Millcreek Canyon*Fall Colors*Bronco Rides

Favorite favorite favorite time of year!!! and this year the colors seem so bright and vivid... maybe im noticing more because of where we live now and having such a beautiful view of the mountains. We live about 5 minutes away from the base of the beautiful Millcreek Canyon, which has always been a favorite of ours and this year we are tying to take major advantage of that. Ryan and the big kids have been so lucky to be able to ride up it in the Bronco. I trail behind them with Audrie in the van... and love watching their faces smile and their hair whip about as the cuddle under a blanket when the sun starts to go down. The Bronco is a family favorite... and I even dare say Ryan loves his Bronco as much as one of his own kids! He has taken many rides up there all by himself. Ryan is also is a master chef when it comes to making hobo dinners (tin foil dinners) He loves to make them and set up a camp fire and cook them. Which works out well since I am a self proclaimed master smore maker :). We work good together like that. So the past couple of weeks we have gone up by ourselves and also friends and enjoyed the great outdoors and this beautiful time of year. I hope hope hope its a long fall season!!!

Butterscotch

Nana and Papa had a big surprise for all the grandkids this week.... they could hardly wait to see. they bought the kids a new pony!! The sweetest little Welch pony. He is 12 years old and full grown and a perfect size for all the kids to ride and have  a great time with! His name is Butterscotch or Butters or Scotchie (my favorite). They all got to take rides on him... even my Audrie did great. She snag and hummed as she went around the arena. My Claire is in love and talked about him all week, Ella rode great being able to steer all by herself. And Mason was awesome. He hasnt been on a horse in forever but didnt need any help and rode around the arena all by himself. Thanks Nana and Papa... we look forward to getting to know Butterscotch better!!!

moments that make my day

Yesterday I was thinking that there are so many small moments in a day that bring me pure joy. But because they are small or seem to pass by quickly it can be easy not on focus on them... which is what needs to change. So the past couple of days I tried to savor those moments and I realised my heart was full of gratitude and appreciation... here are some of my moments...
making cookies with my girls. seeing Audries face in the morning. seeing Mason make a great play in football. the beds are all made. the crisp sweet smell of trees. Ryan coming home. Ryan is home. the kids are in bed and its quiet. drinking a hot chocolate at night. a call from a friend just to say hi. Claires giggle. listening to Ella sing. Masons hugs at night. watching Audrie as she is learning something. dinner was a success. i got a shower today. seeing all the stuffed animals lined up dressed for a party. having a dishwasher. talking in bed with Ryan. October sports. watching Ella go to the bus stop with her sparkle back pack. Sammy. Claire got her kick over. feeding Audrie her bottle. love my green smoothie in the morning. calls from my parents. smell of my pumpkin candle. view of the mountains. diet coke. call from Claires preschool teacher.  family prayers. kids nightly prayers. quick nap during the day. slobbery kisses from Audrie. Ella did her own pony tail. clean bathroom. dinner at cheesecake factory with friends. laughing with friends. being a little raunchy with friends. Masons smile when he wrestles with his dad. my girls playing outside together. I didn't freak out one time at my kids when they were fighting. re-runs or Raymond, Cheers and Friends at night. its conference weekend.

Claire is 4

My Claire Bear is 4!! Where in the world did that time go! September 8, 2008 really seems like yesterday... I can remember the feeling of excitement of delivering her... not knowing if the baby was a boy or girl and then seeing her for the first time wasn't like seeing someone for the first time... it was like a reunion of sorts. I knew she was mine and I was hers the very second I saw her. My Claire Bear.

It seems like shes been 4 forever though... she has always been go grown up and smart that I swear she wasn't a baby or toddler for very long. Her little mind is so quick and smart... she has an incredible memory on her and learns things so quick. Very competitive but with the sweetest heart. She is social and brave but at the same time has a sweet shy side, especially around crowds. Has the best most infectious laugh, I love listening to it. She is silly and definitely has a bit of crazy in her. LOVES her daddy... a total daddy's girl. I have never seen a little girl look at their daddy the way she does to hers. Their bond is special and amazing! Loves to help me around the house. Gets mad quickly and is known for slamming doors. Loves to tumble and dance and wants to play soccer. A friend to all. Loves her cousins. Is a great big sister and a devoted little sister. Best friends with her sisters and brothers. So funny and so fun to be with. Wants to just play and play! Loves to play babies and dolls. Lia is her very best friend. A huge snuggler and loves to cuddle and give loves. She is the first to climb into bed with us in the mornings and the last to let go of hugs. Loves animals... especially dogs and horses. Fast... the girl can run fast. And she is strong... her little body is a solid muscle. Favorite colors are purple, pink and blue. Loves sprinkles and smoothies. A great eater... will try just about anything. Sneaky and sassy at times. What can I say... I am in love with her. My little buddy and shadow. I am one lucky mom.

For her birthday we gave her the American Girl Doll... McKenna and her dog Cooper! She loved it!! And she wanted to go the Fugi for her birthday dinner but with one condition... that she could sit on her dads lap and close her eyes during the "fire" part. We had a great time celebrating her. She is just indescribable to me and full of life. I wanna be her when I grow up! Love you Bear!