{Happy Halloween!!!

{Freezing our tail ends off...

What a crazy Friday night! We had planned to go to Moab with a few families this weekend, but with the Primary Program being Sunday and our Trunk or Treat activity today we opted to stay a little closer to home. Well, never again... at least not in October! Moab is completely "do-able" in October because it's at least 20 degrees warmer there. We drove up to Woodland Park yesterday afternoon, set up camp and literally laid in our sleeping bags and FROZE all night long. We came prepared with hand warmers, a tent heater and enough layers to keep anyone toasty, but it was no where near enough. I don't usually consider myself a wimp, but I can't count the number of times that I almost got up, got the keys to the Tahoe and cranked up the heater! It was enjoyable to get out and do a little camping with some good friends and I did have a good time when the sun was shining... so Baer's and Ronco's until next year!

{Girls Trip...

What a fun, fun weekend with some crazy fun girls! I think I've really only had a group of girlfriends like this one other time in my life (post college) and there were just 3 of us. I was talking to Julie (second from left) and if you would have asked us three years ago if we liked living in this part of Colorado Springs, I think we would have hesitated to say yes. We are surrounded by beauty, true. But we were sorely lacking in the girlfriend department! It seems like in just the last two years we have had some really fun, dynamic families move into our wards and neighborhoods. Thank heavens! I am such a social person, I just need good friends.

We started planning a 'girls trip' this summer and it went from the Oregon coast to Vegas, to San Diego and finally to Denver. It was perfect. Thanks to Dan and Julie we were completely pampered at the Aveda Institue and enjoyed facials, pedicures and hair cuts/color. We stayed at the Burnsley hotel in Denver (on the 13th floor). It was great, thanks Buffy! Leslie popped in for a quick hair cut and Alicia and Sara met us at Aveda Friday afternoon. That night Meghan and Valerie joined us. We went to Maggianos for dinner, the Secret Life of Bees (theater 13), and a rip roaring Haunted House (called the 13th floor haunted house). Notice the trend?? I am completely exhausted and trying to concentrate on a talk for church tomorrow but I had so much fun. Thanks girls (and grammies for taking the boys all weekend!) We missed those of you that couldn't make it but there's always next year!

{I'm an aunt, TWICE!

Well October 13th turned out to be a super exciting day in our family! My brother called at 6:00a.m. to tell me that they had a baby boy earlier that morning! McKendra wasn't due for another week and a half but she went into labor and got to the hospital at midnight and delivered the little guy 3 hours later. Go Kenz! They haven't decided on a name yet, but he is absolutely precious!

Liz was on a waiting list to be induced (at the same hospital) and wasn't very hopeful because there weren't enough open beds to put her on the schedule. (I teased her and told her it was because McKendra took her bed!) Well, at 11:00 they told her they could fit her in and at 3:00 that afternoon she gave birth to little Stella Christine Hawker. What a happy day for our family. We feel so blessed that everyone is here and healthy! What I wouldn't give to hop on a plane to Utah to hold these sweet new babies! Congratulations to all!


Little "baby boy Berry" with his dad (my brother) on the day of his birth!


This is Stella Christine Hawker, also born yesterday with her sweet mama (Liz, my sister-in-law).

{So excited!...

My good friend Tina was generous enough to spend an evening with the us to take some fall family pictures. I am more than thrilled with how they turned out. The fall colors are perfect and let's face it, when all four of us are looking at the camera it is a complete success! She has such a good eye for light and a never ending supply of ideas for different ways to set up a shot. Thank you, thank you Tina! I have a folder full of pictures on my computer that are being uploaded to Costco as we speak. I can't wait to get them in frames and on my walls! You're the best.

{Conference, Football and Pumpkins...

I've been meaning to get these pictures up all week... We had such a fun weekend in Loveland. We have a tradition that includes going up to the Berry's house for Conference weekend each fall. We typically go to one of Tanner's games on Saturday morning and hit the pumpkin patch right afterwards. They boys (and me) pick out pumpkins and then we head home for a weekend full of inspiring talks. Here are a few snapshots...


Uncle Tanner and J after the game


Heading out to the pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin

{Loving all things OWL...

There is something about owls that has me smiling this fall... here are a couple of project ideas and other fun things that I've been eyeing

This Owl Pillow might just end up on Sam's bed (well, crib)!

Sam is a little big for an Owl Onsie, but maybe a t-shirt will do?

Absolutely love these Owl Cupcakes!

If only Halloween were a year round holiday! Owl Nightlight

I might just have to make one of these in orange and black for Jackson's school Halloween party!!! Owl Pin

...and this Owl Necklace is a little creepy, but something is still drawing me to it!