San Francisco

The kids loved the sea lions. They were all barking like sea lions the rest of the day.

We went down Lombard Street - the crookedest street in the world. I didn't get good pictures of this street because my camera would not cooperate. First I was out of batteries, then it was on movie mode, then my memory card was full. I guess I was not supposed to be taking pictures on this street! Golden Gate Bridge - we went across just so that we could say that we did. :)

Fairytale Town

This is a great little place in Sacramento. It is basically a giant playground. The kids love it because they can climb on everything. There were live animals there as well. (Peter Cottontail, three billy goats, three little pigs, Mary's sheep etc). King Arther's Castle

Mother GooseFarmer Brown's Barn and the Little Red Hen House Owl's HouseJake and Jill's HillCinderella's Pumpkin Carriage Old Lady who lived in a shoeThe cheese stands aloneThe Tortoise and the Hare

Sacramento Temple

On Sunday after we got rid of Katie and Ben, we drove over to the Sacramento Temple and walked around. The temple and the grounds are beautiful. If it wasn't for the fact that it was flamin hot outside, we could have stayed for hours. It is hard to believe that a week ago we were melting in 102 degree temps and today it snowed at my house. Gotta love fall.

We saw tons of these birds. We are guessing that they are wild turkeys.

Look at the size of that flower. It was huge!

Playing in the fountain was a popular choice among the kids.

Baby Boston

We recently drove to California to visit Aaron's sister Katie and Ben and Kiara. A few weeks before we decided to go out there, they were chosen by a birthmom to adopt her baby. The baby was due Oct. 4th. We were going to be there the week before that. We were hoping that the timing would work out right so that we could be of help to Katie to watch Kiara. The timing couldn't have worked out better. We got there Saturday night. Katie got a text message Sunday morning that the birthmom was in labor. After a frantic morning of trying to get Ben home from a business trip in Seattle, they took off and we stayed with Kiara. (More posts to come about all the fun stuff we did while we were there.) They got back Tuesday night and we left on Wednesday morning. Even though we didn't get to spend time with Katie and Ben - I did get to see my new nephew Boston. I just have to rub it in a little since we are the only members of the family that have seen him and held him! What a cutie. We are so excited for you guys, Congrats!

Whitney's Baptism

Whitney had a wonderful day on Saturday. We are so proud of her and the decision that she made to be baptized. She is always striving to do the right thing. She really prepared herself to be ready to be baptized. We have spent the last several months during our Family Home Evenings focused on this goal. She has asked a lot of questions and really wants to understand. She is such a great example to all of us. She has such a pure heart. I am so grateful that I am blessed to be her mother and be able to learn and grow from her.

Whitney & Aaron

Whitney, Aaron & Heather
Aaron & WhitneyGrandma & Grandpa & WhitneyGrandma & Grandpa & WhitneyBCFF (Best Cousin Friend Forever) Makayla & Whitney

Aunt Kiki & Whitney

Thanks for coming all the way from California to be here!

Thanks to all our family and friends that came and supported Whitney. It really means a lot to us to have such great people in our lives that help us as we raise our children. You are all great examples to our children. Thank you.

First Day of School

Whitney started 2nd grade last Monday. She is loving her new teacher. I think this is going to be a much better year for her. Her teacher even called Aaron on his cell phone today to tell him how much she is enjoying Whitney in her class. I'm sure she called all the parents. It was a very nice extra touch that she didn't have to do, but did anyway. This is the only picture I took of her. She is too cool to have us walk her into school on the first day. It sure doesn't take long for them to get embarrassed by their parents.

Cassidy started kindergarten last Friday. When my sister asked her how she liked school, she said "I liked everything except one part." When asked what that one part was she said "We had to do work." Ah, Cassidy, this is going to be quite the adventure with you in school.

This is Cassidy lining up with her teacher Mrs. Kwak.

Cassidy had to bring a recent picture of her on the first day. I took this picture and thought it turned out pretty cute so I am including it with this post.

12 things I love about you

Aaron and I recently celebrated our 12 year anniversary. My wonderful husband gave me two dozen roses and tied 12 notes on the roses each with a different thing that he loved about me. I think this is one of the best presents he has ever given to me.

To celebrate our Anniversary we went out to dinner to the Cheesecake Factory. This is the first time I've eaten there, it was yum. We got two cheesecakes to go and headed up to Park City. We went to the Utah Symphony up at Deer Valley. They were playing Rhapsody in Blue, which is one of Aaron's favorite concerts. Listening to the symphony in the mountains is such a great experience. It rained during a lot of the concert, but I sure didn't complain. It is more fun snuggling up under an umbrella. We have been up there one other time and it is one of my favorite things to do. I love it. During intermission we pulled out the cheesecake, again yum.

On the farm

Our membership to Thanksgiving Point was expiring, so we made one last visit to the farm. We have loved having a membership for the past two years, but decided we needed a break for a year. You can only go there so much. I think I have decided to get a Zoo membership one year and then Thanksgiving Point membership the next. Then we don't get sick of going to the same place over and over again.

Here are a bunch of pictures. One of the problems with having 4 kids is that if you take one person's picture, then you have to take all of their pictures. I can't post just one person's picture, because there is no justice in that. So, it results in posts with lots of pictures.

This baby pony was all of the kids favorite animal there. Adorable!

I love the look on all three of their faces in these next photos. You can tell they are all thrilled to be riding a pony. I couldn't really take a picture of Grant on the pony and hold him there at the same time, so he is just going to have to deal with the injustice.

I really love this picture of Whitney. (And of course I love all the pictures of all the rest of them too. They are all cute. Just because I think this is cute of Whitney is no way means that I don't think the other ones are cute. ;)