Christmas Lights.....

 Every year, before we purchase our tree, we decorate a little one to have in the house.  I love Christmastime, and decorating and having tree lights on in a dark room.....seriously, the best feeling!!! This year while the boys were working and at school, Lexie helped me put the ornaments on our small tree.  I love this picture of her....she looks like a little angel.

This year Parker was a big helper!! He helped me string the lights on the tree and put about 90% of the orniments on the tree, himself.  It turned out beautiful!!!

One weekend we went down to SLC, to see Grandma and Grandpa. While we were there we went to see the lights at the Temple.  Such a beautiful sight. It was not terribly cold, so the experience was enjoyable.  There was a lot to see and look at.....the kids had a lot of fun walking around and exploring.  Here are a few pictures from the night!!

Love these two so much!!! They are the best missionaries....ever!!! 

Happy Halloween!!!!

We had fun preparing for Halloween.  I knew exactly what I wanted Lexie to dress up as....her favorite character....Minnie Mouse!!! Parker had a hard time deciding what to be.  It went from Hiccup, from HTTYD, to a dragon, to a zombie and he finally decided on a ninja.

 A few days before Halloween, we went to the rec. center for some fun and games.  The kids had a blast in the bounce house, playing various games, decorating cookies and even got to go trick-or-treating.

 The night before Halloween, there was a trunk-or-treat, at church.  The kids had fun going from car to car to get their goodies.  One thing I noticed this year is that Parker is just old enough to not have to be with mom and dad all the time.  He loves hanging out with his friends....and as soon as he spotted a few, he was gone, and we didn't see him until it was time to leave.  The only bad thing was....sister wanted to be with her big brother....she looks up to him, and loves to hang out with the big kids:)

 I was able to help with Parker's class Halloween party.  We played games and ate treats....I even got to eat lunch with him....see....he still likes having me around:)

 The next night was Halloween.  Grandma and Grandpa, and aunt Rock and Jeff came over and joined us for TOT.  Lexie had been practicing her, "Trick-or-Treat. Thank you" for a few days now....so she was excited to go out and get some results.

 It was pretty warm out....we just had to layer the kids under their costumes.  It was nice to not have to wear coats on Halloween...something we have not been able to do for a few years:)

 Parker met up with some friends and ditched us....until it started to get dark.....then he rejoined us.  We also met up with some old friends from Iowa, that we have not seen in a couple of years.

 The kids...sorting out their stash....they had tons of candy!!!! All in all....the week was a success....or should I say, "Spook-tacular!!!!"

visitors and hiking.....

Summer and fall have come and gone, yet I am still blogging about them.  I got spoiled with the iphone and the instant upload to my facebook page, that I have gotten lazy in writing on here. Our dear friends from Iowa, were on their way to visit family and made a pit stop at our place.  It has been 4 years, since I have seen her and her amazing family....the kids have grown up so much. It was fun to reminisce about the good times we had in Iowa.  Miss her....so much!!!

We finished up our summer with a couple of hikes.  This one was at Big Cottonwood.  Ben had to work, so the kids and I headed down and met up with Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt R. and Uncle J.  It was so fun!!! The kids love being outdoors and love exploring.

We got pretty close to this moose....I have never seen one in real life....they are kind of cool animals.

Parker and Rocky climbed up anything they saw.

Lexie can often be found in her own little world.  Often times I would look over and she is talking to the ducks or going off to explore on her own. She loves to explore and find adventure in everything.

Some cute pictures of me and my family.  Can't believe that we are all living in one state together....just missing a few more family members:(

Lexie, climbing her own Mt. Everest.  After watching her brother and aunt climb up huge rock walls, she was bound and determined to get up this one.....and she did it!! After several attempts of trying:)

Grandpa's buddy....always on the go with Grandpa.

Parker...showing off for the camera....

Sorry, about this random picture.....but this lady is one of my closest friends from Iowa.  She was here for her daughters bridal shower and made time to meet us for dinner at Cafe Rio.  It was like we were never a part.  Loved catching up with her and her beautiful daughters....miss her already!!!

She was a lot happier, after this picture.....I promise.  Ben gives me a hard time because I need to take a picture of everything.  even when they are screaming.  This was a trail up the road from our place.  It was a 1/2 mile hike and plenty of scenery on the way.  I have horrible knees so when it got steep, I was sliding down on my rear.....it was fun:)

We ended with a .59 ice cream cone at McDonalds.....family day....success!!!!!