Why Everyone Should Visit UTAH in OCTOBER

The month of October has been a pretty hot one in California. Like $300 a month electric utility bill from running our AC too much. So to say we have been missing the Fall weather in Utah is an understatement. 

Casey had a work conference in Utah at his companies headquarters so we thought what more a better time to make a trip out of it?! Plus it was LDS General Conference the weekend we drove up so we were able to listen in the car on the way up. Win-Win. We stayed in Vegas overnight on the way up to break up the drive and arrived Sunday for a whole week of fun!

Chase was SO excited to see all of his Kirkland cousins. We spent lots of time playing with the cousins, eating out (I had my list), going to pumpkin patches, drives up the canyon and going on a hike or two. We also saw Chad off on his mission. 

I'm pretty sure October is my FAVORITE month in Utah. The air is crisp but not too cold, the colors are changing and Great Harvest sells their chocolate-chip pumpkin bread :) If you ever want to visit that beautiful state, go in OCTOBER. 

and hopefully I can start editing my movie from this trip soon!

 Hiking Bridal Veil Falls

 Girls night dinner at Pizzeria 712 - THE BEST

 visiting Casey's friend Dane the Fireman

 the Pumpkin Spice Donut from Provo Bakery

ELDER Chad Anderson!

My littlest brother Chad got called to serve in the Bentonville, Arkansas mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. A couple of weeks ago we got to go through the Newport Beach Temple with him. That weekend he had his farewell talk and did so well! Last week were in Utah and dropped him off at the Missionary Training Center. It was a bittersweet moment. Chad has been hanging out a lot with Casey and I lately. He would come stay with us in San Clemente because all of his friends he made at BYU summer school live down here. Jimmy and Chase have sure bonded with him. It's crazy to think that they are going to be 4 and 2 1/2 when he comes back!

We are so excited for him! I know he is going to be a great missionary. Chad lost his best friend Robert a week before he went on his mission. It was really hard for him and my entire family. Robert was like a little brother to me. Chad spoke at the funeral and in that moment Chad went from boy to man. He has taken this loss and I know he has grown from it. Robert had a mission call as well. Now Chad sees himself serving two missions. It hurts my heart so much to see Chad go through this tragedy but I know it will only make him stronger. And I know he will be an amazing missionary and serve with purpose. 

See you in two Chadders :)

Disneyland, Visitors, Farewells, and Playschool

This is a little catch-up post. I recently started school online so I have been pretty busy (more on that in another post). 

We renewed our disney passes so we have been using them again! Chase is getting to be such a fun age for Disneyland! He loves it. We also went just adults one night and it was amazing! I have not been on any of the big kid rides in years and I forgot how fun they were! Space Mountain is for sure my favorite. My mom also met up with me one day and we discovered the best Disneyland treat---the matterhorn macaroon. amazing. 

Casey's sister Kelly and his mom Christy came into town at the beginning of September. I met them at the Aquarium of the Pacific one day and it was awesome! Chase loves being with his cousins--since he doesn't have any here :( We also went swimming and to the beach with them. 

My cousin Andrew had his mission homecoming so we drove up to Agoura Hills on Sunday for that. It was a journey but so worth it! I love homecomings because it is so crazy how much they change and their amazing testimonies of the Gospel. 

Chase started playschool! He did a little bit of playschool last spring after I had Jimmy and then he took the summer off. 

And of course we have been frequenting the beach! It's still so hot here so we have to survive somehow:)

 just a HUGE blowout on my way to the aquarium. 

 Jim and Jimmy :)

 surfing with my little brother Chad

 first time in a big high chair!