Pumpkin Patch Carnival

Demarie riding one of the rides
Preslyn finally got brave enough to pet a bunny with her finger through the fence!

Broyden being brave with Grandpa and all the animals

We were so luck to enjoy a visit from Grandma and Grandpa in October. While they were here we went to a pumpkin patch with a petting zoo and several carnival rides and bouncy houses. It was so much fun! Preslyn didn't dare go in to pet the animals, but finally got the nerve to pet the rabbit through the fence. Broyden felt pretty brave holding Grandpa's hand and Demarie even fed the goats from her hands!

Painting Pumpkins

For preschool, we painted pumpkins with our hands. Didn't they turn out so cute?

GOOGLE: LUMP ON NECK

One Saturday night as we were getting the kids ready for bed, Aaron noticed that Broyden had a lump on his neck. We hadn't noticed it before and were not sure how long it had been there. In the morning, it had grown even larger! When I touched it, he didn't act like it bothered him. In fact, he was happy and didn't seem to be sick at all. I wasn't going to be able to take him in to see the doctor until Monday morning, so I started searching online for answers of what it could be. For anyone reading this, I would like to offer you the same advice that I received but didn't listen to... DON'T LOOK ON THE INTERNET AND TRY TO DIAGNOSE YOUR CHILD'S HEALTH CONCERNS YOURSELF!!!! After an hour of searching, I was convinced that Broyden had cancer. I was a mess worrying about him! As soon as the doctor came in the room on Monday I broke down! I never do this!!! Anyways, to make a long story short, he ended up having a swollen lymph node and it quickly went away with an antibiotic. Even though that was the most likely option that I found online, of course I focused on the worst case scenario. Usually I am much more level headed than this, but when it is YOUR kid...! If you are a mother reading this you know exactly what I mean, right?

Gilcrease Orchard and Children's Authors

One of my FAVORITE things to do each Fall is to take the kids to Gilcrease Orchard and let them pick out their own pumpkin to carve or decorate. However, this year was EXTRA special because...
Gilcrease held a special event one Saturday where they had several different children's book authors you could meet. Demarie's DREAM is to be an author and illustrator someday so she was very excited to meet some REAL LIVE authors! Demarie has already written several chapter book SERIES (and they are amazing!). We bought a few of their books and got their autographs. This lady was especially sweet to Demarie. Her name is Leslie Gillette and she wrote a book called "Coco's Identity Crisis." She talked to Demarie about following her dream and gave us the card of the publishing company she goes through. I'm sure someday Leslie will be honored that she met the famous author Demarie Sue Harris!

We found some fun picture stations set up so we stopped to pose!

We loved trying to find our way out of the straw maze. Has anyone seen Demarie???

And now...Finding the PERFECT pumpkin!

Demarie thought this bright orange pumpkin was PERFECT for her!

Preslyn was excited to find her PERFECT pumpkin!

Broyden said his was "HEAVY!" but it was PERFECT for his size!

The search was a success! Time to go home and decorate!

Instead of carving, we decided to paint our pumpkins this year

THREE PERFECT LITTLE PUMPKINS!

Homecoming Sunday

On the 25th of September, my parents reported on their mission in their ward. There was also a young man in their ward that had his mission farewell on the same day, so my parents did not get to talk very long:( But, what they said was great! It was especially exciting to hear them both bear their testimonies in Polish. I'm grateful for the example they have set for me and for my family.

After church, they hosted a brunch at their house. My mom made a ton of crepes, something they eat a lot of in Poland, muffins, fruit salad, and other yummy breakfast dishes.

Aunt Cathy, Aunt Mindy, and her kids waiting for the food

My Aunt Tanya and Cousin TarraLisa. It has been such a long time since I have seen them. I wish I could have had more time to visit with them.

Uncle Byron, Aunt Colleen, and their gang! Cousin Jeff recently got married so it was fun to see him with his new wife!

Frank just hanging out:)

Lance with my Uncle Steven and my Grandpa Arnold. Grandpa Arnold has served several missions himself and is always so kind when we see him. It was nice to see everyone and listen to my parents speak about their mission. I only wish they could have had more time to speak. After the family gathering, we loaded up and headed back to Las Vegas. It was hard to good-bye...again! At least they can hopefully come visit soon!

Surprises from Poland!

We had so much fun having a sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa's house. It reminded us about the "good old days" when they used to live in Las Vegas and we could visit them all the time.

One of the highlights of the trip was sitting around Grandma while she showed the grandkids some of the trinkets and memorabilia they brought home from Poland

The kids especially enjoyed the Matryoshka dolls (nesting dolls)

Jalia, Hallie, and Demarie were a great audience!

Beautiful pottery from Poland

Polish Nativity scenes, decorative plates, and jewelry

Polish Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, dictionary, and scarf. There is also pictured a copy of some of the primary songs that Grandma Moon translated into Polish! This was a big help for the primary children and leaders in Poland.

Easter eggs and Christmas ornaments

Wooden chest board and books about Poland

Doll wearing traditional Polish attire and other various polish toys and scarf

Hanging With Cousins

While we were in Utah, we went to the Children's Museum in Salt Lake City with aunt Mindy, cousin Brock, and cousin Makai. The kids had a great time! Here is Brock pumping the water. He was so funny to watch! He sure got into his imagination!

Fireman Broyden mowing the lawn!

Fireman Makai gathering eggs
Cowgirl Demarie riding her horse!

We also went to the Syracuse Fun Park with uncle Rett, aunt Susie, cousin Brynna, cousin Tean, and Grandma and Grandpa. The kids had a great time bouncing and sliding!

Brynna and Preslyn had a great time together. They were so fun to watch and listen to! One time, Brynna turned to Preslyn and said, "I'm not going to play with you anymore!" Preslyn said, "Ok! Who are you going to play with?" Brynna got a puzzled look on her face and said, "Well, don't you want me to play with you?" Preslyn said, "Sure!" and so Brynna said, "Well, then tell me you want me to play with you!"

Uncle Rett, Brynna, and Preslyn. Uncle Rett sure is a good daddy!

Broyden and Tean jumping!!!

While we were in Utah, we stayed at uncle Daren and aunt Cathy's house. I was excited to go to Cathy's workout class at the gym and attend a spin class with her! A couple of nights we went to the church parking lot and rode bikes with Mallory and Hallie. Aunt Cathy really worked hard with Demarie to try to teach her to ride a bike. She is getting so so close! Aaron flew in Friday night and we had a family party at uncle Blaine and aunt Mindy's house. We ate dinner and watched the BYU game.