but it was nice to still see something familiar.

 

Thanks Grandpa Jerry for hosting us!  Can't wait to come back!



Thanksgiving Point - Dino Museum

You can tell I'm such an awesome picture taker since this is the only picture I took while we were at the Dinosaur museum.  Yes, I am awesome.  Regardless, we had a good time walking around.  Tanner loved the dinosaurs and Lana loved helping to find the Harry Potter clues that were scattered around. The kids also loved making their own fossils and picking out toys in the gift shop.
Porter was not so happy being in the stroller but he survived.

This is The Place Heritage Park

                                                     Nothing says "Utah" like Fry Sauce!

The last time I was here was for a Youth Conference activity probably 15 years ago.  We planted trees.  The only thing I remember is that there wasn't much to do except look at the monument.  Wow has it changed!

The kids enjoyed the pony ride.

 Lana didn't want to do it.  Until everyone else did.

 Panning for gold

 I wish Paul could've stayed the rest of the week to hang out.  I think he would've loved helping the kids pan for gold.  He's always wanted to go somewhere and do it for real.  He watches too much Gold Rush on the History Channel.

Tutu was nice enough to babysit Porter while we walked around!  It was nice not having to haul him in a stroller in the hot weather and I'm sure he much preferred the attentions of Tutu versus being stuck in a stroller all day bored to death.  Thanks Tutu!