Loving September

 We've been enjoying the cool weather by taking walks, bike rides, and playing at the park. Lucy loves to climb up slides.
 Ez was looking pretty handsome.

For my Dad's birthday in August, I gave him two tickets to the Park City Home Show. It turns out that Lacey and I joined them and were able to see most of the amazing homes. It was so much fun! We got lots of ideas for the new cabin that my parents are building near Park City. We realized that we wanted to get planting some trees on the property, so over Labor Day weekend we headed up to plant 5 pine trees and 5 quaking aspens. Lacey's family came, too. It was pretty hard work, but the kids enjoyed being outside and we lucked out that it wasn't raining. Our trusty old truck did a great job hauling the trees up there.

 Ezra finally started preschool! This is his 3rd year of preschool and he is with Miss Marissa. He couldn't choose between a person that draws blood or a surgeon. I told him that if he chooses surgeon then he can do both. He thought that was a pretty good deal.

 One night while Dad was out of town, I sent the boys to bed and left Lucy to play quietly in her room for a bit (she wasn't tired yet) while I talked to Justin on the phone. When I was done talking, this is what I found in my room: they can't resist cuddling and snuggling with Lucy!

 See what I mean?

 Grandpa John came up to help me with a big project. I've been totally changing up our living room and entryway, trying to make it feel more light, and less beige. We finally got new couches and a darling chair. The kids love it when Grandpa visits. He read Lucy the same little book over and over again because she just kept putting it in his hands and asking for more. She was so pleased.

Here's the entryway project. Justin was so nice to let me do whatever I wanted and my Dad was so great to do all this work. It turned out even better then I imagined! We had a good time working together, even though he did all the hard stuff.  

Before:

 During:

 After:

And here are a bunch of pictures that we've taken lately:

 Lucy does lots of standing around, but only takes about 3 or 4 steps at a time. She is just too fast (and super funny) at her monkey crawl.

 I'm realizing that I take lots of pictures of her while she is eating. I think that's when she gets the most silly. She does lots of faces and keeps us all entertained at the dinner table.

 She melts my heart with that smile!

 Her most favorite thing in the world is still shoes (other than her binky and blanket). She brings them to us and then sticks out her foot so that we'll put them on. Such a girl!

 She recently learned how to climb up onto the piano bench. She plays us lots of songs throughout the day.

 Justin is singing in the upcoming afternoon session of General Conference. He was beyond excited to be chosen from our ward and can't wait for the big day. There was a dress rehearsal at the conference center and families were welcome to come. We planned to drop by to hear the last 45 minutes. Well, wouldn't you know that an area of the freeway was closed and we ended up spending 30 minutes in stopped traffic. We got there just as they finished. We were sad that we didn't get to see Dad up in the choir seats and take pictures. Anyway, he went home to rest (he had a cold) and we headed to City Creek to eat at Red Iguana and play at the children's area. We had never been there before. Lucy was in heaven (and the boys were too, I suppose). It was hard to get good pictures of her because she was so busy crawling from one toy to another.

 And this is out of order, but earlier this month Justin had a fun outing with his friend, Jeremy, from work. They went on his 4-wheeler and motorcycle up the mountain near Stockton. He said it was a good time.

 Ezra being cute in my sun hat.

Justin is never happier than when he is cuddling with the kids (except when he's cuddling with me, of course, but I don't have a picture of that). They fill up his love tank! And of course Lucy is holding a beloved shoe.

 September flew by! Bring on Fall... the best time of the year!