Septemberfest!

September is one of my most favorite months.  I love when the lethargy of the hot summer days give way to the crispness of fall.  I love the increase of energy that manifests itself in back-to-school mania and football, and decorating my place with things of autumn.  This September has been an especially fun one for me.  That has, in part, to do with a little toddler that needs to get out and get moving quite a bit.  Thank you Mckay for helping Mom get off the couch and onto fun things!

 Firstly, September means football.  For those of you who may not be a huge fan of this photo, just know that we watch and support both the U of U and BYU.  This is just the best picture:)  Mckay is young, but he already has a little bit of football mania.  He will scream "Go! Go! Go!" to anything moving on the field.  I am sure that his enthusiasm will become more fine-tuned with the years, but it is very cute.

 I like September because some of the prettiest hikes can be found this time of year, both temperature-wise and visually.  Here is a trail we found in Kamas.  The leaves have not yet changed, but give it a few more weeks and we will definitely see some color creep in.

 This September I started a new tradition.  My cousin-in-law Lindsey hosted the fabulous "Food Feud Competition" ( I think I spelled that wrong), a food competition for amateurs cooks/chefs/etc. I entered the "dessert" category with my tried and true cream cheese cupcakes.  Even they helped me celebrate fall-time and September with their autumn colors.  Here I am feeling very accomplished and sophisticated because my cupcakes are in a cool display.  It was a lot of fun!

 Living in the University Village has its perks, one of them being only 3 minutes from the Hogle Zoo.  Mckay and I have made the journey to the zoo several times, and each time is so fun.  Here we are with the tigers. . .

 . . . and the elephants.  Not the greatest picture of the elephant, I realize, but just check out that cheesy smile.  I couldn't resist.  I like how Mckay's face has a milk mustache, that is very true to life.

One of Mckay's favorite zoo attractions is the wooden horses.  He would not let me get him off for a good ten minutes, so I thought I would kill some time with a little photo shoot.

September, you have been fun.  I am sad that you are almost over.  The only thing that makes this inevitable fact bearable is that after you comes October (and Halloween!), November (Thanksgiving!), December (Christmas), and Baby # 2!

This is the place

A few weeks ago we visited This is the Place Heritage Park with some of my family.  This is the first time since I was, like, 12 that I've been here.  I was pleasantly surprised at all the fun things there were to do, especially for Mckay.

 First we had to visit the "This is the Place" Monument just outside the park.  Here's where all the historical facts are presented.  Chase and I found the only spot of shade for this picture.  It was hot!

 Mckay loved riding the pony.  He practically had to do the straddles to fit across it, but that just made it easier for him to stay on.

 The petting zoo at the park was really fun.  Mckay would only pet this goat because it was smaller than him.  The rest he gave wide berth to.  Not that I blame him at all. . .

 A "train" takes you around the outside of the park and saves a lot of walking.  Mckay loved riding the train almost as much as Grandma and Grandpa loved holding him.

 A little miniature train takes the kids around a pond.  It made us adults feel absolutely huge, but it's just the right size for little kids.

Washing clothes is way more fun when you get to use a bucket of water and splash people.  Whether or not there was any actual washing involved remains in serious doubt.

 Grandma and grandpa relaxing after a fun afternoon.

I had a lot of fun at the park.  It's less than 5 minutes from where we live, so we are hoping we have lots of visitors whom we can take here:)