My Life

Let's Talk Halloween

Found these super cute bats to make as sucker holders to go inside the treat bags for my preschoolers.

I enlisted the help of Lauren and Kyle.  Makes projects like that go so much faster with a few more hands.  They were happy to cooperate.

I think it's safe to say they will be a hit.

And yes, my child does spend most of his waking hours in only his unders.  Honestly, I do dress him.  He just feels the need to get comfy.

After I already started making these.  I found this adorable candy corn bag made out of felt.  Simple and probably easy.....next year.

Find the tutorial here.

Kade has been dying to carve pumpkins.  Luckily they did a project at school last week that involved gutting a pumpkin.  So we washed and roasted the seeds.  He snacked on those while carving the face for his jack o lantern.  He also carved a hole at the bottom "for the candle."  It came in handy for stacking him on top of the larger pumpkin.

Between the fall "festible" as Kade says and the ward trunk or treat, I am all Halloweened out.

I've already washed the kids costumes twice!

Hoping to get a shot of the four of them costumed up soon.  

Monsters go with Halloween.....and Kade has been so excited about Where the Wild Things Are since going to see the movie last weekend with his cousins.  I didn't see it, but love the book.  Sadly, we didn't have a copy.  Shame on me.  I brought one home and it has been on the top of the list of bedtime stories.  I found this cute puppet.  So stinkin cute.  My boys would love this.  Christmas maybe?  I'm adding it to the list.

Have a Happy Halloween!

11

So my baby is 11.

That makes me officially old.

She is going into middle school next year.

Sometimes I wonder where the time goes.

We had a low key celebration because well the boys were gone bowling.

It is amazing how smoothly things go when the ones who like to stir up trouble are gone.

It was similar to Kyle's party five days before.

Water slide, pizza, pinata, and a couple of games

including the old favorite bubblegum relay race.

I had the hardest time finding regular old stick gum.

Is that so outdated now?  Crazy.

Good friends and good times.....

Making the most of her birthday wish.

We love you Lauren and glad you are a part of our family!

Summer Ideas

While perusing the internet looking to arm myself with LOTS of ideas for summer projects for the kids, I happened upon this site.  Thought there were others who may benefit.  She gives ideas on how to organize and then holy hannah a ton of sites in part 2.  Check it.  

Any ideas on sites for good kids birthday party games?  Or any games that you love to use?  You know how I love those parties :)  Help me please!

ETA: Here's another site chock full of ideas.

At our House

We have been easing into this potty training business.

I've learned boys are always harder than girls and I have learned to just relax about it.

But this little buddy needs some coaxing :) 

I finally decided to just get him some underwear already and let him figure it out.

He did pretty well today, even went to Costco with no accidents.

I think that it is so cute when they get out of diapers.  Their little squishy bums are considerably smaller without a diaper padding them.  He looks so much more grown up.

I was thinking this is the last time I have to do this.

The last time I'll have to ask a million times "Do you have to go potty?"

Forcing him to try every half hour.

The last time that I will have to spend a fortune on diapers.

and you know, I'm alright with that.

We still have a long ways to go, but we are making progress and that's exciting.

Summer is here.  The brutal heat has reminded us.

The kids have been cooling off on the water slide daily.

I am so happy to have the backyard done :)

I am frightened to get our water bill.  Seriously!

The school year is winding down with all the end of the year festivities.  We went to two awards ceremonies on Thursday.  I left the camera at home.  I have decided it's okay not to take pictures of everything!  I was there, they knew it, I was proud, that's all that matters :)

I am particularly proud of Miss Lauren.  She earned the Great American Award.  She memorized the Gettysburg Address, states and capitals, presidents, Pledge of Allegiance (written) and the Star Spangled Banner.  After all the recipients received their awards, they were all asked to recite the Gettysburg Address together.  Such an accomplishment.  So patriotic and fitting for this week's celebrations.

Speaking of, Kyle was born on the fourth of July.

9 years ago tomorrow.

Which can be good, because it's a fun, packed with activities day.

But we always struggle with when to have his friend party.

Next year we need to remember to have it at the end of June.

Hopefully I'll take the camera out tomorrow and give Kyle a proper post.

We are headed out to Warm Springs for a ward activity and then back to our place for a family BBQ and fireworks.  What are your plans?

Spring Break

We had an event filled week even though we stayed in town.

Our family went on a hike (Calico Tanks) at Red Rock.

It was a big step up from the children's hike.  Lots and lots of climbing.  Brandon insisted on being held and he would only let ME hold him.  Let me tell you, my body was aching the next day.  What a difference packing 30 extra pounds can do to you.  I was certainly happy that I left the heavy camera at HOME!

We spent a day at the park, playing with cousins and finding turtles in the pond.

We went out to Nelson, Nevada.  A little ghost town out there.  Perfect location for photos.  I wanted to check it out, so I talked Steve into coming along.  The kids enjoyed themselves.....

Hung out at the Springs Preserve and let the kids climb all over the rocks in the playground area.

Saturday, Steve had the kids help him plant in the backyard.  This is the 3rd yard we've put in.  He's getting to be a pro.  We are working on getting that in before it gets to be too hot.  Boy will we all be happy, because less dirt will be brought into the house :)  They were good little helpers and had a great time.

Sunday we had an Easter hunt at my parents' house.

The kids love getting together.

There were actually extras :) one's that aren't related.

Leave it to us to have a Spidey egg hunting.

Christmas 2008

After the morning festivities at our own homes, we gather at my parents on Christmas afternoon to do our gift exchange, eat cinnamon rolls and visit.  I am so glad I made everyone get together for a group shot.  This Christmas my sister Candace and her family and my brother Russell and his wife Caitlin did not make the trip down.  It wasn't the same without them.  This is the first Christmas that we all haven't been together. Well except for when the boys were gone on their missions.

Here's the "make a funny face" shot:

 

Some things I find amusing:

1. Most of the boys have their regular faces on.

2.  Funny face for the girls means stick your tongue out....oh yeah and Brian too :)

3. Mom and Kimberly win for the funniest face.

4. I love that the scrawny dog is part of the family picture.  What is his name again?...I'm so bad!

5. Ryan actually particiapated.  I should have asked him to put on his "I'm happy, don't talk to me shirt."

6. I look terrible....hello roots.  I was overdue for a haircut at Thanksgiving and have had 3 cancelled appointments.  My brows look good though.

We then braved the freezing cold to play outside:

 

 

 

Couldn't catch Kade....he was FAST, but there he is in the background!

 

Candace sent this pretty quilt that she made for my mom.  Her fabric choices are perfect.

 

A couple of funny stories:

1.  My mom and dad don't exchange gifts.  They never really have in all my memories of Christmas when we were little.  Except, every year Dad waits until Christmas EVE to call in some help.  He usually calls Amber the closest to him geographically, and the the one who is most on top of things.  (Dad sure did try to say that I am too busy with my 4 kids, that's why he calls amber...good save dad!  We all know that she's the best choice.  My feelings aren't hurt.) ANyways....Dad calls Amber to ask her to call Kimberly who just got in from college and ask her to go pick something up for mom because he has a feeling that she got something for him.   Any idea of  what you want Dad?  Maybe a sweater.  Kimberly and Amber get to the store without any knowledge of mom's sizes, so I call to get the info.  I used the direct approach. She didn't suspect a thing. haha!  Turns out Kimberly knows that Mom did not buy Dad anything just like they promised....SO they went and bought a gift for dad from mom.  Basically, the two did the shopping for both parents.  Wrapped the gifts, put them under the tree, and said nothing more about it.  Apparently it was a funny moment christmas morning.  Such a classic Dad story!

2. Two days before Christmas I hurt myself pretty badly.  I did something so stupid!  It was late, Brandon was asleep on my bed, I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth and it looked like he was going to roll off the bed.  I just started running Fast to get to the other side of the bed.  Forgot about that table at the base of the bed and slammed right into it.  It felt like I ran into a brick wall, or the equivalent of having someone hit me with a baseball bat in both thighs.  Thought I might pass out...it hurt like hell!  I have been hobbling around like an old woman, reminding everyone to stay away from the thighs.  Really it's getting better, thankfully!

3. Steve wanted to know what my Christmas list was.  I told him no worries, don't buy me anything.  I've inherited my parents attitude towards gift giving.  Seriously, I have a list, but the list consists of rather expensive things.  Things that are not practical at the moment and would cause me to feel selfish.  SO....nothing is good!  Anyways, I was happy to open a sonicare toothbrush.  I have been wanting one forever.  Nothing says I love you like a good toothbrush.  And I mean it!  Later that day, I picked up the willow tree nativity for half price at Dillards.  Too bad they were out of the background.  Next year.  All in all, it was a good Christmas!

Merry Christmas

 

 

I think my most favorite part of Christmas is when the kids come downstairs and see what is under the tree, wanting to open their gifts, the excitement and anticipation and magic of it all.  This morning was no different.  We heard some "holy smokes!" (from Kade...where does he get this stuff?) and "YES!"  Makes all the craziness of December worth it.  I hope you're enjoying the most exhausting  play day of the year! 

Try it

I dare you.

My kids have been entertaining themselves for the past couple of days on this site.  I particularly like Lauren's choice of photo for Kyle and Brandon.

 

This year we had Thanksgiving on Friday.  We did our own little Thanksgiving dinner here on Thursday and Dad and Mom and Kimberly joined us.  It was nice.  Because we had all day Thursday, we were able to get out the Christmas decorations.  It was nice to have that all done.  It always seems that the minute after Thanksgiving, the pressure to get things done for Christmas begins.

Since I am such a procrastinator, I felt quite successful this weekend.  I got much accomplished.

• Ordered Christmas Eve PJs online
• Went shopping on the evening of Black Friday and got a really good start.
• Started sewing costumes for the preschool nativity thanks to my brilliant and talented sister Kimberly.  Melissa, Amber and I all called her asking to bring the sewing machine down with her.  We all had projects and she was such the trooper. 
• I successfuly made an apple pie....crust and all.
• Bought new fabric for the dining chairs.  I am so itching to slap some paint on those walls....now I am one step closer with the rug and chair covers.
• Made and ordered my Christmas cards.  I always try to get a photo of the kids together, and it is always a struggle and I am never all that successful.  This year, I decided to just grab a photo from the year.  It is actually the only good one I have of the 4 of them.  It's that hard!

 

•  It took me entirely too long, and I had to look back through the Jessica Sprague class tutorials to make it through.  That was my goal in taking that online class.....to make Christmas cards for this year.  I must say, I am pleased with the results.

So here it is December 1st.  I feel the need this year to really teach my children to give and not focus on the receiving.  We haven't nailed down how exactly we are going to accomplish that, but we have some ideas in the works.

I wanted to share a quick idea that I found while getting lost in blogland.  The parents gave 4 gifts: something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read.  Perfect and simple!

Thanksgiving has not been forgotten, I will post  pictures of the grandkids tradition of making  small apple and pumpkin pies with Grammie.

Halloween 2008

• We didn't get around to carving our pumpkins.  Those poor pumpkins spent a few days rolling around in the back of the car, so the were pretty beat up to begin with.  Then the kids used them as stools to reach the doorbell for the whole month of October.

 

• I think this is the first year we haven't had a jack-o-lantern.  Nobody even noticed, except Kyle 30 minutes before it was time to go trick or treating.
• We did not have ONE trick or treater.  Our neighborhood was very quiet.  We met up with friends in the fun neighborhood.
• I love that we run into so many people that we know.

 

• Lauren spent the evening with her friend Lauren.  We missed her.  She had fun, but said her feet hurt, and as she was taking off her costume she said, "Thank goodness I never have to wear that again!"

 

• Kyle thinks he always has to turn his head to the side when he's getting his picture taken.
• He was in heaven with his friends: Andrew, Shane, Kason and Kyron.
• He was sad when Kason and Kyron had to go back to Arizona.
• It was a fun little trip and they had a good time hanging out.  It felt like old times.
• Kyle only got lost once.  Thankfully I noticed he was missing sooner than later.  Spotted him across the street looking around.  Good thing he noticed he wasn't with anyone he knew.  After wards I asked him if he was worried. "Yeah!"

 

• We had two cowboys this year.  Neither one would wear their plaid shirts.
• Brandon was super slow.  Steve and I switched off with him.  He was only going to every other house, and he was still lagging behind.
• Halfway through both boys took the costumes off. 
• We forgot the stroller.  It would have been helpful.  We won't forget next year.
• Both boys were really good at saying Trick or Treat.  Not so good at saying thank you.
• Brandon calls candy or any treats "Nummies"

 

• On the way home, Brandon started choking, right after I open a fat tootsie roll for him. 
• Had to pull him out of his carseat.  I started smaking the back of him.  Then started crying....which was such a relief, because I knew he was getting air.  He gave us a little scare.  I should brush up on the Heimlich.
• No more tootsie rolls for this dude!