Halloweening

Connecticut Science center in Hartford...so much fun!
Captain Moroni or Captain Rocky


Sometimes you gotta put on your happy face!

Papa and Sharon's visit

We had so much fun with Papa and Sharon. We played lots of games, laughed hard, and made great memories. We loved Bananagrams, Lego concentration, Pick up sticks, hand stacking, the sock game and Mrs. Mumbles.
Lots of walks together.
Matt ran the Hartford Half Marathon....way to go!!!


Dr. Suess Sculpture Garden
Lots of stories.

Norman Rockwell Museum, my new favorite art museum.
Springfield Art Museum...Rocky is pointing out the "bum bum" on this statue.

Hole in the Wall Beach, Niantic. I have never been to the beach with my Dad. We loved it in spite of the man eating flies that tried to devour us!

Groton Submarine Museum
Springfield History Museum

Connecticut River
Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory
Springfield Armory
Hike to Hueblein Tower

Most of these museums we were able to get into for free because of the library passes! We had so much fun together. The time went way to fast. I loved my late night talks with my dad. I am so thankful to have the greatest dad ever. I feel so blessed to be his girl. Come back soon Papa and Sharon!

Happy Birthday Rocky

Is it possible that my baby is 2? I really don't want to believe it. I would freeze him in time if it were possible. Rocky is magical and is truly my sunshine. It is funny how I used to think having a 2 year old was soooo hard. He is easy! I can pick him up and put him where I want him and he is easily distracted. He constantly gives me loves and thinks I am the bomb! Sometimes I have to stop myself from eating him. I adore this boy!!!

A little note on his cake. I LOVE to make over the top cakes to remind my kids how cool I am. I also want them to look good on my blog to prove to someone, I don't know who, that I am a domestic diva. I spent lots of time trying to figure out the perfect cake for Rocky. Then it hit me, HE DOESN'T"T CARE!!! I realized he would be much more happy playing with me, than being kicked out of the kitchen while I am stressing over HIS cake. I could have lined up cupcakes, or anything else for that matter, and told him it was a train. Rocky would have squealed in delight. I built the cake, but didn't decorate it. Guess what? Success!!! He loved it and he already knows I am cool! Sorry if I let anyone down in the domestic diva department, but you will get over it! :)


I love you Rockstar and am so blessed to be your momma!

This brings me to another issue. Today my kids had school pictures. I am into very simple backgrounds, just a flat color, nothing else. My kids were thrilled to show me the hundreds of backgrounds they could choose for their picture. I quickly let them know that they only had about 4 options and I wasn't budging on this one, so they shouldn't even try. They begged and showed me all the "cool" pillars, beach scenes, geometric designs as I tried not to have a panic attack. Ruby asked me why I cared and told me it was her picture. Guess what? She is right!!! Why do I care? Soo, the next morning I let them pick whatever they wanted to wear AND whatever background their little hearts desired. Ruby did well in my opinion. Cute outfit and a simple pattern for the background. I could handle it. Cooper on the other hand, made me smile. He chose a rainforest background and a green soccer shirt. The best part is that the shirt is backwards because he doesn't want it to show. I am going to guess that it will be one of my favorite pictures ever.

Pappa and Sharon

My dad and his friend Sharon are here visiting for the next few weeks. We love having visitors! We really enjoyed having them here for General Conference Cinnamon Rolls! I love that tradition.

We have been busy! We hiked the Shenipsit tower, visited the Springfield Armory, and Magic Wings (a butterfly exhibit), celebrated Rocky's birthday, and enjoyed some delightful apple cider doughnuts!


Before we moved here, my dad told me we had relatives that lived in Enfield long ago when it was settled (1650-ish). We found the grave of my great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather! That is 7 greats! William Simmons is buried just 10 minutes from my home. I feel like we have a special connection and that it is not by accident that we are here. It was even more meaningful to find it with my dad. I loved Elder Bednar's talk in Conference about family history. It inspired me to learn more about my family history.