Pumpkin Patch

Last Saturday we went to the pumpkin patch and I was so PUMPED!  I love this tradition!!!

We found a great pumpkin patch and farm down in Wellsville.  I am not quite sure if I am sold on the pumpkin patch part but the rest of the activities were super fun and it all worked out.  

They had a great straw fort that had yellow foam in between that the kiddos could climb and crawl over.  Sarah particularly LOVED it!  They also had a corn maze which we may or may not have come out the same way we came in! ;)  Then there was a "Scarecrow Walk" which was fun and creative.  

The pumpkin patch was super muddy and more just pumpkins alongside a path that you picked out.  I was more hoping for a field of pumpkins but it was still great and the kids had fun.  Sarah loved all of the "baby" pumpkins and Jacob was a trooper with the rule of having to be able to carry your own pumpkin.  Everyone seemed happy with their choices and couldn't wait to take their pumpkins home!

Sister Berning

We have ANOTHER missionary in the family!  Our niece, Elise, has been called to serve in the Mexico Ciudad Juarez Mission.  We were able to go down a couple weeks ago and hear her speak in church before she left and she is such a beautiful woman - inside and out - and she just radiates goodness.  She will do amazing things and we are so proud of her!

28th Birthday

I had a birthday!  WOOT WOOT!

Actually, I just love the excuse to celebrate and do something fun together - so this was great!

Mark took the day off of work - isn't he the greatest?! - and we played!  It was a beautifully, perfect fall day.  Mark made me a yummy breakfast and then we all headed up and did the Limber Pine trail.  We love this little hike and it is perfect for our little kiddos.  We had fun singing songs and just enjoying the crisp, beautiful day together.  

We then kind of lazied about our afternoon while Sarah napped and then Gus and Darlene came up!  This was a fun surprise that Mark orchestrated so that we could go on a date.  Truly, Mark and I never get to go on dates.  In fact, we talked about how old Jacob needs to be before that is permissible to let him babysit!  I think we've still got a while!

Anyway, Mark and I had a great evening just the two of us.  We headed over to Logan and had dinner at Texas Road House and then strolled throughout The Book Table for awhile.  I love my kiddos but there is something amazing at just browsing without having to worry about what the little tykes might be up to!  We then headed over to the movie theater and saw "Deepwater Horizon".  It was interesting and I was proud that I was able to stay awake the whole time!

We ended the night with some Coldstone Ice Cream and a nice drive back through the canyon.  We then caught up with Gus and Darlene for awhile once we got home and I was so grateful for them for coming up to be our babysitters.  It was a great birthday treat!  I had a wonderful day and am so grateful for the many wonderful people in my life.  I feel very blessed.  

Star Wars Backpack

I think we are due for a Sarah moment.  

This little girl is my angel.  Seriously.  I think I love her too much...is that possible?  Probably not.  But seriously, she is my most favorite little girl ever.  Sometimes I tell her that she needs to be my best friend forever (and trust me I know, I am her mom, not her "friend" but can't we kind of be friends?) and she gives me a big love and a juicy kiss on the cheek and I just fall more in love with her.  

Anyway, I will move on from my love fest with Sarah - just know that it is strong.  

This little girl is the total package.  She is beautiful (granted, I know that I am biased but I think she is about the most adorable thing to grace this planet), so so sweet, spunky, smart, chatty, social, and has an equal obsession with Star Wars and Frozen.  She's a pretty well-rounded individual.  

So for quite a while now Jacob has been OBSESSED with all things Star Wars - in particular, Darth Vader.  I find this strange but funny because he has never seen the movies and his only knowledge comes from the Little Golden Books set that he has.  But he loves them - and really loves the villain and is quick to point out that he was just making a "bad choice" at different times in the story.  But Sarah has completely jumped on the Star Wars train as well.  And let me tell you, have her say "Chewbacca" or "C3PO" and you will be dying.  Cuteness overload.  

Before Jacob started preschool we had him pick out a backpack and one of the choices we showed him was a Darth Vader backpack.  Of course, this was the immediate choice!  He loves it...as does Sarah.  But I think she mostly likes to SAY "Star Wars backpack".  Mark and I are both at a loss as to WHY she says it so much but she does.  And the funny thing is she will say it at the most random times.  For example, we can be sitting down eating dinner together and she will put her hand on Mark's arm and with a completely serious face say, "Daddy...Star Wars backpack."  Mark and I even started keeping a mental tally of how many times she would say it during the day.  It's a lot.  She is a funny little lass.

We love our well-rounded little girl.  She kind of feels like the glue in our family - she keeps everyone happy and grounded.  Thank you, Sarah, for just being you.  Oh and...Star Wars backpack.  

The Perfect Path to Happiness

"Essential to the plan is our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Without His atoning sacrifice, all would be lost.  It is not enough, however, merely to believe in Him and His mission.  We need to work and learn, search and pray, repent and improve.  We need to know God's laws and live them.  We need to receive His saving ordinances.  Only by so doing will we obtain true, eternal happiness.  

We are blessed to have the truth.  We have a mandate to share the truth.  Let us live the truth, that we might merit all that the Father has for us.  He does nothing save it be for our benefit. 

I testify of the great gift which is our Father's plan for us.  It is the one perfect path to peace and happiness both here and in the world to come."

President Thomas S. Monson

The Perfect Path to Happiness

General Conference 2016

Star Valley Temple

Last week we had the opportunity to go to Star Valley to see their beautiful new temple.  It was a perfect fall day and it was really wonderful because Grammy was able to come with us.  She was able to come and spend a couple days with us and we loved the time we got to spend with her.  

The temple is absolutely beautiful.  After viewing a short video at the church we were given the option to either take a bus or to ride horse-drawn wagons over to the temple.  I thought it was such a fun idea - you can guess which one we did! ;)

I love taking the opportunity to go to temple open houses.  There is something so sweet about being able to feel the spirit of the temple with our little family.  I can think of nothing better than being with your whole family in the temple.  Sarah refused to put on her "booties" so Mark had to hold her the whole time.  She was mostly okay with the arrangement and Jacob was a little angel.  Jacob loved the windows which were so beautiful with their stained glass.  Sarah had everyone smiling when we went into the celestial room and pointed up at the large chandelier exclaiming, "WHOA!"

We even had an EXTRA bonus while going through the temple when we bumped into my grandparents who just happened to be going through a tour at the same time.  It was a very happy surprise!

Afterwards we were treated by going over to my Uncle Dan and Aunt Debbie townhouse.  They have been called to be in the Star Valley Temple Presidency and will live there for the next three years.  They are such great example to all of us and I admire all of the church service they have given.  They treated us to a oh so yummy lunch before we headed back and we loved getting to talk with them for a bit.

I am so grateful for temples.  I am grateful for the peace and comfort that is found inside.  I am so happy for this community to be able to have a temple closer.