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.