Running of the Sheep and Gabe's Birthday!

A quick trip to Cedar City on Nevada Day! It's so nice to get out of Vegas every now and again and see some country sites. Hundreds of sheep being herded to new pastures was pretty amazing to see! 

We went bowling to celebrate Gabe's bday- I think this was the first time my kids had gone. I think one game was enough and then the call of the arcade and air hockey took over. 

Penelope got a strike on her first frame and so she had to learn the strike and spare high fives. 

And another chance to dress up in our costumes- Becky's trunk or treat! 

We were a little cold though- Vegas was at least 20 degrees warmer. Penelope and Henry stayed in the van most of the time. 

Always a fun trip to see the cousins! 

Office Picnic

Celebrating 25 years of PBTK with a fun family picnic! New this year was the bubble soccer - more like just bubble sumo. The kids had a great time and I was happy when it was all cleaned up. I look forward to maybe attending an event with Matt's new job so I don't have to be in charge. :)

Henry Milestones

Henry is sitting up like a champ! Still a bit wobbly but getting way better. He rolls around everywhere and gets stuck on the tile, or trying to roll into the ottoman, but he doesn't get too upset until his head is on the tile. 

But he is NOT a fan of food... I need him to be though because I'm pretty sure my milk supply is going way down... It's time buddy. 

Six months is the longest I've waited with any of the kids to start solid food. I couldn't wait to start right at four months with Claire. Guidelines changed to six months plus I got lazy. Just gotta keep trying i guess. He is so interested in what we are eating that I have hope he will come around to the idea of solid food soon. 

Finally Fall Weather!

While the kids had fabulous weather for their tennis lessons- 75 degrees ...

... These two were freezing! 

What is this green stuff? Vegas kid problems... 

Apartment 52 Reunion

We finally did it! A BYU roommate reunion! These girls are such a huge part of my college experience! At one point I said, "I think we may have missed out on a lot of things at BYU because we were just having too much fun in our apartment." People would just stop by apartment 52  - strangers who lived somewhere in University Villa - because they had heard this was the fun place to be. It was true - we were the planners and we always had something going on. It was So. Much. Fun! 

The girls came to Vegas this time (and yes, there will be a next time), partially because it's in the middle for everyone and partially because I am nursing Henry and wouldn't have been able to come otherwise. The girls stayed in a 5 star hotel that was fabulous, so I missed out on some of the fun like room service and super late nights, but I got to see them a lot and still got into the spirit of the weekend. Matt was awesome and kept the kids for me and gave up on studying for the CPA exam for the weekend.

We had to see a Cirque du Soleil show - Zarkana is fairly new at the Aria, so we went to the late show after Ryan's wedding Saturday night. Despite my promise that there were no clowns in the show (I really didn't think there were any), there were a ton of clowns! As we walked to our seats down near the front, two clowns were standing ON our seats, messing around with everyone. I thought Bristow was going to turn around and run - she hates clowns! But, they weren't too annoying and left us alone once the show started. 

I cried while laughing so many times this weekend and it felt so good! I mean the laugh until you can't stop and your face is probably looking so crazy but it's so hilarious that you don't care kind of laughing. See -THIS is why we just hung out all the time. And, maybe why none of us got married at BYU... anyhoo!

We are already planning next year's reunion, but even if we don't make it a yearly thing, we need to plan something regularly. Social media, texting and phone calls are great, but they are nothing compared to seeing someone in person and making new memories.  The rumor is Provo 2016 (if Ortwein is still there) - til then! 

Ryan and Amanda's Wedding

Ryan Poppe and Amanda Somas got married - finally! Yeah!! We got to see a lot of family, including a visit from Grandpa Johnson. Grandma can't really travel anymore, unfortunately. Leave it to the Poppe's to make sure the church cultural hall didn't even look like we were at a church. 

 It was great to see everyone - though I have to say one of my favorite moments was taking my first selfie with Grandpa. He was like -"now what are we doing here exactly... where do I look??" 

Miles loved these tiny desserts and spoons - he felt like a giant! 

Halloween Prep- Under Way!

Penelope Quotes

I had just ordered In and Out and paid the bill-  I told the kids they were expensive, expensive! Penelope said- "Indeed!!"

Penelope's prayer at bedtime with all three crazy kids sleeping in one room - "please bless us with the spirit, to sleep good, that mom won't be angry at bedtime..."

Penelope went to the bathroom with Claire and me at Costco. She wanted to go into Claire's stall instead of with me, like usual. Claire said, "NO! get out!" And she locked the door. Undeterred, Penelope said, "Well, (you could almost hear the shoulder shrug) I guess I have to go under then!" And she did. 

After looking at Halloween decorations, Penelope said, "Spiders are my favorite creatures! They make their own webs and they quietly secretly sneak up on flies and suck out their insides!" She even had hand motions... And I just thought it was cute that she called them "creatures!" 

Claire's Baptism

Claire was so excited for this day! I loved seeing a truly genuine smile on her face when she talked about being baptized. She even asked me to play the Imagine Dragons' song Best Day of My Life the night before her baptism. 

Mom and Dad and Becky's family came down for the baptism, and Betty, Phil, Leah, Jonelle and Genevieve also came.

Claire found the only baptism dress, instead of a jumper.  

Claire went up and bore her testimony of baptism on the following Sunday. I would never have been so brave as an 8 year old. I don't even feel that brave now! 

She impresses me so much because she doesn't get up and just say a memorized script or passage- she is calm and takes the time to let her own thoughts come out. Claire said she was happy to be baptized and that she felt a "happy tingling feeling that she knew was the Spirit." 

It was a great day and a wonderful weekend with our family!