Carving Pumpkins and Trunk or Treat

 The kids love to carve pumpkins and usually Patrick helps them but since he is gone.  I got to do it this year.  Usually I draw the line at one pumpkin that is complicated but we did four.  The kids did most of it by themselves with Mom assistance.  They had a lot of fun doing it and I tried to be a patient mom. 

Tristan's Spider

Mariah's cat scene

Mikayla's Bat/Pumpkin

Dillan's Owl

 During the snow storms this past week we had our trunk or treat...it never fails if Patrick is gone over Halloween while we have been stationed in Utah it snows.  All three years previously, well this year it was a week early and on trunk or treat but we still affected trick or treating so I am counting it.  Of course Halloween night is supposed to be a high of 70 so I'm not complaining that it got warm again. 

Dillan the Viking

Tristan the Ninja

Kayla the Butterfly Princess

Weekend Get Away!

Mississippi Lock

I got to go spend a 4 day weekend with Patrick in Iowa/ Illinois on the Mississippi River.  It was so fun to spend time together and enjoy some of the sites. I didn't quite know what to do with myself all by myself and no obligations, kids, schedule, etc.  I read all the books I brought, watched more TV than I have in a long time and no car to feel like I needed to go anywhere.  I really had a relaxing time, plus the best part was seeing Patrick.  

Patrick on the Mississippi River

Melissa in front of Antique Archaeology Shop

On the History channel there is a reality show called American Pickers and their shop Antique Archaeology is in LaClaire, Iowa just 15 min from where Patrick is deployed to, so we had to stop by to see the shop.  Of course Pat had me watch a few episodes prior to taking me to this cute town... Some of the stuff in the store was stuff we saw them "pick".  To check it out here is the website:  http://antiquearchaeology.com/
 

We went to the Buffalo
Bill Museum in La Claire, Iowa. It had lots of artifacts on the local area history and a few things about Buffalo Bill since he was born there. 
It had a old paddle boat used on the Mississippi River till 1960 when it was deemed unsafe to operate any longer. 

A local house that had a antique shop in it...we had to take a picture of the purple lion. 

Over the River and Through the Woods to Grandma's House We Go!

 Kayla, Tristan and Dillan picking apples in Grandma Potter's backyard. 

We spent UEA weekend at my parents home in Price....the kids picked a lot of apples for an entire day.  One of the highlights is walking Grandma's dogs.  The kids love Daisy and Dozer. 

 Grandpa Potter took us jeeping up to Pinnacle Peak...you have to be from Price to know where that is.  :)  Over all it was a very relaxing and fun weekend.  And the best part it was free other than gas!

Happenings in September!

Brigham City Temple

 We attended the Brigham City Open House with my sister Wendi and Grandma Potter.  It was really neat to see the temple and have that wonderful experience with my kids. 

Dillan, Tristan, Kayla, Grandma, and Mariah at the open house...it was really sunny and hot that day.

 We also went to the Alpine Slide in Park City one Saturday after all the family had left.  We didn't know what to do with our selves after traveling for a month and company for the last week of August.  So we went on a adventure up the canyon. 

Kayla liked the fast track

Tristan liked the slow track

Mariah, Dillan, Kayla at Park City Resort

 At the end of September I was able to accompany Mikayla on a 4th Grade field trip to Red Butte Gardens by the University of Utah...it was 20 years ago this September I started school there.  Oh the memories as we drove past all the familiar places. 

 Hiking in Red Butte Gardens and the fantastic views

 Kayla and her hiking group at Red Butte Gardens...they were looking at classifying vegetation and animals.  It was funny how excited they got over "scat" ie animal poop. 

And one last picture of me and my new shoes....it has been years since I got new high heels so here is the proof. 

Just like being Home!

Our first stop was our old neighborhood...our cute neighbors the Haggerty kids

I forgot a few posts about our trip this August so here they are:
Since we were only 7 hours from Ohio this summer we decided we better go visit our friends.  It was an awesome trip, just like old times.  My kids loved see all their old friends and neighbors....most will be moving in the next year or two so it was so fun to get to see them.  One thing about being in the military and having lots of military friends you are bound to meet up somewhere along the way moving all over the US. 

Mason Nash and Dillan...they had found kitten on their farm and were taking care of them. 

Mariah and the Noel's kitten

 It seems lots of people had kittens and my kids begged for one on the way home but no way am I adding to the craziness of one cat who doesn't like other cats and one dog.  Sorry kids one cat and one dog is all this Mom can handle. 

Tristan, Sadie, Esther and Kayla...we stayed with the Noels.  This was our second duty station together...so long time friends.  It was hard to leave them last year.

 Hanging out at the Haggerty's...we had the most awesome cute neighbors.  Little Emma broke her toe. 

 Kayla loves to play with Emma...such a great helper.

Molly Braun and Luke Haggerty.  He was a baby when we left and look at him now all grown up.

Molly Braun and Tristan...my kids loved to play with Molly and Ethan Braun.

Mariah and Sister Lounita Howard her piano teacher

Evelyn Barnes and Mikayla, we stayed a few nights with the Barnes also.  It was so fun seeing all our friends.

 This is our last day there in Beavercreek...saying Goodbye to the Noels again.  It was a tough day!  The kids were very sad to leave again. 

We only left her for a second REALLY!

 My cute niece chasing the kitty under my van...We had to pull her out!  The cat was safe and sound.