New Hat

Katelyn dumped the Go Fish game out of the bag last night. She then decided that it would make a great hat. I love her so much! She has some spunk that I have yet to figure out what to do with. She sure makes life interesting around here!

Quacks

I did it! The girls and I went to feed the ducks at the park. While we were there we also played at the playground, rode bikes, and had a picnic lunch all before Erin had to be at school. I really enjoyed letting everything go for a little bit. Katelyn was a bit afraid of the "quacks" at first, but finally threw a few pieces of bread out at the end. I can't blame her- they were totally used to people around and seemed like they might peck your shoes at any moment. Katelyn stayed on her bike; a good defensive move if you ask me.

When we got back I was also able to get the downstairs picked up and vacuumed with K's help- and I also managed to get the dishes under control. I see it as blessings for spending time with my kids. And K also fell asleep for her nap by 2:00- so I had an hour to myself before the school kids came home! It was a great day and I think that I will try it more often.

Ordinary Miracles

So I was reading on my friend Jenn Savage's blog. She has been in somewhat of a funk this week and wrote a little about it. It has inspired me too. I feel like life is passing me by, one day at a time. Am I spending enough time with my kids? Playing Polly Pockets, Little People, and Legos? Do we make enough treats, go on bike rides together, and just enjoy each moment we have together? I'm not sure that I do that enough. I mean, there is always laundry, dishes, homework, vacuuming, and all the rest. But am I doing enough of the memory making with my family? It doesn't have to cost money. So this morning I am going to make a change. And spend more time with my sweet kids every day before I realize that they don't want to play with me, or are too busy, or can do it all by themselves. So this morning before kindergarten, I am taking my sweet girls to the duck park to feed some ducks with our loaf of stale bread that has been sitting on my counter for days with good intentions. Seize the moment! I feel so blessed in my life to have my three beautiful kids and a wonderful, supportive husband. I am healthy, well fed, I have shelter and a testimony of the gospel. My hands can clean my house, bathe my children, read them bedtime stories, and tuck them in at night. I am going to try and enjoy each moment- a miracle really- in my life. So look for the ordinary miracles in your life today!

Surprise Delivery

On Saturday we took The Book up to my grandparents house. Some of my aunts and cousins were there also. We had a small party to celebrate my Grandpa Hutzley's 84th birthday Friday, and my grandparents 62nd wedding anniversary next week. My grandma (Lois Hutzley) was so surprised and loved the book. My grandpa looked at it for a minute- I'm sure he'll take some more time once everyone was gone. He was looking more frail and tired since the last time I saw him, and is now on medication for Alzhiemer's. Very sad. It was good to see them both though. You never know when it could be the last time- so I enjoy my visits with them.

Fathers and Sons

Jeff and Ethan went camping on Friday for our ward's Fathers and Sons campout. They had a great time out in the woods on a cool September eve with no facilities. Definitely not for the girls! Ethan said he had the best time of his life! While the boys were off, the girls and I went to a bow making party with some other moms with girls in the ward. That night Erin had a sleepover in my room on a mattress on my floor. We were all warm and cozy- and got more sleep than Ethan and Jeff. Ethan is already excited for next year- and Jeff has a list of required camping upgrades to make next year even better!

Ethan with piles of blankets while sleeping.

It was a little chilly in the morning! BRRRRR!

Guys from the ward trying to stay warm by the fire in the morning.

Mia too Princesses

Erin's new favorite movies for now- The Princess Diaries 1&2. We watched the first one for a fun movie night at home while Ethan was away at a friend's house. We have now resurrected the old Cinderella dress and Erin wears it as Princess Mia. Katelyn of course wants in on the action too. So we found another dress-up for her to wear also. But we could only find one pair of dress up shoes that survived the intense love of Erin's former years. So as Erin was wearing them, Katelyn was "me too" and so I dug out my wedding shoes for Erin to wear. I think that Erin can walk better in them that me! I caught a cute video of them running (aka flying) around outside in their dresses and shoes. Katelyn is amazing in heels- and I love all the clacking noise from them flipping up and down.

In flight.

Labor Day Golfing

On Labor Day we wanted to go do something fun with the kids since they were off of school, and Jeff was home from work. We decided that it would be fun to take the kids to go play miniature golf. We hadn't been since Ethan was little, and our only kid. There are a few things I forgot-- 1. There is no reason to pay for yourself. Watching and helping your kids is fun enough. 2. It is amazing how fast a kid can play 18 holes of golf. I think that we were done in 20 minutes. Way to burn through the money! 3. Having fun is its own reward. Unless you are a five year old girl- then you want to know what the prize is for finishing in 20 minutes. What no prize! Then a good cry and temper tantrum will have to suffice.

Mark, Kelly, Davis and Jack came with us as well as Kelly's sister and her son, Dallin. Mark managed to get a hole in one while carrying Jack around like a professional mother kangaroo. And Davis, Ethan, and Dallin were always about two holes ahead of everyone else. (It's that speed golfing again.) Since we finished a little earlier than planned we headed over to the fun park for a little while to burn the rest of the daylight. I hope that the kids had lots of fun- it might be a while before we go back again. (At least K was free!)

The Book

I have been working on a book for my grandparents 62nd wedding anniversary for a few months now and it is finally done! It has memories from their grandkids as well as pictures of us all. It has been a major undertaking, and has consumed way more time than I thought it would. I now have sent it off to be published and can't wait to give it to them. I am happy with the way it turned out. I am the most non-scrapbooky person so this was a major challenge for me!

Davis' Baptism

Our nephew, Davis, was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this weekend. We are so happy for him and the choices that he has made.

Congratulations Davis- We love you!

Kelly, Mark, Davis and Jack