OCTOBER FEST!!

Oh what do you do in the Autumn time, when all the leaves are . . . red, orange, yellow, and brown???

Just a quick summary again of some of the festivities for October.

We started the month with UEA weekend. I ditched going to the Teacher's Conference and caught up on some bills, school work, and housework so we could go to St. George and spend time with my family. Because it was the BIG marathon there, we couldn't get a hotel so we stayed at my parent's place along with Kerri & Mark and their family (not a very big place - 2 bedrooms). We were literally wall-to-wall people but we had so much fun! Mandy brought her boyfriend Tyler and we enjoyed getting to know him as well. We enjoyed General Conference for our church on television and cinnamon rolls (tradition) along with games and swimming. Quick trip but oh so worth it! We also enjoyed seeing Cove Fort on our way down. (I can now include that in my UT History for my 4th graders!)

We next celebrated Landon's 5th!! I get emotional as I reflect on the circumstances of his birth. Those of you who know us well, know what a miracle he is and why we affectionately call him "chub". He had his McDonald's party as is tradition with all of our children when they turn 5. (HOORAY! - no more McD's parties!!!).


























Kaylee turned 18 the week following Landon!! What an emotional month to celebrate our oldest and youngest within a week! (By the way, she can't really be 18 because I'm not that old!!) We are off to do the college tour this month and then it's scholarships and applications. Any words of sage advice are welcome! Kaylee celebrated her birthday this last weekend by having a Halloween Party here. Whit conveniently was gone to Fresno!









We attended the annual North Logan Pumpkin Walk. This is spectacular! Wish all of you could come and see it. I've included a few pics. Everything is done using squash or pumpkins. They have warm fires, cookies, and displays to fill the park and it's all free.



















We were also able to slip in our annual FHE (Family Home Evening)activity of going to the corn maze. We hurried this year as it was cold! We received a few inches of snow but this week - Ahhh . . . THE SUN!!















Now . . . a picture of the "NEW PUGH" --- It's a Boy! The kids named him Cosmo after much debate. He's a poodle, shitzu mix.

Just a bit of me . . .

Downloading pictures for this entry is just not going to happen tonight, I'm escaping the usual craziness of cleaning, prepping for tomorrow, and finishing up what was forgotten during the day. I thought I would just share some thoughts I have about what I find beautiful in this life (perhaps it will inspire some of you to start a list of your own).

Things that I love:
The patterns found in nature
Hiking to a tall and remote peak
Feeling the wind on my face
Singing a beautiful song
Feeling the rhythm of nature in my soul
Lightning storms in the solitude of night
The smell of the earth after a rain storm
A beautiful garden
The soft fur of a puppy
The vivid colors in the canyon during autumn
A good book that stays in your thoughts for a week
Words of wisdom
A clean joke with a touch of reality
Hugs, hugs, and hugs!
A warm cup of hot cocoa on a cold morning
Anonymous notes of love
Cotton Candy Sunsets
Sitting on the beach and watching the waves lap the shore
Hallmark commercials
A GOOD movie - the kind that makes you laugh, cry, and feel really good all at once
The freedom to make all the choices I want each day
Helping another learn something new
Learning something new
The Harvest Moon
challenging times which help me grow
reading to my children
being with my family

and last but certainly NOT least . . . HOPE!!

Happy Fall Ya'all! Isn't it great to be alive?!!