Halloween activities

We enjoyed a visit to the pumpkin patch:

Anna won a prize at the ward Halloween party for being the "hot doggiest."

We had some sick kids on the day of Mary's Halloween parade, but we bundled everyone up and pushed them in the stroller anyway.  She was so excited to see us at school.

 

We had a blast at the family Halloween party.

And neighborhood trick or treating was a hit.

 

 

Anna's birthday

Here is our beautiful five-year-old Anna:

We had a lot of fun on her birthday.  Gwen and Naomi came over for a little party.

Anna was in heaven because she got a big Lalaloopsy doll and a little one.

 The kids helped make a crown cake like their cousin London had for her birthday.

 

 

 

Sarah thought Anna's birthday tutu was for her.

Four smiles!

It's a lucky shutter-button push that captures all four of these kiddos with a smile!

Joy school

Anna was very excited to start the neighborhood joy school again this year.  She didn't want me to take  a picture of her (she enjoys being contrary), but I sneaked a couple as she knocked on the door the first day.  Our sweet Anna is growing up so quickly!

First grade!

We just took Mary to school.  She is so excited to be a first grader.

Mary and Naomi on their way to class after the flag ceremony:

 

I am going to miss having my little friend home.

Austin's birthday

We can't believe our little boy is already three!  Austin loves to slam dunk in his new basketball hoop.

He also loves his new train table.

 Austin decorated his Thomas cake with Thomas the Train fruit snacks.

Grandma Luke also made Austin a birthday cake at the cabin.

He got a big kick out of all the attention.  We love this little guy!

Cabin trip!

We had the best family vacation last month at the cabin.  The kids had so much fun digging in the dirt in their new cowboy hats.  I love that the kids are getting old enough to really get to know their cousins.

 

Sarah got lots of lap time.

 

 Anna and Mary loved playing with these babies.

We watched a bear eat her dinner.

 

 

The kids loved going on walks to pick flowers.  These flowers were growing pretty close to a buffalo in Yellowstone (see the background in the second shot).

  

The kids waited patiently for Old Faithful to erupt.

 Grandpa made a fire so we could roast marshmallows.

We got to see Mindi and her kids on the way home.  Thanks, everybody, for some great memories!