Sewer * Eli * Pumpkins * ONC

I need to play catch-up once again. I just can't blog about everything when it happens! Right after the "fabumouse" party we needed to get out of the house and enjoy the beautiful day, so we went hiking up Mueller Park. It was so gorgeous. It put Chloe in the fall mood, and she started thinking about pictures. I didn't haul my camera along because I really didn't think I needed more pictures of us hiking, but then I kind of wished I'd had it so we could just get our family pictures done. Oh well! So, the following Monday the girls and I went out to do some pictures. We didn't go back up to Mueller, so we didn't get all the beautiful colors, but Chloe got her leaves. Sophie hates having her picture taken, so this wasn't even about her -- but she still ended up in a few shots. Crazy hair and all! Then that evening after Brandon was home we all went out so I could get a family photo for our Christmas cards.

For our field trip this week we got to go to the sewer! That was really amazing. I know you don't believe me, but it was. The guys who gave the tour really loved their jobs, and did a lot to show the kids how practical science can be. And I was impressed at all the crap they do to our... well, crap... to make it safe to go back out into the water cycle.

Thursday we invited Eli over for a sleep-over. I didn't really have much planned to do with him, but turns out there was no need to. The girls just wanted to play and they had a great time together. I thought he might get a little bored, but he never did. That night we took him to the city's pumpkin walk. Sophie had entered a pumpkin. We had fun seeing pumpkins from several of our neighbors.

Sophie's Entry -- it's a frog, in case you couldn't tell:

So, Friday afternoon we had to take Eli home. We were planning to do their family photos when we got there, but as we started to head out Shalee noticed I had a flat tire! Since the kids were all ready we decided to just go ahead and do pictures as planned, and worry about the tire later. Once we got done doing pictures Jason helped me get the spare on. That was no easy chore, but he did it.

As we're out there working on the tire, Chloe comes up to me and says, "I hope I didn't cause this."
Me: "What, the tire?"
Chloe: "Yeah"
Me: "Why do you think it's your fault?"
Chloe: "Because I prayed for it."
Me: "WHAT? You prayed that we'd get a flat tire?"
Chloe: "Well, not exactly. But I prayed that we'd have to stay here longer."

Oh, the faith of a child. She got what she prayed for! We ended up staying about 3 extra hours. Shalee ordered pizza to keep everyone happy. I had two tire places turn me away because they didn't have enough time to help me before they closed. Good old Walmart came through, though, and we were able to get back home safely.

Saturday we went up to Ogden to explore the Ogden Nature Center. I think we went a little too early, because it was really cold that morning. We packed a picnic and ended up taking a service road that I'm not sure we were supposed to be on to get to the picnic tables, but after lunch it warmed up and was much nicer. I wish it was a little closer so we could take advantage of it when the weather is nice. It reminded me a lot of Indiana. They had a lot of birds on display like we saw in Ft. Collins, but inside they had this itty-bitty saw-whet owl named Gidget. She was so cute! I think I have a new favorite owl. I took too many pictures again, so I'll just throw them into a slideshow for anyone interested in viewing them.



Sunday we carved the remainder of our pumpkins. The girls actually worked on them while I made an apple pie. It was Brandon's birthday dessert, but since we'll be busy tonight we thought we should go ahead and have it a little early.

Now I'm on my way to go take pictures of the girls in their Halloween costumes. Stay tuned!