Halloween Scavenger Hunt

We got invited to the most fun party I have ever been to. Our friends put on a Halloween Scavenger Hunt.  They put us into 6 different teams of 4 couples and had clues all over Logan.  They went all out on this and did a fantastic job.  We went everywhere from Logan High, Green Canyon, 1st Dam, The Nature Park and many more places.  The clues all rhymed and had an Halloween theme.  The first team to get all of their clues and add each item to their witches brew and be back to the meeting place first won.  We didn't win, and I fell and sprained my ankle pretty bad and ripped my favorite pair of jeans, but we sure had a great time!!  Derek and Heather Mickelson were on our team.  They are in our ward, and we really enjoyed being with them and getting to know them better. We really hope we get an invite again next year!!

The Pumpkin Walk

We kicked off the Halloween festivities with a trip to the pumpkin walk. It was pretty busy, but still fun to walk through it and get in the Halloween spirit.

Stella looked so cute all bundled up!

James and Josh of course had to stop and get their pictures taken. I especially love that picture of James cause it looks so creepy!

We couldn't get my parents to come with us so just the siblings went.  We had a blast together.  I am so glad we all live here in Logan right now so that we can do fun things like this!

Girls Night Out

I seriously have the greatest friends!!  I am so glad that I have these wonderful ladies in my life.  We always have so much fun together and there is always a listening ear to whatever you feel like talking about!  We went to dinner a few weeks ago for Karly and Nikki's Birthdays.  We went to Formosa. After some REALLY awkward conversations with a sweet Chinese lady we decided we weren't ready to go home and decided to go so the movie "Pitch Perfect".  It is one of the most funny movies I have ever seen and we had the best time with each other!  I think it is so important for everyone to get out with their friends and have a break from their every day life. It doesn't happen very often but when it does we sure know how to have a great time. I love you girls!

If you have seen the movie you will know why we are posing this way!

My Darling Kids

I cannot believe how fast time goes by.  Stella just turned 6 months old, and Drake is almost 3 years old.  The last time I got pictures taken was when Stella was a newborn and already my kids have both changed so much.  I just decided one day last week to go out and take some pictures of my kids while the weather was still decent.  I am not a professional photographer, but I am happy with the way they turned out for it all being done last minute.  Stella is really into her tongue right now and I could not get her to keep it in her mouth, so it is out in every picture... but oh well, it is cute and it will remind me every time I look at these pictures that this is what she was doing at this stage!  

I Love Being A Mom Because...

No one ever told me how hard motherhood is.  I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but I don't think I really knew how hard it actually is. There are days where I don't know if I can take it much longer and I am watching the clock just waiting for it to be bed time so that I can recharge myself for another day.  As hard, emotional, frustrating, overwhelming and absolutely exhausting being a mom can be, it is also so fun and so rewarding! With all of those hard days comes happy days that I am filled with so much joy because of my two darling kids.  They make me smile everyday and grateful for how blessed I am to have them in my life.  I adore them. I love being a mom because....

Just look at that sweet face.  I get to wake up to that every morning!

I get to snuggle with this cute boy and watch Mickey Mouse. This is one of my favorite things to do. I just sit and take it all in because I know before I know it he is going to be all grown up.

I get to go to lunch with this kid and sit and listen to what he has to say.  He is so smart and says the funniest things.

I get to wipe tears away and make them feel happy and loved.

I get to take my kids to do fun things and see the looks on their faces when we do these things.

I get to hold her and kiss those cute little ears everyday.

I get to cuddle with them in my bed in the morning.

I get to witness the love that my kids have for each other.

When I make something for them, I get to watch them love that thing as much as I hoped they would!

I get to give them baths (something my kids love to do).  There is nothing better than clean kids in their pajamas.

I get to look at those cute faces everyday and tell them that I love them. This was the first time that Drake asked if he could hold Stella.

I get to watch them interact with their daddy.  They absolutely adore him, and can't wait for him to get home from work so they can play with him and tell them about their day.

I get to take them on walks.

I get to teach them and help them learn how to be big and grown up.

I get to laugh at them when they do or say funny things.

I get to capture sweet moments like this.

I get to look at those sweet eyes. (This is the one and only time she took a binky)

As hard as trying to figure babies out, I get to try anything I can just to keep me sane.

Running errands with little ones is a task that takes much patience, but I get to listen to him say funny things as we shop and see the joy in his face when he gets to look at the toys. When were shopping at TJ Maxx I asked him if he could carry out the bag. He looked at me and said, "Of course my lady!"

I get to enjoy the things that are so simple to me but such a big deal to him!

I get to dress this cute girl in darling clothes.

I get to kiss those cheeks every single day, multiple times a day!!

I get to witness this, and be so grateful that my kids are able to feel the spirit in our home.

I get to enjoy Stella sleeping and cuddling on my shoulder, and her wanting to cuddle with me because I am her mom!

I get to be goofy with my kids.

I am grateful I get to do and be a part of all of these things everyday.  Though there are days that I feel like I could rip all of my hair out, I am so happy I get to be a mom.  I love these two little nuggets so much!  They make me so happy, and I am glad I am the one they call mom!