Week End

We originally had plans to spend this weekend in Moab. But due to circumstances beyond our control, we wound up in Paradise.


This is what Paradise looks like: (at least in Utah)

Turns out they have apple orchards in Paradise, and even in October the trees are loaded with lots of different varieties of these:

We spent an afternoon swinging on the swings, climbing trees, throwing frisbee for a Paradise dog, and of course, picking many many apples.

We also paraded around the pumpkin patch in Paradise, picking out a wagon load of $2.00 pumpkins.

Then on Sunday, the three younger kids were in the Primary program at church, which was the original reason for canceling our Moab plans. In a normal year, we would totally have blown off the Primary program, but this year was Will's LAST year to take part in the program, and Livvi's FIRST year, and also the only year that all three of them would be in it together, so we really didn't want to miss it. And it was well worth the change in plans. If you are only going to go to Sacrament meeting once a year, I would suggest you find out which week the Primary program is, and go that week. It is truly fine entertainment, and this year was no exception. Will would have much preferred to be in Moab, but he was a good sport, soldiered on through his parts, and even sang. Olivia was the only sunbeam that would actually speak into the microphone. She also could not keep her hands to herself, and kept poking and pulling on the poor child standing next to her. And every time I made eye contact with her, she would attempt to carry on a conversation with me from her seat on the stand. I had no idea what she was saying, but it sure kept her teachers laughing. And Audrey- that girl needs to enroll in drama! Such emoting! No stone faced, painted-on smiles on this kid. She is quite the dramatist, and really captured the emotions of the moment with her facial expressions and body movements.

After church and the usual rowdy Sunday dinner of spilled milk, arguing over whose turn it is to pray, and too many jokes involving bathroom humor, we headed up the canyon to enjoy the weather and snap a few family pictures.

Out of 20 shots, most of which looked like this:

we finally got one where nobody is pulling anything too extreme. A little editing at Walmart, and we might have a keeper!

Oh, on top of all this, we (meaning I) did some major cleaning, including the carpets. We are so close to finally sticking that sign in the yard, if we can only bring ourselves to really do it, before the carpets get dirty again!