Shortstop happenings

With the start of school comes the annual jog a thon that Shortstop looks forward to so much.  He sets goals and practices running so he can be better than the year before.  And the littles and I love watching him.  This year, Fullback is getting pretty fast and can often beat Shortstop so he gave tips to his big brother before the day came and you can hear him reminding Shortstop to do "what he told him".

The brotherly high five

He was pretty happy to see us there to cheer him on

A well deserved popsicle with friends

Shortstop hasn't quite decided the sport or activity he loves yet so we are trying everything.  This year we did Jr Jazz basketball.  He had such a great time.  He is learning coordination and good teamwork.  He even made a basket and that one basket for him made the whole season!  It was so fun to see him so proud of himself and talk about it for days afterwards.

ACE wants to do everything her dad does...even stand the same way when watching sports

Cornbelly fun

Cornbellys...the best activity ever in the Fall around here.  We love getting the season passes and this year was no exception.  Sometimes it would be Mark taking the kids, sometimes me taking the kids, sometimes all of use, sometimes we met up with cousins, sometimes we did one on one kid dates...the possibilities are endless and everyone has a great time.  We love the rides, the food,the music and finding new booths and things each year.  And the boys are old enough to remember previous years and be excited for things to do and look forward to.  The weather this year could not be beat and made it possible to go so many times.

 I couldn't narrow down the many pictures I took so here is a huge picture dump.  Enjoy!

Cute cousins playing school

So focused on shooting people so the best pic I could get was of their backs

BYU homecoming weekend

Staying in Utah was never my first choice of where to live and raise a family but then weekends like BYU homecoming weekend happen and I really do like being here.  It's a whole production and party weekend!  Often family comes in from out of town and makes it even more special.  This year the weather could not have been more perfect.   My mom was kind enough to watch my kids so I could actually go to the football game with Mark and two of my sisters and their hubbys and my dad, whose birthday it was.  We may have lost but we had a fun time being there.

Before the game... still with hope...

After the loss....

The next morning we went to the parade with all our many children and had a blast getting candy and dancing to music.  I love all the cousins my kids have to play with and experience these things with.

It was a bit bright

 Then in the afternoon, we went to the Spectacular which featured Kristin Chenoweth! It was such an amazing show!!!!  Mark doesn't really care to go so he took the kids home and I had an afternoon with my fam.

Later that evening he went back in to Provo to go to the soccer game while I stayed home with the kids.  It was really an amazing weekend and a tradition we all look forward to each fall. 

Chicago with my sisters and mom!

Sisters trips are truly the best.  We don't do them annually but we do them when we can.  This year we decided to go to Chicago where only two of us had been but it was still new to them even.  The majority of us flew together out of Salt Lake and then my sister who lives in Michigan rode the train to meet us there.  We missed our sister in law Ashley and wish she could have come.
We stayed in a hotel on Michigan avenue and had two rooms/suites.  It was right in the middle of everything and just perfect.  It was HOT weekend but we managed.  Since it was over my birthday weekend my sisters and mom treated me to a favorite things birthday party and we got Sprinkles cupcakes.  I missed my little family on my birthday but if I can't be with them, who better to be with than my sisters and mom.
We ate amazing food like Chicago pizza, Chicago dogs, ghiradelli's ice cream, shake shack, thai food and Sprinkles cup cakes, but we walked everywhere so that helped, went to the Art institute of Chicago, the Bean, took an architectural river tour, shopped on Michigan avenue, went to a bridal show (my cousin who is the president invited us), went to sacrament meeting in an elementary school in uber and lyft, and spent time at a beach.  We laughed a ton, talked even more and stayed up too late.  It was a quick trip but truly filled with memories and great times.  Pictures are in random order but here you go!

I need one of these where I live

Church

Best. Pizza. Ever

We had WAY too much fun at the American girl doll store

Nutella croissant french toast for my birthday breakfast

And I came home to a spotless house, a mini cake and these gorgeous flowers.  I am a lucky one!