Halloween

I love fall. I love it when the weather cools down and the leaves fall. Halloween isn't necessarily my favorite holiday, but the weather change makes me look forward to it. We have never carved pumpkins before, they just make such a mess. The kids really wanted to this year and honestly I have really relaxed over the past year or so. (I think four kids will do that to you) So we took the kids and let them pick out a pumpkin and let them bring them home and carve them. Some how I got pictures of them carving them, but I didn't get any pictures of the finished product.

The girls wore indian costumes that my mom, my sister (Dana) and I wore when I was younger. They looked so cute. Carson was so excited to be a BYU football player. We even took him to a game this year to help him get into character.

Preschool

I am one of those moms that loves sending my kids to preschool. I have avoided preschools at home because that means I have to take my turn teaching. I love being able to drop them off and know they are learning and having a good time and I can run my errands and pick them up at the end. This year I had some wonderful moms want to put something together and I just couldn't resist. These three boys have such a great time together. Carson counts down the days until the next class.

The Fair

We have mixed feelings about the state fair at our house. It is so much fun to go down and walk around, but fair time means that we don't see Joe for the week. This year was actually better because he had several employees that helped out. Hallie always has her birthday during the fair so we go down and spend the day down there. The kids had so much fun on the trampoline things and in the petting zoo. Grace was a trooper and slept through the whole thing.

Back to School

I have mixed feelings about the girls going back to school. On one hand the house is so much quieter when they are gone, but on the other hand I loose my helpers and I miss having them around. They both have wonderful teachers and are so excited to go back. Madilyn is in the 1st grade and has a new teacher this year, Mrs. Mejia. Hallie is in the 3rd grade and her teacher Ms. Bird has taught 15+ years.

I look at these pictures and I just can't believe how big they are getting. They are both growing up to be such wonderful girls.

End of summer party

This year we decided to have some friends over for an end of the summer party. Not really something to celebrate, but I look for any reason to have a party. We had a BBQ, went swimming, jumped on the trampoline, and just relaxed and visited. We are so lucky to have such wonderful friends.

Bear Lake and LOTS of Blakleys

Grace and Grandma Blakley

Blakley cousins

Playing in the hot tub

These four girls are all the same age - so fun

Grace and Grandma Wikle

Over the 24th of July weekend we had a family reunion at Bear Lake with Joe's Family. We stayed in a beautiful cabin and had such a great time. We got raspberry shakes, went out on the boat, played in the hot tub, and ate and ate and ate. The kids had the best time. They have such fun cousins. The adults played a game of "Minute to win it" and I don't know if I have ever laughed so hard. I am so thankful to belong to such a wonderful family.

My 30th Birthday

I turned 30 this year. YIKES!!! It was a wonderful birthday as usual. I went to lunch with the girls (I have the best friends). When I got home Joe and the kids had blown up 30 balloons and had written things they liked about me on each one. I loved reading each one and they made me feel great. They also made me a birthday hat out of balloons that was about 5 feet wide and at least that tall. We took some pictures, but I refuse to put them on here. Let's just say they all got a good laugh at my expense. Anyways, it was a wonderful day and here's to many more.