Bring on the Fall!

Can you believe it? Fall leaves! We are so excited to actually experience Fall for the first time as a family. Rick and I forgot how much we missed it. You rake the leaves and throw them at people, right? Oh, you are supposed to jump in them. Well, it looks like we forgot that part, too. But it was fun. This weekend we are going up to the mountains to see the Aspens in full color. Ahhh..

A walk to McKay Lake

On a walk one day, we discovered all the fun we could have at this lake near our house. It is so pretty and peaceful. We just walked along and looked for wildlife. Brad saw a snake (not that any non-boy-moms would find the beauty in that...We saw a turtle, a fish jumping, some birds, and of course a nice variety of bugs for Brian to study. We then went to skip rocks on the water. Brad won the contest - I used to think I was pretty good at it - but that kid can skip! Brian got too hot and decided to tromp around in his diaper. Life is good! :)

Brotherly Love

So, we were all hanging out the other morning watching the landscaper guys do their thing outside. The kids found a new use for the fireplace mantle and I decided 'that couldn't hurt anything' and let them try out some new moves. Here is the result:

Our new yard is in!

After a long deliberation, we chose a landscaper for our new yard. They finished in less than a week and we love it already. It was a gorgeous day yesterday...high 70s to low 80s all day with a nice breeze. Our patio gets great afternoon shade and we had our tunes going so Rick and I 'just sat there' yesterday afternoon (the boys were napping) and soaked up our new diggs. We are having so much fun with it.

Hillary is 30...and ENGAGED!

An amazing feat...Christian, Hillary's boyfriend...at the time...pulled off a suprise birthday party for her 30th AND an engagement on the same day at the Montage in Laguna Beach. Here is the house before she arrived. We all hung out and set up the party while she was off enjoying her new, rather incredible, ring. HOLD ON! I have pictures of that too. Congratulations Hillary and Christian. I know you two will be very happy.

Dirt be gone!

Our new yard is finally going in after months of deliberations. We are very happy with it so far.

The Rooster that got the Boot!

I wanted a sculpture for my island - I have always loved those and this is my first 'island'. It is also the only island we will be seeing for a while after all these move-in costs. I call it our 'Hawaii' island. :) Anyway, I had the highest hope this rooster was going to make the cut. Unfortunately, it was like a game of 'which of these things is doing his own thing' from Sessame Street. He went back the next day. The kids and I decided he cocka-doodle-doos just a little too loudly. Rick didn't say much. He just kind of shook his head...A polite way of saying I am not sure I get this. The good news: one of our other home improvements is a great success...We LOVE this thing. Jay, a freind of Becky and and Marcy's Dads' built this entertainment unit. He did a great job.

Summer company

So, we feel absolutely blessed...yes I said it...blessed to have had so much company over the summer. We were able to enjoy our new home with our friends and family. We so appreciate ALL of you for coming and making our house a home. Among our visitors: Dwight and Rosalie, Bob Willard, Ryan Willard, Tom & Deb Willard, (all the John Willard crew for Rick's party), Hillary (Aunt De De) Zora & Zarina, Val & Olivia, Scott, Laurie, Jared, and Jordan, Katrina, (Tessa is here this week), Jill & Jerry and the boys, Grandma Louise and Grandpa Elmer, Grandpa Herschel and Grandma Gene, and of course all of the Leffingwells and Umbaughs...Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of everybody. But, I have some good kid shots to share.

Nothing Like a good nap

Okay, so I told you that the Willard boys have mellowed a bit over the last 6 months or so. Well, this might be a little overly mellow, here, but I didn't mind a bit. Brian just lay down and fell asleep in the middle of the floor. Then Brad curled up with me on the couch and zonked. Here is the result. Ahhh....sweet tranquility...