November Happenings

Toddler Troubles & Birthday Bashes

On the left we had a family birthday party and celebrated birthday's for these four boys 

(Erik is on Facetime on the left)! 

On the right we have a little boy who likes to stand on his piano on top of the bed and look out the window at nap time.What's a mom to do but take a picture?

Cort's 6th Birthday Bash

We had a great time taking Cort and a few of his friends to go see the movie The Secret Life of Pets at the dollar theater. We had fun with Eli, Joshua, and Nathan.

We spend the evening celebrating Cort's birthday with just our little family.

Mormon Mafia

There's this thing called Mormon Mafia. It's come about as a result of the election. 

I think my husband may be a member...

...don't tell him I know. 😉

The First Snowy Nights

There is nothing better than the first snow you get to go play in.

Kent, and the kids and I had a blast!

Life in November

Top to bottom and left to right: 1. We were shopping at Macey's and guess who we saw but Santa and he wanted to know if WE wanted of picture...we couldn't pass up that opportunity. 2. Kent teaching Marshal to drive. 3. My friend Erin was in the play Shrek the Musical so we took the big boys and went to see it. 4. The boys had a Primary activity about Book of Mormon stories. My boys told me their favorite story was of Captain Moroni. That's my boys! 5. I finally learned some good selfie taking techniques. 6&7. Cort drew a Christmas tree and told me I had to put it on Facebook because everyone will LOVE it! lol He cracks me up!

1. Couldn't pass up a beautiful sunset! 

2. Our neighborhood was affected by the Bangerter project and some of the homes were taken. Despite the sadness of losing neighbors I do have to say that seeing these homes torn down was quite an interesting experience.

3. I was at the grocery store when I saw that there would be an opportunity to see Gordon Hayward. I texted Erik about it mostly for fun and he begged me to get his signature. I made it just in time, but I am pretty sure that is one birthday gift he will not soon forget and all it cost me was a little time.

October Fun

When you have an 

Outside Obsession

There are just times when something needs to be documented by video. 

This is one of them. It's really unfortunate we don't live in a tent. You know?

Park City with the Dunne Family!

Erik and Cheryl decided to rent a house in Park City and the invited us to come with them.

It was so much fun to have a little get away and enjoy the beautiful home and time together.

Marshal's New Glasses

We took Marshal to the eye doctor and as it turns out he needs glasses just as Cort does.

Thankfully Marshal looks pretty cute in them.

Evan McMullin Fan Club

Never would I have guessed that I would become so excited about a politician, but I am so excited to vote for Evan when he announced a mingle at the Leatherby's I jumped at the chance to take my boys and get some ice cream. Too bad I missed him as he walked by and never made it back to my table. It was nice to meet Mindy Finn though!

Halloween

Cort was and Marshal was Yoda! 

Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of my boys  all together.

Braxton was Hawkeye

Life in October

Marshal fell down and scratched up his little face. Cort went to a birthday party at the Miles house and came back with war paint...he LOVED it! My boys bought me some pretty mums. We did puzzles while we listened to conference and Marshal enjoyed some outdoor time on his bike! October was a good month!

Grateful to my God

My heart is bursting with gratitude today! I have gratitude for the earth and the beauties that it holds. I'm grateful for the joy of simply being alive! I express gratitude for my son whose desire to be outside is ten times greater than even mine.

I had no intention of going out for a walk today, but after my little one got me out I realized it was a perfect day for a walk. As I rounded the corner to see where necessary road construction has taken my neighbors homes I realized the gift God has given those of us left behind. He has graced us with the most beautiful mountain view. A view to remind me of the majesty of God. That no matter what changes come God is in control and he will take care of his children.

Then my heart just sang again of my gratitude for a beautiful place to live with the most beautiful people. As I rounded the corner I was met with a friend who inquired about the health of my foot. Four months and literally years I have been unable to run due to planter fasciitis. I am finally healthy enough that I can run from time to time. We discussed my health which made me even more grateful to be able to walk. Thinking of my health led me to push myself and run! 

I ran with years of gratitude swelling in my eyes. How blessed am I?! 

September fun!

Labor Day Trip to Logan

We needed to take a trip so we decided to go visit 

Aunt Darcy and enjoy some time with Michaela.

Darcy showed us where to find the Dwarf Caves.

Sometimes you have to take the picture even in someone else's kid is in it.

Beautiful sight with my cute boys!

Don't Waste Your Vote

This election year I watched the primaries closely and made sure to vote for who I felt would be a good president. When my choices came down to Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump I knew I had to vote for another candidate. I searched and searched and almost got excited about voting for Gary Johnson, but in the end no one represented the values I felt were needed. Finally I heard that Evan McMullin had entered the race as an independent and he was running on the principals of the constitution. Never have I had such conviction about a presidential candidate, but I wanted to make sure people knew about this candidate. In the end he lost, but I sure learned a lot about the political process, electoral votes, and my passion for politics.

These photos were taken at the opening of his campaign office in downtown Salt Lake City.

It was a pleasure to support someone who held values similar to my own!

Cort plays T-Ball

This year Cort decided to try his hand at T-ball and he had a lot of fun with it!

It was a lot of fun to watch his skills improve as the season went on.

Braxton and Kent in Flag Football

Braxton played his second season of Flag Football and enjoyed it.

He had a great coach and I really enjoyed watching Kent help coach their defense! 

My Little Grocery Helper

Kent bought this wagon online for our trip to Lagoon this summer and Marshal LOVES it!

He was thrilled to help me out with unloading the milk with his little red wagon!

Payback from a Cougar fan

After we decorated the Rojas yard they decided to pay us back for the big game. In addition to our yard Ozzie posted tickets for sale to the game as sold by Kent and I. The joke was on us when we started getting texts from interested buyers who completely confused us! Well played Ozzie! 

Well played!

Sept. 11

Braxton read about the attacks on 9/11 so we decided to take the boys to see the healing field and talk with them about our experiences with that day. It was a time when America was truly united being Americans!

Yard Art

Kent's mom decided to give away a bunch of her pioneer heirlooms. We were lucky enough to add these gems to our yard art. We really enjoyed how they transformed our yard.

Laying Sod with the Starrs!

Starrs have been laying sod all summer and it has been so much fun to help them out. 

Marshal is our little worker who had to help out too!

Fall Leaves

One of my favorite things to do in the fall is go and look at the leaves as they are changing colors in the canyon. I can't help but snap photo after photo. Here are just a few of my favorites!

I love the stark difference of the bare mountain with the colorful trees.

Beautiful colors!

We decided to take the kids to the circus as we haven't been for a few years.

It was fun, but we sure missed the elephants!

First break

Braxton had his first broken arm from school. As we were waiting for his x-ray a mom was there with her little boy and was not allowed to take him with her to get the x-ray. Kent and I told her we'd be happy to keep an eye on him. Braxton was really good to sit on the floor and read him a book.

We were lucky all he needed was a few weeks in a sling.

The doctor said if your going to have a break this is the break to have!

Marshal loves to take my phone and take pictures. 

I always end up with a bunch of selfies on my phone.

Cort also had his first day on the bus with the big kids. He was pretty excited about it.

Marshal got to try on his Halloween costume! I'd say he looked pretty cute in it!

Grandpa Robison finally drew after many years of trying for a big elk. This was the prize he came home with. We will see what grandma lets him do with it.

Summer Finale

Holdaway Reunion

 August always starts with the Holdaway reunion. 

It is such a joy to spend time with my Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins.

Just a few of the marvelous people I was lucky to grow up with!

Family Outings

Sometimes you just need to get out of the house. 

We spent the day at the lake in Daybreak.

Summer Fun

Grandpa Kunz sent the balloon launcher to our house 

so we called the neighbors and put it to good use!

Sandy Balloon Fest

One of my favorite things since I was a kid is balloon launches.

We are lucky to have a balloon launch close to home.

The American flag balloon went up and was starting to come down 

as we were headed home so we decided to follow it and watch it land.

Graduation

Cort graduated from UPSTART and Preschool this year, 

but the only one who held a graduation ceremony was UPSTART.

Family Scouting

Carl earned money washing cars so that he could buy the materials 

to make marble runs for special needs kids. It was fun to go down and help him.

Butterflies

Another summer favorite is to go to the Conservation Gardens and enjoy the butterfly release. 

It was amazing to watch the butterflies just land right on people. 

Back to School

My boys starting school is always bittersweet. 

I know that school is good for them and I welcome the structure, 

but I miss our adventures together!

Amelia's Visit

It was fun to finally meet Tim right after he proposed to Amelia on Temple Square.

Welcome to this crazy family Tim.

Go Utes!

When your neighbors leave town and come back converted to your team...

...you find out if they are good sports or not...

...they were!

Our Life

We were able to fit in swimming lessons in this busy summer which I was grateful for.

Uncle Brian was called to the bishopric so mom and dad came to be with them and announced that Dad would soon no longer be the Branch President of the Cuba branch.

Life with Marshal is always full of fun and surprises.

Kent and I made some yummy kabobs but Braxton choose to eat cereal instead.

One day he'll look at this and realize he was crazy. 

Although we didn't get a lot of pictures we were able to attend 

the Gibson reunion and meet a lot of extended family.

Everyone gives plates of cookies to their kids...

Right?!?

This is the face he has when he gets caught being naughty.

Little turkey!