little monster (dragon? dinosaur? . . . what have you)

28 October - carving pumpkins

Tonight, Will & Scott carved their first pumpkin together. I love seeing Will take part in these traditions - it's so fun!

Will was fascinated watching Scott carve out the eyes, nose & mouth. He got so excited each time a new part of the face came alive.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (part 1) - Trailer

This was by far my favorite Harry Potter book, & I am SO excited for this movie to come out!

Released After 9 Years

My dad was released today from his 9 1/2-year calling as Stake President. I know it was a bittersweet thing for him, as he has loved those who he served & served with.

Mexico - May 2004

After I went through the temple for the first time.

Dinner in San Francisco with our family friends the Carters.

Family Reunion in Cyclone, MO

my mom, Sammie & dad

Will's Baby Blessing - December 2008

relaxing after a long day

spending a day at the ranch - my dad & Brad

Mexico - June 2009 (growing out the beard for a King Benjamin speech for Youth Conference - He memorized the whole thing & performed it for the family while in Mexico. It was a very touching experience.)

my dad & Will in Mexico

carving the bird for Thanksgiving dinner 2009

Thank you for your wisdom, patience, love, generosity, kindness, faith . . . everything over the years.

We love you dad & are so grateful for the wonderful light you are in our lives.

22 October - In-Your-Face Play Date

Today, Will had his friend McKay come over to play for a little bit. They had a great time "sharing" the balls for the basketball hoop & playing bumper cars (on Will's part) racing each other on their "cars."

I really need to get Will around other kids more often. He just does not understand that it's not okay to hit, kick, step on . . . . Poor McKay hid behind the couch for part of the time because he didn't know how to handle Will's energy - Will would not leave him alone. I'm not saying Will was mean to him, he just wouldn't give him any space - while McKay hid behind the sofa, Will leaned over the back of it, talking up a storm & laughing hysterically, or Will would follow McKay around with his toys & practically sit on him, just so he could be closer. All in all, it was a great time, & I hope McKay will still want to come back & play some more! I swear Will's really sweet - please don't be intimidated by his neverending supply of in-your-face fun!

Quick Trip to My Hometown

Yesterday, I went down to my parents' to visit with my family & see my brother Rich while he's in town.

Will had so much fun diving & wrestling on the bed with his cousins.

We went out to dinner at Great Impasta - one of my favorite restaurants.

Rich, my mom, Amy, Steven, me & Will, Zach, Lily, Timmy

 

After dinner, we went to a frozen yogurt place called Pinkberry. It's seriously the best frozen yogurt I've ever had - nothing else I've had even compares to it! I had 1/2 coconut, 1/2 pomegranate yogurt with fresh raspberries & mangos on top. It was incredible!!!  They also had the neatest floor in the shop - it was made of glossy pebbles, & it made me want to take my shoes off & walk around barefoot (I did take my shoes off to feel it a few times ;). This is my new favorite dessert, & I can hardly wait to go back again!

20 October - Bishop's Pumpkin Farm

Today, my friend Cherrie & I took the babes to Bishop's Pumpkin Farm. We had such a great time!

Mason, Cherrie, & Avery

We saw all kinds of animals at the petting zoo: sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, a donkey, cow, & llama.

Will kept putting his fingers through the cage, trying to poke the goat's face while saying "eye, eye" - the poor goat! 

It was incredible to watch these piglets nurse from their mother (who was huge, by the way!).

donkey (in case you couldn't figure that one out ;)

The actual petting zoo area was so much fun! I loved watching Will chase the goats around even though he was nervous about getting too close to any. There were a few times when he would get really excited & tap one, but then he'd run off as fast as he could (usually bumping into another child or goat in his effort to get away from the one he'd just barely braved touching).

Will also liked peeking in at the goats inside the barn. He was too scared to actually go in with them.

Watching the Choo Choo drive past.

You know how you always see these adorable pictures of children sitting in pumpkin patches, behaving perfectly & actually smiling  - not Will!!! He wouldn't sit still! I had to run ahead of him just to get a single shot. I even resorted to telling him to kick a pumpkin, just so he'd "hold still" long enough for me to get something. Well, I finally settled for this picture - it was the best I could realistically hope for. I'm just trying to stay one step ahead!

Will enjoyed looking at all the different scarecrows that were lined up along the train tracks. He especially liked the dog with the vampire teeth.

They had old train cars to climb around in.

Cherrie & I decided it would be best if we sat in "the cage" while going for the train ride. Will seriously won't hold still, & this was our safest bet while traveling down the tracks. I would have hated for him to fling his body out of the moving train just so he could go see the cows or horses as we went past!

Before leaving, I just barely remembered to buy some pumpkins. They were so much cheaper than the grocery store & they had such a big variety to choose from!

We really enjoyed our day at the Farm. I can't wait to go back again (hopefully one more time before the season's over?)! I always forget how fun the Fall is with all the different seasonal activities, & it doesn't hurt to have such a fun little guy to share it with!