Recently

I am so thankful for fall!! Mesa is finally starting to cool down... meaning the highs are below 100! Mornings are where I have found fall the past month and a half. If I can walk before 7am, it's beautiful and not hot. I am so thankful for seasons, and changes in weather that give variety to each year. Living in the Phoenix area, it might appear that it's just always hot half the year. But even within the long summer, there is a preceding spring and proceeding fall. Especially in the early mornings and later evenings. 

Here are some captured moments: 

Noah and Lewis at the piano, near our Halloween bats!

October General Conference!  This is becoming one of my favorite (two) times of the year. A weekend of staying home, eating yummy food and listening to prophets, apostles and other leaders of the church speak of Christ and His gospel. And listening to beautiful music. So much gratitude. 

Noah turned seven! I love this kid so much. Happy Birthday Noah! Some gifts this year included: a tumbling mat (he loves to tumble!) and a skunk stuffed animal (he loves skunks).

Lunch date with Lily! This was one of her Christmas gifts last year and we finally made it happen. She is such a cute kid, and I'm so grateful for her. Current interests: drawing, reading, dancing, playing with co-op friends, reading, piano, violin and reading. 

Visiting Schnepf Farms. Brant was out of town a few Thursdays ago and I surprised the kids by giving them a day off of homeschool. My goal was to be almost as fun as Dad is when I'm out of town. So we spent the day visiting a farm, using some free coupons we had for a Lego store, going out for bagels and playing Mario Cart (if I'm remembering correctly). They were thrilled. I'll probably never be quite as fun as Brant though, as I'm a bit more stingy with Mario Cart and junk food. :) It was a beautiful day though.  

Japanese Garden Field Trip! I love finding beautiful, green places here in the desert. It inspires me.

Lewis water coloring. My attempts to recreate this moment of him happily painting for an hour have not been very successful, but we'll keep trying.

Lily made her first cake by herself! Go Lily!

Using our summer reading coupons at Jeremiah's Italian Ice. Yum!

Noah with some puppies...that were near the Claire's store we visited for Lily. She got her ears pierced this year and has a free earing coupon she gets to use every month for this first year. Not sure my kids have ever been to an outdoor mall until this year. We enjoyed visiting the puppy store last time, as well as See's Candies. Felt like I was stepping back in time! (Claire's and See's).
 

Lewis and I making biscuits.