A Fall Walk Home

Sydney and I on our walk home this afternoon. She was picking up leaves and putting them in her black caldron!

It has started to smell like Fall here. I Love the crunch, crunch of leaves under-foot.
























By the way, Sydney was complaining about how hot it was.

Happy Halloween

I have really been enjoying Halloween this year. Our household was very busy this month so my house is not as decorated as it has been in years past. But last night we got out a few things before we headed to our ward Trunk or Treat. I have to say I think this years Carmel Valley, Del Mar ward Trunk or Treat was one of the best I have been to in the 6 years we have been attending! It was fun to see ward friends and friends from other wards who came also.

Halloween is so great this year mainly because of my kids. But here are my Top Five 2008 Reasons I Love Halloween This Year.

1. My kids are so into it all and have been counting down to the day!

2. Each of the kids picked out their costumes this year (I'm a bit controlling I know but I've made progress and allowed them to pick their own). To my delight they themed!! Superhero's was the costume of choice. The kids were so cute running around in their costumes taking on their new identities! Bella has been pretty sick but rallied nicely for the party. Funny how that happens.

3. The fun of putting together Sydney's class Halloween party. One activity we will be doing is cupcake decorating. You can see here I was trying to make spiders and a witch. I could not for the LIFE of ME find shoe string black licorice which would have made much better legs and witch hair!!! I looked at different 5 stores!!!! It was not till tonight around 6:00pm when I realized I could have probably found it at one of those over priced candy stores at the mall. You know the ones where you can fill a bag with different kinds of candy for $2.00 1/8th of a pound of something like that. O well, I think the kids will get the idea and enjoy it.


4. Dicussions with kids about witches, ghosts and bats.
Speaking of bats Sydney's class took a poll on who like bats and who didn't. She came home and told me how many of her classmates like bats and how many did not. She said she was the only one who said she didn't know. So we sat down at the computer and learned all about bats and what they did. She decided she likes them. Funny because late last night (late due to ward party) as I was tucking the girls in we heard a bat outside their window. Bella got a little scared but Sydney was able to explain to Bella why they make the sound they do. Bella felt much better after hearing Sydney's explanation.


5. Last but not least- one holiday closer to Christmas!!!!!!

Our Bella Rose Turns 5!

Bella was born in the afternoon on October 7th 2003. Only about 18 months after her big sister Sydney. I think the time she was born is important because it makes me think that is why she does not like the night. She was born in the full light of the day and wants to enjoy as much of it as possible. She has never liked to nap or sleep through the night. I used to be frustrated by this but after 5 years I now embrace it.




When she was a newborn she would only sleep curled up next to me. She would cry and cry unless she was in my arms or snuggled as close as she could to my side. She is still my best snuggler and comes in each morning before everyone else is up to have a little snuggle time with me.


Bella has done just about everything at a fast pace. She said her first word at 3 months. She could crawl faster than any baby on earth and once she started walking she took off into a run. I don't think she has really stopped since. But there are few little girls who care more about others or one who is as sweet.


Bella loves everyone she meets and everyone who knows her loves her in return. She LOVES, LOVES, LOVES her big sister Sydney and wants to be just like her. She can't get enough time with her "baby" brother Preston. Bella has been and leading him around playing games and singing songs since he could follow on his own. Sydney could always get baby Bella laughing and now they are always laughing together.



Bella just seems to glow and we all just want to be in her light. I still can't believe she is 5 years old now. There are days I wish I could go back in time for an afternoon when it was just us girls, Sydney 2 years old and baby Bella playing in the water in the sink together while I laughed with them. But then again we would probably be missing Preston and wanting to get back to him.

When I found out I was pregnant with Bella I wondered what life would be like with another baby girl in the house, now I can't imagine a world without Bella in it.




Thank you Bella for letting me be your Mother. I love, love, love you. Hug and Kiss!

Skater Kids

Todd here again.  Our new thing on the weekends is to go cruise the blacktop at Torrey Hills Elementary on our collection of scooters, bikes and skateboards.  This past week the kids wanted to try the long-board skater on their own.  Up to now I've been putting them on the nose and cruising down the hills with them, but they thought it would be way cooler without Dad's help.  They did great as you can see in this clip!

Hole-In-One!

Ok, I'm going to interrupt Katy's blog flow here to brag about the best (ok, maybe luckiest) golf shot I've ever made - this blog is about family highlights after all, right?  

Hole number 8 at Talons Cove golf course in Utah (ok, I took a picture of the ball in the hole as proof).  I was playing in the 

BYU rugby team's annual alumni golf tournament and hit my first (and probably my last) hole-in-one!  No, I didn't win a car or even 

a motorcycle (although Harley Davidson was considering sponsoring the tournament but backed out at the last minute...bummer!).   

But I did get a one-liner in the Deseret News sports section the next day, so at least I can keep that clip as proof of the "glory days".  My brother Nate was playing with me which was cool and we both got a big kick out it.  

So after 10 years of frustration that only a golfer can appreciate, and hacking around trying to learn how to hit a small ball with a skinny stick...I finally have a highlight.  I'm seriously considering unloading my clubs on ebay and finishing while I'm on top.    

Who Wants To Bake, and eat?

I'm so behind on my posting but will get back on it within the week. I have been sooo busy and you, my e-BFF's will hear about it all soon. Nothing to exciting but I like to keep things current.

So back to my topic. Who wants to come over the first week in November and bake a little. Shari offered to help me learn to bake bread. What do you say Shari would that work for you? We could chat and bake and have some fun. I hope it is cold and we could have a fire going!! Put your response in the comments area. I LOVE the FALL!