| time out for women |

I was able to attend TOFW this year with my mother-in-law and sisters-in-law. They have gone for quite a few years, but I have yet to attend. This year I had no excuses so I decided to go for it!

I really enjoyed this experience. I really needed it as well. And for far more different aspects than I realized. I have gone through some things in my life in the past year that I never expected, anticipated, or ever thought I would have to. And at times I still really struggle with it. This conference was just what I needed to heal. Some words were said that literally pierced my soul. I felt as though my Heavenly Father was telling me it was alright, and that I was not alone, nor was I the first to experience this. A weight was lifted off my shoulders.

And beyond that moment it touched me in many other ways. I think we all strive and yearn to be better women, mothers, and wives. But this gave me so many ideas and challenges to really push me towards those goals. And to help me see that I am just like everyone else, battling each day to be the best at it. I learned that I can conquer my fears, that I should not just pray, but I should pour out my soul to my father in heaven. I learned that speaking more kindly and lovingly can affect those around me in profound ways. I learned that I have a really deep desire to have the scriptures come to life. That I honestly am excited to open the book and see and learn all that there is to learn. I learned no matter what our life is, what our circumstances are, it is all about how we look at it. It is only our attitude that makes it good or bad. I learned I have more power in my life than I really realized. That I can and will determine it's outcome. Sure trials may come, but I make it what it is. 

Such a needed and wonderful experience. We all need a time in our life to stop and evaluate where we are, and where we want to go. I felt like this did just that for me!

| random mitchell |

Mitchell, Mitchell, Mitchell. This kid is such a character in life. He says the funniest little things to me and just does things his own way.

One day we were listening to the radio and "girl on fire" was on. He just started belting out the lyrics as loud (and as high pitched) as he could. I could not stop laughing. Then he said, "mom, why did they start the girl on fire??" "It wasn't me, I didn't do it. It was someone who lives in the radio. Only girls live in the radio. Mom, why did girls start her on fire?" —Mitchell...if only I have all the answers to your many life questions.

When we goes to my paarent's house Mitchell ALWAYS sits on top of the couch. He doesn't want Luxie (the dog) to lick him. And he doesn't want her to get his treats. So that has become his perch. Guess he is thinking it through...it cracks me up though.

Cute little man.

| Airborne |

One of our off track activities we decided to do was go to airborne. Kayla LOVES this place. She begs to go more often than not. I was always a bit worried about taking both the little boys too, but I went with my friends who all have little ones too and figured we would survive. We did just one hour bounce which was perfect. Not too long, and they were all sufficiently exhausted from it. We stopped at 7-11 on the way home and got the kids a slurpee. Not a bad way to end a fun day!!

This picture cracks me up. I tried to get a million pictures of Kayla, she does not slow down while we are there...so she is a blur!

Cohen loved the balance beam, he loved falling in the pit and would just reach an arm out and yell to get out. He would be a little squished bug inside the foam that couldn't move. It was so funny.

| Mitchell's First Field Trip! |

Mitchell went to his first field trip last week, and man oh man was he excited! He is attending the same preschool that Kayla did so he took the same field trip she did. She is off track, so she was excited to get a chance to go too!

We went to the Rock Creek Pizza. They take the kids on a tour, and then teach them how to make pizza. Each one gets to make their very own pizza and send it through the oven and watch it come out on the other side. Such a fun day for these little ones. It definitely was all mitchell had hoped for!

| at it again...|

I did another two rounds of photo shoots for the same company. It's starting to get fun now! Today was my far my favorite. Getting to shoot people working in their environment. Great mix of both worlds, hard, cold lines of the building mixed with grungy, weathered, and aged workers. Super cool.

| off track fun |

Our off track has officially begun! And we started it off right. We went to chic-fil-a this morning for their off track breakfast and science experiment day. They got free breakfast and then had a "mad scientist" there. She did all kind of cool experiments. This one was dry ice bubble that exploded on the kids head making a cloud of hair. I could not stop laughing. Cohen was still in his "I just woke up" mode and was quite worried (look at that tired face!). Day 1: SUCCESS! Let's see what else this break has to offer. Can't wait.

| OUCH! |

Kayla smashed her finger in our neighbors gate the other day. I sort of freaked out! Bryan was gone at work (it was a Saturday), and I never quite know what to do when he is gone! She came screaming home with blood just running down her arm and all over her clothes. She would not calm down at all! I called my neighbor over so that some one could help me with the kids and kayla while we inspected it. After much deliberation, calling nurses, asking sisters, texting photos, and even having Jess come over to watch my kids while I took her to the insta-care, I FINALLY decided it was probably ok. It looked so bad in the beginning I was sure it had to be something broken. But once she chilled out and we cleaned it up it ended up looking much better than I thought. Long story short we all survived the incident, her nail has now fallen off, and she thinks it's pretty cool!

Man I hate scares like that, but glad I went with my better judgment and kept her home. The hours of a hospital visit would not have been fun!!

| the witches!!! |

We did our annual visit to see the witches at Gardner Village. We went with friends and had Olivia join us as well! I absolutely love the witches. I love seeing the kids run around giggling and screaming every time they find a witch. It was perfect weather and we didn't even need our jackets.

He could have stood here all day watching the cats run around her.

| halloween!!! |

Halloween finally came and boy did we have a full and fun day!!

Kayla had her school party and parade first. I was helping out in the classroom for the party so I decided to dress up as well. I went for the mad scientist...easy hair day :) It was a fun party, they played games, made popcorn filled gloves (witch hands), and ate the yummiest and coolest cupcakes ever (thanks to one of the moms). The boys were able to go with my mom and visit Great Grandma Lyon and trick or treat there. Cohen figured out the game quick and was all over trick or treating. But he was very polite and told everyone thank you.

We came home to chill for a bit before we headed back out for some more fun...so why not make monster cookies?! Kayla was the eye sticker oner. She took her job very seriously. And then decided a dog paw print was needed as well. She said Mitchell would LOVE it. And he did.

We painted nails...faces...whatever!

(can you tell he loves it??)

Then off to trick or treat! I don't have many pictures. My hands were full that's for sure! Kayla went with her friends. She doesn't want to be slowed down by the boys. Cohen carried that bag quite far. He made sure we hit every house possible! These boys may have the world wrapped around their finger. People would open the door and die when they saw the tin man and the lion. Everyone would laugh, call all their family to the door, some even asked if they could take pictures of them, and let's just say...they worked it! They got LOADS of candy, people would just pile in their bags while they gawked at them!

Kayla returned with more candy than I have ever seen! They said the girls ran the entire way! They hit every house possible in our area. Quite funny she is the one with the loot, she doesn't really even like candy that much!

Mitchell went through his whole bag and sorted the candy by type. Seriously what a cute kid! (pardon my table, it is in the middle of a redo!)

It was a fun halloween!!! I was sad to take our stuff down and move on, there is something magical about halloween.

| pumpkin carving |

We carved our pumpkins the next week. I always love to see who will be brave enough to touch the seeds. Mitchell seriously HATED them. His face says it all most the time. Kayla would cringe, but she cleaned out two whole pumpkins. She REALLY wanted pumpkin seeds so it was well worth the effort for the girl. Cohen just wanted to hold every single knife and poker he could get his hands on. We had to pry them out of his hands so he could go to bed. Silly boy.

Kayla's pumpkin

My pumpkin

Mitchell's pumpkin

Bryan pumpkin, he carved it so the the nose was the stem of the pumpkin. 

| pumpkin painting |

We had a LOT of pumpkins this year. We went and picked ours out, and then got some at grandma's halloween party too. So we did a little of everything to our pumpkins this year!

We painted one night while Bryan was out of town. The kids loved it. Cohen mostly loved painting himself. Pumpkins were only optional in his mind.

Cohen's pumpkin

 Mitchell's Pumpkin

My pumpkin

Kayla's pumpkin (it's a ninja turtle wearing headphones)