October 2012-- Dad's Marathon, Halloween

We are suckers for beating up our knees and running the St. George Marathon.  Last year it was my turn, this year it was Bry's.  I think it will be his turn if he wants it for a long time coming!  We headed down and stayed and GG and Pampa Don's home.  They are always such good sports to have us there trying not to destroy their home! We were lucky to have Grandpa Don join us for the marathon rituals that are a little strenuous and crazy!  We headed up snow canyon hoping to leave enough time to catch the shuttle.  Luckily we did~  It would've killed us if not as it's at least a mile to 2 miles straight uphill to see the marathoners at mile 16 coming down the highway that intercepts w/ snow canyon.  Bry was doing great at this point.  He started to struggle around mile 20 and had to walk a bit till the end but still beat my time of last year by a minute!

 We love our Grandpa Don.  What a guy... sitting here all crammed in my mini van w/ the kids.  Pushing strollers, going on the a jam packed bus and just a good sport all around. We love him.

 On the way back from St. George we listened to Conference and then stopped at Cove Fort, Utah for a little tour.  It was cool.   A lot like some of the things we saw back east too. My kids especially liked the pioneer toy of the string and the button.

 Halloween was fun as usual.  Blakely was Hermini, Abby was a siamese twin at school w/ Cassidy and an evil queen at night- Baya was a dead bride and Bradford was Barney.  We enjoyed trick or treating the neighborhood.  Grandpa Jeff came by for a little pumpkin pizza and we were happy to have Aunt Amy along for the festivities also.

 We love going to The Pumpkin patch at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  This year KSL was doing a cute story on Jeff and the legacy they have of the pumpkins at Grandma's house.  It was fun to see him all decked out in his Brooks Brother's sweater talking to the new man about a humble place for the american family.  Bradford loved gathering up bundles of pumpkins in the wagon and the girls loved the famous tree.

 Grandma Mary is a sought after and sweet lady for our girls and their classes at Halloween time.  She came to Baya's preschool and did a cute presentation and sang w/ the kids.  She came to our yard and spent time w/ Abby's class too.  She is so willing and sweet and thanks to grandpa Jeff all the kids get an Oz sized pumpkin to enjoy for the season. Rasmussen farms is so nice!

 We had our annual HHS Halloween gathering and the kids all looked so cute in their costumes.  It's getting harder to get together w/ everyone but we still are trying!

Bradford was getting really good at going on the potty... he loves to go backwards... He's since not done so well. O'well!

 Right before Halloween we watched the Sloan kids for about 3 days while their parents were in Europe.  This was a lot of fun.  Lucy luc... is quite the character!

 We loved going out into Grandpa Jeff's field and harvest potatoes and go on a tractor ride.

 Lucy reminds me so much of Lou Lou... little twinners

 We went to a charity haunted house that was seriously good.  It was also very scary.  Bradford was giving Bex loves!

 Had to post this cute pic of Baya sleeping on her way to Grandma's house one day.  She loves to dress up and was wearing her BYU cheerleading outfit w/ her princess crown.

 Old Misses Witch and the fun at Grandma Mary's makes for a fun Halloween time tradition.  We all love sitting around singing fun haunted songs!

 Here's a few pics from trick or treating.  We had a fun neighborhood group this year!

End of Summer Back to School but still having some fun! September 2012

 Towards the end of the summer, we always have to pack it in!  The girls went back to school on August 26th this year... too soon! I don't know why they don't just have them go back after Labor Day!  Anyway, we had a fun couple of weeks as the weather was still good and we love September!  Soccer started up again, so that is always busy and fun.  Blakely was able to join a very good team that has played together a lot, so that was nice.

 We had a little Hungarian gathering w Bea and Jeff Butler planning and it was nice to see people.  My Hungarian needs some work these days.

 The girls were excited to start a new year and get back to seeing their friends.  Abby has Mrs. Wright and Blakely Mrs. Olsen.   Both teachers are great.  The girls were excited to head down the catwalk w/ their buddies... but not too sure about being back in school for 7 hours...

 The first morning back, Bryan was out on an 18 mile run prepping for the marathon.  He stopped by to wish the girls well... and see them off.

 Mary is sweet and always puts together a card and flowers for my kids new teachers.  Who needs to be a stellar parent when you have stellar grandparents! They appreciate her support and she lets them know of the pumpkin connection!

We hadn't gone camping yet, so the week after Labor Day I think... we headed up to Tanners Flat and camped w/ the kids.  Bradford is at a crazy age right now for this, but we had a good time!

 Over Labor Day weekend we headed up to Idaho to meet Karri and Aram at Lava Hot Springs for a couple quick rides down the river, and then we found a great hot spot in the river to chill for a bit.  Then we headed up to their place to enjoy a weekend w/ them.  My kids love this trip.  We hit bear world, church, and tried to hit our favorite, Big Juds, but it was closed for the holiday!

Caden Michael Martin was born on September 20th.  We were so happy to have him join our family!  Mom got to attend the birth and thought it was a mighty miracle.  Kelsie was a champ!  We were lucky to have the Martin boys for a day or two and enjoyed some late September swimming at the Whips after a visit at the hospital to see this cute boy!  

 On September 13th it was Bradford's 2nd birthday.  He's getting old!  He's a stinker and we love him very much.  He keeps mom on her toes and he's the life of any party w/ his antics and climbing.  He loved the pinata and the toys he received.

 But most of all, he loved the treats!  And of course seeing his fan club of aunts and uncles, cousins and grandparents.

 Mom decided that dad needed to have an adventure w/ his wife for the 12th anniversary.  Lou Lou and Pampa's car had been parked in our driveway for some time while they traveled Europe, so we loaded it up, turned the back into a bed and headed up into the the beautiful mountains. We drove up Guardsman's Pass, ate dinner in Midway and then headed up towards American Fork Canyon.  We were surprised how bumpy this section of road was.. and it was packed and dark.  So, eventually we weaseled our way into a camp spot, slept and were on the road by 8 a.m. for morning soccer games... Thanks for Rebecca who tended the kids overnight!

 With fall always comes the excitement of BYU football and getting ready for Halloween for the kids.  I don't know which one brings more excitement... probably football for kid Bryan, and Halloween for the kids...
For mom, it's just the dreaded feeling of -- oh no... sweets from now till Easter will be on coming.