Event #3 ~ MUMMY DOG NIGHT

EVENT #2 ~ CANDY CORN PICTURES

OCTOBER; 2011
October is a month full of activity in our home. There are so many fun things to do in the Fall. In order to accomplish all the "FUN" activities, we have a countdown to Halloween with each event given a date to be accomplished. Some nights are extremely simple while other nights are more elaborate. This is the third year counting down to Halloween. I love this tradition because it creates an atmosphere where family bonding is essential. The effort of planning, and preparing is absolutely worth it as I watch my kids laugh and play together. They are not only siblings, but best friends too!

EVENT #1 ~ APPLE CARVING

JAKE STARTS PRESCHOOL

BUTTERFLY EXHIBIT ZOO BOISE
We went to the butterfly exhibit at the zoo. The butterflies landed on all of us! We absolutely loved the experience!

BACK TO SCHOOL
August 23, 2011

FEATHERVILLE with the DAHLBERG's

I love traditions! For the past three years my family has met my sister's family at Featherville for a few days of fun and relaxation. We look forward to our special weekend every year.

~POPSICLE POND~

There is a reason this part of the river is called Popsicle Pond... As soon as the kids had crossed the river, they climbed onto this rock, and they didn't want to move.

This is Hailey jumping, for the first time, from a big rock in Popsicle Pond. She did it three times! Huge accomplishment. 

Getting back across the river--COLD!

~WATER SKIING~

I am so good at crashing that I have learned to plug my nose as I begin my descent!

~TEMPLE SQUARE~

On our way home from the family reunion, we stopped at Temple Square. It was a perfect end to a perfect week!

Conference Center

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK~TAKE 2
As we were leaving Blanding, we decided to stop in Arches again to see a few more sights...

Landscape Arch

Landscape Arch

Darkness was starting to envelope us, but we really wanted to finish the hike. This section of the hike had a cliff off to one side. It didn't look too difficult until we were committed an unable to turn back. I was so scared that I made my children scoot on their bums, and hold tight to both me and Bryan. 

ELKINGTON FAMILY REUNION
We arrived in Blanding on Thursday, July 28. Patty had planned an amazing weekend. Our theme for the reunion was: What are you doing with your time? Every night there was a devotional on the importance of time. Every day we focused on spending T I M E together. We filled our days with four-wheeler riding, swimming, eating, and exercising--simply having fun together. My favorite activity; however, was when I was able to go to the Monticello temple with my husband and sisters. I felt a bond grow between us as we served the Lord. I loved watching my sisters interact with the temple workers. I loved seeing their kindness and love--their example taught me and enriched my life. 

In general conference, Elder Uchtdorf said, "We build deep and loving family relationships by doing simple things together, like family dinner and family home evening and by just having fun together. In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e, time. Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home. We talk with, rather than about, each other. We learn from each other, and we appreciate our differences as well as our commonalities. We establish a divine bond with each other as we approach God together through family prayer, gospel study, and Sunday worship" (Of Things that Matter Most, General Conference 2010).

The last day we played a game with a parachute. Here are our adventures: