Wheeler Farm

So last night we skipped the ward party and went to Wheeler Farm in Salt Lake. Mark has been gone a lot and it was nice to just spend time with our family. The leaves there were so pretty. This was a huge Box Elder Tree. It was perfect for climbing.

Ethan and Jake climbing the huge tree.

Ryan is wearing a shirt that says, I'm Grandma's Payback. I told Mark that if he was his mom's payback she must have had an easy time raising kids. He has been such an angel. I am sure once he realizes he has red hair that will all change.











Here are the three boys. I think Ryan looks so big in this picture.

Ethan on the tractor.

Date Night

Mark and I went on a date this weekend with a bunch of the guys Mark works with and thier wives. We went to the cornmaze at Thanksgiving point. I just wanted to do the cornmaze but somehow Mark paid for the haunted upgrade. It was not my favorite part of the night. Here are some pictures from the night. Our camera is a little dirty so lots of spots on the pictures. Sorry. I guess we need to clean it and keep it away from little boys.

Mark is shooting a corn cannon.

Here is the group we went with. From left to right. Dustin and Jeanie, JanaRae and Mark, Cahlan and Kim, Toni and Ryan.

This picture is a little blurry. But just to clarify Mark is posing as the wife. Not his favorite role.

Here is Mark and Me before the haunted maze.I really don't like scarey things. Half way though I had to just hold onto Mark and close my eyes. I skipped the last part too. But I did make it. This is my first haunted event ever! I really don't like scarey things. I am pretty sure I will never do haunted again.

Curtains

Yeah!!! So Ethan and Jake finally have curtains in their room. I sewed these up last night. My Grandma gave me the fabric I was happy that it matched their walls. Can't beat free fabric. It took me about two hours. Aunt Flora we here and helped me make sure they lined up. I was so happy when they were all finished and the plaids matched up. Mark hung these up tonight while I gave the boys their baths and read them stories. I am so happy with them. I have two more windows to make curtains for and then I think we will have all of the blankets out of our windows!

Thanks Grandma Carrie

This morning we got a package from my mom. She just got back from a trip to S. Carolina. She bought these shirts for Ethan and Jake. They love them. They also got these Halloween activity books. Jake has already colored three pictures. Ethan is home from school today since he was sick last night. So it was a good day to stay home.

Emily cut Ethan's, Jake's and Ryan's hair yesterday. I should have gotten a picture of Ethan without the pirate bandanna. I think she did a fabulous job. Its always good to get rid of those rat tails. She even gave Ethan a cute cut. It will be a little more fun to style now. Thanks Em!

Happy 1st Birthday Ryan!

Ryan turned one last Friday. It was such a fun day and I am a little worn out. Ryan is such a party animal. He could barley wait for his big day.

One Day old

One Year Old

They grow up way too fast!

We got Ryan a few presents but it is really quite hard to figure out what to get the third boy. He has all the hand-me-downs he could ever dream of. We ended up getting him a shape sorter. Ethan got one for his first b-day and through all the moves we have managed to lose most of the pieces. I took Jake to DI and told him he could pick out anything he wanted for Ryan for his birthday. He got him a ninja turtle that he couldn't wait for Ryan to open so he could share it with him :)

This is the present Jake Got for Ryan. Ninja Turtle on a bike.

We had a nice little family party here. I'm including a video of Ryan with his birthday cake. I think Ethan's gets a little dramatic towards the end of the video, as if he won't get any untouched cake. He is pretty appalled that we would actually let Ryan do what he wanted to the cake.Ethan also really wanted to have his picture taken with Ryan.This is actually the first time I haven't baked a birthday cake since we have been married. I was at Albertsons on Tuesday. We were getting our free cookie from the bakery and I saw a sign that said they will give your child a free cake for their first birthday. How could I resist. No purchase necessary. So if you have a newbie about to turn one, head on over to Alberstons. How can you beat free!

Here is a picture of Mark reading a story to the boys tonight. I think this is what he looks like at church too. The boys just adore him. Mark thinks I am brainwashing them so they never cry for me. Whatever the case may be, it is so nice to tell Mark "I would take the boys, but they want you!" Honestly if they are being too noisy in church they have to sit by me. What a punishment.

The Basement is Done...

This is Mark. I was going to put a post on here about how our house is haunted but I guess I'll do that when we get closer to Halloween. Anyhow, we finally have our basement finished. When we bought the house there were a few things down there - one was this strange brick work against one wall that looked like a boarded up subway stop. I just assumed it was a portal to the netherworld and that boards are very effective at stopping the creatures who may be trying to come through (I was wrong though because our house is still haunted). There was also a room where someone had probably spent days stenciling leaves on the walls and ceiling. I know it sounds awesome but in reality, someone spent a whole lot of time making that room really ugly. Anyhow, when we decided to do the basement I tore everything down - and much to my dismay there was just a concrete wall behind the boards of the portal. Not a long dark tunnel like I was hoping for. All I did was the demo for the basement- I'm pretty good at wrecking things. Phil - our friendly neighborhood contractor finished it for us. Speaking of Phil, one day little Jakey was asking JanaRae why one of his friends moms name was Heidi. JanaRae told him it was because her parents named her Heidi, just like we named him Jake. Well, Jake thought for a moment and said "Mom, Phil named me Buddy."
Jake also imparted of his wisdom with me a few weeks ago when he said "Dad... when I eat the bug that makes me sick." I didn't want to know how he learned that. Back to the house. Here is the video of the basement tour.

I love conference weekend!

Well I have been so busy canning lately that I feel like I am losing my mind. I will be happy to do my last batch of pear jam on Monday and then I think I am done for the season. Unless for some reason all of my tomatoes get ripe and I can bottle those too.

I so enjoyed General Conference today. It was a nice break from the day to day things that I do. I am always amazed at how well the members of the twelve know and love each other. I have just recently noticed their tender comments about each other before they start their talk. They almost always bring tears to my eyes. I am so looking forward to another day of conference.