Halloween's coming!

Maybe we're early, but we just can't wait.

Seasons Screamings!

A Tree For Lucy!

I've been wanting to post forever about this but time flew and next thing you know it's almost October.

Our dear friends Sam and Sarah lost their sweet baby girl after three and a half months at Primary Children's Medical Center, in 2004. Lucy was born with a severe birth defect, which was detected at 20 weeks gestation. Although her life was short it had a huge impact on all those around her. In effort to fill the void and honor her life Sam and Sarah have decorated five of the most amazing trees I've ever seen, for the Festival of Trees. I love this cause. All proceeds go to help families with children at Primary Children's Medical Center. Because of the economy they have lost their usual funding and are now looking for any donations to help them continue this tradition.

They have started a BLOG to tell their story. Even if your not sure you can donate I would go and read their story and thoughts. Sarah is an amazing writer and is so honest with her feelings. If not anything else it gives me a appreciation for my children and a desire to not take a moment for granted.

A TREE FOR LUCY

State Fair

I'm not usually a fan of the Fair, yet I still go every year. I have to it's tradition. My mom worked the fair every year while I was growing up. We spent many a days after school there wandering the grounds gathering all the Free stuff we could. This was the first year in many that I really enjoyed myself. Probably because there weren't a lot of people and they had new things to entertain the kiddies.

Kate was scared to death of this clown making balloons for the kids. She sat in the stroller with the awning over her head and would scream if we tried to open it. she did open it a little so we could hand her a balloon.

Checking out the bears at the bear show.

For some reason the kids loved the pigs this year we were there for a long time.

Helping Hands exhibit-Lydia's favorite

The Big Yellow Slide, a must do!

Some fishing

Graysons favorite part- The Alligator Show

6 Months

Clarissa just turned six months. I seriously can't believe how fast it's gone. She is still a really good Baby. She loves to smile and giggle. She loves watching her brother and sisters. She rolls from back to front but not the other way. We've tried solids for a couple weeks. She wants nothing to do with it. (I'm hoping I don't have a repeat of Kate, it took her two months to swallow solids.) We're looking forward to many fun days ahead with Clair, she has a special place in our family.

West Homecoming

Jared was asked to sing the National Anthem at West's Homecoming Game last week. I was nervous for him since it's been a long time since he's done any singing publicly. Lucky for him he sings the National Anthem regularly in the shower. He sounded amazing. I kept getting stopped all night with compliments on how well he did. Most people had no idea he could sing. I think he will be asked to do it again now that the cat is out of the bag.

This is the Place

Last Saturday we had the special treat of joining with hundreds of distant relatives to dedicate a statue of my great-great grandpa at This is the Place State Park. After the ceremonies we had lunch and enjoyed the park. Kate was thrilled to see all the farm animals. She's been really into cows and horses lately so it was a big treat. She was squealing the whole time.

Finally, school begins!

Lydia has been begging for weeks to go to kindergarten. Today her wait came to an end. She is so excited for her new teacher, to be with her friends, and just learn. She has been ready to read for a while but I've been really hesitant to teach her. Hopefully she isn't the class clown like she is at church.

Kate was really upset when she realized Lydia was going to school with Grayson today . She demanded she wear a backpack too.

Grayson started 1st Grade a couple weeks ago. He was really scared. He was worried that the homework would be to hard. So far it's been a breeze. He's been going half-day and today was his first full day. He's a little tired.

LOBSTER FEST

Yesterday we celebrated two birthdays in our family. Tradition is that you get to pick a special meal for Sunday dinner around your birthday. During my drive home from Bear Lake I called my Dad to see what was for dinner. I was starving and stuck in traffic. Dinner was my only happy thought. this is my conversation when I called my parents.

Me: Hi Toby, what are we eating for dinner?

Toby: FOOD!

I already knew what he would say next.

Me: Okay, can I talk to a Human?

My Dad gets on the phone, I can tell he is busy working on dinner.

Dad: What do you need?

Me: I just want to know what we are having for dinner?

Dad: FOOD!

Me: What kind of Food?

Dad: G-O-O-D Food!

Me: Please dad I just really want to know what we are eating, I'm really hungry.

Dad: You'll just have to wait.

Me: Please, I need to know what we are having.

Dad:I'll give you a hint, we are eating in honor of Billy's birthday. That's all I'm going to tell you, BYE.

At this point I know it is going to be good. My Dad only uses the G-O-O-D Food line when he's doing something special. I had an idea it might be Lobster because Billy would always ask for Lobster for his birthday when he was little. I think he only got it once though. I was hoping but didn't want to get to excited.

My dad can be kinda crazy and over the top. When he wants to do something there is no stopping him and he goes all out. So when he decided he wanted to serve lobster for dinner there was no stopping him. He was going to fly to Maine to get them, but after searching the web decided Vegas would be just as good. Yes, my dad flew to Vegas yesterday morning, went to a market and flew home with the biggest lobsters I've ever seen. They were so good.

They were so good. Poor Jared doesn't like seafood and just had a steak.

We finished off our meal with my Dad's Creme Brulee and Chocolate Mousse

Happy Birthday Billy and Shelly!