Cornbelly's

We have never been down to Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point and I have always wanted to go.  Luckily, this year cousin Emerson wanted to go too so we ventured down!  The boys had a blast and we will definitely be going back next year!  I tried to get some cute pics of the boys at their displays before we went in but I only got on decent picture because they were too excited to get in there and start playing.  My pictures aren't always perfect and I don't always have the best subjects and the second picture is a perfect example of that.  Sometimes I feel like it's a miracle if I get a good picture of these two!

Luke was on sensory overload from the second we walked in.  He started screaming about all the cool stuff he wanted to do and before I knew it he was running a million different directions.  I can't tell you how many times I would look up and realize he was gone again.  This little boy scares me to death and I am always sure I am going to lose him.  

There is so much to do there and we couldn't do everything sadly.  However, we did do the carpet slide, duck races, pillow trampoline, corn maze, cow ride, playground, and so much more than I can't even remember.  The one attraction we missed was the corn sand box and yet we still have kernels of corn falling out of the stroller.  Emerson and Luke could have stayed at the duck races all night but Brods wanted to get to the playground!  We had fun night and can't wait for next year!

Haunted Gingerbread Houses

When I saw this haunted gingerbread house kit at Target I knew the boys would love it!  They were so excited when I showed it to them that night.  Luke thought it was so cool that they each got more than one house to decorate.  

Luke was all over this activity and dove right in squeezing frosting everywhere and dumping on the candy!  He felt so cool being able to use the frosting bag.  Luke is growing up so much and it breaks my heart.  I want him to stay my little guy forever!  Lukers also knew right from the beginning that the candy was good to eat!

Brody is still young and it took him a while to figure out we were using candy to decorate with.  He loved sticking the candies on and then taking them off and moving them around.  About halfway through Brody finally got a lick of his fingers and he couldn't believe what he had been missing out on!  Brody is obsessed with pumpkins this Halloween and he wanted every pumpkin on his house.  He didn't really care for the rest of candy but wanted those pumpkins.  Being the little helper that he is Brody enjoyed mixing the bowls of candy together!  

Normally I am very neat and clean but when it comes to project with my boys I like to just let them have fun!  They were covered in frosting and a complete sticky mess by the time we were done but they were happy and had a great time so it was worth it!  They probably would have decorated all night  if I hadn't torn them away for baths!  

Soccer Star

If you thought Luke loved soccer in the Spring you should have seen him in the Fall.  One day this little guy scored seven goals!  He loved it and took it very serious!  The other kids didn't really pay attention to the score or care who won, but Luke was all over it.  

The first game of the season was a bit stressful because we realized that his shinguards and cleats had been boxed up in the storage unit.  Since you couldn't locate anything in the unit we had to run to a few different stores to find soccer cleats still in stock.  When we finally move out of the storage unit it will be like Christmas all over again!

Mark was a substitute coach for about three games and Luke thought that was pretty cool.  When the game was over Mark would be sweating to death and said he was more tired doing that than his mountain bike ride earlier that day.  

Luke always had lots of support from his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and Brods.  Brody was such a good brother to sit and watch Luke play.  During half time Brody loved going out on the field and kicking the ball around!

All season long Mark told Luke that only the teams that scored a lot of goals would get a medal at the end of the season.  Luke desperately wanted a medal and he worked so hard each game.  After the games he would ask us if we thought they were going to get their medals.  He was so happy to finally get his medal after the last game.  The medal even flashed lights and changed colors.  Luke was thrilled!  All of his hard work had paid off!

New Halloween Clothes

I love buying the boys Halloween shirt and pajamas each year.  By the time fall rolls around I can hardly wait to let them wear their new Halloween clothes.  Mark sometimes thinks it's a little excessive that I buy shirt and pajamas they will only wear a few times but I love it!

This year we got Liam a pair of matching pajamas.  They looked so cute all matching!  It's not easy though getting a picture of these three little boys lately.  It keeps getting harder and harder.  I love and hate this picture of Luke and Brody in their Halloween shirts.  They are both so cute I could eat them up but my little Brody looks so big in this picture!  I just want them to stay this age forever!  They will be a lot of fun this Halloween and I can't wait!!!

First Day of Preschool

I was more worried about sending Luke to his second year of preschool than his first.  This year he was in a brand new neighborhood and didn't know anyone in his class.  Luke comes across as a tough guy but he is actually very sensitive and tender.  He does make friends easy but I still worry about him.  

We were lucky enough to get into Little Scholars Preschool with Miss Debra.  She is just up the street from our lot and that way Luke could meet friends in our neighborhood.  Luke was very shy when we were first got there but he soon warmed up and wasn't sad that I was leaving.  

Miss Debra gave everyone getting to know you boxes to bring on the first day of school.  Luke did a great job decorating his and decided to put his Spinosaurus in it to share with his friends.  When I was little I always got a new backpack each year and I loved it.  I wanted to start this tradition with Luke but dad said it was excessive.  Luckily, Luke found an old backpack of Uncle Tom's and loved it. 

When I picked him up Luke said he had a great first day and loved his class.  He kept telling me about all the cool toys Miss Debra had and how he gets three teachers this year.  I hope Luke has a great year and meets lots of friends!  I sure do love this kid!

Moving Day

I honestly can say that I thought this day would never come.  After our first sell of our house fell through I was sure that we would never sell again.  About a week before I was ready to throw in the towel an offer came through.  It wasn't a great offer but we did lots of negotiating and things worked out!  I was still very nervous about actually packing up our house since we had one failed contract already.

When it looked like things were finally going to go through it was a mad dash to finish.  Since we were going to be storing everything for a while we decided to sell almost all of our furniture.  This was probably the hardest part of the move for me.  I spent hours posting ads on KSL and helping people carry furniture out to their cars.  Once the furniture was gone it was time to pack.  Mark was super busy at work so that left me and the boys.  Luckily, Uncle Mitch and Aunt Rach were a huge help!  They came over a lot and played with the boys or helped me pack.  I couldn't have done it without them!  When they weren't there Luke was complaining about how bored he was and Brody was putting who knows what in boxes.

Living wasn't ideal around our house since we had no furniture and everything was in boxes.  Brody was the only one left with a bed while the rest of us slept on the floor for a couple of weeks.  Eating out for every meal became the new norm.  Our last morning in the house we went to McDonalds to get our breakfast.  When I asked Luke what he wanted to eat he informed me what he was planning on order for his next three breakfasts at McDonalds.  I love that the boys were still positive and had fun!  I love the picture of Brody giving Luke a kiss while they ate their lunch on their stairs.  It's a good thing they had each other throughout this move.  

On moving day our ward was amazing!  We had so many people show up willing to help.  I think the fact that we had plenty of pizza and hardly any furniture made everyone very happy!  Aunt Becca kept Brody entertained while the rest of us moved loaded everything in the truck.  When we arrived at the storage unit my family was there ready to help unload.  I honestly don't know what we would have done without all the help!  We are so blessed with good family and friends.     

A lot of rules went right out the window during the move.  While unloading the last few items at the storage unit Luke asked me if he could ride his bike down the ramp.  I of course responded with a no but Mark said yes.  He had a blast doing it and it's a miracle he didn't break his neck!  We had a hard time finding Luke's shoes the last day and he was left with flip flops.  His poor feet were a disaster.  This move was a lot of work and I don't know if I'm ready to do it in nine months when our house is done.  Hopefully it will all be worth it in the end!

24th of July

The 24th of July in Bountiful is probably one of my most favorite memories growing up.  The parade + carnival + fireworks were the highlight of my summers.  I have tried to make it a priority now with the boys.  The only problem is it has become very popular and crowded.  Getting seats is almost impossible now.  Since Pat and Becca live a block away from Main Street I put Pat in charge of saving our seats this year.  He did a good job and got us good seats.  

The parade was toasty to say the least.  The boys were sweaty and red faced until the sun finally went away.  Luke, Brody, and Liam were in shock when the parade first started but then had a blast when they passed out flags for them to wave.  I love that Luke and Brody sat together in their chairs and just watched the parade.  I think they were too hot to move!  Once it cooled down Luke danced with Emerson and got really into it.

Luke was lucky because our seats were right by an ice cream truck.  Grammy kept buying him these huge popsicles that he would take two licks of and then throw them out.  He was in heaven!

After the parade we hit the carnival and spent way too much money on dumb rides!  The boys kept wanting to go to the fishing pond and loved their treasures.  Luke was determined to go on the train but Brods wasn't so sure.  I was afraid he was going to try and jump off.  Luckily his big brother was there to keep him safe!

We stocked up on glow in the dark wands, necklaces, bracelets, etc. to keep the boys entertained during the fireworks.  Brody was mesmerized by the fireworks and kept pointing at them and yelling.  It was so cute but I don't think our neighbors appreciated it!  

Our daddy had to work late so he didn't make it to anything sadly.  We really missed him and I was exhausted by the end of the night.  I am grateful for my family that really helped me!  The boys had fun so it was all worth it!