A Camping Trip to Welcome In Fall

We thought Labor Day was our last camping trip of the year but then my dad decided he wasn't ready to call it quits just yet and so we snuck in one final trip the first weekend of Fall.
We camped up near Potter's Pond.  The leaves had just began changing and it was simply beautiful up there.  A bit chilly, but otherwise, perfect.

Last minute we even got James, Val, and Jacamo to join the fun.  Jason and Joy came up for dinner Friday night, and as soon as Luke could get off work, he did too.  It was wonderful getting to spend Saturday with him because we sure missed him on Thursday night and Friday.

 Who knew the Rhino was actually a Jungle Gym.... Adelia--that's who!

 Lumber Jack James

 So pretty up there!

 Took plenty of horse back rides.

 We took a drive, to see where it lead to.  Ended up on Skyline Drive--it was breath takingly beautiful.

 My brother-- is scary :) good thing we love him!

 Mom and Pops enjoyed their rhino ride

 Heart-breaker in training!

 It took Jocelyn all of 5 minutes to get this dirty. Love her!

 Ah SHUCKS! shucking the corn, that is.

 Okay... this is one of my favorite moments of all time---  Some music got turned on and my dad started dancing with the girls to it.  It was fantastic!!

 Love the fresh crisp mornings in the mountains.

 Nothing puts a kid to sleep faster than a good drive

Thanks Mom and Dad for a great little trip.  We loved it!

Fruits of our Labors

This year we joined in on the family garden.  It was huge! (for what I'm use to anyway) and it had a bumper crop--of weeds.  It felt like we weeded constantly, but it was never enough.  It felt like the stupid garden would never be worth it.  But finally, it paid off.
We ended up with tons and tons of green beans! We had 4 grocery sacks full of carrots, some corn, lots of beets, chilies, bell peppers, jalapenos, and a bunch of zuchinni and squash. We're hoping we get more tomatoes but so far most of them are still green.

 I have had my first experience with blanching and freezing vegetables.
I even roasted green chilies in the oven, which was an interesting experience.. i felt very domestic.  Now, as soon as I can get into my house, I will have a freezer stocked with home grown vegetables.  Sadly I never got around to making salsa like I had hoped.  Maybe if our tomatoes ripen... until then I get to enjoy some peach canning tomorrow.

These are my lil green bean helpers.  

Party with the Peacock's (and Lakes)

As if Tianna hadn't partied enough, the Sunday after her bday we went to Castle Dale to celebrate with Luke's side. It also happened to be Uncle Chris' bday too.  But he's old : ) so he didnt' mind that he got to share a Sleeping Beauty cake.  Which was requested by Tianna.  She knows how to make things simple... riiiiiiiiiight.

 Belinda and Monica did a beautiful job.  The pretty much rock.

The kids got to ride horsies for a few minutes with Grandpa, and Grandma bought some fun things to play with. 

I wish I had gotten a picture of the other party goers... which include the Bingham Family and Grandpa and Grandma Lake.
Thank you everyone who attended our many bday parties in September.  We love you all and appreciate you more than you know!

The Color-ful Party

Saturday was Tianna's Party with her cousins in Price.  To go with the Colof-able Castle, her grandparent's gave her a white board/chalk board easel.  

 Mommy's part preparations for her party included making these TO DIE FOR CUPCAKES! seriously, my mouth is watering thinking of their deliciousness.  Not to mention, all the colorfulness made them simply adorable! Tianna helped me frost them with bright pink frosting with a rainbow of colored sprinkles.

 When her party goers got here we first painted fingernails with a variety of colors (and stickers) and then out came the face painting.  We had no idea how INTO it Grandpa would get.  It was pure awesomeness! He became the #1 painter... and paintee! Almotst everyone ended up with "grandpa's eye lashes"

 Funny thing is, this was ONLY the beginning of his artful face

 Tianna wanted a rainbow, a princess walking to a castle, and a crown.  Um... how about a stick figure girl and NO castle? Thank you.

 Even Luke let us perddy him up!

 Check out those lashes!

 Present time

 Cake Time!

No doubt her wish was "To go to Disneyland" since that is her wish on EVER star EVERY time she sees one

  

Mmmmmmmmmm more yumminess.