ANTM

ANTM = America's Next Top Model

In our apartment complex, our "laundry area", which consists of one washer and two dryers, is down two flights of stairs. Last week while I was doing laundry I noticed that the sun was coming in through the window and hitting the stairs in such a beautiful way. So, Impromptu Photo Shoot! I had to tear William away from his Thomas computer games - his latest obsession. I have to monitor that boy because he could play all day!- to take 2 pictures before he started to get cranky. I think he did pretty well. He's a photogenic kind of kid!

And then there was Lily... who appears to be trying out for ANTM. When she does audition, at least we'll have these pictures for her portfolio. If you have ever seen ANTM, you know what I mean.
I promise you that she posed like this herself. There were many many more, but I didn't want another post that was forever long full of pictures. Lily is just as photogenic as William. She just likes to be dramatic sometimes while posing.

I mean, who doesn't like a good "falling down the stairs" kind of pose?

Tyra would be proud. FIERCE!

And More From the Mountains

We had so much fun on Saturday going up Big Cottonwood Canyon. We went up to the top of Guardian's Pass and parked on this cliff where you can see for miles and there's a car at the bottom that has been there ever since Matthew can remember (pictured top left). Then we decided to go up Little Cottonwood Canyon and once we reached the top, we decided to get out and walk. So we hiked all the way to Secret Lake. It's a 2.5 mile hike one way. It was so much fun to do that as a family and the kids did so well!! William and Lily loved that there were rock stairs and of course they loved throwing rocks in the water. I think next time we go on a hike, however, we'll probably be a little more prepared. Maybe some water or snacks. Or wipes for when a little 3 year old girl needs to go #2 and there are no leaves around. Talk about a challenge.... But, overall it was a great experience and I wish we had started doing these things at the beginning of the spring!

-And yes, Matthew is mooning you in the top right corner. Just a peek.

Missing This

We were able to have Grandma come out from Tennessee while Carrie was having baby Presley. We absolutely loved it. Couldn't get enough Grandma. She went back home at the beginning of the month, and my kids are still talking about Grandma being at Carrie's house. We're getting excited to go to Tennessee and see everyone for Christmas!

Beauty

For the Beauty of the Earth...

For the Beauty of the Skies...

For the Love which from our Birth...

Over and Around us lies...

Lord of All, to Thee we Raise...

This Our hymn of Grateful Praise.

Today we were able to go up little and big cottonwood canyons, and we even took a spontaneous 5 mile hike. The whole time that I was taking pictures of the blue sky and the mountains, which some have colorful leaves and bushes on them, all I could think about was the beauty of it. The divinity of it. The fact that we are SO Not alone. This hymn kept coming into my head and wanting to burst out of my chest in song! Even the children talked about how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ made all of these beautiful things we were surrounded by. It makes me want to hike more often, but it's going to get colder soon. Maybe next year.

I Wish I Could Do This!

Yes, you see correctly that there is a corn maze in Syracuse, Utah that is in the form of Bella, Edward, and Jacob. I think this is hilarious. I wish we could go as a family, but unfortunately, it's like more than an hour away and about $50 too expensive. But, cool, huh??

What does one have to do to become a corn maze cutter?

Thomas and His Friend, William

It never gets old. While my mom was out here, she got William a $5 movie. But not just ANY $5 movie. A Thomas movie. The instant William got it, he wanted to watch it. And he slept with it that night. And has watched it... LOTS. What is it about Thomas that brings out such excitement from little boys?? I'm not exactly sure. The music alone all but drives me to bumping my head up against a wall. But, William loves it. So he watches and listens and plays Thomas. Did I mention eats, sleeps and breathes it too?

It is pretty funny to hear him say "Bust my Buffers!!" or "Apply your breaks!" when he plays with his trains.

Listening to Music on a Rooftop

Last night, Matthew, his sister Brittany, and I went to Provo to see that awesome band The Lower Lights. They put on a Hymn Revival that was on a rooftop. You heard me right. It's cool, huh? They sound amazing live. And they had a pretty nice set-up too.

Something that I learned about Provo-ans, however, is that some of them don't really care about the people around them. Why am I making that assumption?? Well, good friend, most of the night, this was my view...

There were definitely some interesting people there, but it was a great show with even greater music.

When I strained over to the left, I could see the stage, so that's how I was most of the night. But, I was able to get these pictures of the band. Matthew really liked this guy's voice.

Here is the whole band on stage.

Matthew was so kind enough to get me the cd so I can listen to it anywhere. Love him. Matthew also was super intrigued by the fact that CJane (a hilarious blogger and sponsor of last night's show) calls her husband "Chup" on her blog instead of his real name. He told me that he wants me to come up with a cool name like that for my blog.

What do you guys think? Any suggestions?