Halloween 2014

Seminary was really fun this morning. We played a review game, prepping them for the upcoming assessment they will be taking. I love teaching seminary, but it has been an exhausting week for some reason. I am really grateful it's Friday, and that I get the next week to focus back on the family and putting our disaster house back together.

When I returned home the kids were so excited by the numerous worms they found scattered across the driveway. We've been getting some good rain these last couple days which I guess brought them out from hiding.

We headed to the school's Halloween parade and then to Tiffany's for our traditional Halloween dinner of yummy soup and breadsticks. The big kids went to their parties and the younger kids stayed back with us. We decided to just trick or treat around the neighborhood instead of trunk or treating and then back to Justin's afterwards for some fun conversation and candy trading.

Preschool Halloween Party

It was a busy day of seminary, visiting teaching, errands, playdates, and preschool Halloween parties. Nicole's favorite activity during rotations was playing BINGO with Ellie's mom. We also had fun making some banana ghosts and clementine pumpkins for preschool snack. I'm getting excited for the craziness and candy sugar rush to end.

Back to Normal

My mom has recently been able to do a little more since her surgery. She still has to take it easy, but she is recovering. Today she came over and we watched an old movie. It's one of my favorite things to do. I love old movies and watching them with her is the best part, because we can talk about it and she loves them too. We watched a really good one today called Kings Row. Wow! It's amazing. Since Cameron got to see her this morning he's feeling more like himself too. Just as he used to he escaped over to Grandma's while I wasn't looking. I found his bike outside her door after not being able to locate him. Normal feels good.

And some exciting news...the Giants win!!!! There was a lot of cheering around here this evening!

Giants

Even though we don't live in the Bay Area anymore, Giant pride is in our blood. After a good dental check up for the kids---no cavities (yay!) we all met up at Damian's for dinner and some world series excitement. Unfortunately they didn't win, but we still have one more chance tomorrow and we are hopeful. Three world series in five years would be pretty miraculous. Marcus delivered a candy gram for Noah and his hurt chin. I love this tradition. It would be nice not to be injured, but this makes it a little less awful.

Halloween with the Smalls & Mary's Team Party

I took the smalls to a Halloween party today at Nikki's friends house while the Talls were at school. They played games and decorated cookies. There are such great families around here...there is no shortage of good company for all our little ones.

(These costumes were just quickly chosen at Goodwill last week cuz I was too lazy to get down all my Halloween stuff from the attic. Aaron isn't the biggest fan of Cameron's choice, which Cameron says is a dragon. It may be a dragon, but the purple really makes you wonder.)

Tonight we celebrated a great season for Mary and her team at Bobbios Pizza. The amazing coaches prepared beautiful certificates and treats. We will miss these pirates.

The Dangers of Sunday Dinner

I put the roast in the crock pot this morning knowing that it would be a busy day subbing in primary and preparing for seminary. When we returned home from church the smell was very welcoming. The kids were excited to come to the table, especially Noah who hopped onto the chair to survey the spread. Unfortunately, as he jumped up he wobbled off his seat and slammed his chin on the kitchen table. We debated whether or not he needed stitches and thought he probably did.

We didn't have a lot of time. Our regular pediatrician's office was closed, but instacare was open for one more hour. That was a smarter choice than the expense of a trip to the ER. We left the kids with family and drove Noah to instacare. He was extremely nervous and we described for him the best that we could what would happen. We said a little prayer and arrived at the empty office.

After some tears and lots of questions trying to keep his mind preoccupied the numbing medicine kicked in and the doctor closed him up. Noah got a awesome pirate pillow to help comfort him and we got a $270 bill. Yikes! Who knew Sunday dinner was a contact sport?

Also, I wanted to be sure to document that many Sundays Aaron will walk with the kids to church. I love that he does this and so do the kids. Plus, that gives me an extra 20 minutes to myself to prepare for the sacrament. Just wish we had sidewalks...

L'Eggo My Eggo

This morning we had our final soccer games of the season mingled with some birthday parties. It was a really wet day so that made it more exciting and messy.

I had enough time after the days' excitement to make a costume for our adult friend Halloween party (with the help of my mother) and some mini-Eggo s'mores to share with the crowd . It was a lot of fun, as usual, with some good games by our hosts...Jillian Michaels and her Biggest Loser contestant.

Piano Nerd

Mary and Noah had their first recital of the new school year. This one is always fun because the kids dress up and play Halloween songs for each other. I sent the kids with a KitKat piano, which we've done in the past.

Following the recital we headed to the school carnival, which was loads of fun and loads of chaos and people. After getting the kids home I headed to Kaleidescope with a few ladies to celebrate Christine's birthday. Aaron stayed with the kids after he performed his PTA Treasurer responsibilities at the carnival...it was a cute sight seeing them all lined up in our king bed.

Busy day.

The Patch...Again!

One more trip to the pumpkin patch today, this time in a monsoon! Plus, we had to travel to Phoenix to this particular patch with some confusing road work as well. This farm is a much better field trip because they teach you about the plants and animals. Unfortunately the kids didn't get to climb up the haystacks and do other outdoor games because it was too wet. I have a feeling we'll be back though, so I shouldn't worry one bit.

Josh Drives!

We made Josh some breakfast in bed this morning to celebrate his SIXTEENTH birthday. I simply cannot believe it. The kids sang to him and we asked him over later in the day to show us his new temporary license. So excited for him.

It's also Christine's birthday. We got to watch Estelle for a little bit this morning while she went to the doctor and went out to breakfast with Jared. We loved having her over. What a special day.

Retakes?

To keep?
 or to not keep?

That is the question.

I'm not loving Noah's photo, but who's to say that a retake would look better.I swear they look cuter in real life.

A family that hot tubs together...

stays together!

Tonight for FHE we went hot tubbing as a family. It felt so good in the crisp cool air. We decided to play a little game of truth or dare which was pretty hilarious. But the funny part was that we learned Mary has a boyfriend from one of her truth questions. Hmmm. We may have to play this game every Monday!

Don't Ever Forget to Pray

Mary was asked to sing in a little quartet at church today. She was so excited to perform. And it sounded very lovely, although it maybe the shortest song ever written.

I secretly taped it for my mom so she could watch her in action. It was so short though that I barely hit the record button in time.

I can't stop thinking about Damian's amazing talk today. It was on a conference message called "Like a Broken Vessel" by Elder Holland about how to help those who are struggling with depression and difficult challenges. He talked about three things we can do to help other around us. We can be kind, nonjudgmental, and merciful. I love this. The older I get the more I see that people are usually trying to do their best. We all have stories and pasts that affect us for good or bad and we just can't judge. There is only one person who knows our hearts and even then it's our responsibility to just love and think the best of others. I am grateful for this message. It is changing the way I look at others and my desire be like the Savior.

My mom made a delicious meal for the family to eat together after church. Even when she's not well she's still thinking of others. Nina and Nikki were doing strange things to their hair...such beautiful girls.

You bet!

After soccer games and all our typical Saturday hoopla we went to see Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day. It was a sweet family movie. Then we met up with Jared's family for dinner at Mucho Gusto. Elise bet Nikki 5 bucks if she would eat a lime. Always up for a challenge Nikki accepted and poor Jared had to pay up.

Playdate with Ellie

Nikki's new friend Ellie and her sister came to play today. It was so fun for Nikki. It's fun to see her start to build confidence and socialize independently. I just can't believe how big she is getting.

Preschool at the Pumpkin Patch

We headed to the pumpkin patch with Nikki's class today. We had a great time. While on the hayride  I saw the workers throw pumpkins on the ground for the cows to eat. I had no idea that they'd eat a pumpkin like that. Cameron and Nikki spent a lot of time feeding the goats and I enjoyed shopping at their fresh produce market.

Be Smart

This morning we had an unusual seminary class. We all got together to view a presentation on preparing for college, specifically church schools. The students got to bring their favorite sugar cereals to share. I hope these youth will take the opportunity to create a plan for their future. Whether they attend a church school or not, I hope that they will be smart and apply themselves. I'm so grateful I got to attend BYU and I hope that our kids will have the same opportunity. Whatever they choose, I hope they choose to BE SMART!

Today is Elise's birthday. Christine grabbed this pictures of these cuties at recess.

Nikki Loves Reading

Last year Nicole was playing with some acorns she during joyschool. Beka let us borrow a little book called Miss Suzy about the sweetest little squirrel who makes a beautiful home, with little acorns as tea cups. Nikki loved it. Then when we collected more acorns I was reminded of the book and thought to ask Beka what it was called so we could buy it. Well, today Beka brought the book over to us. She had bought it as a gift and was planning on bringing it over. Pretty incredible timing and so very sweet of her. Nicole loves to look at pictures and retell her stories "read" it out loud. She can do this for hours.

Good Bye Henry

Henry died this morning. The kids flushed him down the toilet. It was sad that he only lasted a few days, but that's how these little feeder fish are...they just don't last long...my favorite kind of pet.

October Birthday Peeps are in the Hooooouuuuse!

We celebrated our October family birthdays tonight at Tiffany's. She had the most hilarious signs up with everyone's faces on them. The orange jump suit and black afro wig are a tradition that Tiffany started one year when she and Justin were only married a short time. She made a video called "Justin's Groovy" and went around to friends and family in this jumpsuit and wig. She kept the same character the entire time when she was interviewing and there was even some dancing. I remember her recording some interviews over the phone (my parents and Amatchi). It was very thoughtful and kind. I helped her make that video when we lived in Provo. Who knew that the phrase, "Is there a birthday boy in the hooouuse?" would come to be a long standing family birthday greeting. Happy birthday to some super groovy peeps!

Elise's Birthday and Meet the Mormons

Mary got to go to Adele's birthday camping party after her soccer game this morning. She got a fish. for her party favor; such a creative family. Then we traveled to Medford for Elise's birthday party. I forgot how much ice skating bother my shins. I just don't understand how figure skaters make it look so easy.  But we had a great time celebrating this sweet cousin. Nicole wanted to be independent moving away from the walker every time I brought it to her. By the end she could do a lot. They all want to go back really soon.

Then we met up with the rest of the family for dinner at Wendy's and to the theater to watch Meet the Mormons. It was a fantastic video and very inspiring. I was particularly touched by the convert single mother and her story. It was so touching to hear her share her feelings that God knew her and wanted happiness for her.

Another great Saturday.