BYU Weekend

We had a jam-packed weekend this weekend.  We headed down to Provo right after school on Friday.  We checked into a hotel in Orem and let the kids swim for a little bit.  Then we headed to my sisters house to meet up with everyone to go to the BYU football game.  We had a great time at the game even though it was a blow-out against Hawaii.  After the game we went back to our hotel and crashed.  Nate got us up early the next morning so we could hike up to the "Y" on the mountain.  It was a much steeper hike than I remember from doing back in college, but we all made it up to the top.  It was a little chilly at first, but warmed up as time went on.  It was a beautiful view of the valley.  After the hike we went back to our hotel and let the kids get in one last swim.  Then we checked out at met some of our good friends (the Welsh family) for lunch.  When then spent the afternoon with our friends.  We went to their home for a bit and then headed to the Cornbelly's farm by Thanksgiving point.  We spent over 3 hours playing there.  After a quick bite of dinner around 6.  We finally headed home.  Needless to say we were all exhausted and had a hard time getting up for 9am church, but I think it was all worth it.  We had a fun weekend!!

Liam and cousin Lizzy walking to the BYU football game.

 The crazy cousins at the game.

 We couldn't get a good picture so this will have to do

 Our view of the field.  It was great!

 My boys at the game!

 Down at the corner of the field.

Proof that Nate and I were at the game. 

 Gate to the "Y" trail.  I don't remember it being their when I was in college. 

 The view from the top.

 Some Fall colors in the background.

 The view from the bottom of the "Y"

 Another view from the top.

 Ashlyn in the Pumpkin Carriage at Cornbellys.

 Nate and our friend Dave, kids at heart.

 The cow train had a cow with Ashlyn's name.  She thought she was pretty special.

 Nate on the cow train! :)

 Liam and Ashlyn

 After we ate dinner at Thanksgiving Point we realized that they had had the great pumpkin weigh-in earlier that day.  We happened upon some of the giant pumpkins from the weigh-in.  They were awesome!

It was an awesome and exhausting weekend.  Thank goodness for a day of rest. :)

Fathers and Sons 2012

Nate and the boys went to Fathers and Sons a few weekends ago.  This is the first time since we have lived in our ward that they have gone.  I have convinced them in all the past years that it was going to be too cold to go.  This year they couldn't get out of it because Nate had to participate in the program that evening.  They went to our Stake Camp, Camp Woodland.  Nate said it was  beautiful and that they had a lot of fun.  I'm pretty sure I won't be able to stop them from going from now on.  The boys had so much fun and want to go camping again soon.  Too bad it is going to be very cold soon!  

I forgot to mention that Ashlyn and I had a girls night while the men were gone.  We went shopping, played at a park, had dinner, watched princess movies and had a sleepover! :)

Nate's Phone Pics

I always forget that Nate takes a bunch of pictures with his phone, so they rarely make it on to the blog.  I just happen to download the pictures from his phone today, so here are a few I thought were good for memory sake.  The first one is all the Hess cousins swinging at the park at Bear Lake when we were there over Labor Day weekend.  The rest are some silly shots of Ashlyn.

Preschool Field Trip

We went on our first field trip with our little neighborhood preschool this week.  We made the short drive on the causeway to Antelope Island.  Sadly, it is only the second or third time I have been there and I have lived by it my whole life.  Now we only live 15 minutes away and we have yet to have a family outing there.  Anyway,  we had a great time.  It was beautiful, quiet, and there was plenty of wildlife to see.  Lots of birds, buffalo, and antelope.  The state park ranger did a great job with the kids and everyone seem to have a great time.  Here are a few pictures from the outing.

 Ashlyn with a few of her friends.

 Ashyln with a view of the island and the Great Salt Lake.

 The park ranger showing the kids different animal furs.

 Ashlyn with her preschool friends and the park ranger.

I wanted to add this picture of Gavin at our most recent pack meeting.  He loves scouts and is well on his way to getting his Wolf badge.  These are just a  few of his fellow wolves.  I think we have 14 wolf scouts right now! :)

Ashlyn Starts Preschool!

Ashlyn started preschool on Tuesday.  I guess I should say sort of preschool because we are working with a bunch of neighbor friends to do a joyschool kind of preschool.  I decided I didn't want to put Ashlyn through two years of one preschool, so we are doing the joyschool this year and a 'real' preschool next year.  She was so excited that she finally was going to school.  She asked everyday last week after her brothers left for school "When do I go to school?"  She had a great time and I'm sure will enjoy her time away from Mom. (when it's not my turn to teach) :)

Ignore my shadow. :)

Labor Day Weekend

We were able to spend Labor Day weekend up at Bear Lake.  It was a nice final hurrah to summer.  Most of my family was up there with us, so we had a great time.  We spent some time fishing, playing games, and watching movies.  We did have some rain on Friday and Saturday, but other than that it was really nice weather.  Sadly I didn't get any pictures of our adventures from the weekend, but I did manage to grab a few pictures before we had to leave on Monday.  We love Bear Lake and can't wait to get up there next summer.

Enjoying the sunshine.

 Swinging on the rope swing.

The wonderful cabin.

Liam showing off his muscles! :)

Enjoying the hammock.

Beautiful, Beautiful Bear Lake!