Mommy & Sons Date Night

    I've been such a slogger! (blog-slacker)  So much to tell!  I will probably do a rapid fire of blogs over the next couple of days to touch on some of our highlights!  But I'll start with the most current events.

This evening Hayden, Hurley, and I went out on a Mother & Sons Date.  We headed out to Gardner Village in West Jordan to see the witches!  I love Gardner village, and being a descendent of the man who settled the place back in the 1800's it has a special place in my heart.  They have lots of stores (scrapbooking, clothing boutiques, a quilt shop, fabric store, jewelry, home decor, tea cottage, restaraunt, a Christmas Shoppe, and even a day spa).  The buildings were the homes to Archibald Gardner, his 13 wives, and many children.   

Each year they set out witch manequins around the village.  The boys have always enjoyed going to see the witches; we don't usually wait to go so late in the season but we've been busy, busy so this was our first opportunity... and of course my procrastination would lead to us heading out on the night of the Salt Lake Valley's first snow storm of 2009. 

When we arrived it was chilly and drizzling just a little bit.  The boys were kind enough to humor me with some pictures, but as you can tell by looking at most of them they each look less than enthused about the photo-op.  Hayden decided to just start throwing down the "thumbs-up."  And with each picture I snapped, Hurley would say, in a very synical, toddler tone, "Cheese."  No smile.  No pose.  Just attitude.  They are such a funny pair.  After spending a little time walking around it started to snow and the guys were getting irritated with the frigid temperatures so we headed off to Toys 'R' Us, because Mommy owed each boy a toy for obtaining their flu shots today.  Yes a toy, I started a tradition of sorts by buying the boys a toy each time they get a shot, I should have perhaps thought a little more carefully about this tradition before implementing it, but I can't go back now!  It's been nearly 6 years running!  We just make sure to put a spending limit on the toy of choice. 

On the way home we hit up our local grocer, Harmon's, and bought some pumpkins to carve this Thursday night (stay tuned for the carving pics to come.)  Hayden picked some great pumpkins so I'm excited to see what we can come up with!  Hope you are all enjoying the Fall Fest and looking forward to a Happy Halloween!

 

Autumn Awesomeness

I love fall! 

It is my favorite time of the year.  As the beautiful season approaches next week, I have decided to reflect on some of my favorite fall things or activities.  Maybe you'll catch the spirit too! 

• Short days - the sun rises later and sets earlier. - I love that.
• Going for drives up the canyons with the windows rolled down and the heater turned on.
• Pulling on a big, soft comfy sweater, climbing into a comfy chair, cup of chai tea at hand, and a good book.
• Haunted Houses - that's right, I love 'em!
• Halloween
• Halloween Horror Flick Marathons!  Heck yes!
• Corn Mazes
• Family pictures with the changing leaves in the background.  They may be cheesy and overdone, but no matter who the family is in the picture they always look happy and cozy.
• Changing leaves - of course!
• Fall decorations.
• The NFL season is in full swing. Go Steelers! 
• The hustle and bustle of the holidays.
• Chilly night air and the harvest moon.
• Jumping in piles of raked leaves.  I know I'm not a kid anymore, but I think it's freakin' awesome!
• THANKSGIVING - My favorite holiday, and this year I have lots to be thankful for.

As an added bonus, "New Moon" the second Twilight movie is opening November 20th! 

I love fall!

"Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile." 
"Autumn is the hush before winter."

To My Sweetheart

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart)

i am never without it (anywhere i go you go, my dear;

and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling)

i fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet)

i want no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)

and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows

higher than the soul can hope or the mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

E. E. Cummings

This is my all time favorite poem.  As of late, when I recall the words of this sweet poem, I think of only one person - an incredible man.  I feel blessed to have had him brought into my life and I am so grateful to him for all that he does for me and how truly loved he makes me feel.  I love you, Jim.