Jess and Sawyer's visit

In mid-October, we had a fun visit from Jessica and Sawyer! They caught a ride up from Phoenix with some friends and stayed for just over a week. It was so nice to spend some time with my big sis, and Jake LOVED playing big brother to Sawyer. When we weren't chasing the kids around the house, trying to keep them from getting into too much mischief, we had all sorts of fun outings! We went out to eat at all those wonderful places that you just can't get outside of Utah County, went to the Kangaroo Zoo bounce house, and to Cornbellies Pumpkin Festival to name a few. We took about a million pictures, but I narrowed it down to a few favorites.

One day we went to Macey's to get some groceries, and they had the cutest display out front! The kids loved sitting on the giant pile of pumpkins :)

Jake was PUMPED to have a friend driving with him in his Maceys shopping cart.

For those who don't know what the Kangaroo Zoo is, let me tell you--it's pretty much the best discovery we've made since moving to Pleasant Grove. It's a toddler friendly bounce house. We have already gone several times, and I continue to be amazed at how good Jake is getting at conquering all those ladders, mazes and slides! He's getting so tough! I just know it'll be such a wonderful thing to have nearby this winter, when the cabin fever sets in. While Jess was here we took the kids one evening, and they had so much fun running around together. There is nothing more satisfying to me than seeing my little guy work up a sweat by running around and having fun. It makes him so happy, and then later, it helps him sleep nice and long (which makes me so happy!)

Since we were juggling the nap schedules, we spent a fair amount of time just hanging out at my apartment. They were so funny together. Jake was either following Sawyer around like a little protector, or running and crying to me because Sawyer stole something from him, and Jake is too much of a wimp (ahem--i mean softy) to take it back by himself.

Although Sydney was super busy with school, she managed to meet up with us for lunch a few times. One day we went to Kneaders--soooo yum. Jake LOVES going there, and picking out his own special treat from the window display.

After we went to Kneaders, Jess wanted to visit her old nurse friends over at Orem Community hospital. I was excited to come along for a couple reasons. It was nostalgic to go back with Jake and see the place where he came into the world 2.5 years ago, and I was excited to show him around, and talk to him a little bit about how he would be coming there to meet his little sister at Christmas!

One night we made a spur of the moment trip to Sub-Zero ice cream with the kids. It was right before bedtime (that's right, cookies for lunch...ice cream for dinner :/ I'm an awesome mom..) So we put the boys in their PJ's for the outing. They looked so cute in their Halloween jammies! Thanks to my mom for buying those!

The Sub-Zero in Pleasant Grove is awesome. It looks kind of like an old remodeled brick fire house, and the upstairs level has a small arcade area, a pool table, and some love sacs and couches. Also, since it's not in Provo, it wasn't over-run with BYU students. Jake and Sawyer loved having the place to themselves!

This year's visit to Cornbellies was particularly great. Not only because Jake was a year older, and able to really appreciate all the excitement and activities, but because we had such great friends with us! Jess and Sawyer came of course, along with Uncle Mitch and Aunt Syd (Jake was practically shivering with joy--he LOVES them.) And our friends Meghan and Tyler came down with their adorable little Caitlin. Thanks especially to Meghan for making it down--I know you were in the middle of first trimester morning sickness, and you were so tough! It was great to spend time with so many wonderful friends and family. :)

A little trivia--Jake is looking across the parking lot where Mitch and Sydney had just driven up in their car. about two seconds later he was shrieking with glee.

Jake loved having Caitlin and Sawyer to run around with!

The awesome Aunt and Uncle.

I was sad to have the week come to an end, but as always, life had to go back to normal. Thanks for a really fun week Jess!