Emma & Connor

I couldn't resist posting this darling photo of Emma & Connor who fell asleep in the car on the way to Grandma's house. :)

Random October Madness

As you may have noticed, I haven't been much of a blogger lately. Instead, I've been spending time making memories with my kids--but how will we remember them if I don't capture them somehow, right? So here is a random collection of pictures of some of our events in October.

First, on our way to Salt Lake to show Emma the temple we stopped at an all-American buffet, Golden Corral. She really enjoyed it (of course the other kids did as well).



We also got to take a tour of the conference center, which we had never done before. Other than the cold, I think the roof was the highlight (see previous post with temple pics).



The girls had to try out their Halloween costumes as soon as I brought them home from the store. Shaylee was a tiger and Emma was a cat--too bad you can't see their tails!


Aspen and Connor and I have been enjoying storytime at the Lehi Library every Tuesday morning. Not only do they read great stories and encourage the kids to memorize poems and give fun homework activities, but they also play fun games like Aspen here with the giant parachute.

Connor is truly my book-a-holic--are you surprised?

Aspen and Connor enjoyed decorating jack-o-lantern cookies courtesy of our neighbor Rebecca.

They especially enjoyed eating them!


Hey good looking, what you got cooking? Connor in the witch's cauldron.

Shaylee is a master of self-portraits:

She even includes others in her professional work:

Aspen and Connor are always a big help with household chores. They especially love to rake leaves and then jump in them!



Fall fun at the park before the snow came.

Emma's Choir Concert

Emma joined the brand new Westlake Choir, and they had their first performance in October. It was all 50's music, and they did a great job. Emma loves to sing and has beautiful voice.

Newport Beach

In October, we decided to take a trip down to California to visit Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Pearson during fall break. Of course, the seven of us don't fit very well in their condo, so they graciously allow us to stay at the beach house and then we stopped by their place for lunch and a lovely visit before heading back to Utah.

Emma could not believe we were driving down (all seven of us) in one car (luckily it was a Suburban) with all our stuff. But we fit, and we made it. Dennis and I are big fans of driving all night so the kids sleep most of the way. We get there at 2 or 3 a.m. and then we sleep for a few hours until morning. Works well.

Shaylee actually drove until St. George on this trip, and she is truly a good driver. Once we hit St. George, however, she was done and mom got to take the late-night shift. Ugh. The kids were pretty happy in the car:

The beach!

One morning was pretty foggy, so Dennis and the younger three enjoyed a playground on the beach while I took the older girls shopping. :)





Great Grandpa Pearson giving loves to Aspen & Connor.

Great Grandma and Grandpa Pearson with the kids.

Great Grandpa & Grandma Pearson with our family (if Aspen looks a bit grumpy it's because the poor thing was sick all the way home, but she was a trooper!):

Salt Lake City

What would a trip to Utah be without a tour of Temple Square in Salt Lake City? On October 5, we took Emma to Salt Lake to tour the conference center and Temple Square. She even got to spend 30+ minutes with Mandarin-speaking sister missionaries while the kids and I explored the visitor's center. What a trip! Dennis, as usual, took some beautiful pictures.

Grandpa's Farm

Would a trip to America be complete without a trip to Grandpa's farm? Emma enjoyed seeing all the farm machinery, the cows and other animals, and, of course, a ride on the four wheeler.

Aspen enjoyed playing with Alicia & Jonathan's new kitten.