Traditions ~ Halloween Edition

We have a few traditions as a Lovell family.
Like going to the Lovell Christmas party.
Or watching Rendan run under the local waterfall. On Thanksgiving. (I just decided that one).
Halloween Hodge Podge Dinner.

You should have seen his Spock Bangs on Halloween! Hilarious!

Every year we invite one or two families to come share our Halloween tradition with us. The only criteria is that it is a different family every time. No repeats (The only repeat we had was the Arnold's. Not sure why but there you have it.).

This year we invited Twede's. Garth and I have known the Twede's for years. Garth first met Darren at UVCC (which is now UVU). Bea is Darren's wife. I guess we get the credit for matching making :)

The other family we invited moved in across the street from us: The Summerill's. You might notice the mother and wife Erin Summerill is absent from the photos. Yeah, she forgot about her photog class and didn't show up until almost the end.

At our party we eat dinner. There is a brown bag on each plate with strips of paper.

You choose two pieces of paper with a code word then go to the kitchen to match it with the food.
 Every one has to finish the course together before they can draw out two more strips. The kids have a hard time with this part; they don't want to wait.

You may or may not draw out utensils.

 Then afterwards, we eat dessert and the adults sit around and be boring by talking and the kids play Just Dance and Halloween Bingo.

Then go home tired, full and happy.

Mountains

After Fall Break, as with any family vacation, there is a mountain of laundry to do. 

When this family goes camping, blankets and towels and clothes all need washed.

At the time is annoying only because I'm usually stuck with the task. But if I don't, it might take weeks to get done (seriously, ask my oldest how long it takes her). 

I know what you're thinking: wimp! That's not much laundry. Alas! You can't see all the towels on the table and all the blankets on the couch and still washing/drying.

I'm happy to say everything was finished and put away by bedtime. Of the same day.

We went to the mountains in Marysvale and rode ATVs all over those durn mountains. 

But when I see this:

And this:

This was fun:

And I remember this (which was the best part of the whole trip IMHO. Total family alone time):

I'm don't mind doing all these:

Fall Break 2013 ~ Adventures

We went to church Sunday in Marysvale. Loved the ward. Greg Chappell's brother was in the bishopric. His wife, the YW president, took Megan to her classes. Garth and I stayed for Priesthood & RS. The other kids went to the trailer and ate lunch.
Grandpa Warburton is a friend with a rock hound, who happens to be from Delta (go figure!). They invited us to go explore some indian ruins and look at his rock shop.
This was probably my favorite day of the weekend.
We got back about 7:30 pm, made a fire and made dutch oven potatoes. We finally ate about 9 pm. We had the whole camp to ourselves. We played games and laughed and really enjoyed our quiet time. This was probably my favorite day this weekend. Just me and my family, spending time together and really enjoying each other.

Fall Break 2013

We drove up Boullion Canyon was beautiful. Love, love the fall colors.
We explored the old mine areas and the outdoor museum.
Some of us went back to camp in the truck and the rest went over Cottonwood Canyon and had a ball riding in the snow again.
Zach went with Rylan and Sam out riding all day.
Mark and Rachel hung out with us too.

Fall Break 2013 ~ Day 2

DAY TWO

We rented a side-by-side and spent most of the day exploring trails, trying to stay warm and out of the snow.

Beautiful landscapes!
Happy children!
Grinning husbands!

We may need to make this a tradition.

Bridal Veil dressed in autumn

We love Bridal Veil Falls. The kids look for it every time we go through the canyon. This area is so beautiful. We haven't climbed the falls yet, but we will. We will.

Glorious Provo Canyon

Oh my giddy aunt! This canyon is gorgeous!

Sundance Beauty

Alpine Loop Loveliness