A very berry Berry Birthday and family filled Thanksgiving - November in pictures

Berry turned three in November!  She is sweet and sassy and knows just what cute things to say to melt her mom's heart.  She is our early bird, night owl, and candy thief.  We love her!  She loves Strawberry shortcake and wanted a birthday cake to reflect it.  We had lots of fun making the cake!

Happy Birthday Sweet Berry!

We began a playroom makeover back in May and while it was finished most of the summer, we didn't get a picture until now.  We removed the built in desk (that came with the house), painted, and added shelving.  It is much more playable!

Before

After

At Thanksgiving we were fortunate to travel to Utah and Idaho to spend time with both of the grandparents and many aunts, uncles and cousins.  Everything about the trip was wonderful except... NO SNOW!!!  We were all a bit disappointed that it will be a year without white stuff.  The weather was actually quite lovely for the north and we enjoyed being able to be outside without freezing.

In Utah we enjoyed seeing family, attending a community production of "Beauty and the Beast" visiting a museum, and an evening out with some of Fisher's siblings.  In Idaho, we ate a delicious Thanksgiving dinner and played snowless football.  The little girls organized and recruited the whole family to put on their own production of Beauty and the Beast.  Grandpa Duck (Belle's father) and Uncle Jason (Lumiere) were unforgettable!

Wahoo!  Here we go

"Be "Our Guest"

 

Take a bow

Spud loves Oma's swing

Autumn leaves

Cousins at the Zoo

Grandpa is so fun

Flight home was very delayed an all are exhausted

October in Pictures

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 These two best buddy cousins get into lots of T R O U B L E!  Above they are overflowing the sink and splashing the water all around - Sorry about the bare bottom!

 Cousin reading party

 Triple chicken fight

 We did a double photo shoot with Shar and I taking pictures for each other.  Laid back, fun and lots of cute pictures!

 Fisher and Spud took a weekend fishing trip to Idaho and the girls and I partied!  We visited The Pioneer Living Museum with some other friends, played at an awesome park, and rode in a carriage.

 Mormon Helping Hands Day - Our LDS Stake traveled to Yarnell to provide community clean-up and improvement.  Our ward improved the local park.  Fisher and I were in charge of building a planter box bench underneath an old mine cart.  Berry and Spud both exhausted themselves with all the hard work!

Friends - Mindy, Shannon, Christine

Finally complete!

All tuckered out!

 We had lots of fun helping with a fundraiser for a friend.  Many talented people worked hard to create a pretty cool Haunted House.

 Carving Pumpkins - Lou's is Grandpa Lovell

 Super Girl and a mouse

Happy Halloween! 

Garden Ornamentish Theme - Gnome, Pink Flamingo, Hillbilly gardener, Mouse, and Toadstool... and a wandering Gypsy

Spontaneous September

We had a few fun outings in September and one spontaneous trip.   On Labor Day we stopped at Fisher's work and played on the giant bungees then I took the girls to the Science Center.

 We went on our annual ward camp out to Wolf Creek.  Spud loved it - dirt every where!

 Finally the weather started to hint at becoming pleasant again and the kids could play outside. Fisher built this tree swing last spring and it is being put to good use again.  These two little munchkins are a dynamic duo.  Keep a close eye on them!

 Mid September, I took a very last minute trip to Idaho.  Several factors contributed to the trip.  A few weeks earlier, dad had suddenly become ill and finally was diagnosed with Stage 5 renal failure.  The diagnosis came just days after we had been visiting and with school starting and other responsibilities it was not practical to go back and see him.  We knew we would be back in October for my sisters wedding so we hoped to see him then.  Then, after lots of prayer and contemplation, Paisley realized that she could not marry her fiance and best friend of four years.  It was heart breaking and when I heard the news, I knew that I needed to go see her and my dad.  Within an hour all the arrangements were made and within 12 hours, I was on my way to Idaho with Spud, Berry and my friend Miiko thankfully coming along to help drive and to visit her son in Idaho.  I would not have been able to make the trip without Fisher's help and encouragement and the help of Shar and other good friends who took care of Curly and Lou. 

We drove 15 hours in one day, stopping in SLC for dinner with Fisher's parents.  The short visit was wonderful.  It was sad to see dad so sick and Paisley so sad but I am so glad that we could be there to try to spread a little cheer and comfort. It also so happened that my good friend Jill was visiting her family and I was able to see her (we hadn't seen each other for a few years). 

K-Rae and Jeniel came up from Utah to spend time with us also.  We spent the time talking, listening, going for walks, eating yummy food and crying a little too.  Miiko cheered every one with her great attitude and some stellar hair color jobs.  I feel so blessed that I was able to go and grateful for my good family.

 

August and (eventually) everything after

Here is a quick August wrap-up (I know it's almost Thanksgiving but my goal is to be caught up by Christmas)

School started - Curly in 3rd Grade, Lou in 1st.  I love that they can eat lunch and play at recess together.  They are good buddies.
 

 

My Grandpa Woodbury turned 90 in August and I was able to fly back up for the special occasion.  My brother Nathan was there from Florida and my cousin Nicole from Virginia.  It was so wonderful to spend time with lots of family! 

Berry turned the blender full of green smoothie on and got a nice shower! 

 
Our girls take family outings seriously - Curly got all decked out with matching belt and heals, not to mention her pooch in it's carrier. 

 
Neighborhood ginormous slippin' slide!  All the kids loved it!  But I think Spud loved it most.  He is fearless! 

 
If I attempt to lay on the floor even for a minute, I am attacked by these two cute munchkins and it's time for "Superkids!" 

 

Summer wrap up - Utah

Lake Family Picnic at the Park

A Day at Herriman Reservior

The Oma Sleepover

Shane turns 1!