Fall...Glorious Fall!!!

I know everyone is posting about how much they love Fall and how beautiful it is. I want to too!! :o) The kids and I raked the gorgeous leaves today and put them in big pumpkin yard sacks I got for 25 cents yesterday. They love the new yard, the hiding places and riding bikes up and down the street. We live in such a nice older neighborhood with nice mostly older neighbors. I worry the kids are too loud sometimes, but it's good for the older folks to hear them...right!?!

I've been wanting to do a thankful post this month because I am really thankful for all I have. So hear goes....

I am SO thankful I have a good job I love. It is so gratifying to wake up each day excited to go to work and be edified. I love the kids and their hugs and their smiles and just feeling needed. I love my co-workers and the fun we have. I am also glad for the little bit of eye-candy I get each day. Just one more reason to like going to work. ;o)

I am thankful for my wonderful kiddos and all the ups-and-downs that come with them. I love that they are getting so grown-up. It's so fun to watch their little minds grow and change. Each day I am amazed by something they do/say/think. I love that Megan is becoming stronger and more confident. I love that Mikey is sensitive and loves to help others. He is smarter than crap...and I know every parent says that...but he really is. :o)

But mostly....I am thankful for my humanity. I know that sounds cheesy, but I really do feel connected to other humans out there. More so than ever before. I'm thankful for the lack of boundaries I feel between most people. And at the same time...I am glad for the boundaries I have placed between me and some.

My hope over this next year is to open my sphere of influence to more and more people and opportunities. I want to connect more with others and reconnect with those I have lost along the way. I hope to show my love for others more often. And I hope to spend some serious quality/quantity time with my children and family.

Wish me luck and Blessings to all!!

Parks and Legos

The kiddos and I went into the mountains today for some R&R. We visited an interesting art exhibit made completely from Legos. Such a fun and creative art form. We also went to one of our favorite parks for a few hours...yes hours...of playtime. The best part....it was all FREE! :)

The people...


The art...

Zoo Fun!!!

Today we went to the zoo. It was PACKED with people but still very fun. We saw the cute new baby elephant. Zuri had tons of energy. Very entertaining to watch. We also saw the three tiger cubs. Darling! The new carousel was gorgeous and fun. We had a great time. :)

The people....

The animals...

Dino Park '09

The kids went to the dinosaur park with grandma and their cousins. Had a blast. :)

Bud's Obsession

Lego, lego, and more lego. He's pretty good at creating huge elaborate scenes. This one is a space jail equipped with computer terminals so the cops can "email the aliens" and teleports! :)

Fall Festival '09

Tonight was the annual Fall Festival, formally known as "Carnival" at the kiddos school. They were both SO cute. :) They first paraded in dressed in "traditional" garb from their host countries. Bug's was Chile, Bud's was Equador. Bug got to hang out in the middle of the dance group with her friends. Bud's video didn't turn out, but cute pics anyway. He was a total ham! :) We stayed and played games too. The kids had a blast.

Bug's dance! :)

Antelope Island

Balloon and Kite Festival

SO fun! The kids had a blast. It got to be a little too hot for bug...but we made it to most of the stuff. The wind was blowing too much to launch balloons...so we just watched the kites.

Can I just say...I LOVE Fair Food! :)

This picture is my favorite. They stood by this swamp
and debated whether there were alligators for over 5 minutes. :)