Utah

The boys had such a good time at Grandma and Grandpas house. We spent more time outside than inside exploring and playing and enjoying the cool Utah weather.

Picking strawberries, peaches, pumpkins, tomatoes, and grapes from grandmas yard. Cousin Kaylee and Everett coming into the house and Kaylee saying she picked the rest of the strawberries and let Everett eat them. (The strawberries that were left were moldy)
Every time I open a can of peaches now Everett will ask if they are from grandmas yard. He thought grandmas yard was pretty incredible. One of this favorite things was using the ladder to pick peaches. Then coming inside, peeling it, and eating it over the sink.

Nathan falling asleep in grandpas lap during church.

Nathan and Everett playing the piano. Everett playing each song in the hymn book non stop.

Walking to the park to play.

Swinging in the backyard. 

Getting popsicles at aunt Karyn's house.

Playing with all the cousins.
Walking to church.

Shooting off rockets with Grandpa. Nathan still remembers what a rocket does if you ask him. Everett thought the rockets were amazing. Hopefully one will still be stuck in a tree next time we come visit.

Going to the zoo and missing the train for the day by two minutes. 

Playing with dads legos from when he was a kid.

Everett, dad, and grandpa going to the train museum together.

Playing outside every minute we could.
There is something so magical for a child when they visit a grandparent. I still remember visiting my grandparents when I was little. I remember every smell, every noise different parts of the house made. I remember all the fun things we were able to do at grandmas and grandpas house. I remember thinking their yard was a magical fairy land.
I love taking our own kids to visit their grandparents now and seeing them make these amazing memories that I made from my childhood. There is something so special about it.

Utah

Stephen had an opportunity to work in Utah for three weeks so we all tagged along and spent time with family for three weeks. The boys got so spoiled by Nana and Papa and had the best time.
It was the perfect time of year to visit Utah. The weather was perfect almost every day and the leaves were changing in the mountains.
Roasting hot dogs in the backyard and building a fire with Papa was so fun. I'm not sure what Everett thought about the hot dogs but he had fun watching Papa roast them. Nathan loved his cup of pudding the most.
We went and saw some miniature horses and one of them pulled us on a little cart.
Exploring tony grove lake was fun but the lake was empty. They empty it about every 10 or 15 years and it just so happened to be when we came. The boys still had a good time hiking around.
Nathan falling asleep in Nanas arms while watching shows with Everett.
I love watching my kids play with their grandparents and aunts and uncles. I love the memories they are making together. Family is so important and it was really nice being able to spend so much quality time with everyone.

September

September was a busy month.
Everett started preschool. He goes five mornings a week this year. The first couple weeks were kind of a rough adjustment but he's really enjoying it now.
I had my tonsils out at the end of August so spent a couple weeks in bed resting, sleeping, and watching a lot of tv. Stephen and my mom were so helpful with everything that needed to be done while I was recovering.
Both Nathan and Everett got hand, foot, and mouth.
We decided it would be fun to spend 9 hours in the car and take a day trip to DC and watch the Brave's play. It was such a fun day. We had lunch with Jesse when we got there. Everett had the best time playing with him at the mall. As soon as we left the mall and Everett got into the car he said "I love uncle Jesse." Then we headed to the game. We hadn't been to a Brave's game since we lived in Atlanta. It was Nathan's first game and he and Everett loved it. At the end of the game while we were walking back to the car I asked Everett what his favorite part of the day was and he said playing on the escalators at the mall with uncle Jesse.
Sunday afternoons can either be busy and chaotic or they can be fun and relaxing. One Sunday afternoon Everett and I played with legos on the floor for over an hour. It was one of the really good Sunday afternoons.
I love watching the boys play with Stephen. They love their daddy so much. He is the best at playing with them. They love wrestling with him the most. I caught the three of them playing on the tiny trampoline outside one afternoon and it just makes me feel so blessed for the life I have.