A Basketball

I had to write this down. He does not know I am doing it, he would not like it if he knew, and I don't know how many will actually see this, but I want it down for me and for my books. We have this basketball that we have had since we were married. I remember Dan telling me about it a long time ago but I have since forgot. After conference I found a letter Dan had written. He will not be super excited that I posted this, because he is definitely not one to share this type of thing. The letter was to a high school back in Ohio, where apparently as a team ritual, they would take a ball from the home team when they played away. This particular ball came from when it was Dan's turn to take it. When I was talking to him about it, he said every time I see that ball it reminds me of the choice I made back then. The choice I made to take it when I knew I was not supposed to. The letter I found was apologizing for that wrongdoing and had a check for a descent amount in it that would more than cover a new ball for that school. He mailed it out the next day. I can't even explain how much I love this man. His entire goal in life is to become better, to do better, and to grow closer to our Father in Heaven. He is constantly trying his best as a husband and a father. I am so blessed to have him in our lives and for the great example he is to me and my kids. I hope someday they do read this and that they know, just as much as I do, what an amazing guy he really is.

Carving Pumpkins FHE

 For FHE this week we carved our pumpkins. We had 2 that rotted on our porch, so we were not too sad about only gutting 2 of them:) The boys helped gut and carve their own this year so that made it go a little quicker! Makayla and I painted ours. However, I didn't get to finish mine till after they all went to bed! I LOVE our FHE nights. We are running around so crazily most days that it is nice to be able to put that on hold on Monday nights. The busier we get the more important I can see that it is. I love the time just spent as a family! All the projects, homework, photo shoots as of lately, and for church meetings can wait for another day!

 Zack's left Levi's right. Makayla's is the tiny painted one in the back:)

And moms. She woke up and was so excited! It will match her costume:)

School Spirit Week

The boys had fun all week long for School Spirit Week. We had sports jersey day, crazy hair day, dress like your favorite book character day, and school spirit day (and there was one more??). Anyway, we grabbed these at Walmart the night before. We got some of the Elephant and Piggy books recently and they love reading them. Zack can read them by himself and he loves that. So, they dressed as Elephants! They came home saying everyone tried to grab their tails:)

Gardner Village

During fall break we crazily decided to go to Gardner Village on witches weekend. It was INSANER than normal! We went home with all of our kids so it was a success! The kids love to walk around and find the witches and even more than that, they love to see their cousins!

The witch on the right scared Makayla to death right before this photo. You can't even tell by the gigantic grin on her face. The witch felt so bad she made her a balloon pumpkin:)

 Levi's girlfriend. He will be mad at me when he reads this:)

First half of October

My little right hand lady and I cooking cookies together!

 During Fall Break we went swimming at the Stevenson's house...IN OCTOBER! It was a good reminder that I already miss summer.

 First official haircut for the little lady!

 Lots of time down in the basement for the both of us. Dan worked hard to put all the trim, baseboards, and headers on. I have been speckling, sanding, culking, and starting to paint my little heart out. Finish work is fun but lots of little things to do!

 One weekend we went down and helped Andrew's family move.

 This little man has had thrush 4 times now...so we decided to try the purple mouth route! Looked pretty funny!

 Progress on the blanket!

 We do lots and lots of reading these days! It is fun to see how much they love it and how quickly they are progressing!

 Makayla is obsessed with trains right now. i just leave the bucket out now since she gets them out everyday. She loves to build tracks and drives her choo-choos around all over the place. She even carries them in her backpack to school!

 We got to go to the Stevenson's and celebrate this special ladies 70th birthday! She is the youngest 70 year old I know! We love her so much!

 On the way down to Ikea we passed a car that was lit up! The kids were shocked! Makayla talked about the "fire car" all night and still does!

 Mr. curly top. I wonder if it will stay?!

This last month my hands have had white marks on them and under my nails....all month long. Someday I will have clean hands again! Thats what happens when you can only work on it during nap times!

Pumpkin Patch

For FHE we promised the kids to take them to a pumpkin patch. We found one in Layton we like that is only $5 bucks a person and you get the hayride out and gigantic pumpkins for everyone. It was a fun activity and we will want to go back again next year! I have the cutest little pumpkin pickers. As we rounded the corner to the pumpkin patch it was like Makayla saw Mickey Mouse she was so excited pointing and yelling, "Pumkin, Pumkin, Pumkin!!!!"