October Fun

This year the weather stayed SO nice well in to October. We loved getting outside and enjoying the fall colors, plus a ton of other things.

The kids are LOVING Vanguard (our new homeschool group) so much! It's been a great challenge for the two oldest girls, and so much fun and learning for everyone. In addition to core classes, the older girls are doing a world conflicts class, photography, sewing, and public speaking. The little boys have a cooking class once a month and it's been a huge hit! 

My dad volunteers with a railroad club to help run this small train in the park a few times a year. He's done this for a while, but the younger kids and I finally made it up to ride his train. We got to be the test riders and the kids got to help him a bit on the track. 

Fall Forest School is always the best. The girls also hosted a book club up the canyon on the most perfect day. The wind was blowing leaves from the trees, but it was warm and so sunny. 

Matching bed heads 

Hazel and Eliza helped with a car wash to earn money for girl's camp. Eliza in the wobbly man suit was priceless! 

Eliza has been taking aerial silks this fall and loving it! With all her strength from gymnastics, she's been able to pick it up quickly and has already moved up to the intermediate class. She had her first show, and we loved watching her! 

We enjoyed a Vanguard field trip to the fall festival. This one had all sorts of carnival rides which was really fun, since most of the kids have never been to a carnival. 

The big kids ran off with friends, so I spent most of the morning with Walter. He loved the mini Ferris-wheel and the corn pit! 

Hazel, Eliza, and I worked concessions at several BYU football games to earn money for their choir tour this summer. They're long, exhausting shifts, but it's also lots of fun. 

After working one game from 11am-6pm, these two still found the energy to go to a friends mascarade ball party. 

Eliza celebrated Ember's first birthday with a nice sun-bath on the front porch (complete with a candle). She also made her several Halloween costumes. The first was a crocheted frog costume which Ember refused to wear, so she made her dragon wings. 

One night during dinner clean up, Hazel plopped Walter on her shoulders where he proceeded to "help" her by tugging her hair. It reminded us SO much of Ratatouille.

Another evening these four turned in to "Nerds." (As in the Nerds candy which they said they resembled). They then proceeded to have Nerd Battles. Crazies! 

A huge highlight of the month for Michael was hunting! He finally drew a tag and was so excited to try for a buck. It was a busy week juggling huntings and work, but he spent as much time up the mountain as he could. He enjoyed snow camping, huge hikes, beautiful views, and hanging out with his friend Matt. Sadly, they didn't have any luck finding bucks. There were just too many people (and the area is fairly close to town so many of the deer had moved down). It was a great learning experience though and lots of fun! 

While Michael was off hunting, Gabby and I met one evening for a campfire dinner. I'd been to this area before and thought it was beautiful. But, I didn't realize the fire pits in an area with only super dry dirt (and no cement pads around them). We had a blast, but the kids were FILTHY! 

My little Grub

One Sunday before church we went on a walk/hike to burn off some energy. I snapped this picture and love it so much. It just sums up little boys so well.