Fall 2017 🍁🍁

We love fall in this house 🍁 . It’s exciting when after many hot months a chill is finally in the air. Pumpkin patches, Halloween, and all things Autumn become our October pursuits. This year has been no exception. We have been super busy between soccer (Amelia), piano (Amelia), guitar (Ella), gymnastics and horse lessons (Ella), and now Shaun has started a rec volleyball league. I’m not sure when we find time to do anything but go, but when we do we are trying to get some of these fun festive fall activities in. Plus it’s fun to decorate for fall. 

So happy fall y’all!!! More posts to come on Halloween and all the fun that comes with that with kids.

Alex’s First Day of Preschool

I’m a little late posting this, but this cute little guy of mine was very excited to start school like his big sisters. He loves his teacher already, and he tries to bring his backpack with him everywhere he goes. I’m not a bit biased but this kid is beyond handsome.😍💙💙💙

A Visit With Aunt Janet

We were happy in September to have a visit from my oldest sister, Janet. I hadn’t seen her in seven years. Ella was only two and had no memory of her. I try to show my kids pictures of their family, but without meeting family they seem more like make believe than real people. So it was beyond wonderful for my children to finally get to meet their aunt. They LOVED her! She is very beautiful and super stylish so I think they were in awe (and probably shocked she was actually related to me as I’m not all that stylish). But we were so glad to have her visit. I hope we don’t have to wait another seven years to see her again. We love you Aunt Janet!!! Thanks for the visit.

Let’s Make #13 Lucky!

We celebrated our thirteenth anniversary this year! Holy cow we are getting old! But despite what superstitions tell us about the number thirteen, I think we’re off to a pretty good thirteenth year. We took Friday and went to the temple with my parents. We did dealings for my grandparents and great grandparents. The spirit was very strong, and we felt the confirmation that many whose work we were doing was being accepted on the other side of the veil, and that perhaps some were there with us that special day. Shaun and I felt what better way to celebrate being eternally sealed than to work on sealing our family to us and us to them. It was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.

Then Saturday we went on our first dinner cruise on the Potomac. It was something I’ve always wanted to try, so it was a great way to make this Anniversary special. 

The Calderwoods take on Pennsylvania🍫

It's been a beautiful weekend in Lancaster and Hershey, PA! Friday in Amish Country and Saturday at Hershey Park. Now we get to head home listening to LDS General Conference. What a great way to spend a weekend! 

We started our weekend in Lancaster, known for the beautiful Amish Country. We went on a tour of the Amish countryside, but the highlight by far was getting to eat with an Amish family in their home. We got to meet the children and spend time talking with the mother who had spent the day cooking for us. Something I’ll always remember. She was truly a delightful person. I came away with a deeper respect for the Amish people and finding some similarities between their faith and my own. There’s something to be said for slowing down, taking a break from the world, and focusing on our families and the simple joys life brings. I really enjoyed this day.

Then Saturday we were off to Hershey Park. Shaun’s work gave everyone in the company free tickets to the park and food vouchers as well. We had a great time! 

Good times had by all at the oh so sweet Hershey Park!

Shaun and Alex travel to Utah

Three is turning out to be a busy year for Alex. After his birthday he and Shaun headed west to visit Grandma and Grandpa C. They were gone for nearly a week, and o' how I missed my little boy (and the big one too). I've never been away from Alex for more than a night, so I had some withdrawals. But they had s great time, and I suppose if I'm going to have to share them, sharing them with grandma is the best thing. Plus it was Pat's birthday, so I know she really appreciated getting to spend time with her boys too. They went fishing with grandpa, to the zoo, picked strawberries in grandma's backyard, and had many other adventures. 

Shaun and Alex on an old tractor up at the family's property in Colville. I love this picture!

Carter and Alex riding in the back of grandpa's truck up at the property. 

Shaun with his parents and sister. 

Alex found Carter's dress up stuff. Arg!

Roar! The dinosaur costume was his favorite!

Picking strawberries 🍓 

Playing swords in Grandmas backyard.

The zoo with grandma and Carter

The elephants were his favorite 

You almost can't tell but there is a glass wall between my son and those sleeping lions. 

Riding the carousel 

And fishing with dad and grandpa 

He caught his first 🐟 

Look at that smile!

Shaun caught one too, but I think Alex's was bigger. 

And since grandma doesn't like to celebrate her birthday, they celebrated Alex's birthday a second time. Here he is with Aunt Stephanie (Annie), who he loved playing with, blowing out his candles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lucky Number Three

I'm not sure how it happened, but my handsome little boy has just turned three! 

Nana and papa came over and we celebrated with a Backyardigans Cake with Orange frosting (by request), and superhero gifts were in abundance.

These two cuties are all mine and I count myself the luckiest girl around.

Alex got a sword and shield and a whole set of super hero costumes. Look at my very super sweet super heroes.

Happy Birthday handsome boy! We love you stinker!!