Hay, big orange balls, dirt clods, and a runny nose

What does hay, big orange balls, dirt clods, and a runny nose have in common? A hayride in the back of a truck to a pumpkin patch! Apparently Tanner had a reaction to the hay he was playing in because his nose was like a waterfall. I should have thought that that could happen! But being a parent is a learn on the job type of gig! We tried and tried to get Tanner to care about the "big orange balls" all around him because he usually LOVES balls, but he just wanted to crawl around in the dirt and throw the clods of dirt. All the other babies in the patch were sitting by the pumpkins and not crawling or walking around. And then there was Tanner - freaking out when I took him away from his dirt clods or trying to get him to sit still for a picture. Lets just say he was COVERED in dirt, hay, and snot by the end of the whole experience. But it was still a fun fall activity that we can hopefully do again wherever we end up for medical school.










Eli and I enjoyed some delish homemade cinnamon apple cider donuts at the Big Red Barn in Santaquin after the hay ride to the patch. I think Eli had one and I ate the other 5 over the course of the next 2 days. Do I regret it? Heck no. After that, we had more yummy food at Eli's MPH Opening Social. His cohort is filled with amazing people and friends that Eli (and me when they have get togethers) has loved spending the last year and a half with.

Nebo Loop

We usually take an annual fall drive through the mountains. For three years we drove from the Alpine Loop from Provo Canyon to American Fork Canyon. Last year we decided to do the Nebo Loop since it starts in Payson and ends in Nephi and we liked it better than the other drive.

We thought we timed it perfectly this year since the leaves hadn't started changing down in the city but we knew they were in the mountains. We got all dressed up in matching clothes and took Aly along so that she could take family pictures of us (and because we just love her company!). We were disappointed when we saw a bunch of dead leaves stuck to the trees! The elevation is higher than the Alpine Loop and there was even snow on the road in some places. Instead of enjoying the leaves, we enjoyed the beautiful scenery and even stopped to take some pictures of us in our matching outfits. And its fun to see the occasional cow and deer along the side of the road on the steep hills.

No Cal

On October 1, we jumped on an airplane to Oakland for Andy and Paige's wedding. I accidentally left our boarding passes at home so we waited in a massively long line to check our bags and get a new boarding pass. We stood there wondering why the first class passenger line had no people in it and more employees behind the counter. Does that make any sense????

With 15 minutes until our flight, we got to security and ended up in ANOTHER really long line. I asked an employee if we could jump ahead and he put us in the "family" line, which wasn't much shorter. Aly, Eli, and I went to separate lines to cut our time. I had Tanner and the diaper bag and the stroller and lets just say I probably embarassed myself with how frazzled I was. Thankfully a very nice lady working at security noticed how frantic I was and came to help.

Finally through security, I put Tan back in the stroller, stuffed jars of baby food that they took out of the diaper bag into my pockets, flung the diaper bag on my back, and RAN through the airport. I probably looked like such an irresponsible mother! I got to the elevator that would take me down to the terminal I needed and it wouldn't open. With 5 minutes until our flight, I frantically pushed the button (as if that makes it go any faster!) over and over again while yelling "COME ON!!!!!!!!!" Aly and Eli ran up right when the doors opened and we all loaded into the elevator.

One floor down, we literally burst out of the elevator running as I yelled the gate number to them. We looked to our right and there it was - E60. And there was my aunt and uncle, cousin and his wife, sitting there waiting for us. EMBARASSING!!!!! They stood up, laughing, and came over to us. My uncle Cory said, "We knew the Archers were late, but we didn't know you'd be THIS late!" At that point I vowed never to forget our boarding pass EVER AGAIN.

After getting to the gate, we found out that our plane was delayed and it didn't leave for 40 more minutes. Wish I had known that before tearing through security and the rest of the airport like a mad woman!

Tanner was pretty good on the flight. It was in the morning so he slept for most of it. The way home was another story. I ended up with a nasty scratch on my nose and a tired baby because he was so squirmy and wouldn't go to sleep even though it was late at night.

While all my siblings and Eli took pictures of the cute couple the day before the wedding, my dad and I had a quick tour of San Francisco in our rental car with my cousin, his cute wife (Cody and Michelle), and my aunt and uncle (Cheryl and Cory). We drove all around the city, took pictures at the top of Knob Hill (I think that's where we were), stopped to eat lunch at In-n-out, walked around Fisherman's Wharf, stopped to visit the sea lions at Pier 49, drove over the Golden Gate bridge, and drove home through Saucilito and the other side of the San Francisco Bay. I fell in love with San Francisco my first time there a few years ago and was excited to be back, even if it was for a few hours.Tan doing one of his favorite favorite favorite things - splashing.

My brother, Doug, and Eli were the wedding photographers and they did a great job!

Paige and Andy were such a good looking couple on their wedding day! After being there for the whole relationship (on both sides too!), it was crazy and awesome to actually see them get married. Congrats you two!!! And the Oakland temple is AMAZING! It overlooks the entire bay area. See that blue sky? It was like that all three days we were there. Are we lucky or what?!

Kristie and Aly playing around while Eli practices his photography. I love my sisters! Kristie isn't too fond of this picture, but I think it's super cute!
Hugs to you mom and daddio! You guys are the BEST!
Had to include a pic of the Tannerman sporting the wedding colors - purple and green. He actually wore a nicer outfit at the reception but those pictures will come in a later post.

My gorgeous sister-in-law Dana and her cute baby, Wesley. He's 2 weeks older than Tan. (I've probably said that a thousand times on this blog!)

And here's us!! My brothers caught up with me - Doug got married 7 months after me and Andy got married almost 3.5 years after. Kris and Al, it's your turn!
It was SO good to see my good friend and old roommate from BYU, Marci, at the reception in Walnut Creek since she recently moved to California. She and another roommate married boys from Walnut Creek who grew up with Paige. Cool, huh?!

Altogether a G-R-E-A-T trip!!! Eli will post some wedding pictures after he edits them.

Colorado Open House

We flew to Denver on Saturday night (all of us except for Eli because he couldn't miss more class) and spent Sunday watching General Conference (sort of - it's hard with 2 babies around). We also had a Thanksgiving dinner since all of the married kids will be at the in-laws for that holiday. On Monday, after a yummy brunch my mom made, all of us kids and babies went to the driving range near our house. That was only my 2nd time at a driving range in my life and I've never wanted to go golfing (I should have since the course is right next to my neighborhood, but I was always too busy in high school to think about going). So I spent most of the time taking pictures after pathetically hitting some balls.

Tan actually was trying to hit the ball with the club. The club was a little heavy for him though!

The munchkie with his newest aunt

Being a "golfer" with Aunt Kristie

There were so many neat decorations to pull down at my parent's house in Colorado!

Wesley is so precious! He kept doing this with his head when I'd make an obnoxious sound. It's amazing how close these two boys are in age and how different their personalities and physical features are.

Cousins!!!!!! (While I was taking a nap, Kristie dressed Tanner in a tux that is usually worn by a large stuffed bear! That's why it only covers half of his little bum!) They don't really play together yet but they look at each other a lot. I have a funny video of Tanner pushing Wesley down and Wesley being super super cute that I'll share later.

Brighton and a wedding

We headed up the canyon near Sandy, Utah to Brighton where we walked around a marsh and lake surrounded by beautiful fall colors. It was a P-e-r-f-e-c-t day for a great walk with 4 of my favorite people - Tan, my sisters, and my momma. We used to go here with my grandpa Dwayne when we were little and collect crawdads. I don't remember if we actually caught any but I do remember eating at the restaurant nearby afterwards. Leave it to me to remember the food but not the activity!

After our little jaunt into the canyon, we got all spiffed up and headed to my cousin Daniel's wedding in Salt Lake City. He looked like a stud in his suit and his new bride, Courtney, was stunning in her gown.

My dad (Grandpa Paul) tried to show Tan how to play the only song he knows how to play on the piano - "The Spinning Song."

Eli the preacher

Their wedding was across the street from the Utah Capitol which sits on top of a hill overlooking Salt Lake City.

After the wedding, our car Momo had been scraped by a big camper parked next to him. They left without saying anything. Thanks a lot!