It's General Conference time again. For the past few years we've been going to the cabin on Cedar Mountain to watch and relax. The kid's do a good job watching and listening to the talks when we're there, and I always get a nap or two in. But I didn't nap through all of it, and if you didn't get a chance to listen to Sister Dalton's talk on Fathers and daughters I recommend it.

Anyway, this was Powell's first time to really enjoy the mountains. We walked to aspen mirror lake, enjoyed the changing leaves, ate yummy food, drank some hot chocolate, and the kids played together.

I love the picture of Darin and Powell's profiles. I think they look so much alike.

Hope is not lost!!!

Can you guess what Darin is posing next to? If you guessed my audi wagon you are correct! Sad but true story is: I was pulling out of Costco about a month ago and suddenly the engine died. I coasted to the side of the road and that's where I stayed until a nice man pushed me backward through an intersection to a safer parking spot. Darin and his dad towed it back to Hurricane that night. (Chuck is always willing to help us with late night truck and trailer adventures!) The diagnosis was not good. The timing belt was definitely broken, and that could only mean one thing...so was the engine. Darin and I have been making plans for the car's demise and a replacement for me. He has also been taking apart the whole front end of the car. (Does anyone know a boy who doesn't like to disassemble things?) But hope is not lost!!! Darin found the heads of the engine this week and they look perfect. Yay!!! It looks as if we have a few more years together. (The audi and I that is.)

book review

So we've started a new tradition this year of me reading a little to the kids from a chapter book every night after scriptures. I consider it a success since we've had far less children dozing off during scriptures, and I haven't had to read a barbie book to Lena in probably two weeks.
Anyway just finished our second book, Bullies in the Headlights, by Matthew Buckley. We all loved this book! It had us laughing out loud more than a few times. It's written from an eight year old boy's point of view. So funny! So much to relate to if you grew up in a large mormon family. It also has a great message to it that doesn't come across cheesy. My kids were glued every night!

Six Reasons

6 reasons I love this moment:

- eating breakfast outside
- Logan being a goofball
- Powell adoring him
- a beautiful day
- Sunday morning without early church
- frumpy hair

Tiger Power

Jack's 1st football game! Jack was the first and last player to touch the ball during his football game on Saturday. Jack tried out for kicker earlier this week and was exited to start the game kicking off. During the game Jack made some great touchdown saving tackles on defense as he played cornerback. A few of the tackles were made after running all the way across the field to the opposite side. Jack is quick!
On offense Jack is a wide receiver, but on the last play of the game he got a chance to play running back. The quarterback handed Jack the ball and he ran around the end breaking a few tackles and getting some good blocks. Jack emerged from the pack and was off to the races. He ran about 60 yards for the score as time expired.

Birthdays Are the Pits

For Logan's birthday we went to Las Vegas to check out an indoor skate park with a foam pit. Needless to say Logan had a terrible time (wink, wink.)
Here's footage of his second time flying into the foam pit. By the end of our three hour stint he was trying all sorts of things into the foam. Including a back flip without his bike. With some coaxing and bribing with skittles, Darin and Jack both overcame their fears and tried the big ramp into the foam, too. It's fun to watch my boys play!

Happy Birthday Logey

Happy Birthday Logan!!!
I don't know what we'd do without you.
What we love about Logan:
He is fun!
He gets excited about things and makes you excited about them.
He works hard and tries hard.
He's not afraid of gross things. (killing bugs, washing dirty dishes, and not taking a bath ha, ha!)
He is a great bike rider.
He knows how to overcome his fears.
He is kind and worries about others feelings.
He loves his brothers and sister.
He is dedicated and persistent.
He has an amazing memory that always includes details we've forgotten.