the pumpkin patch at dark

For our Family Home Evening activity after our dinner in a pumpkin, we rushed over to the Pumpkin Patch. It's pretty awesome having one just 5 minutes from our house. They have a cute mini corn maze that Blake and Hudson were super enthralled with. Brandon was the star of the night giving them cart rides through the patch. We didn't pick any pumpkins because we already had some and have a few more almost ready from our garden, but going to the patch is a must! And it was fun with cousins. If I get adventurous, we will go back again when it's lighter.

dinner in a pumpkin

We had our dinner in a pumpkin early this year, just because we aren't quite sure when this baby will show up! And since Em is in town, it was fun to have some extra guests.

I sure love this tradition! It makes cooking dinner more fun when it's in a pumpkin. :) And delicious too!

annual fall photo shoot in park city

Between all the running around and wedding prep Emily and I have been doing while they've been in town, we escaped to Park City for our 4th annual fall photo shoot. This year's photos turned out a lot more candid. Because, well, it's hard to get all 4 to look at the camera and smile at the same time. But candid is cool and these 4 together are just a whole lot of cuteness and energy.

we love to see the temple

Wow! The Payson Utah LDS Temple is stunning. It is the most beautiful building I've ever seen. Every single detail is perfect, from the gorgeous paintings on the wall, to the fancy bathrooms, to the modern but Victorian style furniture, to the dark wood trim. The sealing rooms were large and full of natural light and the Celestial room was a cozy, comfortable room I'd want to stay in for hours. 

I'm grateful we were able to squeeze in a trip down there with the Sunday cousins this past week. Blake loves Temples so much and is constantly asking to go inside each time he sees one. I always have to tell him no, so he was especially excited that he got to go inside. 

And when we pulled up, he said, "Look! It's Angel Ramoni!" I didn't want to correct him because it was so cute and funny hearing him say that. He'll grow out of it soon enough. 

I can't wait to go back with Brandon. And those who choose to be married there-- they are in for a real treat both inside and outside. The grounds and exterior were also so beautiful. 

nyc cousin time, february edition

Besides all the huge family time we had together, we were spoiled with lots of one-on-one time with our NYC cousins. Blake and Hudsy are such cute little friends. They fight and love each other like brothers. We had a few fun outings to the train park and children's museum. Evelyn and Charlotte are also becoming good friends. Come back soon! 

^em and stayed up really late making matching skirts for the girls. too bad they turned out a little small! 

park city leaf peeping

The last 2 years Emily has been out here in October. It's become tradition to take a drive up to Park City to a secret spot and get photos. 2013 here (Evelyn was only one week)  and 2012 here. 

Unfortunately, our secret spot was totally disappointing. It was brown and dead. But our detour up Lamb's Canyon on the way up was the highlight as far as leaves and colors are concerned. Photos don't do justice. 

We also stopped at the Park City Scarecrow Walk and had an impromptu photo shoot by the big white barn while the kids were playing. (Oh and we may or may not have done some shopping at the outlets.) I think this might just be my favorite leaf peeping adventure yet.