Pictures of Kids in Yellow Leaves

We just caught the tail end of fall color with these after-church pictures at the parking lot next to our condo.The yellow leaves have been so pretty in Ogden. Every day of their peak color I can't get enough of them. When the mountains are dusted with snow but still covered with fall color, they're glorious. Travis says that's a Thompson word, and it might be, but I'll use it if it fits.

Halloween Lizards

I won't bother posting Halloween pictures because mine are terrible and I'll just end up begging Aaron for his (which he's very happy to share) in a few months when I need to make another My Publisher book. We spent Halloween evening with the Thompsons, which is the first Halloween with family since Anna was a baby. It's usually just me and the kids . . .. Everyone looked darling and we had lots of fun eating my mom's traditional and yummy Halloween soup and playing games sponsored by Elisa. The bigger cousins did some serious trick or treating, but even more than their candy, Anna and Michael love the little rubber lizards that Elisa put in their Halloween goody bags (There has to be a cool aunt who does things like that, and Angie and I both said, Not It! Or at least we thought it. But THANKS Elisa, you're awesome!) Anna and Michael have been playing with their lizards for days. Their habitats made of cardboard boxes, various pots and pans, and water, are set up all over the living room, which is the majority of our condo. Sarah is not allowed to touch them, though she does, but I let her play with the lizards while Anna and Michael are at school because I'm pretty sure they stole hers! Michael's lizard Elizabeth just gave birth to several adorable imaginary lizard babies today. Anna and Michael have also included the plastic frogs from the toy drawer at the dentist's office. (We love our dentist who is Travis's cousin Curtis Sampson!)

Christening the Fire Pit

In October my parents put in a fire pit and a new patio in their backyard (adjoining the existing deck with rails removed). They have romanced the idea for years, but having Matt as a son-in-law (who owns a landscaping company) helps turn great ideas into realities. He brought in his crew and someone to do the cement, and the whole thing looked really spontaneous to the rest of us. We had a Campfire party to celebrate the new fire pit with hot dogs and S'mores. We even played games! The kids had a ball toasting marshmallows and running in and out of the playhouse. They love having the adults stay outside where they are playing. Travis had to miss this first campfire because he has been studying for his oral Boards (Nov 6 in San Francisco), but we look forward to years of memorable campfires. My mom has created such a beautiful garden, but we have never used the backyard at its potential. This opened-up space will allow us to enjoy the beautiful garden and yard at their best. Outdoor furniture is a project for another year, but what's out there is fine for now!