Jazz practice facility

Ava with Bria

Dennis' "Angry" Eyes

 

Mr. Angry Eyes

Poor Dennis! Why he ever listened to me when we came to a fork in the road I'll never know! My sense of direction is always backwards.  We wanted to go to Sundance and ended up on some desserted dirt road with potholes big enough for hippos to wallow in.  Dennis had just cleaned the car and it was just getting layer upon layer of a nice fine dusty soot as we drove and he kept mentioning it.  He was getting so uptight over it that I pulled out the camera and was going to shoot his "pouty" face. Of course he started laughing and it took forever for him to give me his "angry" eyes;) He really is funny when he gets upset.  Sometimes we just love to tease each other to see that little fire that keeps things interesting:)

Kids on the Alpine Loop

 

 

 

We found the brightest red tree at a pull-out and snapped some photos of the kids (and Daddy). We sure do love this tradition of driving through the canyons in the fall and looking at the amazing foliage.  The kids love to find leaves (you'd think they were treasure with how excited they get over them;) to take home.  This year the colors were especially vibrant which is unusual with how dry it was this year. It really is one of the prettiest years I've seen here in Utah.

Alpine Loop

 

 

Sunday, after the Temple Dedication, Dennis asked if we would like to drive the Alpine Loop and see the fall colors.  (Everyone in Utah County had the same idea-I've never seen it so busy!!) Well, we stopped at this one overlook at a huge valley and decided to take some pictures of the kids. Ava started doing a silly face and I told her to stop but then Dennis said that we should let them do a silly one.  And it's my favorite!! As they all started their faces, I looked over the camera and said something to Eli and he gave one of his cutest smiles.  It looks like he knows what the others are doing and thinks it's hilarious. I really do love the silly one the best!  (Daddy's do know what's best sometimes;)

Baby GQ

 

 

Okay, the first picture is more like a deer caught in the headlights but the second is more like it.  I spiked his hair in the front just like the big boys do and Jake grabbed the camera. He is such a little doll!

Brigham City Temple Dedication

 

Here are our three oldest sons the morning before attending the Brigham City Temple dedication.  It was wonderful to go as it was the first time any of us (except Dennis) had been to a temple dedication.  I took Brad and Jake to the 9 am session and Dennis and Ethan went to the 12 pm session.  I really was overwhelmed when we sang "The Spirit of God" together.  When we came to the words, "Let Glory to Them in the Highest be given." I was completely overcome.  I can't describe the feeling I had only that I wished I could have fallen at Their feet at that very moment. It was such a beautiful experience for me!

Our Littlest Cougar

 

Baby Boy needed a jacket as it's starting to cool off now so I saw this at Walmart and decided to get it.  I should have picked the one that had the zipper because he hates it when I try to put this one on him.  It's kind of a tight fit over the head and shoulders so he lets me know just how he feels every time it's jacket time:) "What beautiful eyes you have!" thought the momma when she saw these pictures!

Ethan's 16th Birthday

 

I don't think our boy's 16th birthday was all that fun for him but in our defense it did land on a Wednesday.  He just wanted a couple pairs of jeans and for us to fix the Focus so it wouldn't shake when it went above 60 mph.  I also fixed him a nice dinner and little Ava wrapped one of her stuffed animals for him.  He wanted the pudding layer cake that Grandma makes so I made that for him too.  One of his pairs of pants were way too long (even though they were the exact same size as the other pair) so we took them back and he decided he would rather have that money for itunes. Typical teen-aged boy I guess:) I can't believe he will be soon blessing the sacrament as a Priest, driving, and dating!!! This can't be happening to our little family yet. Dennis and I are not ready!

Preschool for our Girl

 

This is Ava's first and only year for preschool. Since her birthday is in November she missed the cut-off for kindergarten this year.  She is going to "Jujubee Preschool" and loves her teacher, Miss Julie.  Miss Julie is in our ward and taught elementary until she became a mom.  Her nickname as a child was "Jujubee" hence the name of the school.  Ava absolutely loves it and was so ready to start!

Eli Eats his first Baby Food

 

Our baby is now eating veggies and fruits along with his cereals.  He is so big now and just a couple of days ago got his first bottom tooth. I really can't believe how fast he is growing!

Ava knows Her Worth!

Dennis shared an experience he had with Ava just last week. They were driving in the little black car and Dennis was looking at her through the rear-view mirror. He then asked her, "Ava, why are you so beautiful?" and her response pierced him when she said, "because Heavenly Father created me". I really hope all of our children feel this and their testimonies will continue to grow. I know there is nothing that helps our self confidence and worth grow more than knowing, absolutely knowing that we are Heavenly Father's and He loves us!!