Fall Holidays

Hey there everyone!

Happy late Halloween and soon to be Thanksgiving! We have been filling our time with holiday goodness lately and we want to share with you what we have been up to! Last time I posted, it was just before the Halloween holiday so this post will back track a little bit.

We were able to carve pumpkins finally... the day before Halloween. But we are glad we waited to do so because SO many other doorstep pumpkins that had been carved earlier in the month had already started to rot. Yeah, pretty much ours were pumpkin perfection....

How can I carve a pumpkin so well? You ask.... It's because I trained young.

Halloween was a blast. Luckily we were able to find costumes for us all. I am determined to find costumes next year that relate to each other ....this year was kinda miscellaneous. 

We found Ian a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle onsie pajama that worked perfect for his costume and Frank was a crocodile, alligator, dinosaur, dragon mix... whatever people called him, we just agreed with.

I pulled out an old costume from years ago that luckily still fit... Raspberry Tart.

The only thing missing from Ian's costume was a mask to cover his eyes... we attempted to find some cloth so that I could make one for him, but we ran out of time. Lucky the hubby is very ingenuitive and found something at the pharmacy that worked just as well...

My Hubby is a genius.

Ian had to work til 10:00 pm so he missed the trick or treaters, but let's be honest here... we only had 4. 

Frank and I made up the difference by going to the ward Trunk or Treat where we got to get rid most of the candy.

It was too exciting for the Frank so he crashed out early, only waking up to welcome the trick or treaters.

The next weekend we were able to have my parents visit us! We had a blast! Ian had to work most days they were here but we were able to take them to dinner together and Frank and I got to spend some quality time with them.

I took them on a drive through Julie Davis Park, through downtown, and over to the temple.

We also had a church mishap. Since Ian and I haven't been able to attend church the last 3 weeks. (Due to work and Utah trips) We weren't notified it was Stake Conference. We were an hour and 15 minutes late, but luckily we found where it was held and got to hear a few talks. Haha My bad... sorry mom and dad.

My mom also was able to help me make caramel apples. Perfect fall snack!

We've also had a few other visitors... bugs. I don't know how many times I have said this, but I SWEAR Idaho bugs are 10 times larger than Utah bugs...and way more weird looking. 

Take a look at this sucker... I don't even know what the freak it is...

Or how about this beauty?... It's a freaking ginormous slug...

Ian wouldn't touch the thing. 

We were also able to attend a birthday party for a good friend of ours here. Sue does Zumba with me and I am her visiting teacher. They have had us over for dinner before and we just love them. 

Happy Birthday Sue!

Well, you don't really think about it when you are getting married, but once you have moved into your own place, you realize that you now have to decorate your own house. Not just for everyday, but especially for holidays and I LOVE it! Ian and I have slowly been accruing decorations for each holiday and since Halloween was now over, we started on Thanksgiving.

Luckily we recycled the pumpkins and gourds we had out for Halloween. They totally could be used for both holidays. I am just excited to start on Christmas, but don't worry, I told Ian we aren't even allowed to LOOK down the Christmas decoration isle until AFTER Thanksgiving. It's only fair. Thanksgiving always gets the shaft by people skipping over it from Halloween straight to stockings and egg nog.  I am here to make sure it gets the attention it deserves!

Oh and on a side note... I finally got my name changed....

Hello Taylynn Pugh Borovatz. Nice to meet you.

And since it is the season for things to be grateful for (I haven't been doing the Facebook "daily things I am thankful for". I figured I would put a few things here on the blog).

Here is a small list for myself...

I am grateful for care packages and sweet notes... (Thank you Marilyn)

I am grateful for specific family members that tell us when we need to shower.

I am grateful for the same specific family member that tactfully lets me know I am reading too much and not giving him enough attention.

I am grateful for puppy dog eyes.

I am grateful for no alone time, because it let's me know I am loved. 

I am grateful for friends who share their herb garden bounty with me.

I am grateful for strong handsome hubbys and patient pups.

I am grateful for daydreamers that keep my feet warm.

Oh, how I could go on and on, but thus this post would never end.  Tis the season to be Thankful! 

Well finally I'll end the post with the many faces of Franklin Mark Borovatz...

How did I get so lucky!?

Once again, we love you all and are more than thankful for your love and friendships! We will actually be making it down to Utah for Thanksgiving, but in case we don't see you, please know you are loved and we hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

"Thank you God for the world so sweet. 

Thank you God for the food we eat. 

Thank you God for the birds that sing. 

Thank you God for everything."

-Primary Song and Nursery Rhyme

Utah Trips

Whew! What a crazy busy month!

Not that I am complaining or anything, but this girls been driving 41 hours in total this month. I made 3 trips down to Utah and Ian made 2, not to mention we drove all the way down to Goblin Valley for one of those trips so that adds another 8 hours on.... freak. But actually it turned out to be a good time road tripping. Ian and I are reading a book together (The Divinci Code. Which we love!) and lets just say I don't know why I still have my voice... maybe I normally talk a lot so my voice was prepped enough that it could handle reading outloud the ENTIRE drive both ways...Yikes!

I ended up driving down with the Frank for the first weekend for my little bro's mission farewell. (Ian had to work) He will be serving in Sacramento California! WOO HOO! We are so proud of him. It was a short trip and I was back home Sunday evening.

There 

And back

I stayed with Ian's parents this trip and Franklin knows their house well since we stayed with them a few weeks before moving to Idaho. He loved it!

Patiently waiting for yet ANOTHER toy to be mended. Notice the foot holding him back? Thus signifying he wasn't patient in the beginning.

His favorite chair he barely fits on anymore.

The second trip was for a cousin's homecoming and another cousin's family was getting sealed in the temple. We are super excited for them! Ian got to make this trip.

Franklin was just excited to be able to stick his mug out the window... his euphoria.

(Side note: I learned when certifying as a vet assistant, that excess wind in dogs eyes can cause them cataracts. We only let Franklin air dry his face in moderation.)

This trip we stayed with my parents and got to hang out with these hooligans...

We were also able to hit up Gardner Village for the witches festival. Don't worry, we found ALL the witches on the list. 

(Dad is still learning how to work an  iPhone, thus the cut off faces. Sorry Carli and Britt!)

Ok, so story time...

I like to think I make an influence on my nieces and nephews. Of course, I always try for it to be a positive one... Try being the key word. I feel I mostly succeed and this story is an example of why.

 On this trip, the little lady sitting on my lap in the above pic asked me if I would paint her fingernails for church. "Pfft! Of Course I will! Fingernails are a must!" (For those of you who know me, know my obsession with fingernail polish.) 

I was sitting on the couch and she was standing in front of me with her little hands on my knees as I got to work. Halfway through the second coat, she leaned forward so I couldn't see what I was doing. I thought she was teasing me at first, but then she rolled off my lap and onto the floor. I still had ahold of her hand so I was able to avoid her landing hard. I then realized she had passed out. To say I was scared spit-less is an understatement. I started yelling for help and people came running. Her mom (my sister) demanded someone call 9-1-1. By this time the little lady was coming to and her face no longer resembled a ghost. She was answering questions and her face was getting color again. My sister decided we didn't need an ambulance and that if they needed to, they could drive her to the hospital themselves since she was now almost 100% coherent. At this point she was laying on her back on the floor with her hands up by her face. The back of her hands were touching the floor and she had her little fingers in a claw-like position sticking straight up in the air. My sister noticed her hands and said "Why are you holding your hands like that? Are you ok? Is that normal?"

The little lady's reply?

"I don't want to ruin my nails."

*Wiping my eyes*

That's my girl.

We headed back home and made final preparations for the race. What is "The Race" you ask?

Well, I am upset at myself for not posting about it earlier. Ian and our friend Andrea were co-directors for Goblin Valley Ultra Marathon! This race is an Ultra marathon (31.1 miles or 50k) a marathon (26.2 miles) and a half marathon (13.1 miles)

They have been planning it for months now. It was a huge success! We made the trip down in a rental van so that we could lug all the coolers and tables for the aide stations. It was the perfect weather and we hope everyone had a blast!

The goblins

4:30 am wake up call... woo hoo!

They were sponsored by Hammer Nutrition

Ian directing the runners on which path to take

We had these orange Halloween bowls to direct the runners through the goblins

Just about to announce awards

First Place! This guy ran the Ultra marathon in 3:23!! Are you freaking kidding me!? What a beast!

Early morning registration

The Frank

We got alot of feed back for next year so we know the race will continue to evolve. We are thinking of putting in a 10k (6.2 miles) so for those of you who love to run, make sure to sign up! Or if you would rather come sit and watch, volunteer, and get some sun like Frank and I did, you are more than welcome! 

But between all the Utah trips we were able to sneak in a date night where we headed to the Farmstead. It's like Cornbelly's for those of you in Utah, but a bit smaller. We bought some pumpkins (that still need to be carved.) and some Jack-be-little pumpkins to decorate the house with. 

There was also a petting zoo, that you KNOW I was all over, and a corn maze in which we partook.

And we lucked out. Not only did we get to rock a corn maze, but it happened to be on an evening with an awesome sunset.

"It's a real beaut Clark."

We also went and bought some decorations for our front porch. Mother nature added the leaves... I like it better with them, if I do say so myself.

Frank and I also got to make it to Julia Davis Park before all the leaves fell. Holy Cow Batman! It was awesome! 

I wanted to start belting out Disney songs since the atmosphere totally called for it, but reconsidered. I may have hummed them quietly instead.

I've continued to craft and redid the chalkboard design and finally made a garland to go over the fireplace.

Oh and check this out... it's reversible. The opposite side of the garland says "Thanksgiving." Holla!

And of course I have to end my post with a collage of Franklin.

Our neighbor has 2 boxers named Diesel and Reesie. We have a community backyard (where all the backyards are attached.) Diesel knows which door is ours so comes to visit when he wants to play with the Frank. This pic says it all. "Diesel is here, can I go out to play?"

One day I came down the stairs to find Franklin under the table whining.... he had moved the chairs so that he had blocked himself in... we got a genius on our hands.

My two men left to their own devices.

We aren't sure if we are going to make it down to Utah this next month, but we will for sure make it down for one in December. We love you all! Hope your October was as great as ours!

"Whatever you are, be a good one."

-Abraham Lincoln