Last Week

We FINALLY got to go to lunch with Auntie Kareen.  We celebrated my birthday and she decided it was time to get Alison a new fall outfit for school.  They have had a shopping date in the works for a couple months now.  Alison picked out a very cute outfit and we promised auntie we would post it on our blog.  Doesn't she look like a little model?  THANKS AUNTIE KAREEN for a fun Friday!

Our family got to go to a really cool musical called The Ark at The Grande Theatre at Salt Lake Community College.  It was written by Michael McLane and it's all about Noah and his family on the Ark.  It was such a great musical and we had a lot of fun watching the characters.  Speaking of characters, the kids all got animal masks and Alison and her cousin Eliza had a great time pretending to be ferocious beasts.  

We have some great friends (The Tullis Family) who invited us and The Tovey's down to their mom's vacation home in St. George for UEA Weekend.  Derek had to work (poor guy) - but I got to take Alison and Ian with me and we joined their favorite friends Cecy, Collin, Mazie, Alex, Darren, Carson and my favorite friends - Anne and Crista & their hubbies for a long weekend vacation.  It was beautiful weather and we actually had a little time to relax.  We swam a couple times, went & played miniature golf, watched a couple movies and ate GREAT food!  They guys got to golf and I was a little jealous.  The kids had a blast.  The only thing really missing was Derek.

We also had another opportunity to meet up with Alison's birth mother, Brooke, and her family.  As always, we had a great visit and it was just like seeing old friends.  The girls played together and we just caught up on what everyone was doing.  We love you, Brooke!

Derek got sick on Friday and spent the weekend working and recouping, though he still feels very much under the weather.  We are hoping it passes over me and the kids.  We are having a great time enjoying the fall season with all the colors of the leaves and crisp air.  We are looking forward to Grandma and Grandpa Williams to come home from their Dallas, TX Mission.  Hope all is well with everyone!

What do you mean... SNOW?

That's living in Utah for ya!  We woke up Sunday morning to a beautiful blanket of snow.  Alison and Ian both were so excited when we got home from church and they got to play in the snow for a little while.  Derek took Ian in before I could get a picture of him eating a snowball - but they had a lot of fun.

I received a new calling Sunday.  We have a brand new Relief Society Presidency and I am the Secretary.  I will be released as the Nursery Leader (*sniff*) and I am really going to miss that calling and the ladies I served with.  I am excited though to be back in Relief Society.  It's been a while since I heard a lesson that didn't have to do with loving my hands or animals :0)

Alison is all done with soccer until the Spring.  She carved pumpkins in her Kindergarten class today and she really, really loves school and her teacher, Miss Smith.  Ian is super grumpy when his teeth come in and we got rid of the binkie - so that adds to the grumpiness.  He is learning how to play with other kids and and is climbing over anything that stands still.  He took a header off the chair onto the tile floor, busted his lip and bloodied up his nose.  His teeth are still intact - thank goodness.  I know - I know - Welcome to BOYS!

Derek and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary on the 8th and Derek and the kids celebrated my 34th birthday on the 9th.  Derek ordered me the most amazing cheesecake with fresh raspberries folded in, a layer of chocolate mouse and a thick layer of ganash on the top - garnished with fresh raspberries around the edge.  Oh - it was sinful!  Thanks Alison for sharing your wonderful talent with my family.  

I took the kids to Meuller park for some pictures of the changing leaves.  I could not get Ian to smile for me.  He just loves Aunt Christine (Alison said).  It was a nice afternoon up there with the kids.  We even found a BIG Bee Hive.

Derek is working hard and Ali, Ian and I are going to St. George this weekend for UEA.  We wish Derek could come with us since he is really the one who needs a vacation.  Halloween is coming!  We're so excited!