Halloween

WHAT A FUN HALLOWEEN! We thought it was going to be sooo cold and then it turned out to be a perfect night. We started our holiday out with a piano recital starring Austin, Conner and Nikki. They all played perfectly. Austin was such a great sport to dress up and play at the recital with all the little kids. He was a hit. We always have fun dressing up and this year was no different. We headed to the Wilkeys and had chili and treats for dinner before the kids headed out for some trick or treating fun. Every year the Wilkey's set a big fire up in there yard and all the adults sit around and talk to all the parents of the trick or treaters. Lisa makes hot coco for everyone that comes by. Conner and Nikki got a lot of candy this year. Too much!! Austin and Sidney both went to parties and we didn't see them all night. Around 9:00 pm we headed around to see the grandmas and grandpas. Now on to Thanksgiving!

Big and Little Sisters

This Sunday I told the kids they had to deep clean their rooms. Sidney's room was a mess ( especially her closet) Nikki and Austin quickly cleaned up. Sidney was a little slower with the process. She finally somehow convinced Nikki to "help" her. I found out Sid told Nikki if she cleaned her closet she would give Nikki all her change that was in a shoe box. Nikki worked hard not knowing how much she was working for but wanting to help her big sister out. When all the work was done Nikki happily counted out 14.00 of change while Sidney protested saying she had no idea there was that much money in the box! Too bad for Sidney, she had a very happy little sister. ( actually Nikki ended up only taking about 7.00 because she didn't want to be too unfair)

All the Pretty Girls!

• Jessi was a brides maid for the first
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• time this past August. Shauna got
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• married to one of Chase's friends
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• Derek. They got married in the Salt
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• Lake temple and had a nice
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• reception at Thanksgiving Point.
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• They all had a really great day
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• together and everyone looked
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• great. We are all so excited for
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• Shauna and wish them nothing but
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• happiness.

Nikki's eleventh birthday never ends!

My beautiful, sweet, kind, helpful, smart Nikki turned 11 this past week and what a celebration we had! We started out her birthday eve with a showing of Thriller with all the girls. The next day was her actual birthday and I checked her out for a birthday lunch at Red Robin and some clothes shopping. Friday was a friend of hers birthday and they went to cornbelly's and played all night. Saturday was her friend party at Color-Me-Mine. Monday night we celebrated as a family at Brick Oven. Then last but not least today Wed. her best friend Kirsty and her mom took her to build-a-bear because she had missed her color-me-mine party! No one is better than getting more out of a birthday than Nikki. She is already talking about next years celebration!

Fall trips to Park City

Every fall since the kids were tiny and we could afford it, we have gone to Park City on a fall trip. We play at the Alpine Slide and enjoy the fall colors. We always end up on Main Street in Park City eating at the Pizza and Noodle Company. Yummy Yummy! They have the best cheesy garlic bread you will ever taste! We also always have to end the day with a little outlet shopping and of course.....a carmel apple from the "Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory"

Biking up South Fork

I have discovered a LOVE of road biking. Out of the three tri sports I really like biking the best. It doesn't hurt my feet like running and I'm not fearful of drowning. Nothing is more fun than biking up the mountain knowing you get to come down at the end. It reminds me of all the hard work in life we do to enjoy the ride! The Southfork ride is 13 miles up from our front door. It was a little cold this October afternoon but so fun. I'm glad I talked my better half into going with me today. It was a great cheap date (until we ended up going to Magelbys for dinner when we got down) Good thing I burned so many calories. That Magelbys carrot cake is sooo tasty!

Conference Camping

We have made a tradition of going camping over conference weekend. We really enjoy each other all weekend and listen to a lot of conference. We played football and motorcycled. It rained hard all night and we did not get the best night of sleep but it was really fun! I am surprised at how much our kids love camping. Everyone of them, except Jess ( who is really busy with her fiance) including Sidney loves to camp and always wants to go. We heard a lot of great talks but the one all my kids really remember and enjoyed was Elder Hollands testimony of the Book of Mormon. He bore a very strong testimony and it was a blessing to hear. We drove home Sunday during the morning session and after big breakfast.