After the party...

After everyone else left, Renae and I decided to have just a little bit of fun. Don't tell the kids though. Our cuties at bedtime, after enjoying some S'mores by the fire.

Girl's Crafting Weekend.

Earlier this month, I reserved the church lodge and a bunch of friends and I got together for a fun weekend to finish craft projects and just be together as friends. There was Mom, (not pictured) Rosie, Jessica, Alice, Candice, Renae, Heather, Me, and the cute little one on the end is Lindsey.

Renae's framed family photo I took, and she added the vinyl, and painted the frame red. I think it looks awesome!

My signs I worked on.

Renae, prepping her tile photos.

My family photo that I tiled. I had never done these before, and Renae and I had so much fun figuring it out together. Rosie, sewing....a quilt, I think.

Mom sewing halloween table runners. Heather was busy on her Cricut the whole time. Buco thanks Heather, for helping me figure out mine!

My temple picture all done.

My buddy Jessica, sewing the cutest Tinker Bell costume you've ever seen.

LOOOVE this sign made by Candice. Gotta get me one of these!

Candice and her awesome projects all finished. Even better, the Thanks sign is reversible, with a Christmas sign on the back. So creative!

Our lovely friend Jessica!

Here's Alice with her beautiful quilt top. Very colorful Alice!

Thanks Ladies! Same time same place next year.

Fall Harvest

My fall harvest this year included some triple berry jam, peach jam, and I canned fresh peaches for the first time ever. Can I just say, there is nothing better than fresh canned peaches?

Things Morgan loves about fall...

Waiting for grandma and grandpa next to the huge bonfire at the Fall Harvest. Falling leaves.
Playing in the falling leaves!

A little daddy daughter time. Milking your first cow.

Fun aunts willing to act silly for the camera.

Cute little pumpkins. Picking out the PERFECT white pumpkin.

Flying through the air on a zip line Safely landing in a hay stack.

Piggy back rides.

Grandma's and their granddaughters.

Kids harvesting fresh vegetables from the garden like I did at his age. Visiting with loved ones we don't see as often as we would like to. I LOVE this picture of Matt with his mom.

Smiley happy kids

Kids who missed their calling in life as models.

A loving older brother to pal around with.

FAMILY!!!!!

Last Day at the Mine... :(

Aren't my kids cute? Morgan and I decided to highlight her hair this morning on a whim, while I was doing mine. I LOVE it! Gabe the Babe, (the nickname all the girls in school have apparently given him) loves to pose for the camera now. This is new. And it cracks me up. He's also an incredibly good brother to his little sis.

LOVE all the silver buildings here, and the red trim. Don't ask me what's going on with Morgan. I have no idea.

Matt and I, all set up, timer going, and the kids have scattered. This shot is me, looking across the trail where Chandler is bent down petting someones dog. (EVERYONE there today had a dog...including us. Do you know how many other people's dogs we had to stop and pet every five steps?)Matt, just smiling his usual calm smile, while I snap my fingers at kids to get in the photo as the timer snaps 5 consecutive shots.

The LAST shot, before my camera batteries died. I was so sad, as this was the last day of the season at Independence mine. We may come back in a week or two and hike up from the lower parking lot, but the day was so beautiful and perfect, I was sad not to capture it all on camera.

Potter's Marsh

Potter's Marsh, created in 1917, is a popular place for birdwatchers, nature lovers, and families who love to spend time together, walking along the long stream of boardwalks. (as teenagers, we, I mean, people I know, used to come here to make out at night) It does have amazing views, and since the kids were little, we have brought them here for the end of the salmon run.

Very rare, to get a full on look at the camera picture of Chandler. Enjoy it!
Morgan, on the other hand, is my little vein child, who is always looking for the lens to cheese at.

See, I told you. The camera loves her, and she loves it right back!

Clayton, showing off his muscles.

Renae and the kids. me, trying to wrangle Clayton, while Morgan poses off to the side all on her own.

The kids stood for the longest time, watching the salmon swim upstream.

The kids running back to the parking lot after I made the "let's go to the zoo" announcement.

Jackson was so intent on watching his shadow as he walked back to the car.

Just look at the concentration!

Clayton and Renae walking back. Look closely at his shirt. I didn't notice till I was editing. Cracked me up!