Finally Fall

So we headed out to Zion National Park this past weekend to scout out a little cooler temps and see if the leaves had changed yet. It is, after all, almost Thanksgiving. Here are a few things you can expect on such an expedition...

Bryson experimenting with new tricks on our camera

Two little munchkins camping out in the leaves (one is having a little bit more fun than the other)

Avery gearing up to fill her diaper

Parents who have significantly scaled back on their ridiculously long excursions (this is Emerald Pools, shortest hike on the map)

And a bonus shot from the other day at the Sugar Loaf

I would like to brag that Ella completed the entire Emerald Pools hike on foot (it's about 2 miles the way we went). We also saw five Bambis, one of which crossed the trail right in front of us. I won't say who, but a close family member once accused us of trying to kill her by taking her on this exact same hike because it was so intense. I'm not saying who...but you know who you are.

Ok, us too...

After much discussion, we are joining the massive privatization movement. You know the drill: leave your email address and I'll send you an invite.

Busy Little Elves

Ta-da! At last, the prototype.
Yuletide meets princess in this Christmas tutu designed to put a little extra sugar where there's a lot of 3-year-old spice. Oh yes, those are rhinestones.
I saw this idea at the What Women Want Expo and thought a tied-together tutu looked like a manageable project. I'm making one for each of my kids and my nieces this Christmas so we will have a festive little fairyland...

Coupon Conquests Cont.

I clipped. I calculated. I conquered.

Here's what I came home with today for a grand total of $12.72:
18 Betty Crocker cookie mixes
9 cans Progresso soup
8 boxes frozen Green Giant vegetables
4 boxes Chex cereal
4 Knorr sides plus veggies
3 boxes Betty Crocker potato mixes
2 boxes Macaroni Grill pasta mix
2 boxes (8ct) GoGurts
2 packs Trix yogurt (6 ct)
1 Skippy peanut butter

And they sent me home with $15 of store vouchers. I have probably been to Albertson's four times in the past week, and I can't guarantee that I won't go again. I get home, look at my receipts, and think "Why didn't I get 25 of that item???" and then I'm back on the calculator figuring out another 95 cent list. Oh, I am definitely addicted...

Assorted Halloween

Our camera's been having issues lately, so I've only got pictures of Ella's spooky Halloween lunch. We had a few friends over and ate yummy treats, which Ella thought should be followed up by present-opening. Wrong kind of party, but my kind of girl!
For the memory bank: Our ward had a fantastic Halloween party this year replete with a chili cookoff, trunk or treat, the works. It was completely packed and a great way to celebrate Halloween Eve, an oft overlooked day. Fortunately, Devin was out of town and Bryson got promoted to the chili judging committee. Unfortunately, Ella went to the feel-the-yucky-brains-and-eyeballs activity first during the kids games and refused to participate in anything afterwards, including three-legged race and beanbag toss.


Picture of the day: All partied out.