New Addition

Almost 5 years of marriage, 2 children, one car, 2 graduate degrees, crazy train and bus schedules, early morning church meetings, after church meetings, tons of other church responsibilities, days being stuck without a car, drop offs, pick ups, waiting and waiting for the train to arrive and entertaining children in the car, temple excursions, screaming children, trying to nurse and entertain a 2 year old in a little car with no tinted windows, waiting, dreaming of the day I'd have this


Not only am I really excited to have a van (some may think they'll never have a van, but try all the things I listed above and you'll change your tune!), but it means we have a second car!!! I drove it off the lot this morning:)

October Fun

I found my school supplies for a calendar, so Damon and I put it up in the kitchen and we do "school" everyday. We sing the days of the week, count the days, say the letters in October, sing some Halloween songs, and usually do a project. It has been kind of fun and gives us something to do for a few moments each day...Damon really likes it. One day we made witches hats out of fudge striped cookies and "kissies".

I have been dying to go to the pumpkin patch. The weather had been nice, then it got rainy, then it totally warmed up and other days were going to be busy. I was so bummed that the only day we could go was a really warm day...Damon wore shorts! We picked Barrett up from work and went straight there since he had to go to a city meeting later that night. Damon loved pulling the wagon and trying to find a pumpkin. Tommy just enjoyed the ride. It was fun and now we have 2 cute pumpkins on our porch.

Happenings

Thanks to everyone who has encouraged, supported, and prayed for us during the last few months while Barrett was studying for the bar, taking the bar, and waiting for the results. We feel very grateful and know we couldn't have done it on our own. We're excited for the next phase of life:)

Here's some pictures of the last little bit. 1. Tommy has become mobile. After sitting contently foreve, he's realized he has a body that moves. It is fun to watch him try to figure out what to do to get his limbs to do what he wants. One day he was giggling like crazy, for really no reason...I had to take a picture because you can see his off-balanced teeth:)

2. Applesauce. I have some wonderful memories of making applesauce as a family. The smell of fall and warm, homemade applesauce is soooo comforting. Since we have an awesome apple orchard a few miles away that sells seconds for pretty cheap and we have lots of space in our home, I decided it was time to attempt applesauce on my own. I only bought a canner, jars, and the tools needed to can. I didn't want to purchase a food mill or strainer quite yet. It was a little time consuming to peel and cut the apples for cooking, but it turned out sooo good!! Barrett and I had a good time one night making applesauce together. 3. We made a poster to congratulate Barrett on his test results. Damon and I were decorating it and I looked over at what he was doing. His first real picture that resembles something. He started off saying he was writing Daddy's name, but then he said it needed eyes, so I think he realized it looked like a person. 4. We went to the temple Saturday and as the boys and I were finishing lunch in the car, Damon pulled out Daddy's sunglasses. We thought Tommy looked pretty cute in them.
5. Fall is here!!

RESULTS....

PASSED!!!! BARRETT PASSED THE BAR!!!! YIPPEEEE!!!!! HORRAY!!!!!! YAY!!!! SCHWOO!

Saturday during General Conference...

Just as Elder Bednar was talking about the struggles their rambunctious boys had during Family Home Evenings, Damon hits a home run in the living room with a little ball and kitchen utensil bat...couldn't have been more perfect timing!

Decorations

I love, love Harvest decorations. October 1st, I decided it was time to pull them out. It was a little more tricky trying to find places for my cute new things, plus being in a new house, but I'm happy with it and love to look at all the colors everywhere!
I don't know if you can tell, but the candy corn garland in front of the tv is adorable! I'm so glad I found it!!
Isn't this the cutest spider ever?! Made out of jingle bells...so creative!
I love the BOO with the O's as spiders...so much character!


ps. I wish I could say these were all my creations, but no, I found them when I was in Utah this summer...at Rod Works and The Quilted Bear:)