October 2016

We started off the month with a VACATION! We looked into a number of different destinations. Finally, we listened to Lincoln's advice. (We'll have to be in the car for so long). So we realized that no matter the destination we would probably end up on a couple of hikes and finding some fun playgrounds in the area, we realized that we didn't have to go far to make that memory. So we found a pretty good deal on a small condo in Park City. So we set off for Parley's Canyon and stopped at Lamb's Canyon for our first hike. It was the perfect weekend for leaf hunting!

 And we found some good parks!

 With lots of different playground toys.

 We even found a fun dirt bike track. Lincoln did his best on that little scooter. He loved it, and it was fun to watch other kids who actually knew how to ride on these hills and jumps.

 Oh, did I mention we went to some parks and played on the playgrounds? Cuz we did.

Every overnighter needs a glowstick party!

 We went the scenic rout on the way home and dropped into Big Cottonwood Canyon. We hiked up to Donut Falls, and as always, the boys did great!

 Back at home, we've had some playdates with Oliver's friends Clark and Clare. Thomas is starting to blend right in with the big kids.

 With our dozens of extra zucchini, we decided to float some down the river at the park. Using a knife was the fun part...and very nerve-wrecking for me!

 And it's that time of year again to make jack-o-lanterns. This time from our very own garden. 

 On Columbus Day, Dean woke up and told me he was going to take down a wall in our house with his day off. And that he did! Voila, our new dinning room! It has changed my life! Quite literally. 

 Here's the boys old bedroom wall. I let them color on the wall before Lincoln went to school, but we could only find washable markers in the rush of getting out the door. 

 We met up with Jess Poll and "Mr. McCoy" for a hike in Farmington. It was Thomas' first hike as a walker. He was a champ and we may have totaled more than 1/4 of a mile!...maybe.

 And what can make a little boy more happy than a rock? That is too big to carry...Nothing.

The boys were mildly disappointed at the rate and distance of the first hike, so I decided to take them to the top of Farmington Peak. They always want to go to the top of a mountain to see what it looks like. I remember looking at the top of mountains when I was a child and wondering if peaks were just sharp rocks with cliffs on both sides. Perhaps too sharp and pointy to even balance on. It was a long ride up, and cold at the top, but it was fun to watch the boys take a little hike to the top and see for themselves what the top of a mountain and the view looks like.

 We were given a six month pass to Discovery Gateway by a good friend. They boys have loved going! And we can get a few friends in on the pass too, so just like my parents taught me, the more, the merrier!

 Thomas loves playing in the water, but hates the smock. 

 "Grandpa's van" made it. we passed the 300K mile mark! 

 Lincoln had a day off of school so we hiked the "living room". I was very impressed with these little boys. There were a lot of steps to take, and they made it to the top! 

 I may have bribed them with a video once they got to the living room. So we interrupted the peace and quiet of a hike for a 5 minute paw patrol show.

 We went to the annual South Salt Lake Halloween party. And once again we weren't let down! There was no crowd this year and we had free reign to all of the activities. I think we'll make it an annual tradition.

 To you this may look like a full garage, but to me, it is a miracle! We have finally arrived in life as we have a spot for a car in this garage!

 Halloween is a time full of traditions! We had our annual cookie decorating party. It was so fun to have this room and this table to host the party!

 Oliver may have eaten a dozen cookies on this special day🍪

 On our trip to Park City we took a couple of puzzles with us. We learned that Oliver is actually pretty good at puzzles. Gram Graham gave this toy to Oliver and he spent a couple hours putting it together over and over again.

 Our ward Halloween Party. Oliver was excited to be Spider Man and Lincoln couldn't decide which costume to use. So he was Iron Man and Batman.

 We had a little Halloween gathering with GGPA. He lights up my boys lives!

 It was a fun year trick or treating! I can't believe how much candy these kids got! Oliver was so excited, that he fell. But he's spider man, so he got right back up.

 Thomas didn't quite understand this year, but he was fun for a few houses.

 I got to help in Lincoln's classroom this year. Halloween is so much fun when you're five!