Heber Creeper Pumpkin Festival

The Knights were nice enough to invite us to join their family at the Heber Creeper pumpkin festival. I tell you what, it was one of the best things we have ever done with our kids.

The kids got to pick out a pumpkin and there were crafts for them to do while we waited to board the train. 

Jackson showing off his masterpiece "Spiderman pumpkin." What makes it Spiderman? I am not quite sure, but we're going with it.

He was SO excited to ride a "real-life train."

"Say, Choo-Choo!"

Each time the boys heard the train blow the whistle, their eyes widened and their mouths formed a big "O." They thought it was the coolest thing ever.

They loved looking out the windows and waving at cars.

I loved watching Mr. Luke, as he is the train man. His excitement was contagious and so fun! I wish I would've snapped a picture of Graham's big grin when he was sitting on his grandma's lap.

And because we are random, we decided to jump in this last one! hahaha Sean's idea :)

SO much fun and something I want to continue doing every year. I seriously think there was magic on that train. Thanks Darren and Keisha for such an awesome night! 

Provo Halloween Half 2012

Well, I survived!

I ran the Provo Halloween Half marathon with my sister and a few friends last Saturday. My sister and I have wanted to run one together for a long time, and we finally did it!

Hanging out in the tent before the start

I ran the same race last year, but it was a little different this year. Instead of starting at Aspen Grove, we started at Sundance. We lost a few miles of steep downhill and gained about a mile of uphill and a mile of a gentler decline. That mile of uphill in the middle was tough! The course is beautiful though, even if it is freezing at the beginning!

I was nervous about the race this time around because I have a muscle in my leg that has been giving me grief. I skipped quite a few runs in training to rest it. Luckily, it didn't bother me at all during the race. The race was hard, but I ran the whole thing and ended with a time of 1hr 57mins. It was a few minutes behind my time last year, but I am really happy with it considering the changes to the course and less training.

Victory!

My good friend, Kristol, and also running partner on multiple long runs!

My cheering squad-- a sight for sore eyes and muscles! :)

I have been hobbling around the past two days. I am so sore! It really was a lot of fun though and I am glad we did it!

Sean's big race and a carnival

Vivint had it's big company party last weekend. They rented out the Spanish Fork fair grounds and threw a huge carnival. Part of the entertainment included a big Endurocross race, which naturally, Sean wanted to participate in. Anyone surprised? haha

Here is the course from a few different angles:

That big tire pit proved extremely difficult for all of the riders! There were also big logs, giant tires, and a pond they had to ride over.

Lined up and ready to go

Sean on the far left in black

It was the first time Sean has ever raced, and he did awesome! The course was three laps and up until almost the end of the last lap, Sean was in third place. He did awesome through the tire pit, which is where almost everyone struggled. On the last lap, the guy right in front of him got stuck in the pit and Sean had to slam on his breaks to avoid hitting him. When he did that, his engine died and it took a long time to get it started again.

Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures during the race. I only had my cell phone and my battery was nearly dead. Sean had his GoPro on his helmet, only to find out at the end of the race it hadn't turned on! :( 

Before the big race, we hung out at the carnival for a few hours. 

The kids had a blast on the rides!

Sean took a turn on the 'ole bull

There were balloon animals...

 face painting...

 and tons of carnival games with awesome prizes!

Thanks, Vivint for an awesome night!

Staycation

Sean had a few free hotel stays we needed to use by the end of September, so we decided to take a "staycation" and headed to the Marriott at City Creek in Salt Lake. We ended up having such a fun weekend. Packing was easier, getting around was easy, and it was just laid back all around. The kids thought staying in a hotel was the coolest thing ever and loved the elevators and the swimming pool. Bode pushed the "help" button in the elevator probably 5 different times, though he tried VERY diligently to make it every single time. 

On Friday night we headed out to dinner at Cinegrill. After, we walked through City Creek and headed to Kneaders to pick up some yummy desserts. Saturday morning we headed to Little America for breakfast (it is tradition!). We took TRAX knowing the boys would think it was cool. 

The hot chocolate with our breakfast was pretty awesome.

We then took TRAX back to temple square and walked through the visitor's center and around the temple. 

I love this picture.

After a drive through Emigraton Canyon while the boys napped, we decided to head to This is the Place Heritage Park. We had never been. It ended up being really fun, and the boys loved it.

Jackson and "Honey"

Bode and "Banjo"

Petting zoo

Train ride around the pond-- cool view!

Panning for gold

Shortly after this picture was taken, Bode leapt/stumbled into the stream. No permanent damage...

Cashing in our gold with the banker for candy

We also made arrowhead necklaces. (You can admire Sean's masterpiece hanging from his rearview mirror. Jackson's is in time out for a few days after he used it to carve lines into the crib...) 

The rest of the trip included swimming, ice cream, and sleeping in the next morning before heading home. All in all, an awesome weekend. After this experience, I fully support the "staycation"!

HeeHaw field trip

Jackson had his first ever field trip last week. It was right around the corner from us at Hee Haw Farms. Bode and I got to come along and we did all sorts of fun fall things. 

Pick your own pumpkin patch

Giant pumpkins!

Hay ride

Petting zoo

Giant slide (Jackson's favorite)

Chillin' in the corn box (before being buried!)

It was a fun kick off to fall!