October 21

I came out of the dark ages and got a new cell phone since my other one broke.  I LOVE it!  I even have text on it....okay and a lot more than that.  I've been snapping pictures like crazy with it though.  When I downloaded my pics it also downloaded my wallpaper.   Yes.  That is my wallpaper on my phone.  Eric liked it too. 

October 20

Our Halloween masks.  I know - scary - aren't they? 

October 19

Perhaps my favorite part of the night was when we were walking back to the car.  It was at least a mile or more, and Cade started complaining.  We decided to tell him ghost stories so that he'd be distracted from walking.  He got pretty upset.  It wasn't because they were scary.  No, he clearly told us "Rrrr.that's just dissapointing.  I don't like it."  We tried to explain that most ghost stories were disappointing.  He still wants to know what was in the box.....but only the nuns can know............

October 18

Despite hating the flash from the pictures.....I think the boys really had fun.  I'm glad I have a few pictures of this family night.  It was the perfect fall evening and we really enjoyed ourselves. 

October 17

Since our outing was somewhat impromptu - it was kind of late.  It got dark pretty fast, but we still had a great time together.  We ran down the boardwalks until Eric suggested that wasn't such a great idea since there was no railings and high soupy marsh and grassess right off the edge that David would get lost in.....I'm glad I have someone who thinks about the safety kinds of things like that.  It never would have occured to me. 

October 16

It's a bird, it's a plane.... or er.....it's Eric with the rain at a bird preserve.  For family night we went to this incredible Great Salt Lake Bird Preserve place.  I should really figure out its real name.  It is just a couple of miles away from our house.  How I've lived here two years and never discovered this place is beyone me!  It was incredible.  I ran around it on my 18 mile run, and had to go back the next Monday and show the family. 

October 15

These are my awesome piano students.  Seriously - these kids have a TON of talent and they work hard.  I think they all really enjoy music, and it makes such a difference. I've really hit the music jackpot with this group of kids.  They are insanely talented and it makes my job soooo much fun!

October 14

Of course David did not want to cooperate for the recital.  He wouldn't even wear his costume.  Poor Eric had to spend the whole time with him outside screaming about how much he wanted a candy bar like all the other kids.  (Problem....I left the candy bars at home, and ran and picked up just enough for my students - I didnt get any for my kids because hey, now they had 9 full sized candy bars at home for them.....bad mistake.)  I also forgot half my costume.  I was supposed to be decked out in binoculars and a safari hat.  Considering the kind of morning I had though, I'm just glad that I made it through.   I started running with a few girls in my neighborhood.  I had been running outside by myself for a few weeks here and there, and one morning they saw me and invited me to join them.  The next week - they invited me on a long run.  I've never run more than 13.1 miles, but I said I'd come at least that far.   I ended up going all 18 miles with them and felt fantastic!  I was even less sore than when I ran my two half marathons.  It helped I had experienced runners taking breaks every two miles, and it is amazing what a power bar can do for your system!  So I ran 18 miles, went to the church for our primary program practice, picked up 12 pizzas for the primary, and then ran to my recital.  No wonder why I forgot a few things......

October 13

This year Cade begged to be a part of my Halloween piano recital.  I really think he is too young to have one on one lessons, but I didn't want to squash his interest.  He picked out a piece called "Shout Boo."  I taught it to him by rote whenever he was interested, and we played it as a duet.  I have a video of it - but you can't hear a sound on it, because David was screaming the whole time......I'll have to try it again.  Cade did a great job, and it was fun for us to play together.  I had to keep explaining to my students and parents that even though his piece sounded really hard - he learned it by rote - not  by reading.......It was a good first exposure to piano for him though.  We'll see if he stays interested or not - but I'm decidedly not going to push.  If he wants to play great - but I'm not forcing him.  I've had one too many miserable students who didn't want to be there.  I won't put any other teacher through that!

October 12

I have no idea what this little guy is supposed to be, but it was an awful cute picture so here it is. 

October 11

It was Davy Crockett Cannon that won the big prize for us this year.  2nd place and free tickets to the Gateway Discovery and a bucket of other stuff.  Yeah!  I guess it pays to be little and cute and wear dollar store vests and guns :) 

October 10

Cade snagged free hot chocolate with his Abe costume.  He was sad he didn't get more because the beard was pretty itchy.  He liked all the haunted trails, though. 

October 9

Indiana Jones and Abraham Lincoln.  (a.k.a. Spencer and Cade)

October 8

We went to the Night of the Living Dinosaurs again - for the 3rd year.  I won a free hot chocolate for my "costume" - I guess it pays to be festive!

October 7

And thus concludes our trip to the pumpkin patch.  For the record - no we did not get to meet the great pumpkin.  I'm very disappointed indeed. 

October 6

How to pick a perfect pumpkin like Spencer:  Say I want a big one.  Walk around for a reasonable amount of time.  Claim your pumpkin and say okay.  Spencer is such an easy going and fun little boy.  He is a sweetheart.  He is definately WAY less intense than my little boys and was a joy to have around for a few weeks off and on. 

October 5

These guys really do love each other.  The top picture is my favorite by far. 

October 4

If you have ever tried to pull out a camera with three kids in tow you might realize that the second you do - they all want a turn with it.  (I guess only if you are moronic enough to let them do it once, and then they beg for it every time thereafter.)  It makes for an interesting mix of picutres - and some of my mini photographers arent half bad.  Spencer kept getting better with every picture!

October 3

How to pick the perfect pumpkin like David:   Be giddy with excitement.  Claim opposition to the group.  Everyone wants a big pumpkin?  Okay, you want a little pumpkin.  Go over and find the tiniest greenest little pumpkin ever and smile super big because you found exactly what you wanted.  Hug mom because you are sooooo happy with your find and don't let mom persuade you you need a better pumpkin. 

How to pick the perfect pumpkin like Cade:  Wander around and around and around and make sure you are the last person to get the biggest pumpkin.  Make everyone on the hayride wait for you just so that you can be sure you have the best pumpkin.  Try not to irritate your mom.  Do it anyways.  Finally get a pumpkin that is too big that your mom can't lift it.  Ask for help.   Be the last person back on the hayride with the biggest smile and of course the best pumpkin.  

October 2

We went to Day farms and picked out some pumpkins.   It stopped raining and the sky was something else.  It was perfect pumpkin picking weather.   Be prepared for a patch of pumpkin patch pictures. 

October 1

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the fall.  It is my favorite season.  I missed it for so many years when we lived in California.  For whatever reason, I even love it better than Spring/Summer.   Maybe its because I can go outside and be comfortable.  I love wearing a jacket - not a coat - and not a swimsuit.  I'm happy in a jacket and walking on crunchy leaves.   This month we had Spencer - my nephew visit lots while Becky was in the hospital.  The cousins had a lot of fun together.