Halloween Weekend in WA

Hyrum had some time off school so we decided to spend Halloween weekend in WA with the cousins. We were also hoping to help my parents finish some more of their house. Jon helped my Dad a couple days, but there's still quite a bit of little things to be done. Taunya and I spent several hours taping the trim and started to paint, but there's lots left of that. Some of the family was sick and so most of the time we were there my Mom was babysitting babies. Lydia adores babies and was most grateful for the opportunity to help Grandma. Despite being only 3 she was a big help. Pictured above is Lydia with baby Sydney.

Since my parents are moving I wanted to post a picture of the house I was born and raised in. It's been a good home and holds many fond memories for me.

The kids love going to WA so much. They hardly sleep while we're there because they're so wound up. I remember the excitement of going to Rigby to see my Grandparents and cousins when I was little so I completely understand. Though, grumpy kids due to lack of sleep is a little difficult to deal with as a parent...

Hyrum, Jessica, Jackson and Lydia

Lydia and Anikah trick or treating. They were both princesses but Lydia wouldn't wear or crown and she broke her wand.

Hyrum's birthday is next week and Grandma Shauna gave him an early birthday present-- Yahtzee and two books. Reading and playing games are two of Hyrum's favorite things to do right now. What a nice Grandma he has!

Do you think Lydia loves her Grandma? I think so!

Visit to McCall/Tamarack

Our kind friends offered to let us stay at their cabin in Tamarack for the weekend so we took advantage of the offer. They have a little boy about Hyrum's age and this is his dirt bike that Hyrum learned how to ride. He learned pretty quickly, but decided that 4wheelers are a little easier. Though, he's now asking for a dirt bike for his birthday.

Tamarack is a beautiful area in the mountains. We loved the scenery and had almost perfect weather. It rained some on Friday, but we drove around most of that day looking at properties. Jon's newest idea is to invest in the McCall area only about 15 minutes from Tamarack. We actually spent most of our time in McCall. Hunting was still open in the Tamarack area so of course Jon had to try that out. Friday and Saturday morning he went out on the 4wheeler but never saw much.

One of Lydia's favorite activities right now is hiding from her Dad. Every time Jon comes home for lunch, or after work, or even when he comes upstairs and she's there, she covers her eyes and "hides." Jon is so fun to play with her and make a big deal out it. We all can't help but get a good laugh out of it. I love the innocence and playfulness of small children. They are such a joy to have around!

This picture is of Jon looking for the hiding kids.

Saturday we went to Goldfork Hot Springs. I think it's the nicest hot springs I have ever been too. They have a neat sand pool for the kids and a couple nice adult pools. I've mentioned before that Jon always makes friends wherever we go well, these two other boys in the photo are the friends Jon made this time- Tristan and Tyler. Kids love playing with Jon and he's so good with them.

Photo courtesy of Hyrum

I forgot to pull out the camera until it was time to leave and by then Lydia was tired, hungry and cold.

Fall has fallen

We have a new blanket of leaves this morning. So beautiful.

Had to snap a photo of this. So adorable.

A Visit from the Barbens

Jon and his sister.

We had beautiful fall weather this weekend. You can see the kids had a lot of fun playing in the freshly fallen leaves. They're really quite a perfect toy.

The Barben's drove this awesome van up from St. George. They said they got quite a few double takes as people drove by. I can imagine so.

The rest of these photos are of the kids later Sunday evening.

Lydia playing in the sleeping bag

Most pictures I take of Hyrum turn out pretty silly because he enjoys being goofy. You can see here he actually wanted a picture taken of himself and even posed for the camera. That's kind of the way my Hyrum is. It's near impossible to force him to do anything; however if it's his idea, he'll do a great job at it.

Hyrum's a little self conscious of his one front tooth right now, hence the non-smile in these school pictures. When I asked him why he didn't smile he shared that he thinks he looks funny with only one front tooth. Just for the record, Buddy, I think you look adorable!

Just as a side note, he lost his front teeth over 3 years ago and is just now getting them back.

RETAKES:

Hyrum's reading skills amaze me. He enjoys reading and does very well at it. Here he is reading Lydia a bed time story. She sure is a lucky sister!

Jon's sister, from St. George, and her family stopped in for a quick visit this weekend. They're debating in moving to the area so they came for the weekend to check things out. We're hoping they decided to come join us:)

Lydia's 1st ever Haircut

Scissors touched Lydia's hair today for the 1st time EVER in her life. She turned 3 last month. She has beautiful curls at the bottom of her hair and I've hesitated to cut it in fear that her curls won't come back. Ever since Lydia came with me to get my hair cut a few months ago she's been asking to get her hair cut. (She is so girly and I'm sure she knows that is a girly thing to do).

Hyrum was in dire need of a trimming so I decided I'd let Lydia get a little cut at the same time. She absolutely LOVED it! She sat still as can be the entire time and just soaked up being pampered. Her girlishness is so adorable. Melissa, my friend who cut her hair, did a pretty princess do for her afterward. Thankfully, her curls came back even prettier and less straggly than before.

Cool spike Buddy! You look handsome :)

Thoughtful Hyrum

Hyrum came home from school Friday very excited to show me his Student of the Week Award he had won. He is a very good student. So far school has come easy for him and he excels at all of it; math being his favorite (probably not a coincidence that that's my favorite also considering we're both 4s). Then today he made this award (pictured below) for Lydia.

He sure loves his little sister and for the most part, is very kind and tender towards her. Hyrum's a little boy with a big heart. I love you, Hyrum!

I think he's especially sweet when he's sleeping. One of my favorite things to do is to kiss on my kids while they're sleeping. I always check on them before I go to bed and kiss their cheeks several times and whisper I love you in their ears. Many times I kneel down by one of their beds and hold their hand while I say my evening prayers. The love I have for them truly is amazing. There's not a day that goes by that I don't thank my Heavenly Father for the wonderful blessing of being their Mother.