Pumpkin Carving

My Mother-in-law hosted a neighborhood pumpkin carving party. We had some kids there that had never carved a pumpkin before. It was fun. We visited, ate yummy food and carved. My father-in-law and Elder Johnson pulled out the power tools to help them along.

a day with Ada

This sweet, little, almost two year old was a perfect angel on my flight to and from Utah. She was so well behaved when we took her out and the entire Walker family met her.  I couldn't have asked for a better baby...until we got home...
In the span of 24 hours my pregnant belly was mistaken for a landing pad while she was practicing acrobatics...
the chocolate muffins I made for breakfast turned into wall paint...
my wedding album was dismantled and thrown about...
the cupcakes that were prepared for the entire primary, by the ward chorister, were mysteriously missing frosting, right  before they needed to be served...
then she decided she could fly off the balcony of my dance studio and fell (thankfully only a few feet ) while I was teaching ballet...
It took me several hours of ALONE time...a long HOT bubble bath and some chocolate...a good night's sleep...and a morning of kid-free tennis to get over that day!

This is only a phase...this is only a phase...

Conference weekend

I was lucky enough to fly with Adalyn to Utah for Conference weekend. I got to spend time with all my siblings and Ada got to know her little cousin Hadley. We went to 13 different places in 2 days. It was so nice to sit and watch conference with my family. My favorite day was when we went to Sundance and rode the ski lift to the top of the mountain. The canyon was beautifully colored in the fall colors and the air was crisp. Perfect. After lots of shopping, eating out, talking, swimming at the Homestead, having an extended family dinner at the Roof in between sessions, and enjoying each other we had to say good-bye. We missed Christine this weekend and hope she can make it next time. Family Love.

Our weekends...as of lately...

 Now that Garrett is Assistant Coach of the Varsity football team, we get to travel almost every weekend.

It makes for some fun times with these crazy kids!

 Our last game was in Arizona. 

It was so fun to take my kids around to all my old hang-outs, eat at my favorite restaurants and show them where I grew up.

 The stands were packed for this game because everyone from the Colonies was invited to attend the game. 

It was a fun reunion and a good game.

 We got to spend some time with Grandpa Matheny at his swanky new condo.

 We enjoyed the AZ weather, shopping and eating out.

 Benton got a new pair of sun glasses that he would NOT take off.

He would have worn them to bed if I let him.

 My two newest shopping companions. 

They didn't realize how much they loved to shop...until they went with me. ha.

 Goof-ball CHEESE face.

Taking kids to a game is not a fun thing to do.
They want to run up and down the bleachers the entire time, complain of hunger, cannot go to the bathrooms by themselves, get bored, etc.

It made for an exhausting night.

 Alex loved the pool. 

We swam twice in one day. 

Got to visit Grandma and Grandpa-Great (Matheny). 

Saw a bunch of old friends. 

And got to catch up on all the happenings in Arizona.

On the way home we decided to stop at a random chapel to attend Sacrament meeting before heading home.

It so happened that we stopped by the Weise's ward and her husband was the bishop of it. 

Small world!

Back to School Baby

Alex is our fashionista. She is entering 2nd Grade this year. She will be busy with her Spanish, Gymnastics and Ballet.

Tori is going into the 4th Grade. She is aiming for Valedictorian. She is starting band this year and will play the flute, along with piano, gymnastics and ballet.

Benton is thrilled to be entering Pre-Kinder. He only attends half days but is so excited. He is going to be helping Daddy coach Varsity Football this year and work on his basketball skills.

Ada is Mommy's BIG helper this year. It's just the two of us and she keeps me on my toes. This year we hope to potty train and lose the binkie.

Off to school.

Birthday Weekend

The entire Hatch Batch came to Mexico for the weekend. That means there was 35 1/2 of us gathering under one roof. We always look forward to spending time with the family. Friday night I had all the nieces over for dinner and a sleepover. While they were at my house we had a skinned scalp, massive headache, and a broken toe nail. Once everyone was properly attended to we put on a movie and the adults headed over to Grandma and Grandpa's for "platica" and candy.

The next morning.I made crepes for the girls and then we loaded up to head to the lake. The kids swam and took turns riding on the tube behind the boat while the adults visited and ate watermelon and other snacks. Benton was riding with his other boy cousins and the tub flipped. Benton didn't let go of the tub and was about to be dragged. A few of us dove into the lake to rescue him but all was well. Then all the granddaughters got a lesson in water skiing and they were all able to get up. Anne and I decided to swim across the entire lake while the kids skied. We had a good day. Then we headed home to attend a football game that Garrett had to coach. I couldn't make it because all my kids fell asleep but they won! That night I made the adults sweet and sour chicken with rice and we visited again while Margo went around the room massaging everyone's feet.

The next day was Stake Conference and Garrett's birthday. We started the day with some cheesecake, Garrett's favorite, and presents. After conference we had a picnic and said good-bye to all the family. When we got home we took our traditional Sunday nap and when I awoke I found Garrett's birthday cheesecake all over the kitchen floor! Turns out Benton got hungry and tried to find something to eat...unsuccessfully. We salvaged what we could but the cake was ruined.

We had a fun and busy weekend and I didn't get a single picture.

I know I haven't blogged in awhile. Summers in a small town is very different than anywhere else in the world. Our entertainment comes with whomever is in town visiting. We love it when friends and family come to town for the summer.

 Our summer in town consisted of picnicking at the river...Thursday night softball games...Tuesday afternoon lunches with friends...Wednesday night temple sessions...running the temple hill on cool evenings with the kids...watching the crops grow... being very very creative....watching the Olympics...

helping out the missionaries...

 bike rides...swimming at the neighbors (all of them)...

 and keeping this little one distracted...she loves to sneak out and go to the neighbors house.

We are excited for school, piano, ballet and gymnastics to start up again. Benton will be entering Pre-K so I will be home alone with Adalyn this year.