Birthdays

Kylie turned 10 back in September and Spencer just turned 7 yesterday. He called it his "special birthday" since it was on October 7. Having got in at midnight the night before, I was really tired and didn't do anything too special for him, but I think he still had a good day. We didn't have a lot of school work to do since it was a short week and he really enjoyed his presents which included a neat bow and arrow, so I guess it turned out all right. This is Kylie's birthday cake she helped me make. I love how she always knows exactly what she wants. I don't even have to ask any questions, I just follow what she says. (Of course it's easy when I love chocolate and oreos so there was nothing to talk her out of. :))

Opening presents. Her big present was a ferris wheel for her little dolls.

Wow! I can't believe she's 10 years old! There's something extra special about your oldest child.

Spencer saw this cake on the internet and wanted to make it. Luckily it was very easy. I enjoyed making it with him while Thomas was only allowed to watch. The girls had to stay out of the kitchen so that it would be a surprise. :)

Girls' Trip Out West

Last Friday I went to Utah for my brother's wedding. He wasn't getting married until Tuesday, but I went out early to go to General Conference. My family goes every 6 months and ever since Kylie turned 8 I really wanted to take her and join them. I was thrilled that Brady decided to get married only a few days after General Conference so that I could fly out for both. Since both Kylie and Madalyn are over 8 and can go in to the conference center, I brought them. And Kaitlyn too of course. It was a wonderful trip!!! We got to do so much in only 5 short days. Madalyn on the flight out. Kylie was too sick to be in the picture. Poor girl. She couldn't read, draw, play hangman, or eat any of the snacks. And she had brought some fun stuff to do and eat. I was worried about how Kaitlyn would do, but she was great. Never even a squeal. She just ate, slept, and played. As soon as we got there we went swimming in the hotel pool. That evening my whole family went to the Bountiful temple with my sister and Brady's financee, who were going through for the first time. It was a great experience.

Kaitlyn meeting my dad for the first time. They were so cute together watching the afternoon session in the hotel. Saturday morning we went to the conference center but I don't have any pictures of it.

Kylie and Madalyn during what they call "the pizza night." They had so much fun staying up late eating pizza with all of us, but especially with their two little girl cousins. They were certainly silly!

On Sunday morning we headed down south. Our first stop was visiting Nathan's grandma in Sandy. It was fun hearing stories of her life including one where her classmates put the outhouse on top of the school.

Our next stop was in South Jordan. One thing the girls really wanted to do was stop and see the Jordan River Temple where our family began. Kylie kept telling people in an awed voice that "Mommy hasn't seen it in eleven years."

We spent Sunday watching conference with Nathan's brother and his family in Springville. The girls had a blast with their cousins, but the pictures didn't come out so great. On Monday we went to Provo. The girls were excited to see the Provo Temple where one of their aunts was married.

We walked around BYU, seeing buildings I had classes in and telling them stories of some of those buildings. We bought the rest of the family a souvenir from the BYU bookstore and then went to eat lunch at the Cannon Center. It's changed since I was there, but that's where Nathan worked when we dated, so I wanted them to see it and experience the thrill of being a freshman and also all-you- can- eat. It was super fun and the girls took so long I thought we'd never leave.:)

From Provo we drove up the canyon to Evanston, WY, where one of my sisters lives. We went to the middle school where she teaches and the girls had fun playing with these mechanical babies that the students take care of for a weekend. They really do cry when they need to eat, be changed, burped, or rocked. They were incredible.

Kylie rocking her baby.

Going for a walk with Aunt Rish. It was beautiful. I loved all the fallen leaves and crisp air.

Tuesday was the sealing of my brother Brady in the Logan temple. It was beautiful and I'm so glad I got to be there for it.

I suspect these pictures were taken by my 5 year old niece because they were right after ones taken of her making silly poses too. I remember Kylie asking for the camera, so I think they enjoyed it. :)

Wednesday we flew home and found all was well here. Nathan took time off work to take care of the 3 kids left at home. They had a good time together going to the park and Sonic and putting up Halloween decorations.