Pumpkin Patch

October is always such a busy month for us with face painting at Schnepf Farms. This year I made a resolve to take a break from it and actually take my family to it and enjoy it ourselves. I'm so glad we did. We created some fun memories there.

We had a nice BBQ chicken dinner. We even got to go on a hayride that took us out to see the baby reindeer. The reindeer would come right up to the fence and eat out of your hands. They loved it!

Here is our family pose at the beginning.

I told Ameliah to try to pick up the pumpkin. Too cute!

My handsome little guy liked the carousel. He asked to ride it several times.

Here they are watching the pig races. I thought they would love it, but it didn't hold their attention.

This is right before the Spooky Train Ride. I didn't realize how scary it would be for them. They were both terrified! They literally had people with costumes and masks running toward the train. Not recommended for small children.

Ameliah said she wanted to ride a real horse. It cost $5 and they walk around in a circle. They kept stopping to let other kids on and off, so really I paid 5 bucks for her to sit on a horse. I regretted it until she told me later that night that it was her favorite part.

Ameliah's First Parade

Ameliah takes a dance class that her Aunt Tracy teaches. Her company is called Dance Addiction and I think there are like 80ish girls from ages 3 to 14 that she teaches. Ameliah has loved being in a dance class and asks a lot if "today is dance class". She had an opportunity to be in 2 parades and I got to be with her on the float. It was so fun to watch her perform. She loved it too!

Isn't she just a doll? Alys took this picture of her and I just LOVE it!

She loves to pose for the camera.

Here is us lining up.

Alys took this one, too and it is another favorite. Look at that smile. Can you tell she loved it?

She didn't even do the choreographed dance for most of it. I think she was to excited. When she stopped doing it I just whispered "Just smile and shake your pom poms and they will all love you." She did that for a while and then said "Mom, are they loving me?" I said "Yes!" and I wasn't lying, they did!

Our 1st Camping Trip

I got to take the kids camping for the very first time. I was sad that Todd couldn't go, because he had to work. I went with my parents, Scott and Tracy's family and Jodi and Shephard's family and Ken and Phoebe's boys. We camped somewhere near Strawberry.

Here's me and Cannon. Notice how he is trying to get away. He had no time for photos, he wanted to play.

Sisters! Jodi, me and Tracy.
The kids dug around in the dirt and got so dirty. Tracy cleaned them up before bed time and the towel was black with soot!I caught Jodi licking the spoon that they used to make the peach cobbler. Busted!

Here's Papa making the cobbler in the dutch oven. Papa spent almost the entire time setting up camp and feeding us the most delicious meals EVER!

My little diva loves to strike a pose!
Miranda, Ameliah and Kinley playing in Papa's trailer.

I brought this little bench that also turns over to make a little table. The kids loved it.

We sure missed our Daddy, but we had a good time.

Ameliah's Birthday

Ameliah turned 4 in August. She asked for a butterfly cake and I was going to make her some super cool butterfly cupcakes that I got from one of Sherri's many cookbooks. Unfortunately, I did not have the time or money to do that so I just made cupcakes and we put them in the shape of a butterfly. She loved it and didn't know the difference!

She is so funny about the number 4. She knows she is 4 and what it looks like and sees them EVERYWHERE now. The funny thing is that she knows a lot of other numbers, but since that's how old she is, that's what she looks for. She does the same thing with the letter A. Whenever she sees one she says "Look Mom, that has my name on it!" I have had to explain several times that just because it has an A, doesn't mean it says Ameliah.

Lake Trip

This summer, before I even got called to Young Women's I got to go on a lake trip with the youth. We took 60+ boys and girls from the ward and like 6 boats and went to Canyon lake for the day. I had so much fun!

Here is a picture of McKenna, me, Tracy and Kenny on the boat.

This is me wake boarding for the first time EVER! I wasn't even going to try because I wanted to make sure all of the kids got a chance (and I secretly thought I would embarrass myself). I finally decided to do it and I got right up! I laughed and loved every minute of it! I'm so glad I went!

Debbie's Home!

Debbie came home from her mission to Tampa, Florida in July. We were all so excited! Julie's family came from Idaho for all the festivities. Here is a picture of Ameliah and Riley waiting. They are such fun friends.

Julie made masks for everyone to wear. It was an inside joke because Debbie was sick when she came home. It was funny because what Debbie had is not contagious. Julie drew little mouths on the masks. We wore them up on our heads while we were waiting.

Here is a sister shot while we were waiting. L to R: Me, Tina, Julie, Cindy, Heather.

Debbie with our family.

Another sister shot.

Man I love these boys!

Todd and Debbie. We were so glad to have here home. We only had a few weeks with her before she went off to school and got married (but that's another post).

He's my favorite!

Cannon's Birthday

Cannon turned 2 in July. Here is a picture of him at Grandma's house after her opened his present from her.When I went to visit Sherri at Tulip Time, I copied this alligator idea. I thought it turned out great.

Mom Conover liked it so much, she had me make it again when Debbie came home.

We had a little swim party/BBQ that night.

We are here! We are here! We are here!

Hello!

Don't know if anyone still checks my blog since I haven't posted since JUNE! Wow...can't believe it's been so long! When we moved our computer started to go on the fritz and I can't it to even load my blog.

We are all alive and healthy. We have had lots of fun since June and hopefully I can get around to blogging it all soon! I still don't have a good computer for it, though, so I'll do my best!

Catching up with the Conovers...

I realize that it has been a while since I have posted, so here's what we've been up to...

Todd and I had our 5 year anniversary. It was hands down my favorite anniversary so far! That night Tina helped me get ready for my date by doing my hair and make-up. My honey came home with flowers for me and took me on a date while Grandma Conover and Tina watched our kids. We had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and had a great time talking and laughing. Then we went to see Angels and Demons (I was excited to see it because I read the book). Then we came home to this...
While we were on our date, Tina and Mom hung these fun hearts above our bed. They also spread silk rose petals all over our room and white balloons and lit tea candles. It was a very romantic setting! We could tell that they put a lot of thought and effort into it, and we really appreciated it.
Jeff had seminary graduation...


...and high school graduation where it rained the entire time! We had a good time, though and we were glad we went! Congratulations, Jeff!

Todd's baby brother is the tallest one in the family, taking Todd's title.

We have fun going to Kinley's house. The kids like to play on the jumperoo with Kinley's Arial sprinkler. Ameliah thinks it's swimming and often asks me "Mom, can I have a swim?".

"Muscles!"

Somewhere amid all of this, my parents came home from their mission to Ecuador. I can't believe it, but I forgot to take pictures. It has been so fun to have them back! We have had some really fun family gatherings/parties and it feels just like old times.

We are currently in the process of moving. We had been debating whether or not to buy another house, but decided to just rent for a year while we pay off the van and our last credit card. We rented a cute 3 bedroom condo on Higley and Baseline. We have most of our stuff in and we are really enjoying it. The kids have their own rooms and love it. I put Cannon in a toddler bed and he just thinks that is so special. He actually likes his bed and his room and when I put him to bed he STAYS there ALL NIGHT! Woo-Hoo!

While I was packing the neighbors irrigation flooded the backyard and I let the kids play in it. I remember playing in the irrigation as a child and I loved it. Wasn't that the best? Here he is dancing with Jeff on the tramp. In the picture below this you can see the sogginess of his diaper. Don't worry, though, he didn't let it slow him down!

I discovered yesterday that both my kids have the chicken pox! They were both vaccinated and they both got it anyway. Cannon only has 3 pox so far and Ameliah has 2. Neither one has complained about them. The only complaint they have is that we don't get to go anywhere.

We have been so busy that I don't remember if there is anything I missed.