Carving Pumpkins

Every year I dread carving pumpkins, but it is never as bad as I think it will be.  Maybe because Greg does all the work and I take pictures.
We ran out of time (and energy) to visit a pumpkin patch so we picked our pumpkins out at Maceys.  They had a great selection for an amazing price and no mud.  I think it was a good choice this year.
Scooping out the pumpkin guts is the worse part...

The kids picked out their designs and we started carving (again, that is the royal we, it was all Greg.  Gavin did do his; for some reason, we trust him with a big knife).

They turned out great and looked awesome on Halloween night.

Scattered Thoughts

1.  Today was the first snowfall of the season.  In our family it is a tradition to have homemade hot chocolate for breakfast when the first snow comes.  We were running a bit fast this morning and we didn't have time for hot chocolate, so it was waiting for the kids when they got home from school along with homemade hot buttered fluffy pretzels.  Everyone gave it a thumbs up, even Guard who didn't get any.

2.  Poor Kate.  She is a busy girl.  Monday, Wednesday, Friday is preschool in the morning.  Tuesday and Thursday is gym class in the morning.  She usually plays with Taylor after preschool (we switch houses) and then tries to keep up with Enoch when he gets home.  She is a night owl and is usually not asleep until 9-9:30pm (even though she is in bed by 8:15pm).  I guess it all caught up with her today while she was doing her homework.

3.  Some cute random pictures of Guard.  And yes, Coal is kissing him.

Dog Days at Thanksgiving Point

We had such a fun day taking Coal to the gardens at Thanksgiving Point for Dog Days.  It is the only day of the year they allow dogs in the garden and we took advantage of it. 
Coal was in heaven.  Of course, we kept her on her leash, but she explored everywhere.  She had so much fun meeting new people and dogs.  The kids loved following her and letting her lead.
After wandering a bit, we took Coal to watch the dog show.  Coal really didn't care, but we had fun watching the dogs (and the kids).

 

After the show, they invited a few dogs to try the course.  When they spotted Coal they really wanted her to try it out.  Most of the professional dogs doing the course were border collies.  Coal did exceptionally well (in fact, they gave Greg a card and asked to call if we were interested in training Coal).  It only took her a few tries to figure it out.  Of course, Greg and a tennis ball were the incentive, so it was a no-brainer for her.

 

 

 

 

(Is there any doubt that she is Greg's dog?  She love him.)

After the dog show and training course, we walked over the the waterfall.  The kids and Coal enjoyed the walk and the waterfall.

Look what we found.

 

I must touch the water!

 

 

What a fun place to take our puppy!

Guard at 4-5 months

What a fun little guy we have!  Guard's personality is really starting to develop and shine.

 He is so happy and content.  It still does like to be held, so his Mom does hold him often (okay, almost all of his waking hours).  But, she still loves him (even if she is getting nothing done!).  He is such a happy baby.  We are so lucky!

 

He is very curious and very alert and attentive.  His loves his books, his plastic rings, Mom's hair and especially his puppy.  If Coal is in the room, all of Guard's attention is focused on Coal.  He is obsessed with the dog.  He is cramming so much into his brain right now.  It's amazing to see how fast he is learning.

He is very stable sitting up.  And he loves it.  He feels so independent to sit and play with his toys. 

Guard loves to laugh.  He laughs often and long.  He is very ticklish and Gavin has found all his tickle spots.  I love his laugh.  People tell me he has laughing eyes.  He does.  His eyes smile with laughter.

His favorites are peek-a-boo (which he plays by himself with blankets, burp cloths, anything he can find), The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and The Wheels on the Bus. 

 

Aren't babies amazing?  Guard finds new ways to surprise us every day with his cute personality.  He is so much fun and so easy to love.

Gavin, the Goat Whisperer

I laughed so hard when I heard this story.  Only in rural Utah.  Read the story, it is hilarious.
Fortunately for Gavin, his goat story has a better ending.
This morning, Coal was going crazy in the backyard.  Just barking and growling and causing a commotion.  Gavin went out there to see what was going on and reported that there was a goat in the field, just on the other side of the fence.  A goat?  We've seen horses, cats, dogs, even deer in the field, but never a goat.
This goat was obviously distressed and Coal constantly barking wasn't helping.  Gavin climbed over the fence to give it some water, but the goat ran away.  While Gavin was chasing it, Holly Strong and I called the owner of the field to see it he was missing a goat.
 Turns out, he was missing a goat.  Gavin chased the goat to the tractor in the far end of the field.  He actually caught it when it got stuck in the tractor.  He gently tied a rope around it's neck, but it wouldn't follow Gavin, so he picked it up.  That is a sight I'd never thought I'd see...Gavin carrying a goat.

 

 

He said the goat was actually pretty heavy and was happy to hand it over to it's owner.  A good deed for the day with a happy ending.  I don't think we will call Gavin Goat Boy, just a good person. 

Warm

A few weeks ago, a young man in our ward announced his Eagle Project to send warm hats, scarves and mittens to an orphanage in Russia.  While an admirable project by itself, it held extra significance to him because he spent the first five years of his life living there. He said one of his only memories was being cold all the time.  I can't seeing a child cold (I'm turning into by dad!).  Greg and I decided we could do a few fleece hats for FHE that week.  Our simple FHE morphed into a neighbor FHE where we made over 35 hats and scarves.
I gathered all the fleece I had and then collected whatever I could find from the clearance bins at JoAnns and we ended up with quite a stash.  Fleece hats are great because the kids can help cut the fringe on the top.  Each child did at least one hat.

 

When the kids got bored, they ate cookies and played.

 We have such amazing friends in our little neighborhood.  It is so good to live with people you like and respect.  Thanks Strongs and Tuttles!

 

 

We accomplished a lot that night and it felt really good.  It makes me happy to serve and see my children happy when they serve.  What a blessing it is to serve!

 

Gavin's in the newspaper, again!

Can you believe twice in one month? 
Gavin has a very nice article about him in the Daily Herald regarding his Eagle Project (more on that later).  The reporter, Shannon Smith, is in our ward and when she heard about his project she asked if she could do an article about it.  She asked Gavin some questions, visited the band room while his project was going on and they even sent a photographer (although no pictures made it into the paper).
Gavin was a bit upset that they listed him as a eighth grader and we all thought the title was a bit cheesy (Shannon called, apologized and told us the title was not her idea!), but we thought it was a great piece.