We're pretty desperate for pets around here

Look at this cute little snail Brady took home from piano lessons last week. His name is Billy. He lived in a bowl on our kitchen counter for a week. We all thought he was dead because after a few days he didn't poke his head out anymore. Then today I noticed he was looking around again! Mallory decided to have mercy on him and released him into our waterfall outside (because, let's face it, we have no idea what to feed a snail!)

October is here!

These babies are currently resting on my front porch. Pretty much the only success we had in our garden this year (besides zucchini, of course...anyone can grow zucchini!) I'm so happy it's fall and our weather is actually cooler today to prove it. Mark and I just got back from a fabulous trip to Denver for a Family Practice conference and to visit Chelsea and Nathan. We had a great time shopping, eating out and relaxing. Lindsay handled the crazy schedule at home and I felt validated when she called to say running all those kids around is hard. Why yes it is! We're looking forward to heading down to Provo this weekend to see family and friends and to cheer on the Cougars in their homecoming game. (Please, please, please let's end this losing streak!)

So what is everyone doing to enjoy this wonderful time of year?

Football is our life

 

If you were to ask us what we're up to these days, chances are it will have something to do with football. Dallin is playing tackle, which means practices Tuesday thru Friday. Brady is on a flag team and he practices twice a week (luckily at the same time and in the same neighborhood as Dallin.) Mallory is cheering for the middle school, requiring practices at 6:00 am and cheering at one or two football games a week. Of course I'm usually the one driving them all. On Saturdays we go from one boy's game to the next, followed by cheering on our sad little BYU Cougars who are currently 1-3. That's OK, Mark still proudly flies his flag every Saturday morning. When the boys aren't actually playing football they are collecting football trading cards or playing NCAA football on the XBox. And when Mark isn't commiserating about another BYU loss he's keeping up to date on the Cougar message boards online. So yeah, pretty much we're all about football right now. (Except for Kenzie...she'll have nothing to do with the sport.)

Babies R Us

I haven't had much time to write since I've been hanging out with these two cuties:

Chelsea and Luke came from Denver for a visit last Wednesday. It has been so fun seeing both she and Lindsay as mothers (wasn't it just yesterday I was changing their diapers?) They are both naturals at it and these boys are very lucky to have such loving moms.

This little guy just stole my heart...he's seriously one of the best babies I've ever been around.

We headed to Jerome to be there for the blessing of sweet baby Grant.

It was fun to have Dad and Trevor there as well (Mom couldn't make it due to knee problems)

Sunday afternoon was spent visiting Murtaugh, ID, the town where my Dad grew up. Lots of fun Moyes memories!

Back to School

And they're off!
Dallin: 4th grade
Brady: 2nd grade
Kenzie: Sophomore
Mallory: 8th grade

It was not easy getting these two goofballs to hold still for a picture! Notice the long pants...it was in the 40's when the kids left for school!

I forgot to get pics of the girls so I made Kenzie pose that night but Mallory wouldn't cooperate. I guess she thinks she can give me attitude now that she's a big 8th grader. The house was definitely quiet yesterday without the constant sound of Disney Channel in the background. Everyone came home tired and happy, ready to face the new year!

Last Getaway of the Summer

We had a busy but fun-filled weekend. We went to McCall for the first time for our former ward's campout. It is so beautiful up there, I wish we could have stayed longer. We had so much fun on the lake, tubing with the Burks and playing in the sand. 

When we got back to our campsite this is what the kids spotted right by our tents:

 Brady did the one thing he wanted to do while camping, "find a perfect stick gun." (A direct quote.)

We had to head out early Saturday morning to get back in town in time for Dallin's first tackle football game, a scrimmage on the blue turf of Boise State. (Sorry about the not-so-great picture, in our hurry I forgot my camera). He did great and it was a thrill to play in a real college stadium (even if it was the not-so-favorite Broncos)

Oh, and throw in the birthday of this new thirteen-year-old and you have the makings of a very busy weekend. Just one more week of summer fun before it's back to school (maybe then I'll get a minute of rest!)

Toothless

Brady has lost two teeth this week so he's sporting a cute Jack-O-Lantern smile. Too bad the tooth fairy is so forgetful and took three days to come, therefore having to pay more out of guilt. (There's nothing sadder than waking up only to be disappointed with your tooth still under your pillow.)