Julia's Birthday

My Julia turned the big 9.  I don't know how it is possible I have a nine year old but it happened.  Bryan woke up early and made her waffles with berries and blueberry syrup.  Julia is NOT a morning person much like her mother.  On the other hand Audrey IS a morning person.  I wonder if you could get that from the following picture.

 This Julia is such a pretty little gal.  I made her pose for a few pictures before she set out on her day.

 First she ate her delicious breakfast.  It was so nice of her dad to make it for her.  I think she felt pretty loved that morning.

 It was a half day at school and so nana and papa came up and took her to Build a Bear.  She got spoiled beyond belief.

 This dang build a bear even came with roller skates.  She had the best time.

 They gave the girls each a crown.

 The two sisters that tagged along each got a little prize too spoiled little stinks.

 Audrey told me that morning she didn't mind that it was Julia's birthday because that meant she was probably going to get a prize as well.  She wasn't wrong.

 Julia requested a steak dinner and papa made sure it happened.  We snapped a couple of pictures before heading in to the restaurant.

 This restaurant was all decorated for Halloween and it was so cute and fun.

 They brought Julia a special dessert with a candle.

 She came home to her present from mom and dad.  She had definitely outgrown her old bike so this new one has been lots of fun.

Safe to say she had a wonderful day.  At nine years old Julia...

Loves tacos, spaghetti, hamburgers steak and vegetables
Does not love cheese, especially melted cheese
Loves to read.  We have a recliner up in our office and she is often curled up in it with a book.
Loves art.  For her birthday she received a sketch book and she draws a detailed picture every day and dates it.
Enjoys movies very much.  The highlight of her day is when her homework and piano practice are done and she can unwind with a good show.
Loves piano and I am so happy with how much progress she is making.
Is a great help watching her sisters when I need help.  I think she is going to be so much help when the new baby sister comes.
Makes friends easily but is having to navigate the perilous waters of the occasional mean girl.  Thankfully it doesn't phase her much.
Has a very vivid imagination and still loves playing with toys and with her sisters.  I'm so glad she still loves those things.
Loves to run and be outside.
Catches on to things very quickly but gets very frustrated if it doesn't come so quick.
Is a very kind of loving girl and we are so lucky to have her as our oldest.

Pumpkin Patch 2014

Moving to a new area always means trying to figure out new places to make traditions.  Luckily we found a very fun pumpkin patch that was sponsored by our financial group so it was totally free!  Double score!  I guess that's what you get for buying a new house.  It was pretty crowded but the girls still had a great time.  It was a beautiful night.

 They had some great slides everywhere for the kids to play on.  We really enjoyed watching them bounce from activity to activity.

 These three girls make life so much fun.

 They watched a pig race.  They were all excited about it and everyone gathered round but it was a bit anti-climatic.  The pigs weren't as aggressive racers as I think everyone was hoping.

 We braved part of the corn maze as well.  The view from the tower was quite amazing.

 At this point Julia was a bit bent out of shape because the line to go and pick pumpkins was a mile long and we already had pumpkins at home so we decided not to wait in line.  She was torn because she didn't want to wait in line but she did want more pumpkins.

 Thankfully the slides and activities distracted her out of it eventually.

 These two held hands and went down this slide countless times.

The Fall

It has been the most beautiful fall this year.  We have spent lots of time outside and the fall leaves were just beautiful.  We went on a great walk this day.  

A great thing about moving to Utah is it seems that lots of people come here to visit and therefore come to visit me!  My friend Monica was in town and drove all the way to my house so we could spend some time together.  It was so great to catch up and I feel so fortunate to have such wonderful friends.

 These kids have all grown up so much.  It was fun to see them play together.  They got along SO SO well.  I think they would have played for hours had they been given the chance.  There was lots of silliness going on.  I loved it.  I knew all these kids as babies.  I remember watching little Aiden when Monica had to get some things for newborn Sofie and I remember going to the hospital when she had her Audrey.  Time goes so quickly and I'm so thankful for those years in Ohio that we could all start our families together and be there fore each other.

 After school one day I just had to take a picture of the girls with the beautiful leaves behind them.  I didn't realize that the leaves went so pretty here.

 We took the girls to a volleyball game one night for fun.  I was shocked at how much they enjoyed it.  Lily was just really excited about the mascot.

 Bryan's nephew Dustin was baptized in October and Bryan was on call so I went and took the drive to Wyoming by myself.  Thankfully my dad was also by himself so he made the drive with me.  We went and visited the old house and barn where my grandpa lived and where my dad grew up.  They have refurbished the old barn and made the area into a park.  It had been 12 years almost to the day since my grandpa had passed away and it was particularly sweet to go and see the place where he lived and worked so hard.  My grandpa was the salt of the earth.  So hardworking, genuine and the best judge of character.  He knew people and animals better than anyone.  It's amazing that even after 12 years I ache for one of his big bear hugs, to come home from church to him peeling potatoes or for one of his delicious breakfasts of bacon, hash browns and eggs cooked in his little egg pan.  We adored him.  I miss him all the time.

 It was fun to bring the girls here and reminisce with my dad.  He pointed out where in the barn he used to have a basketball hoop and practice, where his cousin Jerry almost set the barn on fire, where they would gather eggs in the old chicken coop and the old fire pit that was built with rocks from every single state.  I think the girls enjoyed it as much as I did.

 Isn't it beautiful?  I think my grandpa would be pleased that they preserved it.  He really loved this land and the valley.  I can see why.  The views were so beautiful.

 They had some old farm equipment the girls played on.

 Seriously can you believe that view?

 They were having a golden wedding anniversary inside so we were able to slip in for a minute.  It is so beautiful.  They did a great job restoring it.  My dad said this was mostly full of barn owls back in the day.

 My sweet Lily.  The leaves were so pretty there as well and thankfully for the girls there was a fun playground they could enjoy.

 Lily is just a little bit too young to start preschool so I try to take her to story time each week at the library.  She enjoys it.  She gets a little timid but really loves it when they blow bubbles at the end and puts a stamp on her hand.

 Here she is enjoying the bubbles.  It's fun to watch her.

September

We made a trip back to Idaho to pack up our house.  It was exhausting work.  Luckily we squeezed in a little time to see a few friends.  Audrey misses this sweet Olivia so much.  

 Though we moved in September it stayed warm enough for us to go swimming a couple of times before we winterized the pool.  I still can't believe we have a pool.  I never in my life planned on it but I think it is going to be something we absolutely love and use all the time.

I got Julia signed up for soccer and she had such a fun season. They had a little bit of a rough start but then they didn't lose a game.  Her team really hit a rhythm and they were such fun games to watch.  Julia also showed a great deal of improvement and was able to make a few goals.  I think that the concept of the game finally clicks around this age.

 Their team was the orange crushers.  She had a great coach and a great team.

 This is the view from my bedroom.  We have a little office off of the master bedroom and the view from the window is so incredible.  I have really enjoyed living in the mountains and being able to see them every day.

 This girl lost her first tooth and was so excited about it!

 We went to a work function for Bryan and they had professional balloon creators and face painters.  The girls were in heaven.  On top of that they gave out cotton candy and popcorn.

 I was so impressed with the face paint.  I was genuinely sad when they had to wash it off after returning home.

 Julia's even came with a real jewel.

 We go on lots of bike rides and walks and I just can never get over how beautiful it is where we live.  It feels like we are so secluded and in the mountains.

 With the beautiful mountains and tress unfortunately we get a few critters as well.  Bryan found a tarantula on his way home from work and brought it home for the girls to see.  He left it on the counter and I have to admit it completely freaked me out.  That thing was huge!  I have also found some rather large spiders living in my house.  I think an exterminator may be in our future.

 My dear Uncle George came up for a visit and we were so happy to see him.  He came and visited our home here in Utah and we were able to have dinner together.  His only complaint was that our house had way too many stairs (which it totally does!)  We also made a trip to Wyoming so we could eat his delicious short ribs (well pork ribs since my mom accidentally got the wrong kind).  His cooking is the best and we were so happy to see him.  I am sure he was overwhelmed with all these grandkids but they sure do love him.  It was great to have such a fun visit.

 My girls lived in the backyard this September.  We caught lots of snails, praying mantis, ladybugs and other creepy crawlies.  I tell you what they are everywhere here!

 It's so nice off of our deck.  We love sitting out there.

 This Lily is just getting so big on me!  I am glad she is still too young for preschool though.  We have a great time hanging out together during the day.  I feel like these years are so fleeting and I want to enjoy the time I have them all to myself.