Family Photo Shoot

We had some family pictures taken recently in the hopes that we might have something decent to use for our Christmas Cards. Thanks to her do-it-yourself haircut, Saylor was having a terrible hair day, but we got a few cute shots nonetheless. Snow's favorite picture is this one:
He thinks we look "GQ" in it, although I thought only guys could look "GQ". I have to admit I like the unintentional wind in my hair effect. My favorite picture is this one:I think it is a flattering shot of all of us. I would love to hear what you think. I have also included a few honorable mentions. Thanks to my sister's soon-to-be sister-in-law, Kristina, for being our photographer!

Fun in the Fall

Fall is one of my favorite times of year because there are so many fun things to do. I thought I would post about some of the things we have been doing to these last few weeks. Some of the moms in the neighborhood took our kids to a pumpkin patch. It is such a fun place to go. In addition to the kids picking out their own pumpkins, they had slides, cow train rides, sandboxes filled with corn kernels, a jumping castle, a kiddies corn maze, pig races etc. We had a really great time.

My cousin threw a Halloween party this year which was really fun. I haven't dressed up for Oct 31st in years and I think I am a little rusty. I am not sure our Mummy costumes are very convincing (they were however, very cheap!)

Once we had our pumpkins we of course had to carve them. Saylor thought this was great fun, minus the part where you have to dig out the gooey pumpkin guts and I have to agree with her. This must have been an exhausting experience because I look really tired in this picture!Of course we can't for get the climax of Fall--trick-or-treating. Saylor was a mouse this year for Halloween and she LOVED her costume. In fact she wore it pretty much constantly the two weeks before the big night. She looked cute in it and our neighbors agreed because she got lots of treats!

I would be lying if I said that one thing I loved about the Fall was raking leaves. Saylor, however, thinks this is indeed one of the best parts!

I'm a Mean Old Witch

Saylor learned a new song in preschool, complete with actions, and I wanted to share it with you.

Visiting the Witches

Gardeners Village is a super fun place to visit this time of year. On Saturday a miracle occurred--Snow was home with us, and the weather was nice so we decided to take advantage and visit the witches (along with pretty much everyone else in Utah). It was pretty packed, but that didn't put a damper on saylor's enthusiasm for finding all the witches. She especially liked the one that crashed into a building, and the one who was afraid of a mouse. We also decided to let her go to the petting zoo. I wasn't sure what she would think about it--I thought she would be frightened, but after 30 minutes of petting all of the animals, we had to drag her away. It was a great way to enjoy a beautiful Fall day and put me more in the Halloween spirit if there is such a thing!

BYE BYE BINKIE

If I am being honest I don't know who loved the NUK more, Saylor or me. Saylor loved naps and bedtime because she only got her pacifier at these times, and consequently I loved the pacifier. My plan was to get rid of the Binkie before Saylor turned 3 at the end of November, but it was really hard to bite the bullet and do it. Saturday morning we were sitting down to pumpkin pancakes and Saylor was laughing about something and Snow noticed that her front tooth was started to jut out (presumably do to sucking on the pacifier). Right then and there Snow said no more NUK. I had been planning a binkie send off for some time and Saturday ended up being the day. First Saylor helped me find all the binkies and put them in a bowl. We then went to a store and she picked out her favorite colors of helium balloons. Finally we went to a toy store and Saylor got to pick out a small toy that she would get to open after we got rid of the binkies. Saylor "helped" me tie the pacies to balloons and then I told her that she was a big girl and the babies in heaven needed her binkies because they were still babies.. Saylor was so excited to make the babies Happy so she let the ballons fly. We let her open her toy and take it to bed as it was nap time. This first nap went pretty smoothly, but ever since it has been tricky. She remembers that she gave all the binkies to the babies, but that doesn't stop her from crying and saying "I miss my nukie." I think we are over the worst. I am very proud and a little sad that my little girl is growing up!

I am a Domestic Diva

We were fortunate to move into a neighborhood that is really into preparedness, gardening, etc. and over the last couple of weeks I have acquired some fun new skills. To begin with, we planted our first ever garden. OK, garden is a bit of an exaggeration but I did plant strawberries, tomatoes, egg plant, red bell peppers, and watermelon. Not everything was a success, but we have enjoyed garden tomatoes all summer and we wound up with several delicious watermelons. Our biggest and most tasty is pictured here with Saylor. It weighed 24 pounds and I am very proud of it! A friend in my ward also taught me to can. I started out with peaches. They look so pretty on my shelf that I haven't had the heart to open a bottle so I can't really guarantee that they are botulism-free, but I will keep you posted. I started getting confidant so I decided to make and can some salsa. Sadly, it did not turn out as tasty as I had hoped. Apparently you have to stir it a lot, which I neglected to do. The result was that it stuck to the bottom of the pan and it now has an unintentional smoky flavor. I got my hands on some more tomatoes so I think I am going to try another batch. They say if you fall off a horse you should get back on--otherwise you become to scared. I think it is the same way with homemaking skills. If I don't try salsa again soon, I may never be brave enough! Finally--I have learned that motherhood is hard on your jeans. I got a hole in the knee of my favorite and most expensive pair of jeans after playing lion one too many times with Saylor. I tried my hand at repairing the damage myself.

Maybe it is just me, but I don't think my repair is too noticeable. I am very excited about my newly acquired skills. It is really fun to feel a little more self-sufficient. And I guess if we have an emergency that requires that we live off our newly acquired one-year-supply of food--that smoky tasting salsa could be a pretty hot commodity!

Do you need an amazing hair stylist?

My sister, Jan, just moved back to Provo and is now working at the Haven Salon (801) 379-0540; 359 W 100 S Provo, UT. She does fantastic cuts, colors, updos, etc. so if you are in the area and need to update your look you should book an appointment with her!