Pumpkin Patch and Fall Pictures

Despite the fact that I have not been blogging life has been moving forward. At times it feels like the move has taken over, but life has been going on. There have been good and tough things that have happened over the past couple of months. But there is so much good and I have seen it in so many, many people.

We made the annual trek out to the pumpkin patch and had a fun adventure. Grandma and Grandpa Hamilton were able to join us for choosing the perfect pumpkins and picking apples.

Rosetta Stone...I believe Drew and Mason will be most prepared.

Dancing in the Rain

Harvest

The middle school was able to play the fight song with the high school for a home football game. I had the opportunity to chaperon, so I got front row seats.

Exploration in the yard.

Soccer for Drew and Dallin (I will post Dallin's in a couple of days)

When Mark and I were in Chile, Grandma and Grandpa Moring took care of the boys. This is an outing Easton was able to enjoy with them.

Mark was able to travel to China in August

Things that surprised me about Chile

1. How clean the city is.

2. The amount of parks all over the city. There are so many beautiful parks and lots of amazing playgrounds.

3. The amount of American products, advertisements, and shops that are there.

4. I was surprised about the sheer volume of people outside. These people walk everywhere. It's good.

5. How expensive everything is (at least compared to Des Moines).

6. Just how comfortable I felt there. It is a beautiful city and I love the home that we found to rent.



One of the views from the window in our future home.


Mark's future office building.

A park in Santiago

Our future home. The gates/fences are around all homes in Santiago. It will take some getting used to.

Why I don't have an organic garden

I was on the computer when the crop duster literally went right by my window. About sent me through the roof, it was so loud. And so close to the house.... right above the tall grass in the foreground that separates our yard from the field.

And so it begins

School started Monday...oh the bittersweet of it all. Love routine, but hate routine. Love having time to myself, but hate having them gone so long. One thing for sure, I am so blessed to have these three crazy school kids who I love and look forward to when they come home. And I know that Easton sure looks forward to all his playmates coming home!


Look, this kid let me take a picture right in front of the bus stop. Gold star for Mason, despite the embarrassment factor.

Look how cute they are.

July Travels - Part Two

We got home from Tennessee late on a Sunday night and then had enough time to unpack, wash, and repack to head to Utah on Friday. So we headed out and drove to Lindon, UT to spend two days with Mark's oldest brother and his family. Then headed up to Kaysville to spend two days with Mark's younger sister and her family. We had a wonderful time visiting with Mark's family and were so happy that we were able to spend some good quality time just catching up.

Mark's oldest brother's family and us up Provo canyon.

Celebrating the 24th of July with fireworks at Mark's sister's home.

Then on Wednesday we headed up to Bear Lake, UT. It was beautiful. You drive through this beautiful canyon and then you get to this amazing vista looking down at the lake. We stayed in a big home all together with amazing views. There was this huge deck that I could have sat on the whole time and just looked down at the lake. Loved it!

Ping Pong championships at the house.

Working hard on a project for cousin that is on a mission.

We boated, beached, and ate fresh raspberry milkshakes. We loved it all. Everyone told us how cold the water was, but we lucked out and got there at a time where the water was really pleasant. We had perfect weather for the being on the lake - 85 during the day (and for us who are used to humidity, the dry heat is so nice) and 50 at night. Loved it!

I love this picture of my nephew.

Mason and I wake boarded and we both attempted surfing, which neither of us cared for. I had never seen it before but it is really cool in concept - assuming you can do it. The other members of the family tubed. Even Easton got on the four person tube, though his turn involved little speed and pretty much a straight shot. That kid thinks he has to do everything his brothers are doing.

We had a great time with great family! Thanks guys for making it fun filled and memory lasting.

July Travels - Part One

July included two very long road trips. So I am going to divide and conquer. Our first trip took us east to the Smokey Mountains - Sevierville, TN. We meet my family there. Unfortunately for us brother #2 and his family couldn't make it, but I guess if I had a brand new beautiful baby girl I would have skipped out on a three day cross country drive as well. :-)

We spent time hiking, tubing down the mountain river, doing Dollywood, and the best was all the time to talk, laugh, and of course eat.

Abram's Falls - Smokey Mtn. National Park

My sister-in-law, nephew, and Mark

Two nieces, Mason, Dallin, and Mark checking out the wild life.

Easton and cousin doing the mini-obstacles at Dollywood.

Grandpa and Drew doing the big adventure.

The advantages of having older kids at an amusement park - I no longer have to ride the spinning rides (which Mark has never done).

Easton and his cousin cruising.

On the drive home we made a few stops including the St. Louis Arch and a couple of LDS church history sites.

These last ones are at Far West, MO. An LDS history site where there are corner stones laid for a temple to be built. The temple was never more than the four corner stones as the members of the church were driven out of the area by mobs.

Where in the World Are the Hamiltons Going to Next?

So we took lots of photos of the family and luckily we got several in which we are all looking. This one has almost all looking...But we are all looking ahead now to our new place of residence...

So we are on the move again. This time headed south...way south.

Right there in the middle of Chile - Santiago. We head down in the beginning of November. So we have three months of craziness (and a whole lot of Rosetta Stone hopefully before we head down).