Painting Pumpkins & Halloween!

Painting pumpkins is something that my family did when I was growing up, so we've just carried on the tradition. It's a little messy, but worth it to see how excited the boys get. I make Jeff paint one every year too....he is seriously an artist! I always do one for fun too, but it always turns out pretty pathetic. Oh well, it's about the memories right?

Parker was a bee and Cooper was a ninja. Jeff & I try to dress up as least as possible, but Coop begged us to, so I was UVU, and he was BYU (real hard I know---super creative)

Pumpkin Land!

We had hours of fun at Pumpkin land. There is so much to do there, and for 3 bucks, you can't complain. There is a corn maze, animal farm, bounce toys, playground, lighted spook alley etc. We also got our pumpkins that we painted for family night. I love this time of year!

Soccer Days

We just got done with Coopers soccer season. Two games a week for a little over a month keeps you pretty busy (especially when I still have a soccer playing husband with 2-3 games a week). It's been so much fun seeing Cooper improve through the past month. He was always so excited to go to his games. He looks up to his dad so much, and he is always trying so hard to impress him and be just like him when he plays. Jeff was the coach of Coop's team, which was really fun for him (except when he would get really frustrated if Coop fell down too much...which he was famous for). I'd have to keep reminding him that he is only 5 and in kindergarten. Soccer was the highlight of the week for Parker too. He would wake up in the morning asking "Pooper soccer game?" At the games he would sit in the huddles, and practice on the field with them before the game. I also had to chase after him about 500 times a game to get him off of the field. The kid is obsessed.....he's going to make one good little soccer player in a few years.

Ward Campout

Last weekend was our ward campout up in Hobble Creek Canyon. It was so pretty up there, and not even that cold. We had fun roasting our hot dogs over the fire (gross) and of course marshmallows too. Cooper and Jeff stayed over night in the tent, and I took Parker home to sleep in our warm, cozy beds. I do like camping, but not with a 20 month old. So, the next morning when they got home, Cooper started telling me how he got lost and ended up in another campground and was crying. Jeff swears he was exaggerating, but I highly doubt it. Jeffs excuse was "I was making breakfast, and he went hiking with the other kids" .....Ahhhh! Why can't dads be as paranoid as moms are? (Oh, and Cooper wasn't really mad in that last picture, he just thought it would be funny to make that face)

CATCHING UP!

I've been such a blog slacker lately, and this post proves it. This is the 24th of July parade that the primary puts on in our city. Every ward decorates a float and rides bikes, it's pretty exciting for the kids. I think our theme had something to do with rodeo? I'm lucky that we found this old cowboy hat in our toy box...I know, I go all out. Cooper (who just learned how to ride a bike w/out training wheels did amazing riding it the entire parade with Jeff behind him to slow his bike down when he got to a hill (he hadn't quite mastered the brakes yet). It was a fun day!

Grace Idaho Fair & Rodeo

This past weekend we went to little Grace Idaho. It's such cute little town. Every year we go to the fair & rodeo....oh and don't forget the parade. It goes down one street and turns and comes back down the same street again, the whole time pelting you with candy. By the end of it we have a grocery bag full! Fun times!

Parker enjoying the parade!

These are Jeffs grandparents. We stay with them every time we come. His grandma is such an amazing cook, that it's worth it just to go for the food!!!

I didn't get a picture of it, but the highlight of my trip was that I got to milk a goat! It's a seriously wierd feeling....there is something not right about touching someone elses nipples. (he he) Sorry that was a little graphic.

Cooper and his cousin Alex having a "blast" on the rockets...(I'm so funny)

Me and my little buddy

Viva Las Vegas... oh and St. George

I love this picture! It pretty much sums up the past couple of weeks for us. (Oh, and the goggle marks were hilarious when he woke up)The week of the 24th we went down to Vegas because Jeff spoke at an E.F.Y. at U.N.L.V. We had a lot of fun going to the shark reef at Mandalay Bay, swimming, etc. But I was so glad to leave that evil place. We went to the show at Treasure Island (thinking our kids would like it) but it turned out to be a total hooker show.. it was aweful! Anyway, on the way home we stayed with one of my BF Lara & Josh in St. George (actually Hurricane) for a few nights. It was so good to see them and spend time with them again....we love you guys!

We went to Zions with Lara & Josh and took an amazing hike. It was soooo beautiful and peaceful.

Josh took us up in a tiny 2 man helicopter...scared me to dealth, but I also loved it...weird huh! Coop & Jeff loved it and were not scared at all!

HAPPY 4TH!

I love the 4th of July, I don't know why, but it's always been one of my favorite holidays. We didn't do anything too exciting, but still had fun. We took Cooper to see "Kung Fu Panda", and in the middle of the movie, the fire alarm went off, so we had to evacute and stand outside for 10 minutes....so that was pretty exciting. Then we had a little BBQ at my parents house and did some fireworks. Later we went to watch the Stadium of Fire fireworks. Parker got really sick (as you can see by looking at the 2nd picture). Poor guy was just miserable, and no he isn't wearing lipstick, that's just jello. All in all it was a fun day!

BABY SHOWER

We had a shower for my sister Keena last Tuesday. She has 4 boys and this time around is having a girl! I'm so happy for her! The last picture is of my sister and sister-in-law (Brianna) and their baby bumps.

GIRLS TRIP!!

Last weekend me and some of my college buddies went down to St. George for a much needed getaway. We had so much fun swimming, shopping, eating at yummy places, getting facials/pedicures, going to a movie and just laughing and relaxing. It's amazing how much you can do in a day without the kids!I have the best friends in the world...I even got to see Lara & Josh...my BFF that I have not seen for a long time! When I got back the house was even clean (for the most part), and Jeff told me how hard being the mom really is. No kidding! Lets do it again next year girls!