Happy Birthday Grandma Dorothy!

The kids had Tuesday off school so we decided to go to Coalville to see my Grandparents. My Grandma's birthday is Oct 11th so we took a cake and a card and made a party out of out visit. We had such a fun time.

Grandma was so excited to have a cake. She said it's been a while since she's had a cake for her birthday

She enjoyed playing with Clara. I love that they are making the same face at each other.

My grandpa is an amazing gardener and shared some of his potatoes, beets, and cucumbers with us.

He also grew pumpkins and let each of my kids choose one to take home. We love being close to my awesome grandparents!

Hiking the Crimson Trail

We took our big boys hiking yesterday and had a great time. The fall leaves were beautiful and we really enjoyed hiking with our kids and our dog. We hiked a lot of switch backs and then along cliffs called "the china wall" and then back down the other side for a 4ish mile loop.

Happy 9th Birthday Dallin

Dallin turned 9 on September 19th. He is growing up too fast. We had muffins for breakfast.

And then we opened presents. Dallin got and adventure pack with things he needs for his adventures including a pocket knife. He was so excited and made me so nervous waving that thing around. luckily he's only had one minor cut on his finger from the knife:)

I made him a football cake and he wanted to light the candles. I'm really learning to let him grow up and try to do things himself.

We had a family party on Saturday with the Okelberries, Ogdens and Sanders. We went hiking and fishing in the morning. Then we opened presents. He got some cool scout stuff and a walkie talkie like Spencer's so they can communicate with each other and me on their adventures.

Spencer made this pinata. Dallin broke it open.

We enjoyed an awesome dinner of hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, onion rings and a salad Followed by cupcakes on the front lawn.

We really enjoyed having so much family here to help us celebrate.

Matt had some fun with his son...

Happy Birthday Dallin! You are so much fun to have in our family.

Out of the Mouth of Henry

Henry called this his tutu

Henry: Mommy, have you every stabilized a bubble with marshmallows?
Julie: Did you just say stabilized? Where did you learn that?
H: Spencer...
He proceeded to tell me how to make a stabilized bubble out of a marshmallow.

Matt likes to tease me about my love for chocolate, telling everyone that I keep chocolate chips under my pillow and Nutella under my bed. I guess the kids think his stories are true. This morning Henry was in our room, Matt was getting ready for work, and I was walking the dog. Matt saw Henry slowly sneaking his had under my pillow.
Matt: Did you just put something under mommy's pillow?
Henry: No. (Matt checks under the pillow. Nothing is there.)
Matt: What are you doing?
Henry: Where are the chocolate chips?
Matt: I was just joking about that. I was teasing mommy.
Henry: Is there any Nutella?

I needed to run to the post office today and I told Henry that we would go after Clara woke up from her nap.
Henry: You go by yourself. I can stay here and watch Clara.

We have a mile route that the boys like to take Princess for walks on.
Henry: Can I take Princess on the Nile walk?

We were having doughnuts for Family Home Evening treat.
Henry:"Daddy, do you like your apple critter"

We had the opportunity to attend the Brigham City Temple open house last week. Henry was fascinated by the baptismal font on top of 12 oxen. Later that day he said, "We need to go to Costco and buy a pool and put it on top of some cows so that I can baptize Princess."

12 month comparison

Dallin

Spencer

Henry

Clara

Clara's 1st Birthday!

We has such a fun day celebrating Clara's birthday yesterday. We woke up at Grandma and Grandpa's house in Orem and they spoiled us with a wonderful birthday breakfast with all of our family in Utah Valley and lots of presents for Clara. It was great to spend time with them.

Then we came home and got ready for another party at our house for dinner. Clara loves her Daddy.

Spencer noticed how much Clara liked playing with his flashlight so he wrapped it up and gave it to her. She was so cute with it. I thought it very sweet of Spencer to want to give his sister such a thoughtful gift. I love how cute she is looking into the package here.

We got her these cute tutu jammies that I love even though they are impractical. They are just so girly and fun, I had to get them.

Then we had cake...

She got her own cake made from the tops of the two layers of her real cake. It made a great cake for her to smash.

She was a little shy about it at first but once she tasted, it she got into it.

She was so excited about it that she was practically vibrating with delight.

and the bath...

All Clean

Our beautiful birthday girl.

Playing in the Backyard

We are really enjoying our backyard, our dog and our swing set. Here are some pics of the kids playing in the backyard on Sunday evening.