Thanksgiving in Utah

Alright, so I'm a little behind, but here it is. We were able to spend a week in Utah for Thanksgiving this year. It was filled with lots of fun activities, and late nights. The kids were in heaven with all the cousin time. 

We were able to be apart of little Kendall's baby blessing (Adam's sister's new baby). Adam went coyote hunting and shooting with his brothers one morning. We had Thanksgiving at his parents house, and then the next day we went to see Frozen, ate at Chuck-a-Rama, and headed down to Salt Lake to the Marriott. We walked around temple square where I attempted to get just one good family picture...fail. But, we saw all the pretty Christmas lights, and beautiful displays in the Macy's windows. 

We then swam and swam at the hotel until all the little ones were wiped out. The adults stayed up late eating tacos and playing games. 

We were also able to visit my sweet Grandma. She even had her famous peanut blossom cookies waiting for us! We always love visiting her, and wish we could see her more often. 

Utah was fun...even if we did have to fly home on a red eye flight. We were TIRED! We wish we could see everyone more often, but are grateful for the fun week we had. 

Ruby and her cousin Mia are just a couple weeks apart, and oh so cute.

 Spent one morning at Scheel's with Adam's parents. 

 There were some smiles and tears on the ferris wheel.

 All the boys getting ready for their coyote hunting. 

 Ruby holding her new cousin Kendall.

 Airport hair.

 These cute boys just relaxing after our Thanksgiving feast. 

 Hailey and Natalie learning some knitting skills from Aunt Letitia.

 Thanksgiving chocolate pie.

Delivering their letters to Santa.

 One attempt at a family picture. 

 Gavin and his cousin Cameron. 

 Wiped out in Chuck-A-Rama.

 And the second attempt at a family photo. Ha.

Halloween

It was Halloween time all October long here. We listened to Halloween music every day per Gavin's request. He loves his music and loves to dance. So, Halloween music it was. On Halloween Gavin kept saying, "Mom, it's October 31st!! It's Halloween time." I love that my kids are getting old enough to enjoy and have fun with the holidays.

 

To start off our Halloween festivities we went to the zoo, where they had "Boo at the zoo". They had trick or treating and we watched a little avengers show...complete with Spiderman, The Hulk, Thor, and Iron Man. Grown men dressed up that put on a little show. Gavin was in heaven. At the end of the show we got to go up and say hi. Gavin was so excited...Spiderman touched his arm, and said, "Hey Batman." His night was complete.

 

We also had our ward trunk-or-treat. They do it at a member's farm every year complete with a chili cook off. The kids loved the trunk-or-treating, the hay ride, the horses and the big bon fire. It was cold, cold, but it was lots of fun. Gavin was the cutest little batman, and Ruby my cute little Indian girl.  

 

I got to go help out in Gavin's class for his Halloween party. There were about 3 batman's in his class. They got to show off their costumes, go trick-or-treating, and have lots of fun yummy snacks. Love that I get to do these fun little things with him. Love my boy.

Halloween night we spent with our friends the Udalls. Luckily it wasn't raining too hard, and just a little windy. We were able to make it out for a quick trick-or-treating run. Such a fun night with good friends. Now on to November!

Pumpkin Carving

No Halloween is complete without pumpkin carving. I always remember loving pumpkin carving as a kid, and then after about five minutes of getting all the seeds out I was done and my dad was left with all the hard work. Dads are the best. That's about how it went in our family. Gavin grabbed about one handful and then said, "I want you to do it dad." He danced to Halloween music and helped carve, but mom and dad were left to all the fun.

 

Ruby was a good helper and didn't want anyone helping her with that spoon while she got all the pumpkin goop out. Then she took her little marker and made masterpieces all over those pumpkins. She is our little artist.

 

I'm pretty sure my kids have the scariest zombie/monster faces I've ever seen. They were doing this all October long.

Ruby is 2!

My cute girl turned two last week! She is such a joy in our home and reminds me all the time that life is for loving and playing and remembering to enjoy the simple things.  She loves to read books, or flip through them while talking about all the pictures. She loves to color. She means business when she has a crayon in her hand. I use my magic eraser almost every night after dinner to remove her crayon drawings from the kitchen floor. She starts on her coloring book, but somehow it always moves to the floor. Crazy girl. She is independent, and already wants to pick out her own jammies every night, and put her clothes on all by her self everyday. She has to climb into her seat in the car all by herself. Brush her teeth all by herself...the list goes on and on. She has the cutest little laugh. She loves Gavin and always is excited when we pick him up from preschool.
I can't imagine our home without Ruby. She is the sweetest little girl, and I am so happy we were blessed with her two years ago.
Ok, these pictures are in no order. I was too lazy to fix them.

We had a fun day at the zoo on the birthday girl's day.

She was so cute with her little baby from Grandma Gerber. Changing clothes and all.

Got some jewelry from Grandma Merrill...such a little girl.