Pumpkin Cake...

Today I tried to make one of those cupcake cakes that you see in stores. You know the ones where they push all of the cupcakes together and cover them with icing in some design. So I'll just take my chance to say it again-- I am not Martha Stewart, nor am I a great cook (official disclaimer). But here are the pics of my pumpkin cake. It is made of chocolate cupcakes and vanilla icing tinted with gel food coloring to make the 3 different colors. The icing dripped off the edges a little in some spots. The cupcakes tasted great though!

Early Voting...

Miguel and I went to vote early the other day. First Miguel voted as I waited with the kids in the car. I was trying to teach Erin in the best 3 yr. old terms that I could what it means to vote and what the President of the United States is in charge of. I told her that Mommy and Daddy were going to vote for the President. Then it was my turn to go vote. After I had left the car, Erin told her daddy, "I think Mommy is going to vote for President Monson." Don't you just love sunbeams?

Different strokes...

So, Anya gave new meaning to the image of tree hugger/granola muncher tonight. First she tried eating grass.

Aaaand, it's good!

Then she went on to taste the flowers.

Then, last but not least, the pine cones.

Well, I'm not going to worry about adding fiber to her diet!

Greeeen Acres is the Place to be...

Yep, that's right! Faaaarm livin' is the life for me... Okay, so not really. But we did have fun going to the farm to pick pumpkins. You know, the hay ride... the pumpkin patch... then apple cider--in the form of a slurpee. What?! Yeah, we were expecting hot apple cider (especially since it was like 32 degrees outside) or hot chocolate or something. But the only things the big red barn was serving up were cider slushies and ice cream. WEIRD. The kids loved the bumpy hayride out to the pumpkin patch. David would not take his eyes off the big green tractor that was pulling the wagon. When we got to the big field of pumpkins Erin immediately picked up a small green gourd about the size of her hand and insisted on it the rest of the trip. David picked up his pumpkin and proceeded to drop it until it had cracked after which he picked it up again and tried to take it back on the wagon. Luckily I had found two smaller, toddler sized pumpkins on the other side of the field. After we rode the wagon back to the big red barn we took some more pics with our friends-- Cynthia and her adorable kids Alyssa, Bradley and Isabella. Then we paid for our pumpkins and bought some sweet snacks and some cider slushies for the kids. It was a great day. I think these activities are perfect for making memories with the kids. I'm so glad we all went together. I know I couldn't have done it by myself.

There were so many great pics I narrowed it down the best I could...

Isabella, Erin and David playing on the fence.

Erin with her favorite babysitter, Alyssa.

Halloween preview...

Today we tried on the kids Halloween costumes to see how they will look. Diego and Boots didn't mind a photo opp. but Dora wasn't willing to oblige. One of these days I will sneak a pic of her and post it. She did try on her costume though and she does look a lot like Dora.

Designer Pumpkins...

Yesterday uncle Edgar (a.k.a. Tio Eddy) took David out to get two pumpkins. And today he spent a good part of the day carving two high-end, designer pumpkins for David and Erin. The kids love their pumpkins. They were so excited for the pumpkin lighting tonight. He picked the perfect themes for their interests too. I mean what 2 yr. old boy doesn't love Lightning McQueen? And what 3 yr. old girl doesn't adore the Disney princesses? Great job Tio Eddy! Thanks for all you do for the kids!

Stay tuned for upcoming pics of Halloween. We are so excited for Halloween and then a few weeks later Birthday parties, Thanksgiving and of course Christmas! Isn't this just a great time of year?

Outdoor Adventure...

Tonight after conference we drove up Payson canyon and attempted to get some good fall pictures of the kids. After we had gotten some good pics, the kids had fun climbing on the rocks and throwing pebbles into the river. I am the opposite of an outdoors person so I was proud of myself for hiking by the river and staying so long despite the thick clouds of mosquitos in the area. Most of the pics turned out great. But anyone that has kids knows that you can't make everyone happy all the time. So there are some shots in which Erin is crying.

Cute Kids

Today, I really enjoyed watching the kids interact with each other. They are really starting to show their true personalities and take there place in the family as sisters and brother. Erin is growing up so fast. She knows how to do so many things. For example, I asked her to make her and David's beds this morning and she was so proud of the job that she did.

Later the kids were loving it when I was taking their picture together. They really do get along most of the time. It's great that they always will have someone to play with.

Also, I finally remembered to take a picture of Anya standing up. She's been doing it for about a month now but I just didn't have a pic of it.

At the end of the day, I just love being a mother to these great kids, and I know I'm biased, but they are just so darn cute. Even David, when he is not driving me crazy, he looks like this...

Here's another cute one of Anya...