a quick fall

September and October flew by, here we are mid November and I feel like fall just started (although the freezing weather tells me otherwise).  Here are a few pictures from our October.

We met up with some friends for some fun at the Peterson Family Farm pumpkin patch.  Jonny loved to look at the pumpkins, push the wheelbarrow (or try at least to push it), play with some little trucks they had, and most of all, climb on the tractors.

 

A couple of scalawags having some Halloween fun

 

  

Our boys :)

 

Earlier in the month we took a trip to Gunnison to visit Jenny and Wade and their cute girlies. Davey and Lauryn were only born a few days apart and despite Davey being a little chunkier, he is actually the younger one... I especially like the picture where he is karate chopping Lauryn and she looks all annoyed. :)

and of course what is turning into our annual trip up to Logan for the pumpkin walk! (see here for last years trip.)  This year we got to hang out with my niece Marianne who is up there at USU. We had a really great time.  Thanks Min for spending some time with us.

 Lastly here are a few pictures of my sweet boys.  I love how intently Davey just watches Jonny.  I always catch him staring at him and Jonny loves his brother equally as much.  It is pretty sweet.

 

recent happenings

This little munchkin melts my heart. 

 He loves blueberries.  They are sooo messy and stain pretty much everything but he gets so excited when I give him some.

 Our little Jonny Boy is 14 months old tomorrow.  He walks like a champ, is into pretty much everything and is going to get a little brother come the end of August! :)  He says momma and dada and he will make noise at the end of a prayer like he is trying to say amen.  He makes the monkey and owl sounds and tries really hard to make the elephant sound as well.  It is adorable.  He loves the outside and we are both so ready for it to be summer already! (I don't think Todd shares our enthusiasm...)

We went to the Hogle Zoo a couple weeks ago with some friends.  

Look at all these babies! 

 Jonny loved it!  He was so fascinated by all the animals. (and by the other kids) He especially loved riding the carousel at the end!  We rode it twice and he was bouncing up and down the whole time dancing to the music.  We are excited to go more often this summer. 

 Happy pi day

 and a happy St. Patty's too!

Summer Outings

This summer has been a good one. Summer is by far my favorite season.  I love the sunshine, the water, the produce, the warmth, pretty much everything.  Here are some of the activities we did this summer.

We kicked off our summer with a trip to St. George.  We went out to eat, played at the St. George splash pad, shopped around, it was a blast! My favorite part though, was our last day there.  You see, Todd and I got engaged in St. George almost exactly 2 years before.  So, Janet and Aaron watched Jonny and Todd got to sneak off for a little bit to go get a treat and head up to the place we were engaged.  It was so nice to spend some time reminiscing and just being alone together for a little bit. I loved it so much.

 






We spent plenty of time at the pool this summer too.  I love that our condos have a pool.  Jonny and I attempted to go once a week all summer long.  We had family and friends join us most of the time.

Amos and her kids joined us one time, Jenny and her girls came once too.  

 But most of the time it was Me and Jonny, Allie and Benson, and Sarah and Hailey; some really neat friends we have living in our same building. We also all went to the Lehi Farmers market together a handful of times.

The Independence Day Rodeo up in Oakley.  Isn't this the sweetest little cowboy you've ever seen?!

Emo and her kids came down this summer to party,  All five of us sisters gathered at Mother's house all week to hang out, play games, etc.  This was one of the activities we did... Free Chick-fil-a for our herd of little cows :)

Zoo outing with the Livingston Family.

 

Hanging out with cousins.

two weeks ago Todd and I went with the Wrights to Tracy Aviary and then Todd, Jonny and I spent the day downtown shopping, walking, and eating.  It was fun, I had never been to the Tracy Aviary, which was kinda cool, but mostly I just loved spending the whole day with the two boys i love most.

Last Saturday we had one last adventure before my knee surgery.  We hiked the Timpanogos Caves.  It was so fun.  It is so beautiful up in the mountains right now.  I seriously loved every minute of it.

   

  

That is about it.  I'm sad that summer is nearing its end.  We had a really good couple months.  I am kinda excited about fall though... mostly for fall treats, and fall clothing :)

It's the holiday season

The end of 2011 in review - 

Christmas party with the Hardy Family!  I love our typically Christmas eve activities.  With Mom and Dad gone we had them the second sunday in December.  We had the typical Christmas eve dinner, played games and the grandkids acted out the Nativity.  I always love getting together.

Santa Santa, Ho Ho Ho!  

The Christmas ball, made by Jenny and Wade, fun for the younger grandkids.  Thanks to Shannon for hosting it at her house. 

Santa!

The Hales Christmas party - spent up in Oakley 

Love these girls!

I have been very blessed to have close friendships with these amazing girls(a couple are missing but I love them equally as much!).  I have known some since elementary school, some middle school and a few since high school.  I could name so many great memories shared with each one and I am so glad we still get together as often as possible.  This world is better because of them.

Last but not least, Christmas with the Niemann Family

Christmas Eve

 Christmas Morning.

I love that Christmas was on Sunday this year.  What more appropriate way is there to celebrate our Savior's birth?  I really enjoyed Christmas this year, I really love the Niemann's and am so grateful for their acceptance of me and the good care they took of us while we stayed with them.  A bit strange to be away from my family this year though, a first for me.  We did get to Skype with Mother and Daddy Boy for a bit though and that helped me not miss everyone so much. 

After Christmas we stayed up in Oakley for a few days before my knee surgery.  Monday Jason, Todd and I did a little shopping in Park City and went out to eat.  The day was beautiful, we only needed sweatshirts while we were out.  The weather has been a bit strange this year, it's still been pretty stinking cold but we have had very little snow.  Pretty sure it is a small tender mercy for me so I don't have to worry about slipping with two bad knees.  All together, we had a really nice time up there.  

Knee Surgery...

That pretty much sums up in one look how I feel about surgery.  

 If this is not the most pathetic site...

 This might be.

Yes, those are 2 ice machines. One attached to each leg. BEST invention ever. 

The good news is, both surgeries over!  

Only recovery to go... Dr. Cooley said everything went really well again.  Things are a little harder with two gimp knees.  I get very easily frustrated because of my lack of ability to do every day things.  The strength is coming in my left leg but I still don't have full function and it gets sore often.  I am grateful for all the help from our families.  Amos and Mark are fantastic.  We stayed with them the first week after surgery which was nice while Todd was at work to have people to talk to and fix us dinner, ring in the new year with, we owe them big time.  Janet and Jessica brought us dinner one night and call to make sure we are doing okay.  And Todd most of all who drives me to and from work, makes sure there is ice for my knee, does most of the cleaning, all of the grocery shopping, carries me up and down the stairs to our apartment when my legs feel sore.  I don't think he knew what he was getting into... He has been so patient with me and takes good care of me.  I will love him forever for it.