Family, Fun and Fall

It's been a while.  In order to not feel behind I'm going to start with today and go backwards.  We'll see how far I get.

I guess I can't start with today because today has a bit of a back story (ha ha don't I always?)  We usually visit Utah twice a year to see family.  This year we took our Southern Utah trip and Disneyland because of Ellie's baptism when lots of family came out here.  This worked all fine in my mind but there are so many people I haven't seen in our family for almost a year.  Even those that were able to come out I haven't seen in 6 months.  I am homesick.  I don't remember being this homesick since the year Carter was born and everyone felt so far away.

This has been building for a while (pretty much every year when it gets SO HOT here is when it starts) but seems to be compounded with time.  Little things would set me off like seeing a changing leaf, smelling the heater turn on for the first time, knowing I wouldn't see my new nephews until they were 6 months old, being at a soccer game with my kids and knowing our families would LOVE to be there.  Ya.  It seems silly I know.

Long story short (with heartfelt prayers answered, btw) my sister Suzanne and two of her boys came for a visit since her husband would "be in the neighborhood" (meaning only 4 hours away instead of 12).  AWESOME!!!

Suzanne and baby Zev.  He is SOOOO happy and sweet.  I was happy as can be just playing with him.  It was great having one on one time with Suzanne.  Miss them!!

 Enos and Carter.  They are only 9 months apart and play well together.  However, they do NOT sit and take pictures together well.  The first couple I tried the "1,2,3 click" and they both jumped up at 3.  The last picture I said, "1, 2 CLICK!"  Ha.  I'll show them.

This is Zev and Tyler.  As soon as Ty saw him he grabbed the iPad and took a picture with him.  Funny boy.  

They couldn't stay long but their visit was such a lift and blessing I can't even truly describe.  I can make it until Christmas now!

Fall is also in the air (FINALLY!) This was our pumpkin harvest - all volunteer pumpkins I might add.  We painted a number of them while we listened to Conference.

And these are our doors.  Super cute, I know.  Thanks Pinterest.  I cut Ellie off in this collage and don't know how to fix it.  Just pretend there is a super cute little girl who helped me create the monsters.