Off to Utah again?? Yes Please!

We were lucky enough to head out to Utah again this year. Kevin's sister Nicole found the man of her dreams aka. Nathan, and married him in the Salt Lake Temple and we were able to be there! We had a great time hanging out with the Kellogg clan and trying on our event planning/florist hats.  When Josie gets married remind me to hire it all out.  So  much work, but worth it.  She had a beautiful wedding and reception and we can't wait to get to know Nathan better.

Since we were in Utah for the wedding we decided to take some extra days and head down to St. George and call it our fall break. We got to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Nielsen, and how could we pass up some warm weather and mountain biking????   This was a fabulous relaxing week in Southern Utah. 

We did happen to be in St. George on Halloween and instead of trick or treating the kids agreed to go for a spin in Wayne's car, their own bag of candy, a trip to the movie theater to see Planes and then dinner at Texas Road House.  Oh, and did I mention they swam and played in the sun all day?  I thought it was a really good trade.

Most of the pictures don't really need explaining, but picture overload beware.  The last picture is what we returned home to. Welcome back to real life, winter and snow. 

-Grandpa and Josie hiking cinder cone in Snow Canyon

-We can still fit through "the crack"  Lincoln even tried his hand at it this time.

A little fall fun

Fall has arrived!! One thing I love about Spokane is the distinct 4 seasons we get to experience, almost as good as Utah seasons, dare I say maybe better? This fall we headed down to River Front park, to enjoy the fall splendor and to scooter around a bit. Lincoln opted to bring his truck in lieu of a scooter and promptly endoed on his truck?? What? He underestimated a giant crack and toppled over the top catching himself with his face and head. He had a nice goose egg and scratch on his face but we still enjoyed our outing.

We headed up to Green bluff for some family picture fun, and We got some pumpkin carving in.  Since we are headed to Utah over Halloween, we didn't do the traditional evening of pumpkin carving but the kids still wanted to carve, so I let them work on them after school a few times. Josie decided to try to do one on her own this year and she did a great job! I thought I was being a mean mom and I wasn't going to let her do it because I didn't have time to help, but I gave her the choice to go at it on her own and not bother me for help and she went for it. We both learned a lesson here and I wasn't that mean of a Mom...right???

-This is moments before the endo-I love these trees

-Always love the red wagon

-More River Front Park

-Pretty Josie happy to be out scootering

-One busy Saturday afternoon we managed to make it to the corn maze with the Wilson's.  During the day it isn't so scary and it helps to have tall Kevin to see over the stalks. 

-Lincoln on the tractor up at Green Bluff

-Some silly fun on the bluff

Josie carving her pumpkin cat

The kitty cat, the pig and the angry bird-I am so glad to finally hand the pumpkin carving off  to the kids.  Conor is getting really good at it.

Josie soccer and class field trip

Josie's soccer coach from last year moved this summer so we were on the hunt for a new team. We were able to bring some girls from the old team and form a new team with some friends from preschool and the mix turned out the fabulous black hawks. They had a great season and every girl improved and had a wonderful time. I ran into Josie's coach outside of a game once and he said you know...don't tell anyone, but Josie is my favorite. She has that crazy competitive drive and yet a genuine heart and I see her taking a sports career far. Proud Mom moment. Hopefully he is right, since we have decided dance is certainly not her gig. If Josie was feeling it she managed to get several goals a game, and ironically she learned to do cartwheels because the rule was cartwheel after a goal.

A few weeks back I had the opportunity to go to the arboretum with the Midway 1st graders.  We were collecting leaves to create leaf art and learn about trees.  We had a great time together and a sunny day was a bonus.  

-Bulldog Josie elbowing out the competition

-Action shot-I liked the background

-Chloe, Lyndsey and Josie on the side cheering the team on

-Josie's biggest fan

-Listening to Coach Welch between quarters.

-Lyndsey, Abbie, Reagan, Chloe, Kaylyn and Josie

-Josie, Kate, Kade, Owen and Hayden-I got to follow this cute group around

-Mrs. Mcquilkin's 2013 class- what a lucky group of kids.