saturday

 doesn't she look like madeline here?  She loves to pose - i'm not sure if that's from dance or what.....but it's what she does.

 She's on her way to the practice for the primary program.  She absolutely loves primary.

 In the afternoon we went for a hike.  Anna loves to just meander in the woods.  She gets really excited over things like big rocks and pokey plants.  It makes my heart sing to see her enjoy being outside as much as I do!

 more poses.

 really?

 she should be a little model.

 then there is julia..........

 she just likes to make us all laugh.  and we love her for it.

 this is so them.........julia being a stink and anna being an angel.

i dont' know if there is anything I love more than hiking with my girls..........other than really hiking with my husband........

friday: aunt amy's

 spencer got sick so we didn't have him friday.  When I found out, I immediately left for my sisters.  I haven't spent a day up there in forever.  Jane and Julia didn't fight TOO much..........Julia has learned to stand up for herself better (not that she needed too much training to figure it out).  Now she wills say "YOU NO DO THAT ME"

 Amy went out to lunch with my mom and dad and kelby - i just sort of wanted to play with the kids.  It was  PERFECT weather.  As you can see from the accidental picture above.

 The girls played in costumes all day and then played in the big leaf piles.

 Oh - julia actually took a nap there.  it was pretty amazing.  I just put her down in evans bed and she fell fast asleep.

 evan (6) is going to be Garfield for christmas!

 When amber came home a bunch of neighbor kids came over (such is life at my sister's house).  The big girls put on a tea party for the little girls.  Anna was in heaven - dress ups and tea party hosted by bigger girls!

 This is their cute neighbor boy that often plays with anna when we go over there.  He is the closest in age to her (currently in kindergarten).

 Amber is a ninja for halloween.  she had a piano dress up recital (kids only).  Doesn't she look awesome.  Amy said there are 3 girls in her piano class that are being ninjas for halloween.

when it was time to amy teased that she was going to ride home with us in anna's car seat.  Anna thought that was so silly.  She's just starting to learn what the term "teasing" means.  She says "oh - aunt amy is just teasing me"  She is so literal.  Julia loves aunt amy and didn't want to leave her - she always says "me huggy aunt amy!"  It was another perfect fall day.  I love the fall weather.

old friends (:

 this is Baby Bo.  Isn't he adorable?  He is JJ's brother.  They just moved to Lehi area and we drove down wednesday to visit them.  They have a dream of "living off the fat a da lan" (from of mice and men).  So they have an acre and some neighbor's horses live right behind them!

 Julia got over her fear of horses I guess.  Her and Anna and JJ were feeding the horses the grass from their field.  It was fun to watch them.  JJ was anna's friend in Portland when they were about 18 months.  They still play fabulously.  JJ's little sister is just a week or two younger than julia, and they are starting to learn how to play.........

 we had a lot of fun in the fall leaves.  I got stung by a bee!  It really didn't hurt too bad.

 Poor Trina......I mean....lucky Trina..........they bought and cat and a dog......plus a new house and 3 kids.......wow I don't know how any of them are still alive (;  Thanks for letting us visit.  We really love your new place........and love that you are permanently only 20 minutes away!!  God has blessed us with so many wonderful friends.

 After leaving JJ's house, we drove to kaysville to visit my friend Jenn from high school.  She was staying at her parent's house.  She currently lives in Vegas, so I don't get to see her very often.  She has a little girl born on Julia's birthday.  For some reason I didn't take pictures of Jenn's family!!  Her mom and dad have not aged since I saw them last (Jenn's wedding over 7 years ago).  It was good to see them and to be in the company of old friends.  Jenn is a fantastic cook.  She and I ALWAYS eat when we are together - because that's just what we do.   We had a fantastic homecooked meal of pumpkin cream sauce with ralvioli, orange arugula salad, french bread with homemade jam, spagetti squash and PB banana cream pie for dessert.  I even saved some for Richard.  It was a good day spent with old friends.