lately ...

It is crazy how time flies.  Suddenly, our beautiful summer days are over, fall made it's short but spectacular debut, and winter is knocking at our door in the Teton Valley.  I can honestly say I have never lived anywhere that is as beautiful as our new home.  The leaves all around us are the most amazing fall colors and we have loved soaking up everything that our town has to offer.  I just wish it were a little closer to civilization!

We definitely lived it up this Summer.  We had so much fun playing outside soaking up the

beautiful weather.  No humidity!  We played at every park in the area, went on lots of hikes, 

and picked fresh raspberries at a local raspberry patch.  It was the best!

This summer, we also visited our family a ton and the kids had so much fun getting to 

know their cousins again.  It is so nice being closer to home!

I even experienced my first Eastern Idaho State Fair and it sure lived up to it's reputation!  

Donut burgers anyone?  How about chocolate dipped bacon?  Not doing it for you?  Yeah - me 

either!  I went with the classic fair corn dog and it didn't disappoint!  Hayden was just happy 

playing with the carnirats at the carnival.  Good thing I had some hand sanitizer in my bag!

Speaking of Hayden - Here's a little update on him.  If you can tell from the above picture and video, he got stitches ... again.  Surprise!  We always joke that he is extremely daring, but also extremely clumsy! This beauty happened while riding his bike.  He somehow made contact with the drain grate on the sidewalk and his bike stopped, but he kept on going.  Luckily, Nate is an expert seamstress and sewed him up at the dental office.  11 stitches - That's how we roll!

Hay is also super into building forts and we frequently have one set up in some area of the house.  

He also turned 4 yesterday (yes, 4!) and we had a blast celebrating.  Post to come.

As for Cora Jane, she is a sweet as ever (except when she's not, which is happening a lot more lately!).  She is little diva one second, and then my lover bug the next.  I don't know what I am going to do with that girl.  Thankfully for all of our sanity, she is almost 18 months and will be visiting the nursery in our church next week for the first time.  

 Cue the Hallelujah Chorus everyone!

This video is really old, but must be documented.  It is of Cora's first steps and then how she progressed over the weeks to follow.  Now she is no longer walking, but running everywhere.  Where does the time go!

For remembrance sake - she crosses her feet every time she sits down.  It is my favorite!

Overall, my kiddos are doing really well.  They love our new home and 

are so excited for the snow to fly ...  again.  

The last weekend of September was Nate's mom's birthday and they treated us all to a fun weekend 

in Salt Lake.  We had family pictures taken, went to the play Mary Poppins (which was fabulous) 

and then we took the kids to Temple Square for the first time.  It was such a great weekend and

 ended much too quickly!

The Family History Center has a darling new children's exhibit that our kids loved.  

I swear, we did the Latin dancing exhibit for hours.  It was great!

We also had a freak snowstorm a few weeks ago and although I was totally freaked out, Hayden thought it was the greatest think since sliced bread.  We went out and built our first  (but definitely not our last) snowman.  Thank heavens it was all melted by noon!

Last week we went to my Aunt Sally's darling pumpkin patch and the kids loved it.  The train was definitely the highlight and all Hayden wanted to do was ride it over and over.  I imagine we will be back again before October is through if the kids have anything to say about it!

Ha - She didn't love me trying to take her picture!

Overall, life has been so good to us lately.  We feel blessed to have such an amazing home and job and be close enough to family to see them often.  We love our weekly day at Papa and Mimi's and are starting to really feel at home here.  I can't believe how blessed we are and I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for continually blessing my sweet family.