Happy Halloween

Our "Haunted House"

Gus Gus wasn't sure what to make of all this dress up stuff. It took me longer to fashion the ears and cap than he actually kept it all on. If he looks a little worried in the pictures it's because he thought he saw that mean old cat, Lucifer, in the bushes. It's tough to smile when your nemesis is lurking about. Cinderella, on the other hand, was so excited about Halloween this year. I think she was sure that if she knocked on enough doors, Prince Charming would surely answer. Alas, all she got was a bunch of candy. Isn't that all you really need? It's good to get a reality check, even at five.

Cinderella and her Gus Gus

Not the Wicked Stepmother.
Wicked at times, yes.
Stepmother, no.

Ready, set, crawl!

Austin has been working his way up to crawling, and he finally perfected it today. Watch out world (and Brenna's toys) here he comes!

Hook 'em Austin

Austin got all decked out in his "Go Horns" finery to help Daddy root the University of Texas on to a victory over the Oklahoma Sooners. About mid-way through the 2nd quarter, Austin couldn't take the stress of how poorly the offense was playing, so he sacked out on Daddy's chest for a bit. He did wake up in time to see the Horns prevail.
Thanks to Mimi, Grandad and Nana for providing the game-day gear.

Painted Pumpkin

When you don't want the mess of pumpkin carving, you do the next best thing - pumpkin painting. Brenna did the color work and Grammie handled the details making it one of the most unique painted pumpkins I've ever seen.

Grammie and Pumpkins

The first weekend in October, my Mom (aka Grammie) came for a visit. We went in search of more fall color this time on the east side of the Valley. The Sundance Resort was our destination and it did not disappoint. We ate lunch in the Foundry Grill and took a lift ride up the mountain to see what we could see. The colors were beautiful and the weather wonderful.


The next day of Grammie's visit we went to a local pumpkin patch. Brenna got right to work firing up the old John Deer tractor to get us out into the field.
Next she painstakingly selected her pumpkins and placed her prized possessions in a wheel barrow. Many pumpkins were given the once over and found wanting.

She even consented to pose for a "formal" picture.


This is what Austin thought of the pumpkin patch.

Bum Scooting Baby

Austin decided that being placed in one place and being expected to stay there is no longer acceptable, so he started scooting on his bum. At first it was very subtle. You'd turn away and suddenly he had moved just enough to know that something was going on. Now he really has some moves. Thanks to his diapered bum, my kitchen floor has never been cleaner! This video clip shows his scooting skills, his new arm wave (wax on - wax off), transitioning from sitting to all fours and a special appearance by Jennie.

Falling for Fall

The last weekend in September, we took a drive up a road in the mountains behind our house. The road was paved for about 3/4 of the trip and then went to dirt and rock. Brent and Brenna were very excited to take the Jeep "off road". Brenna kept asking if we were "off road" it was very akin to "are we there yet?"

As we made our way up the mountain, we saw some wonderful bursts of color.

At the top of the trail, we were rewarded with sweeping views of the Salt Lake Valley and the Bingham Canyon Mine. If you've ever wondered what the terrain is like in mountains behind our house, now you know.

Of course there were pictures of the kids! I just decided to make you wade through the scenery before I showed them to you. It was worth it wasn't it?

Utah State Fair

In late September, we went to the Utah State Fair. This is the 2nd time we've been to the fair. The first time we went Brenna was too young to enjoy any of the midway rides and let's face it cows, sheep and pigs only go so far. This year after the requisite visit to the animal barns, she took on the midway and I'm pretty sure the midway lost. There weren't many rides that she wouldn't ride and many that she wanted to do over and over again. Thank goodness we purchased an unlimited ride wristband; otherwise the midway would have surely broken the bank.

First ride - all by herself - did it 3 times.

Cobra roller coaster? I eat snakes for breakfast.

Yes, she's the one in the front with her hands up in the air!