Little Red Riding Hood & The Big Bad Wolf!

Happy Halloween everybody! I can't believe we are at the end of October, and that another Halloween is happening! I still remember last years halloween and feel as if we all celebrated it yesterday. It's such a fun holiday, and since we've moved have really gotten into the halloween spirit. Maybe it's because our street is decked out with spooks, and neighbors who actually know how to do halloween! 

Salem In October!

Going to Salem village in October was pretty crazy with all the crowds, carnivals, and festivals that were going on. I didn't realize how crowded, and crazy it gets up this time of year, but that's what happens when Salem is infamous for the witch trials, Hocus Pocus, and Stephen King. 

Walden Pond in The Fall.

Waldon Pond is just as beautiful in the fall as it is during the summer, and love all the history behind this place. I am so glad I got to bring the kids here so they can see what they look forward to in the summer months. They had so much fun walking halfway around the pond, but because it was 45 degrees didn't make it all around, but it's a good little hike! Next time we want to do the hike that leads to Thoreaus's home, but for now all these kids did was run around, and walk along the trail. As usual I captured them in action through my little camera lens...

Boo At The Bronx Zoo!

There are days when I need an energy boost, and long for the city where there are a million and one things to do, and there are days when I just want to stay home, and relax. Thankfully we live close to the city where we can venture out for a few hours, and yesterday I literally felt time slipping through my hands with this kid because like the hustle that New York City brings-so is his birthday.

While In Boston...

Acorn street is the most visited, most photographed street in Beacon Hill in Boston. It is so photogenic, and we were lucky to have been able to walk through it. I captured a few shots of the kids, but being that it's fall in the middle of the day with perfect weather had so many people doing the same thing, and it's understandable. After all...it is Acorn Street! 

Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House.

One of my favorite books growing up was Little Women. I remember wanting a copy of it, but because we didn't have a lot of money never owned it, but when I got older bought a copy of my own, as well as buying the dvd. There are so many renditions of that movie, but my favorite 'dreamy' version is the one with Christian Bale, and Wynona Rider. I absolutley fell in love with that movie, and pretended I'd live in that time simply because of how Louisa was raised, who she was, and how she became someone well known through her writing. 

Clearview Farm in Sterling, Massachusetts.

Fall is the BEST time to go to New England so we are taking full advantage of this season by venturing out to familiar places we've been, and exploring unknown places we've never been. There was so much we did this past weekend so I may write about it in a few posts. 

Pumpkin Picking From The Vine!

There's something about picking pumpkins straight from the vine that makes all the fun as opposed to buying a pre-cut one. When we went to this pumpkin patch in Bucks county all we did was walk around to look at all the beautifully precut orange, and white pumpkins, but it wasn't the same as actually picking one from the vine. So we all ended up going back to one of our favorite farms in Connecticut to pick pumpkins straight from the vine, and it was the best! 

New York in October!

I have to tell ya each year for us Halloween just gets better and better. Even though these kids are getting up there in age they still make this holiday fun! I love that Chelsea is 13.5 years old and still likes to go trick or treating with us. All of my girls were like that until they left for college. I am hoping that these two will continue to celebrate Halloween every day in many different ways. Whether it's going on simple walks to see Halloween decorations, pumpkin picking, or going to sleepy hollow! 

Attending Some Of The Newest Temples In Utah.

Writing about the temple, and sharing some of my experiences is one of my favorite things to do on here. I write about it as a reminder as to why I attend, and how it helps me as a person. I write it for anyone who may wonder what temples are all about, and also for my posterity. 

Inspirational Thought.

"Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world’s goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all. Their goal is to prepare a rising generation of children who will take the gospel of Jesus Christ into the entire world. 

Their goal is to prepare future fathers and mothers who will be builders of the Lord’s kingdom for the next 50 years. 

That is influence; that is power." 

Julie B. Beck
(Draper Temple, Utah)

Nostalgia At The Salt Lake Temple.

Going back to the temple where Jon and I were sealed gave me butterflies. Walking through the temple grounds and looking up at that tall beautiful building had me feeling all the feels. I felt so much love for my family, and appreciation for God, and the faith I had for making it my goal to be sealed to my family forever. 

Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple & Mormon Trail Center.

When we moved cross country 12 years ago I didn't realize that there was a temple in Nebraska. I was so bummed knowing that it was on the way, and that we didn't stop by. As we were figuring out places to go, and temples to see on our way back to Utah over the summer I made sure that we were going to this temple. So after our pit stop in Nauvoo we made sure our timing would be perfect that way we would arrive in Winter Quarters first thing in the morning. 

A Special Morning At The Jordan River Temple.

While in Utah we took advantage of attending a lot of temples so brace yourself because this won't be the only temple post to come! I wanted to write about this special day because it totally reminded me of the time I first went in with Jon, and the sister missionaries who taught me the gospel of Jesus Christ. This spot right is where we all stood. 

FiiZ, Swig, & Sodalicious!

One of man mades greatest inventions are the specialty soda shops that we visited while we were in Utah. I've been a dr. pepper fan since I was a little kid, and will still drink it from time to time. I believe in moderation, and in my opinion see nothing wrong with having a soda every now and then. 

General Conference- Fall, 2018.

Every six months I look forward to watching general conference which is a worldwide broadcast given by my church live from Salt Lake City. This particular conference was epic, and different in many ways. Different because I have dwindled down to having one daughter left in my nest to attend conference with, and it was pretty wonderful! Although I miss having her sisters watching both general & women's conference with us, I am so fortunate to have Chelsea by my side to watch the women's session with me so we can both share in the joy, and spirit that it brings together.

The Adventure Continues With Pack 79.

As some y'all know our church is disbanding the scout program soon, and even though it is scheduled to be discontinued next year, the church in our area decided to conclude it early! I can't tell you how bummed I was, but I don't want to this to be a sappy post, but a grateful and happy one!

The Color Factory NYC!

I can't begin to tell you how lucky we are to live near New York City where there are so many fun things to do that involve culture, elaborate slides at various parks, museums of every kind, amazing restaurants, broadway shows, and yes...pop-up museums which have become a favorite. We were so lucky to have gone to the Hall of Breakfast while we were in Utah, but in all honesty I have to say that the Color Factory is at the top of our list because it had me at macaroons, and all things colorful! 

First Day Of Eighth & Third Grade!

It's been almost a month since Chelsea & Noah started school, and if y'all read this post you'd know that we moved to another school district. It's only a town over, and luckily the transition didn't hit them too hard. It was a little bumpy at first beginning at a new school with learning the ropes on how different it is compared to our old school, but so far they have adjusted and doing well! 

BYU Bound Part II

"Learning is their journey. Let them navigate. Push them to explore. Watch them discover. Encourage their questions. Allow them to struggle. Support their thinking. Let them fly." 

'Tis The Season For Pumpkin!

Going to a pumpkin patch is a great way to get into the holiday spirt, and because the weather was pretty perfect this past weekend we took a drive into Bucks County and found us the cutest little pumpkin patch.