10 22 14 - Jaker's Jack-O-Lanterns  

Posted by Amber

Wednesday, Oct. 22nd, we met with Camile and the girls to go to Jaker's Jack-O-Lanterns in Springville. (Fun side note, Dec. 13th Henlie asked to see the pumpkin patch pictures...still)  We surprised Camile by bringing Kayla along.  This worked out super because there was an adult for each girl.

We got to the pumpkin patch and the first order of business was visiting the animals.  They had your typical farm animals, including a giant pig.  Like, giant.  There was also a kangaroo and some llamas...you know, typical farm animals :)  

 Henlie checking out the llamas.

 Charlie liked to chase this poor medium-sized pig back and forth.  Henlie likes to follow Charlie.  They had a grand time.

Aunt Kayla trying to get Henlie to pet the small pigs.

After the animals and a few photo ops, it was off to the mini hay maze. And then another photo op.  Camile pulled Henlie and Charlie for a minute in a wagon, which they loved.  Then they climbed a little hay pyramid.  Well, Charlie climbed it.  Henlie went in search of another wagon in hopes of another ride :)

 Charlie the sheep and Henlie the pig.

 Holding hands in front of the llama.


 Henlie the cow and Charlie the horse.

 Kayla has mad skills.  Charlie is propped on her knee, she's straddling Henlie, and still managing to poke her head through the hole :)

 Hay maze

 Picture with the Halloween car.

 Camile pulling the girls in a wagon.





The girls played in the corn pit for only a few minutes before getting enough of that.  We went through the haunted tunnel and headed to the slides.  Henlie loves slides.  She was a little less proficient than Charlie at climbing up to the top, but they both went down a couple of times and had a blast.  After that, we opted for the tractor ride.  There was no line, and since we had Kayla's help, all six of us were able to go.  (Also, I'm quite pleased I managed to get all of us in one selfie. I didn't think it would happen haha).  On the tractor ride, we saw horses and donkeys, along with the rest of the pumpkins still out in the patch.  


 Corn Box

 Charlie and Camile in the Haunted Tunnel

 Slides!




Look! We were all there, too!
Camile, Me, Kayla

 Me, Henlie, Kayla, Charlie, Danica, and Camile on the tractor ride.

 Tractor driver :)

 Horses

 Donkeys

 Pumpkin patch

After the tractor ride, I tried to get the standard pumpkin patch photo op with the pumpkins of Charlie and Henlie.  Henlie had a hard time looking at the camera :)  Then, Aunt Kayla took them back through the haunted tunnel on our way to the adult-sized hay pyramid.  Camile made the mistake of challenging me.  She said she'd climb it if I got to the top.  (In fairness, it didn't look very possible from the tractor ride side.  But there were smaller bales on the other side :))  So, naturally, I got to the top, and then she had to join me.  Kayla kindly stayed with the girls and took some pics of us from the bottom.

 Kayla and Charlie

 Charlie and Henlie with the pumpkins :)

 Henlie, Kayla, and Charlie in the Haunted Tunnel

Camile making her way up the hay pyramid :)


 Perspective selfie from the top!

They're so tiny at the bottom!

We made it!
Thanks for the pic, Kayla :)


Waving to people on the tractor ride.

Last on the agenda were the animals again.  They sure love animals.  I made friends with two of the goats and got to pet the kangaroo.  They are so soft :)  The giant pig also got up from his nap to eat a pumpkin.  It was fascinating to watch haha.  Then we said goodbye to Camile, Charlie, and Danica.  Kayla and I were both hungry and decided to stop and get some Cafe Rio.  Mmmmmmm :D (I miss Cafe Rio...and all Mexican food)  We had a grand time talking and looking through the pictures we took that afternoon.

 haha, I love this picture.  They were making silly faces for unknown reasons :)

 Baby Danica took a nap :)




 Pic courtesy of Kayla. (My phone maybe died, and she had to step up as family photog :))

 Me petting my little goat buddy.
Pic courtesy of Kayla :)

 Petting the kangaroo.
Pic courtesy of Kayla.

We maybe forced Henlie into petting some of the animals.
She wasn't too sure about petting the kangaroo...
Pic courtesy of Kayla.

Then it was time to go home and get Henlie bathed and pretty for her pictures!

50 Surprises!  

Posted by Amber

Sunday, Oct. 12th, was my Mother-in-law's 50th birthday.  I have an awfully thoughtful sister-in-law, Camile, who decided we should have a surprise party for her.  We did it the same day as our Going Away Party, which worked out pretty well.  Mom was out of the house so they could all decorate, and then people could come to our party if they so desired, and then head over there :)

We missed the surprise since we had to clean up the clubhouse after our party, but we got there as everyone was going around and sharing a favorite memory or something they love about Mom.  It was so nice.  And made a few of us cry lol.  Then we had some yummy desserts and chatted for awhile until it was time to go home.  It was nice to see more family members who didn't make it over to the clubhouse too :)

Also, all of these pictures are stolen from Camile.  Because I didn't take a single one :)


 Blowing out birthday candles!

 I was maybe a little tired...

 We love our family!
Also, fun side note about comments made in the circle - if some terrible things happen to members of our family, Mom is going to have a lot more kids.
Yes, everyone would leave their kids to Mom and Dad :)
(Including me!)

 Danica, Lynell, Mom, and Darryl

 Me and John

 Ryan and Matt

 Leia helping Mom open her presents.

 Henlie and Kayla

The cutest decor - that "50" is made up of a collage of pictures over the years.

Happy birthday, Mom! We love you! (Also, Henlie now randomly sings "Happy Birthday, Grandma")

Fiesta de Despedida  

Posted by Amber

On Saturday, Oct. 11th, we had a Going Away Party for any family and friends who wanted to drop by before we move.  Great family members helped out with making various soups and chilis.  My friend JoLyn helped bring rolls.  And my cousin Kari made some yummy cookies!  It worked out great, even if the turnout was less than expected.  We did have some friends drop by and family members (mostly from my mom's side of the family, although my cousin Lindsay's family did come down! And of course, Matt's side of the family :))  The kids had a grand time playing out on the playground. (We held this at the condo clubhouse.)  My awesome cousin, Elisabeth, came up from college and took pictures for us so we could have some documentation of who came.  It was a good time with yummy food.  And I was SO glad when it was over. (I had great stress over making sure we had enough soup and things.  It's hard when you have no real idea how many people are coming!)

Really, it was pretty low-key with us just chatting and eating.  So, onto the pictures!

 The two gingers - Eleanor and Henlie

 Party people

 The Brown family
I went to school with JoLyn and worked with Jacob :)
Their children: Hyrum and Eleanor

 My cousins!
David and Lindsay Peterson

 Ryker, Caleen, and Elisabeth Haun.
Henlie loves her Bebbis :)

 Grumpy and Granny Wilson

 Amy Jones, a friend from school/church

 Joel Hood - an old mission companion

 Cousins: Holly and Matt Beardall

 Devan and Kayla Biggs

 Charlie, Jason, Camile, and Danica Biggs
I love how all three girls are actually looking at the camera!

 Matt's aunt Lisa Wilson

 Grandpa and Grandma Covalt

 Kari, Karen, Kristine, and Mike Beardall

 The twins: Kaitlyn and Cambria (don't ask me which is which because I still can't tell), Christine Hutchings, Monson, Angie, and Keanen Farr

Brev, Selah, Melody, Leia, Aria, Ian, Brian, Harmony, and Canon Hadfield

 While we were cleaning up, Caleen, Casey, and Elisabeth played with Henlie outside. 
Bebbis got some awesome pictures of Henlie playing with some of the grasses :)
Here she is attacking Casey :)



Getting Daddy :)