The Pattersons: This fall...

I hate when I feel like we need a catch up. We had a wonderful summer, filled with lots of swimming and playing with friends and family. We went to Bear Lake, as usual, and had a blast. But I think I'll just start with the fall. We went to the cabin for General Conference and it was so fun! I love that the cabin has a way of babysitting my kids so I actually get to listen. It was very relaxing! We also had Katie take some pictures and they turned out so great! About 80 percent of them were pretty bad because our kids were grumpy, but the other 20 percent were awesome!

We went to the zoo with our good friends and it was a blast! I never get tired of the zoo. It was cool to see the new african safari exhibit and the weather was wonderful!

Mason loved pushing Lauren! And Lauren loved it too!

Best neighbors ever!

Halloween was really fun this year. I had given Max the idea that he and Lauren could be Elephant and Piggie (characters from books that we love) and he didn't want to let it go so we made them into elephant and piggie. It turned out really cute! We went to the ward trunk or treat, to George's work for trick or treating and then out with friends in Grandma and Grandpa Patterson's neighborhood. It was a lot of fun and we got way too much candy! Lauren wouldn't let anyone hold her bucket and ended up dragging it behind her. haha. Max and Lauren have been obsessed with a show on Netflix called "Curious George Halloween" and no-noggin. They talk about it and draw about it. They love it!

I told them to say candy and these are the smiles on their faces

I dressed as a librarian to go along with my book characters...

Thanksgiving was great! We went to my parent's this year even though it wasn't our year. We had Thanksgiving again on Sunday with the Pattersons. We ate way too much but got to spend time with family and that makes it all ok.

George and I both got new callings in our ward. He's the Young Men's president and I'm the Primary president. Yeah, kind of intense. It's going ok so far. I've never even served in Primary so there's a lot to learn. I'm lucky I have some awesome people to work with!

The last several months have had ups and downs, but we found joy and learned a lot along the way. I'm grateful for wonderful friends and family. We are truly blessed.