Devil Dash

Dad and Bryton had been planning to run the Devil Dash for a few months.  It's a 5k mud run with about 10 obstacles and lots of mud.  I really wanted to go watch and to get some good pictures of them.  That morning, Tony decided to join them spur of the moment.

BEFORE

DURING

THE FINISH LINE

The boys sure had a lot of fun and we had quite a few laughs.  I was glad I could watch them, and especially glad that my car stayed clean, despite all the mud.

More from Fall Break

The best part about Fall Break was getting the undivided attention of Grandma and Grandpa Brown.  They always make us feel so loved/spoiled.  Because Kemp, Whitney, and Jacie came down with a killer stomach bug, we didn't even have to share with them!  [However, we would have much rather shared, because we love those guys to pieces too!]

Hyrum spent lots of time in the back yard with Grandma.  She would take him out there whenever his little self desired.  Now he thinks he's being mistreated because Mom and Dad just don't have as much time as Grandma did.

Grandpa always loves to chase Hyrum and tickle him and make him squeal.  They had a real fun time doing that.

We're so glad the Browns came to visit.  We can't wait to see them in December!

Jack-O-Lantern

We're not much into Halloween around the Brown house.  I think Halloween is one of those holidays where you're a fanatic or you're absolutely indifferent.  I fall into the latter category.  The ward trunk-or-treat is enough for me.  No decorations, no pumpkin pie (no pumpkin flavored anything for that matter), and jack-o-lanterns are just a lot of work.  Well, except for when you have an 18 month old and you think that a jack-o-lantern would be much appreciated.  So, the Browns carved a pumpkin for the first time this year.

We had a lot of fun, and it helped that we picked out a little pumpkin and therefore less guts...  And my favorite part was trying to get a family picture with our lovely pumpkin.  I love it when my boys look stoned.

Kiwanis Park

While the Browns were in town, we headed over to Kiwanis park and rented a double surrey.  It had four sets of pedals and a perfect little seat to strap Hyrum into.  We were surprised how much work it was to move that thing, but we had a lot of fun.  We laughed and chatted as we rode around the park on a beautiful day.

And we made sure to stop and feed the ducks and pigeons...because there are always pigeons.

It was a fun little adventure.  Definitely a must do on a beautiful day in Tempe!

Bryton's Mission Call

Bryton got his mission call.  It came on Friday.  He was so excited!  We were so excited!  We've been waiting for this day to come along...

He has been called to serve in the Nevada Reno Mission, speaking English.  He reports to the Provo MTC on December 12, 2012.  He has 52 days to be ready to go!  His mission covers most of the state of Nevada, some of northern California, and a small piece of Utah.  If you want to learn more about his mission, you can check out the mission blog.

Signed by the prophet, Thomas S. Monson.

Congratulations, Elder Shinkle!  You're going to make an excellent missionary.  We're so excited for you!  Serve with all your heart, might, mind, and strength!

Schnepf Farms

Grandma and Grandpa Brown are in town for October break and we are just party party partyin'.  We're so glad they came.  We love them so much.  We love playing board games and laughing and eating.  Hyrum gets spoiled by Grandma, who takes him outside whenever his heart pleases him.  And that's a lot.

On Friday night we went out to Schnepf Farms.  We had never been before and were very impressed.

I think I made a great pig and Hyrum is the cutest cow I ever did see.

They had all sorts of little carnival rides and games.  Hyrum really liked the big slides.  The older folks watched a BMX stunt show while Hyrum and I rode the Bee ride.

They had a corn maze that we successfully got lost in.  Their corn puts ours to shame.

Hyrum wasn't too sure about the petting zoo.

Pumpkins were a big hit.

Grandma's favorite part of the whole night was giving Hyrum his first horse ride.  He had a good lookin' horse named Jack.  He did really well and even gave him a little pat.

Oh and I fell in love with these little face photo thing-a-ma-bobbers.  Hyrum is just the cutest thing if I might say so myself.

The Children's Museum of Phoenix

On the first Friday of every month, the Children's Museum of Phoenix is free to the public from 5pm - 9pm.  We took Hyrum, as well us Uncle Hayden and Auntie Brooke this month.  We all had a grand time!  It was crazy busy, but there were so many fun things to do.  It is tailored to kids of all ages!

Hyrum loved the 3 and under area.  It had lots of things to climb and places to run and things to feel and hear.

They have a miniature grocery store, complete with carts and checkout lanes.  Hyrum liked the bean scoop area.  They also have a pizza kitchen, a fort building room, and lots of other cool things.

This is Brooke and Hayden in the bike wash.  It was pretty cute.

We definitely want to go again!