Pumpkintown USA!

I had to post this one because it was such a funny place. A group of mothers from my LDS (Mormon) congregation get together for a weekly playgroup. I don't have kids yet but a couple of weeks ago I thought it would fun to go along to get to know the ladies better. The week I went was peak Halloween season so our meeting place was none other than Pumpkintown USA! Every year, a parking lot in the middle of Hamden, CT is converted to a village of stuffed dummies topped with smiling pumpkins. Although it was great to make some new friends, I will admit that it was a little unnerving trying to carry on a conversation with a life size Jack O'Lantern breathing down my neck.

A Weddin' for Callie and Doug

Kyle and I were able to travel back to Utah (it's like we never left!) for Kyle's sister Callie's wedding. We enjoyed a beautiful ceremony at the Mount Timpanogos Temple and a fun party at Wadley Farms. Congratulations Callie and Doug Bowen!

The beautiful bride and debonair groom

Cutting the cake...

...and tossing the bouquet!

My parents, brother Jeremy and his wife Haley came to the reception

and they brought along my adorable niece Nora.

Kyle and his mama

Awww...

Haha...I love this pic! Marci "caught" snitching the cake! ;)

I also got to spend a night up in Fruit Heights and it was great to see the fam.

Banana splits after the Priesthood Session of the LDS General Conference...

...made by the pros themselves.

Don't you wish you got some?

My bros Jere and Matt, my sweet Gma Winter Simmons, and her wonderful husband Jake

Uncle Lloyd and Aunt Ella Colvin, in town for a visit

And last but not least...

...the adorable Nora bug!

Sunday Drive to D.C.

My mom was recently in Washington, D.C. visiting my sister Tiffani. I talked to Mom on Sunday morning and she said that she felt bad not seeing us while on the East Coast. She jokingly invited us down for Sunday dinner knowing that we probably wouldn't want to make the six hour drive on such late notice. However, Kyle took one look at our sparse pantry and said, ‘Let’s go!’

We set out at 3:00 in the afternoon and after six hours in the car and $40 in tolls, we made it to Bethesda just in time for my brother-in-law John’s homemade pumpkin pie. Tasting that made up for every minute in the car. We played a round of Catch Phrase, laughed our heads off, and then went to bed.

The next morning, John needed to work and Tiff needed to write her dissertation, so Mom, Kyle and I took my niece Violet to the National Zoo. We rode the metro, walked around the free park for a couple of hours, and then snagged a delicious lunch at Woodley Cafe...perfect day!

On the metro!

National Zoo

Violet LOVED the monkeys...

...because she is one herself!