The pumpkin patch

I love the month of October for so many reasons, but one big one would have to be the trip to the pumpkin patch.

I don't know why I get so excited for this every year. A couple of weekends ago, we went to a farm out here that did not disappoint! We got to play in the corn,

rope swing in the hay stacks,



ride the "cow train",

feed the baby goats,

and chase a chicken until it got away (so sad)


Then we rode out on the tractor to hand pick our pumpkins in the beautiful pumpkin patch






Parker was loving the farm, and especially loved seeing all the trucks and tractors ("I drive")


and dancing like a cowboy to the barn music.

Blake was content just hanging out with Mom

What a fun night!

Dear Parker:

I know you never asked for a little brother, so thanks for being so nice to me. I can't stop staring at you whenever you are in the room. I watch you wherever you go because I want to be just like you. No one can make me smile bigger than you can.
Especially lately, now that you are giving me attention and big hugs! Thanks for always helping Mom change my diapers, for getting me my binkie when I cry, and for always offering me your pretzels. Thanks for letting me wear your pajamas when mine were all dirty ( I know that's embarrassing that they fit me too)
and for letting me in on your bath time ( I know that shocked you a little bit the first time I was in there with you)

You are the best big brother in the whole world, and I hope to grow up to be just like you! I love you!

Love, your baby brother Blake (Gake)

Sin City... round 2

We had so much fun a few weeks ago, that we decided to go back to Vegas. We spent Friday and Saturday night with Chad's family out at Lake Mead.
It was so much fun to be together, watch General Conference, and let the little cousins play. Parker wanted to take Kenna on a jeep ride and somehow she was all for it. Scary thought :)


After that, we drove the rest of the way to Vegas and stayed on the strip Sunday and Monday night. We walked around the shops at Caesars and found the world's greatest toy store, FAO Schwartz. Parker had a blast playing with all of the stuffed animals, dancing in the room of mirrors

trying on silly hats,

and introducing Blake to a couple of the greatest characters in the world, Elmo, and BB (aka Big Bird)

Other highlights from the trip included lots of pool time,

the fountains at the Bellagio,

walks on the strip with yummy frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity and meeting up with my family for a great dinner on Monday night. Thanks for the good time Vegas... I'm sure we will be back soon :)

Viva Las Vegas

A boring Saturday night that consisted of getting a shake at Jack in the Box drive through, gave us the urge to head out of town on a mini impromptu vacation. With Vegas being less than 2 hours away, we checked priceline to see if we could splurge and find a fun 5 star hotel to stay in. Splurge we did, and the next thing I knew, Chad had booked the Wynn for the weekend and we were off

We definitely felt a little out of our league, wheeling our double stroller into that place,

but come on, what little boy wouldn't love to jump on a five star bed, or soak their swim diaper in a five star pool once in their lifetime? Ha ha. The Wynn did not disappoint. We got right down to business checking out the goods of the room





Then we hit the strip for the Vegas night life the pirate show at Treasure Island

And the wynn shops and waterfalls

The next day was mostly spent here

Doing a little of this





Going to the Lion habitat at the MGM



And meeting up with my family for dinner, and my dad's favorite, a walk on the strip! The boys were exhausted so when they quickly fell asleep, Chad and I played cards and ate peanut butter m&m's overlooking the strip from our room.

It was a great weekend. But now, our 5 star days are done and its back to sesame street and Mr. Mitt... Parker's favorite past time :)

Pretty boys

Little Blake just keeps getting cuter and cuter every day. He has the prettiest little features... in fact, both of my boys would make really beautiful girls. Lets just hope that if we ever have a girl, she doesn't look like she could be a boy!

The Rodeo

Its boots and chaps,
Its cowboy hats,
Its spurs and latigo.
Its the ropes and the reins,
And the joy and the pain,
And they call the thing rodeo --Garth Brooks

Sister Zwick

My little sister Tia opened her mission call at our house last week. It was so much fun to hang out with her the couple of hours before, in anticipation. The rest of my family drove up from Vegas for the big moment. She is going to the UTICA, NEW YORK mission, and goes into the Missionary Training Center on December 16th. We are so excited for you Tia. We are going to miss you like CRAZY while you are gone. Seriously, I don't know what I am going to do without you! But we know you will be the very best and cutest little missionary out there, and we promise to send lots of letters and packages and update your blog every week :) We love you Sister Zwick!

Faces of Blake

Our cute little guy is so smiley these days. It has been so much fun to see his cute little personality come out. I love his full blown smile like this one. It just makes me laugh...



But I think his flirty smirk, that shows off his dimple in his left cheek, just might be my favorite...



And in case you are wondering, Blake is a tank. At 2 months, he is in the 86th percentile for weight, 78th for height, and he is wearing the same outfits that Parker wore when he was 6 months old.

Happy Birthday Chad!

The day after Blake's blessing was Chad's birthday. Since his b-day fell on Labor day, we still had a bunch of family in town, so that was fun. Chad celebrated by golfing with the guys for most of the morning and had a blast. That night Tia babysat the boys so we could have a night out. We hopped on the scooter and drove up to the scenic Tuachan outdoor theater and saw Footloose. It was awesome, and what made it even better was Thayne from So You Think You Can Dance was the lead in the show! It was a great night. Happy Birthday Honey! I love you!

Blake's Blessing Day

This past Sunday was really special. We blessed Blake in church on Sunday. Chad gave him a beautiful blessing. It was so neat to have so much family here to support us. Thanks to everyone who made the effort to be here for such a wonderful day. After church, we came back to our house, had a nice little lunch, and then just hung out and enjoyed each others company. Everything turned out just as I pictured it. Blake looked like a little angel and was all smiles the whole day. I am so grateful for his little spirit in our family. He is such a blessing and brings us so much happiness.