Fall Day at the Park

Backyard Camping

playing in our tent video

On Friday we had a backyard camping trip!  We've talked about doing this for a long time and this was probably the last weekend to do so.  It was 68 degrees and it looks like we'll be having cooler weather from here on out.  Glad we got it in just in time!

 so proud he put the tent together

Tony wasn't able to get off as early as he hoped so I decided to be brave and put up the tent myself.  Half way through I gave up and then realized the poles were in and the wind was blowing it everywhere.  I had to keep going! Charlie was my helper and held the stakes and directions.  He was so proud we "built a tent" together.

Next we hung around and waited for Dad to get home!

 Charlie bringing his overnight bag with books, stuffed animals & pajamas

Joey bringing a lightsaber...just the necessities

When dad got home, he & Charlie chopped firewood while I got dinner ready.  We opted to wait to start the fire until Joey was in bed.  I could barely keep him out of the firepit without a fire in it!

 

 Hot dogs for dinner--woot woot!
 

 After dinner we played in the tent with flashlights & read stories, jumped on the trampoline & looked at the stars.  The boys were worn out!  We came inside for a potty break, teeth brushing & to put Joey to bed.  Joey and I would be sleeping in the house.   Joey needs to be contained in his crib in order to fall asleep!

After Joey was down we started the fire!  We were making s'mores the Paula Dean way: roasted marshmallow in between two chocolate chip cookies.  Oh my, these were so good.  Way better than regular s'mores! 

You would have thought we were going to Disneyland--Charlie was SO excited to sleep outside.  I could tell he felt so special having a night with just he & his daddy. 

ready for bed!

Camping in the backyard, with little kids, is definitely the way to go.  We were able to use our bathrooms, Joey slept in his crib, I got to sleep in my bed :), no packing up food in coolers, we were able to eat breakfast inside--it worked out great!

Temple Trip

   ready to go!

Friday we achieved our goal of going to the temple 4 times in 2012.

  The day couldn't have been better.

 on our way

We had started asking if anyone would watch the boys while we went, but then decided we should all go together.  We have been talking about temples, as a family, and knew that this would be a good experience for us to have together.  I'm so glad we brought the boys with us.  It was probably a small miracle, but they were so good the whole time. 

 

Something neat about this trip was that we were finishing up the work that Tony's sister gave us.  Tony did the endowment for John Gibson and sealed him to his parents afterwards.  That family's work is completed now.  What a great day for them! 

"Mom! I'm peeing in the grass!"

 

We left with just enough time to get there.  We didn't want to get up any earlier than we had to!  Good thing we didn't stop to take Charlie to the bathroom somewhere because we pulled up to the temple at 10:10. Tony needed to be in the 10:20 session for us to both have a turn in the temple (the last morning session is at 1PM and the next is at 6PM)  We made it just in time. 

While Tony did his work, the boys and I hung out at McDonald's and Target.  We came back to the temple and set up a picnic just before he came out.  We had lunch for a little bit and then it was my turn to go inside. 

The boys played on the temple grounds while I was inside.  It was a beautiful 86 degrees outside.  Tony took some great pictures!  Looks like they had a great time....

 

Thanks to the 7-11 next to the temple, everyone got a slurpee for the drive back.  That definitely helped Joey get back in the car without a fight!

We stopped in Tulsa at Freddy's for steakburgers and frozen custard on the way home.  I think this was the best time we've ever had at a restaurant together.  I usually cringe at the thought of going out to dinner with the boys, but the place was loud and the boys could let off a little steam without interupting anyone else.  The food was awesome and they had fry sauce!  I haven't had fry sauce, at a restaurant, in years.  This will definitely be a tradition spot when we take the boys to the temple with us. 

Joey had a huge knot on the back of his head.  The more I tried to comb it, with my fingers, the fluffier it got.  His hair was sticking out at least 6 inches.

We were a ragged-looking crowd from being outside & in the car all day.  Luckily we'll never see anyone there again :)   

The drive home was quiet.  Joey was calm and Charlie happily watched Toy Story 2. We pulled in just after 9pm and had the next day to relax. I'm so glad we went on a Friday!

 

I can't help but laugh at Joey's face

I'm grateful for temples. They strengthen my testimony and make us stronger as a family.  I can feel the blessings from going long after we have been. 

Until next year!

Happy Halloween

 Halloween Joy School Style

 Charlie, Danny, Ellie & Clara

poor Bri was home with the stomach flu

Halloween was so much fun this year! 

 We had activities all through out the day.  We had a little joy school party in the morning.  The kids decorated little pumpkin pizzas, searched for toys in slimy noodles, had a candy toss and did some crafts.  The kids loved getting in their costumes to "party!" 

 Two pirates--Best buds

After naps we headed over to Daddy's work for trick or treating.  We got there early enough that we didn't have to deal with crowds.  The kids walked from person to person completely in heaven.  I don't know who had more fun--Charlie or Joey?  Both boys had a great time.

We hadn't finished the candy trail and Charlie was complaining about his bucket being too heavy.  How can your candy bucket get too heavy?!  I carried it for him and with it 3/4 of the way full it actually was pretty heavy.  We decided it was probably time to head home once carrying the buckets became a chore for the boys!

 Charlie & Charlie Brown

 On our way home we picked up a jack o'lantern pizza.  We had a coupon/picture of it in the mail and Charlie thought it was the best thing ever.  So of course we had to get one.  He wanted a piece "with an eyeball" for dinner.  Well, until he had it on his plate and the eyeball (olive) grossed him out :)

 Halloween plates--thanks mom!

 There's a seasonal plate obsession going on at our house

We went neighborhood trick or treating once it got dark.  I was planning to stay home until Tony talked me into going with them.  I wanted to go, but didn't want kids to not get candy from our house!  I put our candy bowl out and thankfully kids didn't steal all of it or the bowl :)  I'm so glad I went because it was one of those nights I'll always remember.

Happy Halloween!