Fall in New Hampshire

Besides missing Utah Football terribly (as we can't go to games and we don't have TV, which I actually love)I am truly enjoying fall back east. The leaves are starting to change and the colors become more vivid everyday (pictures to come). There has been plenty to do to stay busy and we had a really good time apple picking at Carter Hill. There were piles of fresh produce that were beautiful to look at and we picked a lot of apples and peaches right off the tree.

She loved picking apples and taking bites out of them too. I don't think she could've had a much bigger bite than this!



There was a fun play area for the kids with little 'roads' and play houses. Here are some of the other moms, Janalee Fish, Katie Bell, and Kara Dortch, helping the kids drive their cars.

Katie climbing the peach tree to pick the delicious and very plump peaches.


The kids loved running around the orchard. Here is Emilie Gardner with a bunch of the kids: Ayden, Caroline (back to the camera) Tyler, Kallyn, Eden, Allison, and Avi is in her mom's arms.

We went to the Hopkinton Fair a couple of weeks ago. The kids loved the animals and Caroline practically climbed into the pens with the pigs. We tried fried pickles, which were incredibly greasy, but to my surprise, very good when dipped in ranch.


On our way to the fair we passed by one of my favorite things...a covered bridge. I don't know what draws me to them, but I just love the old, quaint, charming feeling I get when I see them. Railroad Bridge, disputably the oldest covered bridge in the United States, was built in 1850 for the Concord and Claremont Railroad, connecting lonely Contoocook with the larger New Hampshire towns such as Concord. This is the first one I've seen since living in New Hampshire, and I hope to see many, many more! I especially can't wait until Christmas to hopefully go to some that are red with a wreath over the entrance.

A few of the latest happenings that have gone on with our family are:
Last Friday was the last night Caroline had her binkie. Adam asked if she wanted to send it to baby sister and she was glad to do that. She wasn't too excited at naptime the next day, however, that she had sent it. After some whimpering for her binkie, she was off to sleep and hasn't asked for it since. We anticipated a much more dramatic binkie exit!
Driving a clunker can pay off! We traded in the 1990 beamer for a new car, nothing fancy, but NEW with no current issues. The fabulous thing is, through the "Cash for Clunkers" government program, we got the amount I paid for the car when I first bought it. I have to admit, I like driving clunkers. There is no stress if a new scratch appears, or another check this or that light comes on because they're always on! I just have a hard time spending money on cars.
I will miss many quirks about the old beamer such as not being able to lock the doors from the driver's side. If you did that, you were permanently locked out of the car. I will miss the guessing game of how fast we were going and keeping the same pace as cars around us as the speedometer occasionally worked. I no longer will have warning when Adam is 3 blocks away from home because the new car doesn't sound like a diesel truck when you drive it. There will be no fun surprise as to whether the wipers will work in a terrible rainstorm. ALL the windows roll down in the new car...bonus! I will miss not having to wash our old car because you couldn't tell if that white spot on the car was bird poop or a new chip or faded spot in the paint. You'd miss all that too, right!?

Here is a video, mostly for the grandparents it's long sorry, of little Caroline singing, singing, singing. She sings all day and surprises us with new songs she picks up. Her little happy voice is so refreshing to hear throughout the day. We love that she is such a singer. Before bed when we turn her music on she always says, "I want Book of Mormon stories that my teacher tells to me". According to her that is the title of the song.
Also, if you ask her what daddy's name is she says "Babe" or "Babe dad" which I think is quite appropriate.

A visitor!!

Last weekend we had the pleasure of being able to see our dear friend Lauren Johnson. We have been friends since 9th grade and have had the best time living life!! We did internships in Washington D.C., hopped over to Iceland for a weekend, spent some amazing time in Thailand with friends, and drove to Mexico a few times. She lives life to the fullest!
She didn't actually come to Concord, she was on a trip to meet her goal of visiting all 50 states before she is 30. Her last state was Maine so she "turned 50" last weekend! She came with relatives, Ruthanne and Bill. Ruthanne told Caroline to call her Aunt Beautiful, which she was, a very stunning and classy woman. She and Lauren are kindred spirits.
We met up in Maine for some crab cakes, salmon, and warm blueberry tarts. When Ruthanne was not in Caroline's sight for a little bit she would ask, "Where is Aunt Beautiful?" I am so glad that we got to see our dear friend, and that Adam could take a short break from working so hard and come! Lar and I always wanted to visit Maine together.

Reykjavík, Iceland

I can't help but post more beach pictures because it is one of the best places to be!

Mom, just a minute, I am getting ready for the beach. Gotta get my fancy shoes on...ok, I'm ready! Oh wait, where are my gazillion bracelets and necklaces..?



Here is our daughter happily bulldozing the sand with her head. This activity kept her entertained for some time. So did dipping her face in little puddles and when she would bring her face up she had sand goatees.

There are so many cute kids here, which has been so fun for Caroline. She wakes up everyday and says, "I want to play with friends on swings and slides, and go to the beach." Here she is with Ayden Dortch, and darling Rhyen Bell (both looking at the camera) and Boston. Couldn't you just put them all in your pocket?

Halley Stringham, one of the darling "law wives" out here took the next few pictures and I just loved them. She is one talented gal in photography, making bows/headbands for little girls, and I've seen Martha Stewart quality pics of her cooking creations. Thanks Halley for the pics!