Big Red Barn

I love Rowley's Big Red Barn in Santaquin.  Christy and I took the kids there yesterday and it was quite an adventure.  It was unexpectedly (to us) FREEZING.  The twins had big jackets, Lucy and Ruby had hooded sweatshirts, but I just had a thin sweater!  It didn't matter though, it was super fun.  The apple cider donuts were phenom of course--Ruby had 3 for breakfast today.  (Mom of the year, I know.)

 The big slide was reallllly fun but Ruby was terrified of it.  I'm so mean, I made her do it with me twice even though she was scared out of her mind.  But she didn't want to wait at the bottom for me but I really wanted to do it, so what was I supposed to do?  I know--awesome parenting.  Joyce, Lydia, and Lucy loved it though.

Our absolute favorite part was the extremely bouncy hayride to the pumpkin patch.  I never post videos but I just love this one--the kids are sooo happy.

We had fun looking at pumpkins.  We were going to buy one, but the prospect of hauling pumpkins while also hauling 3 exhausted toddlers while covered in hay just seemed too difficult.  Plus we already got pumpkins at Walmart.

Ruby REFUSED to take cute pictures.  This is the only freaky picture we got.

the haps

I want to post about our birthday party for my amazing Grandma Joyce, and my fun week in California, but I don't have any pictures.  Let's just say it was a really really special party and it felt so wonderful to celebrate my grandma.  I love her so much it's ridiculous.

My birthday--also fun.  Friday night the 3 of us went to Rice King for my bday dinner, and it turns out Ruby is obsessed with Chinese food. It was really fun.  Saturday was cray cray--mostly getting ready for our big fun party that night at Jordan's.  It turns out I am AWFUL at murder mystery dinners--I felt soooo awkward anytime someone tried to talk to me in character.  I loved listening to everyone else though.  Kyle was of course awesome.  And he looked SO HOT.  I wish I had a picture.  SUPER debonair.

Sunday was my actual birthday.  Katy came to church with me, which made it extra fun.  My girls sang to me in YW--that hasn't happened in years :)  After church Christy and Danny and the girls and Alan and Nieman came over to eat dinner (grilled cheese and tomato soup--fancy) and have brownie sundaes.  I had some surprise cakes--Jordan got me one, a couple of my girls brought one over, and then 3 other girls brought one over.  I had cake coming out of my ears!  It made me feel loved.  I opened some exciting presents and then...THE WALKING DEAD!  Ahhhhhhh.  That's like 6 blog posts right there--so freaking good.  I'm dying.  Tomorrow is episode 2 so I kind of feel like it's my birthday all over again.

Kelsie and I were put in charge of the ward Halloween party with one week to plan.  Things are crazy! But sooo fun and right up my alley.

frustrated

I'm frustrated with pregnancy--or rather, the lack of it.  Having a miscarriage is terrible for many reasons, one of which is that it completely threw off my "plan."  (Christy and I have talked about how ridiculous it is to try to plan things like children or, you know, the future.  Christy had a plan and then her husband got cancer and they had to do IVF to get pregnant again.  I had a plan and then lost the baby when I was so close to the safe 2nd trimester.  So basically, it's hilarious to think that we have any control in these things.)

I always wanted my kids to be 2 years apart.  My sisters and I are spaced that way and it's awesome.  We were close enough to be best friends and interested in the same things at the same times.  We could share clothes and go to school together.  It must have been tricky for Mom when we were tiny, but it was a sacrifice I was willing to make so that Ruby and her siblings could be close in age.  I timed my 2nd pregnancy perfectly--until I wasn't pregnant anymore.  And now, Ruby is fully 2.  It's too late.  Her closest sibling will be closer to 3 years younger than her, assuming I get pregnant anytime soon.  (Why is this taking so long?)  It's hard to accept that my plan has officially failed, but I'm trying to get over it.  Whatever is supposed to happen, will happen.  But it sucks to wait.

I was pretty bummed on the baby's due date in August.  Luckily, Ruby was especially cute and sweet that day, as if she knew she had to cheer me up.

October!

October is the only month I ever blog about as being the best month of the year.  I always have to recognize it!  I am SO HAPPY it's finally October--we have so much to look forward to!

Ruby and I are driving to California with Christy and a baby of her choosing. We're celebrating Grandma Joyce's birthday with a huge party. Preparing for it has been fun and the actual event is going to be awesome!  I'll stick around a couple days to be with my family.  Dad even has Monday off of work--praise Columbus forever!  We plan on watching scary movies.  Ruby and I will then drive home with Katy, who needs to be in Salt Lake this weekend for a conference.  I anticipate a fun drive, both ways.

Next weekend--on the best day of the year, 10/13--is a big Halloween murder mystery party my friend Jordan is throwing.  I helped him with planning (and awesome invitations) and I am VERY EXCITED.

The next day is my BIRTHDAY!!!! I'm turning 27 (I'm pretty sure--I keep forgetting).  I usually hate when my birthday falls on a Sunday, but this year it's okay because it's the PREMIERE of THE WALKING DEAD!!!!!!!  ON MY BIRTHDAY.  The universe must love me.   I'm very excited.  And Katy will even be here to watch it with me!

We decorated for Halloween last week.  Normally I wait for October 1st but I was too impatient this year.  We also got our annual candle--Mulled Cider. I LOVE IT.  I am perfectly happy for the weather to turn cooler.  (Although I still dread the snow. I love fall, but winter not so much.)  I revamped last year's wreath--people told me they couldn't even see the bugs on it, so I painted it and re-glued them on.

Other things to look forward to:

• AMC's Fearfest 2012
• Baking
• Ruby in a Halloween costume
• Ruby trick-or-treating for the first time
• CB's millionth annual Halloween party
• Pumpkin patch
• Haunted house/forest maybe?
• Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point
• Apple cider doughnuts from the Red Barn
• Presidential Debates
• VICE-presidential debates (certain to be hilarious)