Let the fall festivities begin!

I love fall, the changing leaves, cooler weather (not cold), and all the fun activities that are available. A coulple weeks ago our family went to the Utah State Fair. We had a great time! Kaleb and Grace got to be farmers in a little attraction called "little hands on the farm". They got to put on aprons and get a basket. Then they put some grain in a bag, fed the chickens, all of this is pretend of course, and got an egg from the nest. Then they picked an apple from the tree, planted a seed, and so much more. At the end they got to sell their goods to the market for a "dollar" and could buy a treat at the store. They loved it!

We also checked out all of the livestock. I even got to pet a goose, I couldn't believe how soft it was! Grace's VERY favorite was, of course, the pony ride. That girl is meant to be a cowgirl. She loves horses of every size and color!


I have to say as much as Kaleb liked the pony ride, his VERY favorite was the helicopter ride. We didn't buy him a ticket, thinking it wouldn't be a big deal but it was. When the ride operator saw how excited he was, he let Kaleb go anyway. That made his day.

American Idol, look out!!
This acapella group was blown away by Grace's sudden appearance on the stage. They jokingly asked if anyone wanted to try, and she took them up on the opportunity. She rushed the stage and started groovin'. The more the crowd cheered the more she performed. It was great! They had her sing with them, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", and yes, she knew the words. After we went and told them thanks, they really loved her. She loved the spotlight. This girl has guts.

One more great thing about fall... the kids are in school. Okay so my kids are too young but actually I have started a little informal preschool with a couple of my friends. We each rotate homes and teaching. It's two days a week for two hours. The students are all girls and get along great. So far it has been a lot of fun.

Here she is ready for her first day of school...

Last week we had school at our house and I took a couple pictures during craft time...
Last but not least, we have a new member of the family... no I'm not pregnant. We got a puppy. One of our own. Yes we are crazy. We have been looking for a long time for a mini aussie like my parents and finally found one for a great price. We drove to Heber to get him. His name is Koda. He is very shy and mostly frightened of men, he's getting better slowly though. The situation in which he was raised wasn't good. He is 3 months old and very sweet. While we were in Heber, Grace had to say hello to the people's horses, and they really liked her. Kaleb and I made friends with a crazy chicken that wanted to be pet! She came right to us and waited. It was very funny.







We are all very happy and just enjoying each day as it comes.

A Salute to Summer

Another fabulous summer has flown by us. It seems like the kids and I were just planting spring flowers. Thinking back, we had such a busy and fun time. Between the kids birthdays, Lagoon, the parks, Tracy Aviary, camping and hiking, and sooo much more! I will miss the warm days of watching the kids play in the sprinklers or pool. Grace will have to wait to catch more lady bugs, worms and grasshoppers. Kaleb will miss the dirt. Adam will miss mowing the lawn, no really. We love the warm weather and will miss it. But fall and winter bring fun things too. This will be Kaleb's first winter in the snow!!
Well her are lots of fun pics of the last few months...




If ever we couldn't see Kaleb, you could bet he was digging in one of our gardens...And then we had to check his mouth for rocks and dirt! He didn't like us getting it out either.
No, he's not about to slay the kitty!



















My parents are members of the Hogle Zoo, so we gladly spent a few days there.

Grace is finally tall enough to reach the pedals on her Big Wheeler, and loves riding down hill.

She collected many rocks, sticks, pine cones and bugs. These pictures feature her rock and dragonfly friend.

We rented a video from the library and she learned a cute little Hula dance. She insisted on putting on her Hula dress and necklace like the kids in the video.
Grace pushes Kaleb...











Then Kaleb pushes Grace!

This was a trail we hiked that went toward White Pine Lake, in Little Cottonwood Canyon

The kids really loved our camping trip. Kaleb got to play in the dirt all day and Grace chased the squirrels with her friend, Kaitlyn. Adam and I loved it because they were so entertained.

We spent many hours playing at Grandpa and 'ma Carlson's house.

The kids and I participated in the annual "watermelon spitting" gathering we have at Great Grandma Rushton's. Great Uncle Ben and Karen come to visit from San Fransisco. The kids loved the big pieces of watermelon they got!

Kaleb loves to wrestle...my parents dog, Lance, joined in too.

But I can give it right back.



Grace and Kaleb loved the rides at Jungle Jim's and Lagoon. They are both so brave. Kaleb is ready to do whatever Grace does, and she wants to do it all!
This is a petting zoo at the Gardener Village. The animals were all very attracted to the stroller. At first Kaleb thought it was funny but then he started waving his feet at them to shoo them away.

Ok, almost done....

One of my favorite past times this summer was sitting in my backyard watching the humming birds come eat. Our kids quickly were fascinated with it as well. Now if we could just make Elmo and Maverick, our cats, a little less amused. Don't worry they didn't catch any.

This is how our sweet babies looked at the end of our busy, fun filled summer days. There are so many pictures I would love to show. I know there has to be a way to put bulk photos on here. If any of you know how please tell me. Well take care and check back soon!

Q & A List

My friend, Traci Peterson, askek me to answer these questions.... enjoy!

1. Who is your man? Firefigher Adam Archuleta
2. How long have you been together? 6 1/2 years
3. How long dated? 6 months
4. How old is your man? Old. He'll be 30 in January
5. Who eats more? Him, depends on the meal, but definitely him
6. Who said "I love you" first? Adam
7. Who is taller? Adam by 8 1/2 inches
8. Who sings better? We both love to sing. Adam is more brave about it. He says I'm better but that is debateable.
9. Who is smarter? Hmmm, good one, depends on the subject really. Probably Adam.
10. Who's temper is worse? "Psycho Sally" is her name. Since I had Kaleb I have some temper tantrum issues once in a while. :) "Go lay down and I will take the kids" is what Adam says.
11. Who does the laundry? Mostly I do.
12.Who takes out the garbage? Both of us.
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does on the nights he's home, on the other nights Elmo and I share the whole bed.
14. Who pays the bills? Both of us
5. Who is better with the computer? I am for the most part.
16. Who mows the lawn? Adam and his side kick Kaleb, but once in a while he will let me have a whirl. He loves that job.
17. Who cooks dinner? Cook?? Depends on the meal. I usually do.
18. Who drives when you are together? Adam, unless he wants to just relax
19. Who pays when you go out? Adam
20. Who is most stubborn? Adam for certain. It's the Irish in him.
21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Me, even though I know I'm not wrong. But there's that stubborness in him.
22. Whose parents do you see the most? Mine
23. Who kissed who first? Adam kissed me
24. Who asked who out? Adam, a few months after we met.
25. Who proposed? Adam, very spontaneously
26. Who is more sensitive? I am
27. Who has more friends? We both have lots of awesome friends and most of them we met since we have been together.
28. Who has more siblings? Adam
29. Who wears the pants in the family? Grace

Adoption success

YEAH! Sue, the pup we were fostering, got adopted today. She was a great pup and I think the couple that adopted her will take great care of her. They already have a Lab so they know what to expect, and she will have a friend to play with.
I spent the day helping the Petsamaritan Staff answer questions and get animals new homes. It feels so good to help save lives of some of these helpless pets.
Next week there is a huge adoption at the Petsmart on 2100 South. I will be there helping again for a while. It's fun, but still crazy and tiring!!!

Grace is THREE?!!

I finally got copies of pictures of Grace's birthday. I know it was a while ago, but oh well. I can't believe she is already 3! She's so smart and funny, and just growing too fast.

The kids all got to frost and decorate thier cupcakes...

She wanted a "my little pony" party, and loved the pony on her cake. This is Grace with her cousin Tommy, and twin friends, Bryn and Halle.

Adam had a little too much fun spraying a lot of us, so I decided he needed to cool off!

Of course I got soaked as well.

Grace received many great gifts and we thank you all so much for them!! Lancelot, my parents dog, got to join in the fun as well. And wore that hat proudly.


Grace's Aunt Kiersti was hanging out in the tree as usual.

Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Carissa with the birthday girl.

Here she is testing out her new counting skills, "5, and I ate one.... now I have....4".

We all had a great time. I can't believe how fast they grow! I still can't believe she isn't one anymore. Thanks again to all our family and friends and your support with our family!!