Thanksgiving

This year I let Taylor & Rylee help me with the desserts for Thanksgiving.  Rylee picked a lemon cream pie & Taylor helped with the pumpkin cheesecake.  It may have tried my patience a smidge letting them help, but they did GREAT!

These little ladies have grown up so much and I feel like I missed it.  Throwing in that extra set twins made for a busy last several years.

Thanksgiving was celebrated at Brad & Mona's this year.  It was a small crowd, Brad, Mona, Shelby, Malissa, McKayla, and the 7 of us.  But the food was still fabulous and dessert was divine.

 Mona was prepared with an after dinner Christmas ornament craft.

 While the after dinner snooze fest started for Shelby, Malissa & Brad - Casey, Mona & I got our selfies on. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING.  I really do have so much to be thankful for.

Anniversary Getaway

What??!!  A getaway?  My parents took the girls, Casey's parents took the boys, and we were GONE!  Jackson Hole bound.  We arrived at the Parkway inn and checked into our room.  It was an average room - but since it was the off season Casey asked for an upgrade because we were celebrating our 15 year anniversary  -  upgrade granted!  And for free!!  We got a fabulous room!!  We grabbed some Wendy's for dinner - because we be fancy - and went to bed.

The next morning we bundled up and walked to main street to find some breakfast.  Then we did a smidge of window shopping before heading out for the day.  Window shopping....because almost everything was closed!  Dang tourist town.

Just 2 or 3 days before we arrived in Jackson they closed all the entrances to Yellowstone except for the North entrance.  We still headed towards the south entrance to see how far we could get.   Just out of Jackson we saw a mama moose and her twins.  With the mountain range behind them, it sure was beautiful.  And there was a total crazy lady taking pictures and talking her face off.  What would a wild animal sighting be without a crazy nearby?  It would be quiet.  That's what I learned.

We stopped at a turnout to take some pictures of the Tetons.  We weren't able to get far on our drive, but it was still pretty beautiful.  I've never been in the area when it's covered in snow.  And this was the early snow!  I can't imagine what it looks like in January.

Day 2 - we discovered a yummy bakery for breakfast.  The Bunnery.  It was dang good!  Afterwards, we headed to teton village.  The tram ride was closed for another week.  We really went at the wrong time!  It must've been everyone's slow time. right between the summer rush and the snow bunnies.  We headed towards the teton entrance and found a hiking trail.  I'm a bit out of shape, and my knee kills me.  A little ways in Casey fashioned me a walking stick.  True love, right?  We found a really pretty creek a ways in.  

It was so quiet.  I'm not use to quiet AT ALL.  It was different!

And all I could think about was animals. We were in the wild people!  I just knew a  grizzly bear or bull moose was going to come out of hiding and come in for the kill.  It was a pretty used trail - so I really doubt that would've happened.  I just have a vivid imagination I guess.

On our way back to Jackson we stopped by the snake river.  It was a little chilly!  The way the water and sky bounce off of each other and make the most magnificent blue is so pretty.  That color of blue just makes me happy!  When we got back to Jackson we went to this tiny, moldy smelling theater and watched Bohemian Rhapsody.  I liked it!  The place was packed....and we were definitely the youngest people there.

 I had a total freak out moment.  When we were on our way towards the snake river I looked over at Casey and said, "OH ME HELL!  When we came this way forever ago we took a picture by the river and you were wearing that exact same sweatshirt!"  He didn't believe me.  Don't doubt this stellar memory.  Left picture is 2004 and right picture is 2018.

We tried some wood fire pizza for dinner and Casey got so freaking sick.  We spent most of the night in the room.  He was in one certain room....and I was holed up in the king size bed, with a fluffy blanket, heater blasting, deck door cracked open, watching TV and cross stitching.

We ate at the bunnery for breakfast again the next morning and then headed out to see our babies.  We are so lucky to have found sitters that love them!  Stopping for a drink, we thought this gas station had the weirdest name!  It's quite disturbing if you think about it long enough.

October Randoms

I seriously can't believe that after a birthday party, hunting and the Halloween festivities that I had this many random pictures!!  What blows my mind is occasionally I feel bored.  I'm in trouble.

Luke made a happy face with his blueberries one morning.  If he ever had to pick between me and food - he'd probably have a major panic attack.

 Helping Grandma make homemade chicken noodle soup one day.

 Making some Halloween cookies with Vance one day while his sister, Lydia, took a nap.  We have to make things even....see how the eggs are all in different cups?

 FOOTBALL!!

 The kids had one Friday off of school for some reason and the infamous sheep were traveling from Mantua to Corinne.  So we found a corner and patiently  waited for the parade.

These lovelies had their Halloween party at dance!

 Lexi had some vampire teeth that she wanted me to wear so we could both be vampires.  Their face paint was so cute!

 I took Luke & Lexi on their preschool field trip to Ferry's Pumpkin Patch.  They had a lot of fun.  Luke loved EVERYTHING.  And Lex mostly loved the 'sand' pit full of corn kernels.  She was really scared to go down the slide, but eventually she made it.  It's my last fall preschool field trip!  I'm sad and happy.  Being crazy is hard.

Red ribbon week stresses me out.  I feel like it's too much.  I'm probably just over thinking it. This particular day was mis-match day.  Caleb nailed it for sure.

Crazy hair day.

 Luke wants to help Casey or I no matter what we are doing.

 Caleb is obsessed with WW2 and soldiers and guns.  I love that's he's learning....but I want this one to phase out a bit.

 Casey took the boys to lunch at Bert's one afternoon.

Casey's parents started to tackle a huge front porch project.

 I was getting some things packed for the trailer and Luke & Lexi were very ummmm.....helpful?  At least we found everyone a coat that fit.

 I love witch day at preschool.  I don't know what is cuter.  My kids or their creations!

HaLLowEEn

I think that I have said this before - but I think that Halloween is busier than Christmas!  At long last, the ACTUAL holiday is here.  While Luke & Alexa were at preschool I was attending Caleb's and Taylor's & Rylee's class parties.  Caleb says that it is embarrassing when I am at school, but so many of his friends and classmates love me.  I love to hear them exclaim, "Caleb's mom!!"  At least they love me!

 I thought that as they got older it would be easier to get a group picture.  It's still difficult....so I'll just keep trying.

 Captain Caleb reporting for duty.

 Supergirl and Batgirl to the rescue!  The city is safe tonight folks.

 And the mermaid is just something to admire and you better watch out for that creepy vampire!  Luke asked me one morning, "So, after Halloween when I wake up will I still be a vampire?"  Like the good mom I am I answered, "Yes Luke.  You will be a vampire forever."  I honestly thought he would freak out a little.  But, his eyes got big, he grinned and just said with excitement, "YES!"

 I don't even see an impostor in this picture - do you?

 Twins, twins and triplets.

 The trick or treaters!!  Jackson was the cutest super man ever and I love that Taylor, Rylee & Eva were all super heroes!

 In all honesty this was my favorite part of the night.  Checking out their loot, laughing and smiling, at Grandma & Grandpa Hunsaker's house.

 There is the most amazing haunted house in Tremonton that we visited.  Alexa was scared to death - but she survived.  Why are parents so mean??  

 We tried & tried to get a good picture.  It just wasn't our night.

 Our last stop was to Grandma & Grandpa Freeze's.  Mona made some "treats" for the kids and I don't think they were to impressed.  They just wanted the sweet treat that Grandma always makes for them.  She had made a jar of 'eye of newt' and some funky 'cheese sandwich'.  She went to a lot of work!!

Fall Family Fun

One Sunday afternoon we prepped our pumpkins and our treats for the pumpkin carving party!  Caleb hates gutting his pumpkin.

Ashley hosted this year.  We had yummy ham sliders and apple nachos.  Grammy read 'Room on the Broom' to the kids before dinner and Papa Don got in his Easton time.  He loves that baby!

 Caleb was the only one that did some carving.  We got his Cam Newton pumpkin done with the help of Papa Don.  All the other kids painted theirs.  Luke wanted a ghost.  He loved his ghost.  Taylor and Lexi wanted rainbow and Rylee took the scary route.

 One night we headed to the Heber Creeper for the Pumpkin train!  I"ll just say it was a dang good thing I didn't pay full price for tickets.  We were on the train for maybe 15 minutes.  It wasn't haunted or even scary.  They had a 'haunted' train car back at the station that was L A M E.  BUT - Caleb was excited when he saw his name on the train car we were riding in.  So that's a bonus.

 We also managed to get a pretty cute family Halloween picture.  We might try the Polar Express next year - but I might also change my mind.

Pumpkin Nights

The Halloween Crew decided to skip Gardner Village this year and try something new.  We went to Pumpkin Nights at the Utah State Fairpark. I'm so glad we did!  They had food and fun for everyone!  (not a paid advertisement)  Sandra & Amber met up with me, Caleb, my mom, Angela, Ashley, Eva, Jackson & Easton.

I'm so glad that Caleb & I got to get away for a bit together.  It's not very often that we can escape from the crowd.  This boy is quiet and crazy all in one.  He is LOVING anything to do with the armed forces and digging right in to WW2 history right now.  Evan though I respect those who serve - I hope this is just a phase.

 So. Many. Pictures!  So many AWESOME things to see!

 There was a sphere that you could get in and be spun like wild.  Eva & Caleb were both brave and both loved it.  Caleb loved it so much that he couldn't contain his emotions.  He was laughing, he was shaking, he was crying.  It was adorable.  There were fire dancers too!  They are crazy.  And there was also a giant strobe light type pumpkin that was blaring out some awesome dance music.

 Selfies with this cute little bat boy were a must.  How cute is he??!! 

I think someone needs to build these teeter-totters.  They were so much fun!!

I didn't even take many pictures of the other awesome attractions.  Under the sea, Harry Potter, bounce houses, pirate ship....there was a lot of fun to be had and Monday night was definitely the night to go!  Maybe next year Casey & I can take the whole family.