Flashback Friday

I saw this idea on someone else's blog and thought it would be a fun idea to try. Every Friday is "Flashback Friday." This is a day to remember memories and moments from the past and recall them in a your blog.

These pictures were taken last October when my cousin Amanda and I took Lily to the Pumpkin Festival in Denver. We went unprepared without a stroller or wagon, but we weren't too concerned. I mean, how hard could it be to chase a one year old around, while carrying picked pumpkins that weigh a ton?! Yeah, picture this. . .Two huge pumpkins, and few decent sized gourds, trying to be carried by a pregnant woman, and an auntie who are both trying to corral a one year old, who has suddenly found herself "free," and dashing around the large pumpkin field like a crazy woman! (She sure looked cute that day, though.) Yeah, we ended up leaving the pumpkins, snatching the child, who in turn fell asleep in the car on our way to the grocery store, where we bought two fabulous pumpkins that we passed off as ones we picked. =) They were sure fun to carve! At least we got some really cute pictures though!

Falling into Autumn

I LOVE THE FALL! It is my absolute favorite time of year ( I actually just realized this recently). I noticed that I always get so excited when it gets to this time of year! I love being able to watch the trees change colors and drop to the ground. It is the best time of year to get out and enjoy the great outdoors and all of the beauty that God has blessed us with. Michael and I took the girls for a walk yesterday and the excitement just burst from Lily's face when we pointed out the trees and talked about the leaf changes together. Lily really wanted to pick the pretty leaves from the trees. She kept trying to jump to catch them and finally said, "I can't reach! It's too hard. I can't get them!" Michael was such a great sport and lifted her up so that she could pull leaves from the trees. She thought it was the coolest thing ever to get to do that!

Alex was very enthralled in the crisp leaves on the ground. I would say she liked tasting them the best since they kept ending up in her mouth. She was very mesmerized by them and spent most of her time grabbing all within her reach.

I remember how much I used to enjoy raking all the leaves into one big pile and then diving in. It brings back such fond memories! I look forward to being able to share these fun activities with my own children. I absolutely love this apple pickin', pumpkin carvin', cider sippin', jacket wearin', cuddle lovin', FABULOUS time of year! And, not to mention, it is perfect hat weather (which I love to put on the girls.) I bought the girls these three really adorable crochet beanies (white, brown and pink) that you can clip a flower or bow onto. Lily absolutely loves them and shouts "Cute!" whenever she puts one on. She loves to wear them wherever she goes (even just lounging around the house) and I love how the weather is just perfect for it! The last BIG reason I love this season (hah I rhymed!) is because it is a wonderful reminder that the holidays are just around the corner! YAY for Thanksgiving! YAY for CHRISTMAS! I will even give a shout out to Halloween too! Just knowing the holidays aren't too far away raises my spirits and puts the enjoyment of this season into perspective and reminds me of God's awesome love. Did I mention I LOVE autmun? What are your favorite things to do in autumn?

Beauty Captured

I really love photography. It is so beautiful and I love the different and unique styles of other photographers. A picture is truly worth a thousand words and it is the only way to capture the true beauty of even the ugliest thing. My dream in life, my aspiration, is to someday be able to become a photographer myself. I love taking pictures. My friend and I often talk about opening a studio together. Of course my favorite subjects to photograph would be my darling daughters and wonderful husband. Today I took my girlies to the park to play. I decided to try and get some great photos (just before the wind and rain came and had us racing for the car) and fabulous fall, which just happens to be my favorite time of year, made for some wonderful scenery and gave us an excuse to put on jackets and cute hats! With a little cropping and help from Photoshop, these are the end results. I think they turned out quite lovely. Of course the subjects had everything to do with capturing the beauty of the moment ;)

Trip to Arizona

Cousins: Leia, Kyle, Brittaney, Lindsey w/Alex, Lily

(Best pic I got. Not easy trying to get six kids to look at the camera at once. Of course my kid is the grumpy one!)

We took a short, and much needed, vacation to Arizona last week to catch up and visit with family and friends. We had such a blast, but of course there is never enough time to be with those you love and don't get the chance to see often. Busy schedules and chaotic lives seem to catch with everyone and, half the time, though intentions are good, you don't get to see all those you would really like to. (Miss you Ali.)

We got to hang with my parents and brother's family for the first couple of days. It was really great just talking and laughing together. I really enjoyed seeing my nieces and nephew. They are all so darn cute and so much fun to play with. Leia and Kyle are so funny and loved "helping" with Alex.

Unfortunately, (as I said before I have a lousy camera that likes to delete pics on its own!) the pics I took at my parents house and Wayne and Julia's have been lost! I really wanted to cry; still do. Think maybe I even did. Such cute photos GONE! (So, if anyone knows about camera cards, please contact me! The pics are still on the card, I believe, because they are still taking up the space, but they are not showing up! HELP!!! Hopefully getting new camera soon! Can't wait to post blog about it! HAHA!)

Then we drove down to St. David to see Michael's family. Michael's high school was having this all class reunion for all those who have ever attended St. David High School. You'd think that there would be thousands of people there! Haha! For anybody who knows a small school, St. David would classify. There is like 20 people or so to a graduating class, so like all alumni combined equals to about the size of one normal size graduating class as most of us know it! Crazy! Anyway, it was stinkin' hot outside! I forgot how hot the Arizona weather could get because Colorado weather is rarely above 90 degrees. They had a small carnival for the kiddos. We were all sweatin' like pigs. Lily loved riding on the little "train." The happy expression in her pics are surpressed by the miserable heat, but she really was excited to be on the ride.

The Tractor Train. . .Gotta love small towns!

Lily sad because the train ride is over
It was fun hanging out with the family and getting to play with Halie. She is so adorable and we sure miss her!Sweet little mis Halie

Lily loved playing with her Aunties and Alex was all smiles for Grandpa once she got over her fear of his beard! LOL!

1. Lily w/G. Brown 2. Alex w/G. Brown

Michael's family also decided to have a small family reunion (I was happy because my family was also invited) that same weekend. My parents were able to bring my two nieces. I haven't been able to see her or her sister Brittaney since we moved here to Colorado almost 2 years ago ( WOW, has it really been that long!) I was SO happy to see my Lindsers!!! She's always been my girl. I can't believe how much they both grew! Lindsey and Brittaney loved seeing their cousins. They loved holding and playing with them.

Brittaney, Lindsey and Alex All Lindsey wanted to do was cuddle Alex! She loved it!

1) Alex and cousin Riley 2) Silly Miss Lily

Michael and his cousin Travis enjoying good food

Gramma Starla

1) Wayne after the rain shower 2) Lily and Felicia getting their boogey on!

Lovin' my hubby bubby
Old fashioned tire swings are the best!

Nieces Brittaney and Leia

1) Travis and Alex. See a resemblance? tee hee 2) Nephew Kyle=little stud

1) Amy, David, and Halie 2) Dylan, Kylie, Josh

Yes, we are from a special family

My sister n law Julia w/Kyle

and Me w/Leia and Alex

A worn out Lily

And since we had both of our families together, we thought it would be a great opportunity to have Alex blessed. She looked so pretty and angelic in her white dress. Michael's uncle gave her the most beautiful baby blessing! (I will write about Alex's blessing in another post. Didn't want the special moment to be lost in the chaos.)

It was hard to say goodbye because the time just flew by so quickly. The drive home took forever, the girls did so good, but had their stressful moments of being trapped in carseats. Home was a relief! I love coming home after a vacation. It makes me appreciate my house and my space more.

Well, I know there are a lot of pictures, but they were all just so fun and worth sharing that it was hard to choose just a couple!