I think one of the reasons autumn is basically my favorite time of year is all the traditions we have! We haven’t gotten to all of them yet–and who knows? We might not this year–but here are some we HAVE gotten to!

First is General Conference! I remember being a kid and feeling like Conference never ended. ever. But now it goes by so quickly! It was fun to go to the Women’s Session with Mother and the sisters (though we missed Mary significantly); but mostly I feel like I have so much more direction for how to make my life more of what I want it to be. I’m grateful for a living Prophet, and especially the knowledge I have of the Savior, Jesus Christ. I know He lives and that He loves me and is mindful of me and my family. He wants even little old us to have every good thing in this life! What a glorious message!

Another autumn tradition I love, and the kids love as well, is doing toilet paper mummies for Family Party (aka: FHE). This year, after we had all been mummified (except Carter who wasn’t feeling up to being wrapped up), we had a toilet paper fight! It was so fun I wouldn’t be surprised if it became part of the tradition!

This is how Helen enjoyed the festivities.

Another tradition that was sort of thrust upon us, but we love, is taking pictures at the library! They put up photo backdrops every year to go along with their Halloween movie series, and we were the very first people to take pictures this year! We are so famous!

And, of course, we have to go see all the witches!

Now for some information about Josh. Josh was riding his scooter (a self propelled Razor scooter) to work two Mondays ago when he crashed onto the cement chin first. He came home saying that his jaw really hurt and with blood dripping from his chin. We took him to instacare where he received 5 stitches in his chin. They also told him that his jaw was swollen, but didn’t appear to be dislocated or broken. Also that a concussion was very unlikely. (Phew!)

So we carried on with life hoping the jaw would feel better soon. By Wednesday the jaw wasn’t feeling any better, so we decided we needed another opinion. Josh went to the dentist on Thursday followed by an oral surgeon. He got a 3D model of his head taken in X-rays which showed very clearly that he had a partial fracture in his jaw. He was sent home with strict instructions to not chew and come back in a week to see if the fracture had spread. He went back this past Thursday and, to our great joy, found that it had NOT! However, we also found out he has a fractured rib.

We think everything is on its way to healing; but it will take time. So, for now, we are eating a lot of soup and a lot of smoothies, and trying to get Josh to stop helping move pianos downstairs. I’m just grateful he doesn’t have to get his mouth wired closed!

Anyway, here are a few more pictures not advertised by the title of this post.

Also Helen turned 7 months this past week! I chose this picture of her because it is SO CUTE and also because it is probably the only picture you will ever see with Helen looking pouty. She is the happiest, most take-everything-in-stride baby ever! Oh how we love her!