Saturday, October 11, 2008

Highlights September-November
Despite the fall of Lehman Brothers (Darren's employer) in September and the consistently rocky pregnancy (baby due end of January - hallelujah) we continue to count our many, many blessings. Happy Thanksgiving! And here's to more of life's wonderful adventures!!!!!!


1. Darren's adventure hiking the Grand Canyon rim to rim - 24 miles and 5,000 foot elevation change 2x - temps changing from 31-97 degrees during the journey





2. The gorgeous view on leaves changing just up the road from us





3. Halloween with Grandma Matthews and cousins - Rosina as Snow White, Jared as Ninja Turtle, Rachel as a bride, Brady as transformer, Baby Britton and Grandma as themselves!




4. Jared's third visit to the emergency room for head lacerations in the mere three years he has lived on this earth. He is one tough cookie and resists more when he must leave the injurous activity than receiving the stitches/staples. Still smiling as we attempt to stop the bleeding and head to the ER. Since this shot, two massive smacks to the face have occurred - luckily just bruising, swelling, & tissue damage since kids noses are more cartilage than bone right now. It's tough to keep this go-getter kid alive! But we love his zest for life...
5. "Our" river in Cottonwood Canyon. We have a favorite camping spot full of adventure just 20 minutes from the house and in the middle of amazing Rocky Mountain beauty. Lots of critters and wild-life (even had racoons snatch our breakfast donuts this last trip - 2nd weekend in Sept).











6. The crew huddled around the morning fire - barely 39 degrees when we left that morning at 10:30.
























7. Rachel and Jared's first day at school. Rachel in kindergarten and Jared in the pre-K program. They love doing everything in the world together and school is no exception.



8. Rachel's first year in soccer. She really loved it and was the only girl that would run around with a huge smile on her face the entire hour. She wasn't one to "get into the mix" much but LOVED defending and blocked at least 3-4 goals per game. (At this stage they don't have "positions" so for her to take on "goalie" on her own was fun to watch.) She also was a surprising leftie for her strong kick.























9. Oktoberfest at Snowbird ski resort and dancing to the oom-pa-pahs!