September and October 2011 and big changes

September and October flew by. I know this was because we were so stinking busy but we managed to fit in a lot of fun activities and enjoy a visit with Nana!

Evalyn has continued to dance and is loving every second of it! She is so excited each week and is getting better and better at following her teacher Mrs. Jamie. The other day she was showing me first position and doing plea's in the kitchen. I am so glad we put her in this year.

Mid September Nana came for a visit. We love when Nana comes and the girls can't get enough of her. We timed her visit so we would see the leaves change. We couldn't have timed it better. They started to change when she arrived and she stayed through my favorite part of fall here: the reds! I can't take enough pictures of the fall colors. I wish fall would last longer. Its my favorite part of the year by far. And the best part of living in the country.

 I made one of the best purchases ever this fall. A nice camera! I am just starting to learn how to use my settings so its a work in progress and as a result, a lot of pictures. We drove about five minutes from our home and started up a little canyon for some pictures of the girls and with Nana. We found the perfect little trail off the road. I cant get enough pictures of these sweet girls. My family is the best part of me.

Conference weekend in October we drove up to Mirror Lake about 30 min from our house. Dave helped Evalyn to reel in her first fish and we enjoyed the scenic hike around the lake before the rain came.

As for big changes...we sold our home in the mountains. I have never shown a picture of our house but we did so much to it I thought I would add it for memory sake. We loved where we lived and all of our awesome neighbors. I have made friends that I believe I will keep forever. However it was a good move for our family. Just for records sake Dave put in the floors, the trim and mouldings, doors granite and trim on the island and even more. While we lived there I painted, sewed drapes and recovered couches, and refinished furniture. We put a lot into it but in the end all that matters is the people in the house that makes it a home. We are excited about where life takes us next!

We have settled (or at least we are getting close) and have already fallen in love with our new surroundings. We definitely want to end up in the mountains again or closer to family, but for now we are happy. We see more of Dave in between his school and work and the girls are having a blast discovering what this place has to offer.

 I had to include this picture. I spent a pretty penny on a double stroller and for what? The girls prefer to sit together and usually with their arms around each other. I cant complain because its so sweet except that I can't fit the strap around both of them so they hop out without notice.

 We are trying to soak up the weather before the snow comes. We have taken many walks and bike rides around the lake in our neighborhood but it's colder every day.

This year hunting for pumpkins was a little different. Here are the girls fully accessorized looking for their pumpkins.

 I say it was different because poor little Evalyn just had an off night. First she headed down a slide that she flew off of and landed pretty hard right on her tush on what seemed like rock. She really hurt herself and cried pretty hard. Later she was on the swing and I guess she was getting ready to get off so she let go of the swing too early and flew up and backwards landing on her back. Poor thing. In the wagon here she is still sobbing. Luckily we had great apple cider to cheer her up!

This Halloween we went Trick or Treating with Cinderella and a Lady Bug.

 It didn't take long for Siena to realize she liked this Trick or Treating thing. She loves chocolate just like her mommy. After she was handed candy at each door she would just stand there and stare...Dave or I had to grab her every time. I think she thought if she waited maybe they would give her more? Or perhaps she was just fascinated that strangers were giving her treats.

Evalyn was so polite. At every door instead of saying "trick or treat" she said "Happy Halloween". When Kevin our cousin asked her if she was having fun she replied "I am not Evalyn I am Cinderella". She also referred to herself in third person all night. Ex:  She handed me a crunch bar and said "here mommy princesses don't like seeds" and at the end of the night "Cinderella is tired and ready to go home"

 Overall a very successful night.

 The girls were able to trick or treat with their cousin Emma. It was so cute seeing them all in their costumes and getting the hang of it together.