Soccer

Jake is a cute soccer boy!

Between practices and games, we have a lot of time to sit around while Jake runs off some of his energy...

We get bored and take pics of ourselves...

Jake as the goalie...

Slushie break...

Outdoor Fun!

We started to pretend in October that the weather was getting cooler - only 100 instead of 115!  haha!  We went to the park early one morning on a non-preschool day and Claire got to play with some of her cute preschool friends!

We went to the drive-in movie one evening - it's hard to get pics when it's dark out...

More running!  My trail race was coming up soon, so my training was coming to an end... I obviously needed a short walking break, so i took a quick pic of the cool shadows!

Look!  I'm on the cactus...

More park fun...

Ben had to work late on the night of my trail race, so I got a babysitter and went anyway!  I was really proud of myself for still registering last minute for this race and going even though I knew I'd be going by myself.  I strapped on my headlamp and went on with my plans!  As the sun was setting it was so pretty...

Getting ready to start!  The timer had already started for a previous wave of runners for a longer distance.  I did the 10K...

I dared to get one pic on the trail, at the risk of tripping in the dark.  There were reflective ribbons tied to trees and bushes along the way to mark the correct trail - there were some stretches when I couldn't see anyone in front of me or behind me and it was a little freaky!  But it was so cool!  It surprisingly felt awesome to run in the dark in the desert!

I did it!  I have no idea what my time was, but I was just so excited to have trained for and completed this race - yay!

Family Halloween Party

Emily and Ben hosted the annual family Halloween party - I love doing this each year!  Each family is in charge of preparing an activity and then we always include dancing to Halloween music and eating dinner and goodies.  And it gives the kids another reason to wear their costumes.  

Pumpkin bean bag toss...

Mummy wrap...

Donut eating...

Apple bobbing...

Uncle Peter showed the kids how it's done...

I missed starting the video on time, but Jake did an awesome job dumping his head completely underwater and getting that apple with just his teeth!  haha! 

 

Becca worked on this apple bobbing thing for much longer than this video shows... she was very committed!  And Caroline was so sweet to try to help her out!  hahaha!

Phoenix Temple Open House

After years of waiting after its announcement, the day finally arrived for the Phoenix Temple open house!  It was so exciting to see it finished and so beautiful, inside and out.  It was a special day to get to take our kids through the inside of the temple.  We all were in awe of how unique and lovely this temple is...

Strawberry Cabin Trip

For a little fall break getaway, we rented a cabin in Strawberry (about 2 hours NE of us).  It's usually at least 20 degrees cooler there than at home- they get some snow in the winter and have some fall leaves, so it was a very appreciated break from the heat of our Phoenix fall weather.  :)  We left after school and work on Friday, stopped for dinner in Payson and got to the cabins after dark - but we were so excited to be there!  We quickly made ourselves at home...

The next morning we played at the playground near the cabins...

And went on a hike...

Ben being a goof...

Such a cute little cabin!

We drove into "town" and had lunch at our favorite little restaurant there- the Randall House...

We explored the shops and fall festival going on...

We love antique stores!

When we got back to the cabins, we played a round of bocce ball...

And grilled up dinner!

S'more time!

Jake may have over done it... hahaha...

The next morning we played some more on the playground and played more bocce ball - then we packed up and headed home... it was a quick but very fun family trip!