Fall!

I love the fall! Our yard looks gorgeous for a few weeks with all the leaves everywhere. Yesterday we raked the leaves into piles to play in. The kids had so much fun. Today we are enjoying high 70 degrees. So much fun to be outside!

More San Fran

My computer is still being difficult and taking WAY too much time. Anyway, here's our top 10 from our San Fransisco Trip.

10. Boudin Bakery - awesome bread, soups and salads. My kids particularly enjoyed their loaf of Sourdough shaped as an alligator.

9. The Metreon - the Sony store was the best! We got to try out all the new games for the PlayStation3 and the PSPs

8. Pier 39 - always fun to walk the Pier and see the Sea Lions squabble at each other - a favorite for Crew.

7. Union Square - we love all the action and shopping.

6. People Watching - boy are there some wierdos in the city!

5. Exploratorium - a HUGE hands on Science center for kids. The boys LOVED this, especially Chase because being a scientist is one of his "fall back" options in case professional basket player doesn't work out for him.

4. Alcatraz - this was probably Geoff's favorite - even though we weren't able to go to the prison, he teased the kids relentlessly that he was going to take them there and lock them in solitary!

3. Ghiradelli - great ice cream sundaes!

2. Walking the Golden Gate Bridge - for some reason the boys were REALLY excited to do this - despite some tears from Caden because Geoff kept telling him he had to jump over into the Bay.

1. Cheesecake Factory - we ate here 3 times! The best part was the location of the restaurant - outdoor balcony patio seating on the 9th floor of the Macys building overlooking Union Square.

The City By the Bay!

OK - I was trying to post all of our San Fran pics and I was only able to download one. I uploaded 1 image at a time and it still froze up on me. I waited like 10 minutes for 1 pic to upload and then I just gave up. Does anyone else have issues with theirs? What do you do?

Creepy, Crawly Treats!

Here's a picture of one of our Halloween caterpillar - not the best picture but it was fun to make and eat. Crew was so excited - can't you tell?

We Thank Thee For A Prophet!

Yet another wonderful conference this weekend. All the talks were great but my favorites came from Monson (yesterday morning) and President Hinkley today. How lucky are we to live in the fullness of times - when we can relax in our beautiful homes and listen to the words of our phrophet and other leaders in the Church? I am so grateful to be a part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! Most of the talks seemed to be about very simple, basic truths. Geoff thought that maybe that was due to Romney and all the interest he has brought to the Church. Hopefully a lot of curious people were watching and learned about our religion. The kids tried to be good and listen to conference but it is still hard for them to focus. They were in the kitchen coloring and during President Hinkley's talk Chase asked "mom, is Jesus coming again?" I did not think he had really been paying attention but obviously he was cause I was thinking the exact same thing! Who knows when that time will be, but He will come again! Also, I loved how President Hinkleys talk centered around his testimony of Joseph Smith. I couldn't agree with him more. I would exhort all my friends and family members to STUDY the short life of Joseph Smith. It is remarkable and will be such a testimony builder for all those who do. The only explanation for all the miracles, events, visions, translating of the Book of Mormon, his many prophesies at a very young age, everything in his life is that THE CHURCH IS TRUE!

Early Halloween Fun!

Today when the boys were at school I surprised them by decorating their room for Halloween. I hung orange lights on their bunk bed and put a scary witch and skeleton that scream and shake whenever you pass on their houses. I also put together goody baskets filled with Halloween toys, blankets, soap, etc. They were SO excited! We are now officially ready for Halloween. The front porch is decorated, all the Halloween books, movies, and music are out of storage, and I have a bunch of stuff to make cute Halloween goodies this weekend. Happy Halloween!

Goodbye, Peanut

Our dear, sweet Peanut died yesterday. We will miss him SO much! He was the best bird EVER! Here are some of the things we will miss the most about Peanut.

His sweet kisses on our neck and cheeks.

Him chasing the boys down the hallway.

Taking him in the yard and watching him fly all over (that is until he would get stuck in one of the high trees and take about 1/2 hour to work up his nerve to fly back down to us)!

His whistles every time we were in the garage (He would totally go through all the whistles he knew in hopes that we would think he was just precious and take him out of his cage).

Him jumping on Caden's bowl of Fruity Pebbles and flipping the entire bowl over onto himself!

Him falling into Chase's bowl of cereal and getting himself covered in milk!

Him freaking Kelli out every time he flew by her (you have never seen 6 feet hit the floor so fast!)

Most of all, we will miss his sweet personality and all the love he brought to our family. He truly was one of a kind!