A fall photo shoot

Afton grabbed the rake from the garage yesterday and started tackling the leaves...I though to help me clean up the yard, then I though she might be making a jumping pile, no...She told Abel "I'm going to make a pile, then you sit in the middle, then Mom will take pictures of you." So I let her do the photo honors!

Abel happily participated

Here's the great pile of leaves

Then she moved on to posing pumpkins.

Double portraits!

And even Abel got a turn.

Finally, I got the camera back and got a sweet picture of my eager helper.

Fall Fun Photos

Picking out pumpkins...the rule you have to carry it yourself.

A sweet, still moment on the climbing rocks.

Afton's newest photo smile.

Abel's eyes open smile!

Photos from the Week

Afton and Abel love to ride on the penny horse at the grocery store.  My Mom made them a penny jar so they can ride the horse as much as they want after grocery shopping.

This is how Abel likes to wear his shirts.

Afton had her second Primary Program last Sunday.  She had a nice big reading part since she is a reading girl.  I was bummed she was sitting on the opposite side of the chapel, but she was probably more focused not being able to see her family all the time.  And I love her dress!

Nana comes for a visit!

We've been spending the last week with my Mom! We took her to Pearl Street, a fun pedestrian-only area in Boulder with lots of musicians, climbing parks and a great candy store!

We went to the pumpkin patch.

Went up to Estes Park to see the golf course elk and spend some time in the mountains.

I haven't cleaned my kitchen or folded a load of clothes in 9 days. Patrick and I went on two dates! Afton and Abel have a jar of 200 pennies for riding the penny pony at the grocery store! We were all spoiled and had a super fun time with Nana in town!

Afton in K

Afton is really loving kindergarten. She loves recess, writer's workshop (where she writes about what she has been learning) and all her new buddies. She loves when her turn to do the calendar comes around...and loves singing the days of the week and months of the year songs all the time.

I was a classroom volunteer last week, and enjoyed seeing her in action. Afton's teacher keeps her challenged, giving her writing worksheets when other kids are learning how to write a letter, and harder math assignments (ABC or AABB patterns instead of just AB). And Afton get to go to 1st grade once a week for reading time. I'm very happy about this and Afton is excited to get a new experience. I'm so glad she has a teacher who helps keep her challenged and working hard!

This Never Happens!

The kids wanted to wait up for Patrick to get home from Germany, so I put a movie on to give them some quiet time. And 20 minutes later, this is how I found Abel. This has only happens two other times in his non-stop life! Bedtime will be a disaster, but these moments are always so sweet.

Now I have to go wake the sleeping monster.

Afton in soccer action

These are for the grandparents.  Notice how Afton isn't afraid of getting in there and getting the ball!

kids get the camera

Patrick and I don't usually show up on blog photos.  During conference, the kids took turns snapping photos.  Lovely photos of me with awesome hair and Patrick getting his arm chopped off by Abel.

We had such a fun family weekend.  Hanging out at home while watching conference.  We were all sad to see Patrick leave for the airport this afternoon.  He's in Germany for the week!