Farm

Our visit to the farm made it official--it's Fall!

Hay ride. . .

Corn maze and mud . . .

Pumpkin patch . . .

Our attempt at a family picture once again . . .

And then D  was done with it all and pushed the cart over . . .

Idaho

The half way point between where we live and where my parents live is Boise, ID. We decided to meet there for the weekend and then my mom would jump ship from my dad's car and come back home with us for awhile. It was a whirlwind of a weekend in which we spent a lot of time in the car, but had plenty of fun exploring Boise and swimming in the hotel pool.

Kids in the car for 9 hours is never going to be a day at the beach, but since my trip to Texas in which I discovered how dramamine can change my traveling life, I was actually headache and nausea free (good riddance car sickness!) and much more able to pass back snacks and find blankets that dropped into the abyss of the car floor. This made the trip doable on my end.

We broke down and bought a DVD player. We weren't ever going to buy one, but just like all those other things I thought I'd never do but have done this year (like frequent trips to mcdonalds), we did. We hoped maybe it would help with D. But D just wanted to kick the screen and pull the cords out. We did a bit of seat swapping and finally found an arrangement that would work. It brought peace to the car for a short while, but I don't think the DVD player was worth it.

It was a sweet picture seeing this in the car. Happily holding hands as we drove along.

We went to the park by the river and took a stroll through the rose garden and performed on the stage. Maybe the performances were given only because of a bribe for a treat later that day . . .

We were sent to the old prison.

Found a frog . . .

The girls looked around at the gem and mineral museum.

We walked the grounds of the Boise temple. We loved the stained glass window of the temple, but you can't even see it in our selfie.

L loves Papa.

D loves conference when it's coupled with cupcakes.

On the way home we made a stop at Snoqualmie Falls.

Water Fall

Waterfalls are fascinating.
Such power and beauty.

We stood there at Snoqualmie Falls
like so many others around us
captivated for a few moments
by the
rushing
grace
majesty
of falling water.

Kyler and Kacin even worked together to compose this here poem
about our stop:
Waterfalls
Loud, Beautiful
Falling, Rushing, Splashing
Snoqualmie Falls



I've been thinking about that waterfall,
how very simple the concept of falling water is,
yet how glorious it is to see!

Many days I feel like my life is the one
falling, rushing, and loud,
much like the waterfall.
Except
where's the grace and majesty?

Maybe
if I stepped back
and put myself on the ground
across from the falls
I could see that all this rushing, falling, loudness
of life
the hard times, challenges, and troubles
are really working out to create something beautiful.
Power and strength come from a fall.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God."
~Romans 8:28

Good Brothers

It was D's school picture day today.
Nothing sweeter than his older brothers getting him all ready for the *big* day,
including changing his diaper, getting him dressed, and helping him with his hair.

Such good brothers they are.

General Conference and those PJ's

Between traveling (we spent the weekend in Idaho!) and small kids, I probably got to listen to a little less than a good half of conference, but I'm always amazed and grateful for the talks that I do get to listen to and the ways that they speak and strengthen and encourage me. And what is so great is that I can listen to the ones I missed online this week, and study the words again when a copy of the Ensign arrives at my home next month.

October conference for the Allred's also means matching pajama outfits! I disappointed Kacin by not getting footsie pajamas like he wanted, but we went with a Mickey/Minnie theme to make it easy for my parents to join in the matching fun (can you picture my dad in footsies? I think not.). This pajama set wasn't my first, or second choice, but when you don't plan ahead you work with one quick stop at the Disney store, and tada! We were all unified in our attire for conference listening and driving home.

Except Eric changed out of his black shorts, my mom changed out of her shirt, my dad had left by the time we took a picture, and, with such a busy family, I don't know if I will ever have time to brush my hair again. With that being said, here's what you get. Ha--D's position and face make me laugh.

Beautiful Sky

Kyler is earning money to help pay for a class he wants to take so he asked to do an extra job last night after dinner. I sent him outside to sweep off the front porch and walkway. He came rushing back into the house just a few minutes later beckoning me to come outside and look at the sky. He said it was amazing and that we needed to take a picture of it.
He was right
the pink clouds and beautiful light from the setting sun was such a lovely view.

My heart was so happy that my little guy stopped to appreciate the beauty of this world.
It was a great reminder to me to slow down during these busy days and notice the pieces of beauty all around me.

What were my other three children doing while Ky and I were having this moment outside? From where we were in the driveway we could hear them from where they were sitting at the kitchen table . . . having a screaming contest. They were all smiles trying to see who could be the loudest. It was definitely a tie.