Along the path...

Another year older, already? Really??? Hope you have a wonderful day full of the best surprises and every happy thing! Love you much!  

Last night I babysat two nieces while their parents went to a meeting. Adam, Renee and the girls had gone swimming before I came and EL hadn't wanted to get fully dressed again. Clothing and clothing changes are definitely a thorn in her side. At least she is wearing pants in the pictures. (She'll LOVE these shots when she's older and her prom date is coming to pick her up...) The evening began with a make over for all three of us by stylist AJ. Next I painted the girls' toe and fingernails. AJ thought it was pretty cool when I let her paint my fingernails. (Who's the favorite aunt now, Erika?) Bath time came next followed by jammies, giggles and bedtime stories--but I only have pictures from the make over. Aren't we beautiful? AJ and EL, it was so fun hanging out with you. Love yer guts!

Happy, happy birthday, AJ, dear. Happy days will come to you all year. If I had one wish then it would be--a happy, happy birthday to you from me! I am so glad you are a part of our family you darling, lovable girly-girl! Thanks for hanging out with me at the zoo and the fair and for going fun places. I love our "dates" and playing hide and seek. Hope your fourth birthday is full of happiness and many wonderful surprises. Love you girl!

Last night my entire family and I went to Gardener's Village in Salt Lake for dinner in the old mill ( Archibald's ) and to walk around the village. It was such a surprise to have us all there together--even my sister and brother-in-law and their kids were able to make it. By the time we had finished with dinner, the shops had closed. It was still the witching hour as we walked around the shops to meet the witches. So much fun! Thanks for coming and for spoiling me rotten. At work my coworkers took me to lunch at the Thai Chili Garden , provided cake and ice cream, and were way too kind all day long. Thanks to everyone for their calls, emails, Facebook notes, etc. I appreciate your thoughts and wishes. It was a good day.

I am trying to get back on track with posts and blogging. For now I'm working forward, but need to work backward at some point to document the summer. After work on Friday, Tina, three of her nieces, me and my niece AJ, Lisa, and Linda headed to the State Fair . Unfortunately I forgot my camera to document it. We started with the equestrian show, watched the lemon shark and nurse sharks, looked at some vending booths, ate a hot dog (or just the bun in AJ's case). We saw and petted sheep, goats, cows, pigs, and rabbits. The world's tiniest horse was pretty cool, but probably about the same size as a normal shetland pony. The vantage had from walking up around the horse made it seem smaller though. Al the alligator was pretty cool. AJ was nervous he would eat her until Tina pointed out the glass and bars between him and us. I also reassured her that if Al tried to eat her I'd protect her and let him eat me first. What does it say that that put her at ease? AJ didn't w...

On Saturday we hiked Donut Falls in Little Cottonwood Canyon--starting at the Spruces campground. My compliments to Adam and Renee's camera for capturing the colors so well--and to the lady who offered to snap us all together. It was a beautiful hike that I would recommend to anyone. Be aware though that there are streams and waterfalls; they tend to draw the kids. We saw deer and chipmunks and snakes and wildflowers and other hikers and castles (big rocks that RD stood on). Here we are at the end of the trail. My particularly saucy do is compliments to the niece I'd had on my shoulders part of the way. Thanks, EL!

Friday night, we colored eggs at grandma and grandpa's with RD, IC, and AL. AJ had had to stay home with a fever. Then we had a "sleep" over where we didn't really sleep much and geared up for Saturday's events. This Saturday, our traditional Easter egg hunt was held in my parents' backyard. All seven of the little one hunted for eggs. I'm not certain how excited AM, EL, and ZM were about the finding part. Especially since they couldn't eat the candy inside the plastic eggs and wouldn't be able to spend the money amount written on the outside of the other eggs. Here AJ, IC, AL, and RD show off their spoils. They had a blast finding eggs, eating candy and helping grandpa pay out the money amounts written on their eggs. Our picnic was held indoors due to the cool, rainy weather. Before scampering inside, the adults blew soap bubbles for the kids to chase and pop. Thanks, Bekah, for sharing a picture .

Last Saturday, before the sudden cold snap, we took a family to the Hogle Zoo. The weather was perfect--not too hot, not too cold. The animals were out and about. The zoo wasn't too crowded, and we got to see them feed a penguin fish. RD loved the lizard his dad told him was a dinosaur. IC said she liked the zebras the best. In this picture, AL was a little nervous at first when the giraffe started to lower and tried to pull herself up the pole until she realized that the animal would rise up and sink down. Then, she was fine. She had a ball going around in circles and waving at everyone as we passed. The rest of my nieces and nephews who were old enough to care about riding on a carousel had ridden the turn before. What a fun day! Becca thanks for sharing this picture!

Sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa's house! AL, IC, AJ, and RD are finally asleep after many stories and good night songs. Don't they look like angels?

Christmas came. Fast. Presents are all wrapped and unwrapped in a jiffy. Thanks everyone! Here is part of our Christmas program. Mary, great with child. This part was not in the script. AJ came up with it on her own. Joseph leading the donkey through Bethlehem. Mary on the donkey during the journey. Shepherd and angel? Little Christmas gifts beneath the tree. (AM and EL) AL as a rock star, after Christmas! IC as Fancy Nancy. Merry Christmas to all and to all a great night!

YEAH! AJ turned three today! She went swimming and to the Bean Museum and had lots of fun! Thanks for the sleepover invite. Rain check?

On Saturday afternoon, we went to Jungle Jim's Playland in Midvale to celebrate RD and AJ's third birthdays. RD turned three last week and AJ will turn three this week. I think that the kids (and adults) had a lot of fun. E. wouldn't ride the Jeep Safari without her mom. Go, Janette! Erika braved the way-fast elephant ride with Zack. More of the elephant ride. The spaceship ride was a hit! The kids could pull down on a lever to make their ship go up and push up to go down. Mini-tilt-a-whirl anticipation Giant swings RD's dirt cake. Isn't Bekah clever? AJ's Barbie cake. Renee--what a Suh-weet cake! Nathan, Dad, RD, and AL. Mom and EL Party on!

Saturday was the third annual Morrill Family Pumpkin Carving Contest. More to come.

Tonight, the majority of my family met at Gardner Village for dinner at Archibald's and then planned to wander the Village. It's Witchapalooza and witching time at the Village. By the time we finished dinner, most of the shops were closing. We looked around a bit and snapped a few pictures. I'll post them another time. The witches and pumpkins and Halloween decor was frightfully fun, but I don't think I've had such poor customer service at a restaurant before. I wish I could say that the restaurant was packed. Maybe there were extenuating circumstances we weren't aware of. Maybe it was an off night for them. Maybe I'm just grouchy. Birthdays sometimes do that. Guess I'd better see the Witch Doctor or something to get it straightened out. The company was grand: mom and dad; Adam, Renee, AJ, and EL; Nathan, Bekah, RD, and AM, and me. Their service gave us a lot of time to sit and visit. RD and AJ were darling. Both were in very good moods. RD had on hi...