September

We started off our September up in Pine Valley laying Sod at the Cabin!  It was a full days work but is so awesome to have all finished up.  We had the best little helpers--- Andrew, Lincoln, and Norah.  

 After it was all finished, the cousins had fun playing with each other and eating their "fruit Bacon"(fruit leather).

 Later that evening, Nana gathered all her hardwork from the garden and we had a Harvest Milk Can Dinner.  It was yummy.  We gathered a bunch of veggies, put them in a milk can and let it cook.  Then just dumped it all out.  I think we all approved.

Other happenings throughout the month.

Lincoln started Pre-school at Miss Janae's Little Patch of Heaven Montessori Preschool. He goes twice a week. Tuesday and Thursday from 9-1130.  He loves every minute of it. 

 Erica and her cute family were in St. George visiting for a conference of Nicks so we invited them to go to the Rodeo with us.  It was fun and a bit crazy with the 4 little kids but I love spending time with them and always love to see them.  Don't you love our group picture? It was the best we could get.

 We were all looking forward to Swiss Days at the end of the month.... we love watching the parade as it goes right in front of our house. But that Friday of Swiss Days the rain decided to come--- and come--- and come some more. Needless to say there was no parade. Major Bummer.

 My good friend, Whitney Blake and her family were down visiting from Idaho Falls that weekend. We were going to watch the parade together but instead we headed to a dryer place- Jumpin Jacks!  Lincoln was timid and didnt want to do stuff by himself.  He had to have Adam go with him on anything that was big. Norah on the other hand wanted to try and do everything by herself. Although she is too small to climb up most of the slideso n her own.

 I always love hanging out with College Besties!

We also made a quick FHE trip up to Nana and Pop's pumpkin patch in their Pine Valley garden to get us some pumpkins!  Norah thought she could drive us there.  We found lots of great looking pumpkins. Both Norah and Lincoln loved finding all the pumpkins-- all shapes and colors. 

AUGUST!

After a busy busy July, August seemed pretty low key.  We did start out the month by going down to Las Vegas for the Wittwer Retreat. We went down on Thursday night and went to the "Knights of the Round Table" show at the Excaliber. It was a lot of fun especially for the kids and the 'Eat with your hands' food was actually pretty tasty. It was tomato soup, potatoes, broccoli, biscuit,we each got a whole cornish game hen, and then a fruit pastry for dessert. After the show we walked around the strip just a little and then headed to our hotel, SouthPoint.  The next day we had meeting and activities for the kids all day.  Dinner we ended at a Mexican Rest. there with all the Wittwers.  After eating some of us went down to the pool to swim.  Lincoln had a great time. Sat. morning we swam a little more and then headed to the outlets for a little shopping before we headed back home to Santa Clara. Another Wittwer Retreat complete!

Our trees in our front yard are huge and were taking over everything. You couldnt even walk down the sidewalk without hitting them so we thought it time to trim them up. Pops and Uncle Tim(who was visiting from Texas) was nice enough to help Adam out! 

We also had a fun work weekend in Pine Valley. While the adults (well mostly Adam and Tyler with help from others) put together the swing set.... I tried to keep the kids entertained a bit by taking them on a nature scavenger hunt. They loved finding old animal bones, turkey feathers, garbage , and other things on their list.  

 Then they came back to Otter Pops.

 Here are Tyler and Adam near the beginning of the whole process. It took all day--- like 6-7 hours. It looks awesome now that it is all complete and the kids love having somewhere to play.

 We loved having the Thorleys in town for a couple of weeks!  Claire and Lincoln always have a good time together.

 Channing and Lincoln trying out the place house while we are putting on the roof.

 Of course there always has to be Rhino Rides!

We also helped Nana and Pops pick, shuck, and eat corn! Norah was in corn heaven! 

Other random happenings. 

Lincoln was in time out--- and a few minutes later I found him sleeping like this. 

 We bought new shoes (punky brewster) for Norah and she is obsessed. She is constantly getting them and bringing them to us to put on.  It is too cute--- and we put them on her even if they dont match.

 I couldnt find Lincoln and Norah so I went searching and found them behind their chair in their bedroom and they were playing 'Go Fish' together... well mostly just passing cards back and forth.  I think Lincoln was trying to teach her how to play.

 One day Lincoln was playing with his car mat and I came in and he had taken all his cars and lined them up for the drive-thru at McDonalds. haha. I guess that was the place to be.

 These kids are just too cute to not take pictures of them.

Lincoln likes to hug---- or strangle Norah.

 Sharing Ice Cream with Norah!

 Lincoln learned how to take pictures with our phones.  So this is one of his first ones and he did pretty good.  He now takes hundreds at a time and they are usually of the carpet, ceiling, or really anything up close.

Misc. JULY

Here is our day to day July......

Norah is always getting into her shoes, socks, bows and trying to put them on.... She was pretty proud of what she accomplished with these two headbands.  

 So our tire swing has def. seen better days and really only one of the tires is even safe to swing on, but it didnt stop the kids from having fun on it.

 Lincoln is still obsessed with water..... the hose, the dishes, cups of water. Really anything(except when it is time to wash up and wash his hair in the bath).  He loves to help me do dishes!

 Some days as a Mom look like this!  Lincoln had been playing with his cloud dough that is in a contained container.  He is usually really good about keeping it in the container because I tell him I will take it away if he gets it all over. Well--- I was not paying attention and the silence brought me into the kitchen to a huge mess of cloud dough flour all over!! Norah had joined in on the fun and was having a great time.

 We started to have peaches!! Yay... my favorite fresh food and time of year. Thanks to Pops for always keeping us stocked.  Norah doesnt seem to mind them either.

 We went to the splash pad a couple of times but it gets so hot here in St. George that you have to go at like 9 in the morning so you dont get fried and burnt out by the sun.  Lincoln and Norah always love when we go and especially meeting Andrew there.

 Lincoln found Norahs old chair and decided he could it.  He sure did---- nice and snug.

 Lincoln and Norah are always looking out the window waiting for Dad to get home!!