Fall Whirlwind

(Fall friends: Payton, Noah, Owen, Aiden and Kelsey- Thanks Heather for the picture! These guys spend alot of time together and are like one, big, happy family.)

Fall is blowing by like a whirlwind. There has been alot happening that I haven't recorded. So, I'm just going to list some of those things and then post a few pictures of what we have pictures of.

1. I've been working, substituting for various schools in our county. I've even ventured from elementary, to middle, and high schools. It has been very enjoyable, even in the high schools. Seriously! I am loving it! Of course, it puts my days in a crunch and sometimes stresses me out (timewise- not having enough of it) but I know Im adjusting to the new schedule (or lack thereof, since I get called to a job usually the morning they want me). I do not take all the jobs I get called for, but I try to keep myself employed 3 times a week. I like having the opportunity to work but not the obligation.

2. My birthday and Gray's has past us now. I had a weird low-heartrate / low-blood pressure / fainting episode in September. I had my first ride in an ambulance and spent the night in the ER. After being monitored for the night, blood tests, EKG, recieving fluids and drugs to jump-start my heart, I was released about 6 a.m. and went home. Yeah, kind-of weird. I thought I'd have to stay a full day but I didn't want to. I had visiting teaching scheduled the next day. (Did I go? Yes, I did.) Later, I had a follow-up and a holter monitor for 24 hours to check my heart again. All follow-up tests were negative, found nothing! Weird! did I say that already?! - But also a relief. Anyway, its been a month now since that and I'm fine. I guess I'm just getting older- 35! The body just is not the same as it used to be!

Gray's birthay was a great event for him. We celebrated at home! I made pecan pie this year. Our 12 year-old is growing up and cake is no longer his first request for a birthday dessert. His tastes are very much like his dad's. Gray even wanted Lasagna for dinner. The most exciting part of his birthday was a trip he and Greg took the next day to Utah. They had the opportunity to attend two sessions of the 178th Semiannual General Conference for our church- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ( The priesthood and Sunday a.m. sessions.) We hope to repeat this for all our boys 12th birthdays. I just hope to go next time! Also, they were able to go see a BYU football game, visit family and a couple friends! Feliz Cumpleanos visabuelita! (Oh, yeah, Gray got a PSP, which he has been working all summer for by mowing our lawn. He was thrilled to finally get it.) Gray is now a deacon in our church and happy to be out of primary- even though he will be participating one last time in the primary sacrament presentation. He can't escape that because I'm the music leader in primary!

On a simple hike in northern Utah. (I think they were joined by the Kunz family.) Hi Kunz!

3. Fall is in full swing and our yard is full of leaves! September and half of October weather has been fabulous! We've been enjoying time outside and even made it to a local farm to get two pumpkins from the pumpkin patch! The boys played in a straw maze, picked apples and rasberries too! It is so pretty here this time of year! (Their closest friends, Aiden and Tyler, joined us too. The more the merrier!)

The dog below belongs to the farmer but since we had food he just followed us around and thus is in the picture with my boys. This dog had one blue eye and one hazel eye. He was so calm. Yes, we gave him some of our chex-mix and so he was begging for more.

4. Oh, some injuries. Gray had a cast from fracturing his left arm - just above the wrist. (late August) He wore the cast for about 5 weeks and got it off late September. (Notice his arm in pics below. It was bubble wrapped for the soccer games.) Then, Owen popped a tendon off his first nuckle of his middle finger on his left hand. He is wearing a splint to keep that joint straight for the next two months. (He'll finally get that removed mid- December.) He did this just catching the football in our backyard!

So, should I expect Noah or Payton to have an injury soon? I hope its over for awhile!

5. Soccer has been going strong with Gray and Owen leading their team which is still undefeated! Their team also has an awesome goalie (Brett) who's contributed incredibly by saving so many near goals! We have had some cold rain and wind lately so a couple practices and games have been canceled. (Ever since Greg left for a business trip this month, it has been cold!) All looks clear for their final games this weekend! Wish us luck!

6. Owen began taking trumpet lessons through school. He is doing well! I tried to play it the other day and it was hard! Payton actually taught me. He likes to blow that horn too and may take lessons in the future.

The boys all have conferences coming up at school.

Scouts for Gray (12 year olds) will be having monthly campouts. Even in the winter! However, one was canceled already, I think they should just do their one Klondike Durby and wait for spring to continue monthly outings, but I'm not scout leader. Anyway, daily life keeps us busy!

Autumn time has been fun and this year we haven't had as many illnesses- colds! (knock on wood) Last Friday, when Gray's campout was canceled, I decided to get the boys involved in making our own campfire in our backyard. We are lucky we can do this. The boys and our neighbor, Aiden and his parents, also helped in making it. It was alot more difficult than what we thought it would be. They roasted marshmallows and hot dogs!

My garden did super for my first year. It produced enough tomatoes to even share some. I never had to go to the store all summer and fall for a tomatote, pepper or cucumber! I feel so successful that I am already motivated and excited to try again next spring!

7. Tomorrow is Halloween! Luckily we are expecting some warmer weather- yes! (I'll post those pictures later.) Last week our ward had a fall festival that was lots of fun, but I'll have to get those pictures from my dad later- I forgot my camera. It was a delicious event with a chili-cookoff, homemade mac and cheese, corn bread and pie. We played some games. Gray participated in the whip cream pie contest and root beer guzzling contest. All the boys and Aiden (our neighbor- the mummy) joined in the wrapping contest and eating doughnuts or an apple off a string. Noah and Payton entered in their jack-o-lanterns for that contest. (I think they should have given an award for one child but all the awards went to adults who of course did a better job.) But, there were special awards for other games, costumes, etc. We all had a super time!

Owen, Noah and Payton did 90 percent of the carving this year! I did all the clean up and roasting the seeds, which we love to eat! Payton even tried them this year. He used to be allergic to pumpkin, or so we thought. (Of course my camera died and I only got the beginning process of this carving business. You'd think I would learn or get a new camera!) Aren't these boys funny! They didn't like the smell so they plugged their noses with clips! (Payton and Gray just left the room.)