Catch up of September and October

In the beginning of September we bought a used Nissan Armada that we love. We went to the first BYU football game of the season!  We also were able to go camping with Ryan's parents and sister out at Starvation Reservoir.  The kids loved camping and fishing with their cousins.  Plus we went to Brooke's In-laws farm were we saw all sorts of exotic animals.  We also broke in our new vehicle with a kiddo throwing up on the way home.  Towards the end of September we took the three older boys fishing/canoeing before the end of the season.  We planned on going to Silver Lake Reservoir, but they are draining it.  We ate lunch there, busted our shocks on the way down (on the new used car we bought), and then fished in Tibble Fork Reservoir. The best part was we all caught fish.  

My goal is to update our blog at least monthly.  So far so good even with October being crazy.  This was truly the first month I felt like a Mom...exhausted!  Simplify should be every family's goal.  That being said we had a lot of fun.  The boys went to their Mom's for a week, so Kael came here.  We went to the Zoo and Pumpkin Patch with him.  Kael is a lot more work than the three older boys, but He and I are buddies and so happy together.  I loved the zoo since I had not been there since the first month Ryan and I were dating.  The Pumpkin Patch was also great because we met up with Ryan's parent's and two siblings, plus kids. Since the Pumpkin patch was in Layton I found two of my Mom's old houses by memory since I am trying to preserve some memories from her. 

Some of the more mundane things that are happening in our home are establishing routines.  All the boys do chores 5 days a week, homework everyday, 10 minutes of personal spiritual reading, 20 or more minutes of regular reading, practice piano, go to art class, and I think we have finally gotten to the point that everyone loads their own dishes.  Ryan and I both got new callings too.  I was called as a Laurel adviser, which is very challenging and stressful for me (I had to teach, speak in church the next week, and then teach Relief Society the 3rd week).  Essentially it is more missionary work than anything.  Ryan was called as the finance clerk which he seems to like,but may hate come tithing settlement, lol.  I have taken more things to DI, mastered only buying the essentials at Costco, but didn't manage to escape getting sick.  Every year around Halloween I get sick, but I am blessed that last year was a lot worse.  I have also started running and going to the gym regularly.  I love going to a Body Pump class with some neighbors even though I am a wimp.  I HATE going at 5 in the morning though.  Ryan has also started to work out and we have been eating a lot healthier, with the exception of the cursed Halloween candy.  

Halloween the boys decided to paint pumpkins instead of carving.  We may still carve one to use the seeds.  Drew was the Grimm Reaper, Evan was Captain America (my favorite) and Robby was a Ninja Turtle.  If I remember right Kael was a vampire.  Ryan and I both passed out candy, but the highlight of the night was watching Hocus Pocus with the boys. 

We are looking forward to going to two BYU football games in the coming weeks, Time out for Women for me with some neighbors, and Thanksgiving with the extended Nielson family.

Lot's of pictures, but hope you enjoy!

Robby was baptized back in May, but I realized I had not shared any pictures.
 Robby has grown up so much since then!

The above two houses were where my Mom lived in Layton.
 I vividly remember visiting her every other weekend and even
 eating a very "sagey" stuffing from an Aunt one Thanksgiving.

Even Kael is thinking, "Gosh Dad takes a lot of pictures."

The three above pictures are Ryan in London and Ireland back in May.
I just found them and thought he was so dang cute.  While it was rough to have him gone I bawled my
eye's out since we found out we got sealing clearance during this time.  I love him so much!!!