Sept. 2015 fun

I love the fall season. Mostly, I love the cooler air and the beautiful scenery which fall brings.  All week long I dream of being in the canyons. They look like candy to me. They are beautiful, peaceful, and full of adventure.  We've been going on weekly hikes-- and hope to continue them until the snow kicks us out! During the last week of September I took the kids by myself up to Donut Falls.  I picked Reece up from Scouts and had 2 1/2 hours to be back home and ready for a date with Spencer.  I thought that would be easy.  We got up to the trailhead and I went to text Spencer to let him know which hike we were on and realized I had no cellular service.  I felt bad-- but not enough to turn back and go to a place where I had reception. The kids and I did the almost mile hike up to the falls with ease.  Once we reached the falls the kids were let loose and enjoyed climbing the rocks and trying to find ways to cross the little stream.  Benson climbed up a steep rock ledge and then couldn't' find his way back down and across the stream. He was scared but it proved to be a good lesson for him. I hope my boys learn some life skills while on these hikes.  Nature can teach us many things. 

As we headed back down the path suddenly three of my four children needed to "take a dump"! Seriously!! It was hilarious. I ran out of wipes and they REALLY NEEDED to go! It ended up being a humorous experience-- can't tell you the details because it would embarrass the children-- but I laughed the whole way down! 

Once we got on the main road I called Spencer and he was so relieved to hear my voice. He couldn't get ahold of me and we were almost an hour late getting home (thanks to our potty issues) and all he knew was that I had all four children up the canyon on a hike.  I honestly felt bad-- from now on I will make sure he at least knows which hike we are on. I think we almost gave him a heart attack.

 This picture is a dream of mine! I've always wanted a Steinway piano. I made a deal with Spencer when we were first married that I would go through medical school, residency, fellowship… and whatever else he wanted to do as long as I got a Steinway piano at the end! Luckily for us, my Dad had an extra piano and is letting us borrow it for a couple years.  It's been one of the most wonderful additions in our home. I have a hard time not playing it-- I want to play it all day long! It's a beautiful instrument that brings joy and the spirit into our home.  One of my favorite sounds is hearing the boys practice the piano. It brings me back to my childhood. They both have found songs that they love and will randomly start playing them without me harping on them to practice. It's taken a lot of patience (and maybe one to many anxiety attacks) to teach them to play, but I'm starting to see the fruits of it.  The other wonderful addition to our home are Reece and Benson's 5 year old pictures.  After FOUR years I have FINALLY gotten them printed and framed. Its fun to see look at them and see how much they have grown.

 Natalie and the kids came to visit for the weekend for Uncle Wayne's funeral. Our kids get along so well. We wished me lived closer to them. The kids made traps all over the house and then stayed up late playing games together.  I'm grateful my children have cousins that are good examples and good friends for my children.

 The girls LOVE Kate! They give her so much attention.  They will make great babysitters!

Benson just finished his first baseball season. He was one of the oldest kids on his team, but was on a team with a couple other kids in our ward. It was a great experience for him and for me. I got to know a couple cool people in our ward, and he got to play baseball.  It was fun sitting in the stands because on most games we would hear people comment on how good of an arm he has.  On one particular game I was sitting in front of this Dad and Grandpa who seemed to be "hard core" baseball parents.  They kept saying, "did you see that throw? That kid has an arm? Look how accurate he is. That kid is a serious baseball player". I was laughing so hard.