Afton's first Primarry Program

Yesterday, Afton participated in her first Primary Program. She did a great job sitting quietly (and helped shush the kids who did not), speaking her part ( I can share with others) and singing every single song. She was especially pleased that she did a great job with the sign language with one of the songs. We practiced her part at home for two weeks so much that Abel was saying it too. After Afton said her part, Abel said "Good dob , Atin!"

I had tears in my eyes every time I caught her eye, seeing my baby so big and doing such a great job. Plus Primary songs just do that to me!

And here is a quick shot of 75% of the family, with Abel unhappy to be forced into stillness. Soon he was on the go again.

weekend update

We have been having a great run of luck with Patrick being home! He had a day off in the middle of the week and we enjoyed a family day at the children's museum, he has had almost two full weekends off and lots of early nights!

We did the ward Halloween party, our own pumpkin carving and tonight attended the coolest bash at his work. The kids are already loaded with candy and it's not even Halloween yet!

Here is the picture fest of our fun week:

Afton's favorite thing to do at the park is dig.

Abel has recently developed his single fear: slides.

So in love and loving a day together.

The Medieval Maravilla's

field trips from the past

I forgot to post these great pictures from recent little outings we have had. First the Denver Children's Museum:

Afton the rabbit and Abel the hiding mouse

playing in the vet clinic

firefighting is serious business

Abel fulfilling a lifetime dream of pushing a cart

And now NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research) sound boring I know but it's FREE and has some science stuff. Plus it is at the foothills of the Rockies so the drive and views are amazing.

clouds

Patrick has a thing for clouds...which means I notice clouds a lot. And take pictures of them that I don't end up doing anything with. Thank goodness for blogs to make the 3600 photos I have vaulted in my computer worthwhile. Even the ones of clouds.

light and fluffy

pink

eyeball

We made our first family trip to a real pumpkin patch this weekend. Afton and Abel had great fun picking out their pumpkin, almost as much fun as Dad and Mom had. Of course, the pumpkin patch couldn't just have pumpkins so the kids got the pet animals (which Afton bravely did and Abel had to be tethered back from doing too much), ring loud bells and beg to go on the rides, bounce house and get cotton candy. The parents held firm though (very aghast that pumpkin farms must have carnival attractions to ruin the fall splendor of choosing a pumpkin!) and we only did the season appropriate (aka free) things.

back in business

I'm finally getting around to posting some pictures of our adventure in Colorado Springs last week.

(cool aunt liz let the kids paint their faces like clowns, then go in public)

(afton got to experience caring for a pet...liz confirmed she never wants one!)

(afton officially learned to pump complete with the jump at the end)

(abel learned to love jumping on the "boing boing" ot "gopoline" and afton perfected her chicken jump)

(when visiting the other set of cousins, we stopped by twice to check out the EXTREME HOME MAKEOVER house...supposedly a bowling alley will be in the basement)