Weekend and family fall drive

This weekend was busy busy, but it was all fun stuff. We had 3 birthday parties, Bodie's 1st day of Sunday School, gymnastics, a couple house showings and our annual family fall drive. We had so much fun hanging out with friends and family...and we were exhausted by the end of each day. Bodie felt like such a big boy going to Sunday school. He wanted me to take him in (he gave me multiple kisses on my hand and then said I could go) and Todd to pick him up. Todd and I enjoyed a coffee date with a new couple we've met through the kids while the kids were in Sunday school (they go before church). On the way home, Bodie explained to us that he learned more about Jesus and that "the people were being mean to the kids so Jesus said, you kids can come with me". It was funny hearing the story from his perspective and in his words rather than the exact words of the bible...I loved it.
On Monday night, we did our annual fall drive through the canyons to see the colors changing. It is one of my very favorite things to do each year....I get so excited thinking about taking that drive...coffee in hand, no music, just talking, kids take a nap for part of it, crisp fall air, beautiful colors. I can't even tell you what this drive means to me. This time of year is ALWAYS insane b/c of my work busy season, but this drive always gets us away from that...it's like time slows down for a few hours. Todd and I truly talk about life and what we would like to see happen next, goals, dreams, ect. We ended the drive with dinner at Trio and it was so yummy. Nothing like warm pasta on a cool night. We also toasted some of our recent fun work news with a glass of champagne (apple juice for the kiddos...if you know us, this is a special treat for them). I needed that night with my little family so bad...I think we all did :-). Oh yeah, bonus was on the way down the canyon we saw a big moose right on the side of the road.
**disclaimer...my phone can't keep up with the kids, hence the blurry pics from the trampoline place party. I also forgot my good camera for our drive...bummer, but still got some good colors.

 

Hiking Brighton with Dad

School Carnival

Kayla's school had their annual carnival on Friday so I took the kids out to dinner and then we went over. It was fun having a date night with the kids and they had so much fun on the bounce houses. McKayla saw her new little best friend as soon as we got there and they were inseperable from then on. It was fun for me to get to know her parents and I actually got to know another little friend's parents randomly at a birthday party the next day (it really was random that we both knew this person and then all of a sudden they were at Sunday school the next day too and the little girl is in Kayla's class...we decided we are meant to hang out). I feel like I'm back in school meeting all these new "friends" ;-) and I love that McKayla is getting to know new friends in all her different classes.

Hiking with Dad

When mom's away, they hike and play ;-). Todd, Bodie and Sadie went on a hike when Kayla was at school and then they all decided to go out again :-). I love how these pictures show so much of B's personality....he loves to be funny and is the sweetest kiddo (he's had more prankster in him recently too).

Birthday Celebrations

Kayla's birthday celebrations didn't stop on Sept. 2nd. She got to celebrate at daycare the next day and we had a friend party for her over the weekend as well as a dinner at my parents house. For her friend party, we rented out a little private theatre and she chose "Little Mermaid" for the theme. The kids each got their own drink and popcorn and could get up or do whatever they wanted during the movie (there was singing, dancing, follow the leader, simon(McKayla) says, and more). She had so much fun and everyone was so sweet and generous. By the end of the week she was SO exhausted (actually we all were). I can't thank our family and friends enough for helping us make her birthday so special!

Bday Dinner at Paka and Gigis (Paka was very proud of his little Kayla for choosing steak, salad and rolls for dinner

She chose to take donuts for her bday treat at daycare