Brenden's Birthday! October 2009

We celebrated another birthday for Brenden....one year older and wiser....
We had banana and chocolate cream pies....YUM!

Picking Apples October 2009

From Table Rock, we drove to Mountain Rest, SC where we picked apples! The trees were loaded...and there were lots of gnats loving the apples that were on the ground....so it didn't take us long to pick our bushel or so of apples and be on our way :)

As always...Brooke is happy to be out and about with her family...keeping us smiling :)

Table Rock October 2009

Camping at Table Rock was a fun get-away for our family! The weather was great, the colors were beautiful, and being together was everything.

This was our first experience at Table Rock. When we pulled in to our reserved site, we discovered one long rock driveway. Not quite what we were expecting, but it actually turned out to be a nice spot. We set up our "Big Mac" tent...the tent I used to camp in with my family growing up! :), got a campfire going and enjoyed cooking hamburgers and roasting hotdogs for dinner.

There just happened to be a creek running at the far end of our site...which the boys were immediately drawn to. During our stay there, they designed a dam of sorts and created a little pool and a very relaxing babbling waterfall to listen to as we enjoyed the campfire. We also enjoyed a beautiful 5 mile hike that lead us to various waterfalls...

...the timing was perfect, as the colors were in full swing.

Quinn and Ammon enjoyed leading the pack much of the time.

The trail was well laid out. Although at one point, where there were some pretty steep steps to climb, I overheard Ammon (who was in front of me) talking to himself, saying, "Be strong. Be strong." as he climbed up the hill. What a trooper! :)
I collected a few leaves from our hike and put them on our table to enjoy.So...here's a snapshot of each of the kids...

Elise wasn't too keen on being photographed, so this is the best I could do...

Kylie and Brooke enjoyed swinging in our hammock...for the last time, I'm afraid. Just after this picture was taken, Brenden sat down in it, and....it broke. Bummer. It has served us well these last 17+ years....maybe it's a blessing in disguise and now we can get a more sturdy two-person hammock :) Chet managed to find several long legged friends...and happily discovered that they walk on water.

Savannah found the "tree to Terabithia" (sp?) on our hike...she was pretty excited about that! Quinn absolutely loved being out doors!Ammon....was just his wonderful self...happy to be anywhere....loving life in all its forms :) Brooke enjoyed being Daddy's little girl :) OK....so, I because I tend to be the photographer, I generally don't get many flattering pictures of myself....here I am carrying Ammon on my back.....It was a great weekend....must do it again!

Ammon as Capt. Spidey Hood October 2009

I just had to post this one! The kids have been going through the costume box in preparation for Halloween...and Ammon came up with this costume the other day. He was so excited to show me...Spiderman, Hook and Robin Hood all in one! (Those are Robin Hood shoes on his feet...he just didn't realize they were supposed to go over his toes, I guess.) What a creative little guy :)

Chet is ordained 11 October 2009

General Conference - Priesthood Session 2009

Wow. Chet is 12!...and going to the Priesthood session with Dad. Chet is such a great young man...such a wonderful example for his younger brothers. We are so blessed to have him in our family! We love you, Chet!!!

Sidewalk Chalk 2009

Ammon and I took lunch to Elise and Kylie the other day....they were outside enjoying the sunshine while drawing in the annual sidewalk chalk day at SAHS. Ammon even got to participate...and drew his own creation :)