Last week I got sick. So sick I couldn't take care of the kids on my own. Thankfully I am surrounded by people who love my kids and are always willing to help out. The kids spent lots of time with baby sitters and dinner was brought in until I was strong enough to cook for them. It seemed fitting that our family home evening lesson this week should be on gratitude. We had a lesson and we made some halloween themed treats to take as thank you gifts.

I love four year olds. They are able to really get involved in so many projects. Kermit was taking this very seriously because he knew he was going to take some to his "best friend" and he wanted this friend to like the treats.



This is Kermit's look of concentration. He has this exact expression on his face anytime he is working very hard on something.



Here he finally relaxes a little.



Froggie loves any type of project and gets right in there.





Felicity loves to cook and create things in the kitchen,



so this was pretty much her dream activity.




Here's the finished project. Super cute! Halloween ghosts!



Even better was the look of accomplishment on each of the kids faces as we finished the project!

Biwater Farm Autumn Fest

I can't believe it has been so long since I last posted. I have made a goal to get caught up on blogging. I am starting with the most recent photos and will back blog when I get the chance.

We spent this past Saturday at the Biwater farm autumn fest. I scored a groupon and we made the most of a beautiful fall day. Felicity was very excited to break into her fall wardrobe and she "borrowed" my scarf for the day. I cannot believe how grown up she is. It breaks my heart how fast she is growing up. I love this girl!



Our first stop of the day was the pirates cove playground which featured a pirate ship and lots of see-saws. Froggie was ready for his turn.



He was less enthusiastic with this arrangement. He is too independent for his own good!



We then made our way over to the trike track. This was a huge hit! The kids spent a good amount of time riding around the track again and again. Poor Froggie couldn't reach the pedals, so I got my workout for the day pushing him around. He was kind enough to let me catch my breath.



After the trikes we went to the mile high slide. Of all of the kids Froggie was the most apprehensive, but after his first slide down he was hooked.



Here's Felicity turn.




I think Kermit loved this slide the most.



Next we spent some time in the cowboy corral. The rocking horses were awesome and we had some incredible horse races. Felicity had fun, but much prefers a real horse.



Froggie on the other hand LOVED his horse and was quite sad to say good bye.



Kermit wasn't sure I could handle the horse on my own, so he took the reins.



Next we played on human size hampster wheels. Felicity and Kermit loved these. Kermit wants one for his next birthday....




By late afternoon the kids were ready to hit the main event. The corn maze. It was huge and we had a blast getting lost. The kids all took turns being in the lead. Here's Froggie leading the way!



To end the day we had dinner at a campfire. The kids enjoyed roasting their own hot dogs over the fire. I was nervous to let Kermit do it all by himself, but he was a professional!



After the hot dogs were all gone, the kids roasted marshmallows.



Great weather, fun entertainment, and perfect company. Is there anything better?

A new calling!!

I was nervous when I got a call from one of the bishopric members asking if he could stop by and visit last Saturday. I was pretty sure what that meant. He came and spent a few minutes visiting with the kids, and then told me that the bishopric had a calling in mind for me that they felt really good about. I was surprised and excited when he asked me to serve in primary as a chorister. I am also very very VERY nervous. We have a large primary, and being in front of a group of people is not my thing, but I accepted the calling and am looking forward to the challenge! (pray for me on Sunday!)

Orange Leaf

One of Felicity's favorite treats is getting to go to a frozen yogurt place called Orange Leaf. We paid them a visit last Saturday night. I knew we were in trouble when I had to circle the parking lot for almost ten minutes before I was able to snag a parking spot. Honestly, this place is always packed. Felicity and Kermit waiting in line which was out the door when we got there.



The novelty of this place for the kids is they get an empty bowl, and then choose whatever flavors of frozen yogurt they want. There are about 7 or 8 different machines going. Each has two different flavors, plus the option to swirl them together. After you get your yogurt, you head over to their "buffet of toppings" and go crazy.

Froggie went with vanilla and strawberry yogurt, and he added sprinkles and chocolate chips. There was no convincing him to look at the camera. His full attention was on his yogurt!



Kermit was a little more adventurous. He chose cheesecake, strawberry, and pineapple yogurt which he then topped with sprinkles, chocolate chips, and fresh strawberries.



Felicity had about six different kinds of yogurt, I can't remember all of them, but her favorite of the night was the pineapple/coconut swirl. She chose to top her's with cherries, strawberries, peanut butter cups, choclate chips, and one sour patch kid right on the top. (Maybe to cut the sweetness?)



The decor is very modern, and all three of the kids were super excited to be able to sit on the tall chairs to eat their yogurt. It was a fun way to end a pretty great day.

My little athlete!

I set up our bounce house on Saturday. Felicity and Kermit were in jumping heaven, but froggie wanted nothing to do with it. He cried every time I even tried to take him near it. While the other two were occupied, Froggie and I played a few sports. Froggie wanted to play tennis, but I couldn't find any tennis balls. This was his solution.



He gave it his best shot.



It didn't take him long to realize it wasn't going to work out.



We moved on to Lacrosse.



We had so much fun. Froggie still hasn't mastered catching the ball yet, but he is a rock star at throwing it!



Here he is waiting for me to fetch the ball he threw.



Hands down, our favorite part of lacrosee was showing our scary aggressive faces. His is pretty good, don't you think?




After lacrosse we wrangled the other two out of the bounce house and we got in some good baseball practice. That adventure deserves it's own post! Stay tuned...

Wrestle Mania!!

It was a quiet night. I was in the middle of getting froggie into his pajamas when Kermit made his grand entrance into the living room. Anytime we see this pose we know what's about to happen....



There was no stopping it. Froggie was ready...



The first take down of the night went to Kermit.



Uh oh, the tides are turning.



Could it be an upset? Will the little guy win?



It's anyone's match...



It was a hard fought match, but in the end Kermit's strength was too much for Froggie.




Kermit's Victory Dance!



After all that hard work, Kermit needed a little rest.



Rest time didn't last long...



And the craziness started all over again.

Saturday is a Special Day!

Saturday was a GREAT day. We played all morning in the boys room, and then we went to my basketball game. I am so lucky to have the worlds greatest cheering squad. Three little voices chanting, "Go Mommy Go! Go Mommy go!" is so cute. After our game, we came home and took full advantage of the nice weather. We pulled out the bikes, the scooter, the ride on toys, and the skateboard. The kids had a blast. Kermit and Froggie on their trikes.



Then Kermit decided to practice on his "big boy bike". It probably would have gone better if the tires weren't flat, but he had fun anyways!



Kermit has gotten to be quite the expert on the scooter. Before we go any farther, let me point out that I know a lot of our toys and equipment are girly, but you use what you have, right?



Felicity spent a good amount of time practicing skateboarding.



She looks like a pro!



Here she is acting crazy. Actually, that's pretty typical for Felicity! Love that girl.



Kermit isn't sure what to make of her "trick"!



Here's one of the few shots of Kermit standing still. He was having too much fun. Do you think it's time for a haircut? The hood always does a number on his curls!!



There was no convincing Froggie to slow down for a picture...



Until Felicity told him he could wear her old bike helmet!



I just LOVE this photo. I love how Froggie is looking at Felicity. It perfectly sums up their relationship. He ADORES her! We all do, really!



This is one of my favorite pictures of the day. Froggie melts my heart and he just looks so darn cute.



It was so nice to be able to play outside after several months of winter weather. We definitely took full advantage. After we cleaned up the bikes, we pulled out some sports equipment. Those pictures are coming tomorrow!