Happy Halloween

We ALL had great costumes this year!

Get it?! Hawaiian Punch!! 😂 we went to a costume party Friday night. It was at Ziegler's for Marie's 60th birthday. We had fun! There were a lot of great costume ideas. 

Bailee went to a party at a friend from the YSA ward. She won 3rd place for her costume. She wore that same hat when she was 4! I don't throw anything away! 

Karlee dressed for the haunted house she's been volunteering at. 

Mason as a boxer and Carson as Harry. 

We met up with some of Carson's friends in Thornwood. We walked in the drizzle for 2 hours. Luckily it wasn't very cold just wet. All the kids trading candy. I couldn't believe how much candy they had! 

Here's Retta's costume! Adam was with his dad for the weekend. He was going to be Hulk if he felt good enough. He has been sick these last couple of days.Terrible timing!

playing in the leaves

WE LOVE FALL!!!

 

school parade

There are many things I don't like about this school, but that's for another time. One of the many things I like is their Halloween costume parade! Carson loves it too!

 I was bummed when I arrived at work today, I had no idea the lunch moms were dressing up too. I was the only that didn't. I even had a costume. Oh well, maybe next year.

When I got home from work I pulled out my big camera and walked around the yard.

I love our tree!!
I love our home!

pumpkin carving

Shortly before dinner the kids headed out to carve pumpkins. I love that they're big enough to do this on their own. I check on them every so often to see how it's coming along and take pictures. 

The scar really helps you figure out their pumpkin. 

These two finished theirs after dinner. An emoji!! Clever!! 😂

school assignment :0)

Sun, Your Rain Is Over

by Karlee

 

Droplets drift down a windowpane

Perking up, I sprint for my umbrella.

One may believe I've gone insane.

 

Sister looks to me with disdain

As I call the dog, "Stella!"

You can tell she'd rather refrain

 

But I'm not one to remain

Inside. I feel like Cinderella

Dancing through the muddy terrain.

 

Many others will complain

Cursed like that one fella

They're modern day Cain's.

 

Myself? I find it quaint

Elaborate? hm, well..uh..

No I'd cause the experience to taint.

 

Now I know it's considered inane

I love it like others do Nutella.

Let me put to you plain

I. love. the rain.

 

boys and trees

This boy started the last Harry Potter book two days ago! He's a lover of all things Harry Potter! I asked him today what he's going to do when he finishes. He said he'll start all over. ;) Not surprised.

Now this boy is a lover of screens. Computer screen, phone screen, TV screen, he's not picky. He's an A/B student and practices the piano daily so I try not to cause him grief. 

This is the street where Carson's friend AJ lives on. I love all the gold trees. In front and behind me.

Then there's this street. My favorite street! I love everything about this street. The colors, the fence, the leaves on the side of the road... It makes me smile even on a dreary day like today.

birthday boy ~ 6

I can't believe this boy is 6 years old today! Where has the time gone? He has grown so much since we moved to Illinois. We sure miss him! McKinzie sent me this picture a couple weeks ago. I'm amazed at how much he looks like Carson. 

6 things about Adam:

1. Adam LOVES school, which is a huge relief. He's typically quiet and won't talk to many people. In fact it use to take him months to talk to a new primary teacher. Now he talks to whomever he wants. He might be more like his mom than we thought! :D

2.  He's a helpful big brother.

3.  He loves to empty the dishwasher.

4.  He loves soccer and scores often!

5.  Adam gives awesome hugs!

6.  He's the best chocolate chip cookie helper there is!!

Happy birthday Adam!! We love you...more, more, MORE!! 

fun filled day

I spent the early afternoon doing hair. Then all of a sudden it was 4:40 and time to head to "Boo Bash". 

For the first 1 1/2 hours Mason helped me (and other parents) with serving pizza. At times it was so fast paced we couldn't get them on plates quick enough. Mason was a hugh help. 

CJ and Grant are in the picture below. 

Mason was too tall for this game. He was smart to knell down. 

After the carnival Bailee and I went to a haunted house where Karlee was doing the scaring. There was a hayride, hot cocoa, 3D haunted house, fortune tellers, and a movie in a barn. It was fun! It was a little chilly and dark enough to make it creepy to walk around. Bailee gets spooked easy. She made it fun. 

Karlee was great in the haunted house!! She scared us good! We did the haunted house twice and they still scared us. 

It was fun doing things with my kids today. I'm tired but it was fun! 

more trees and a boy

As I was saying goodbye to Mason and sending him off to the bus this view caught my eye.
Everywhere I look and all day long I'm in awe of these colors!

I started working at Carson's school today. The kids called me "lunch mom". I like it. I'll be working three days a week about two hours a day. The best part was seeing Carson during recess with his friends. He gave me a couple big hugs just because.

I decided to find a job because our savings is dwindling. With buying another car for Karlee and plans to move forward with Bailee's teeth our savings will be gone and I'm starting to stress. I feel terrible about the situation with Bailee's teeth. Her upper jaw only has four permanent teeth. Her baby teeth have become painful and are deteriorating. The plan is implants... We jokingly told Bailee that we hope she doesn't plan on getting married anytime soon because all that we could do would be a temple wedding and a party in our backyard. She smiled and she said she liked that idea. Then Brian added it would be a bring your own treat too! I'm sure we'll figure something out. I know the Lord will always provide as long as we do our part. I'm trying to do my part.

 




While at work I received this most amazing picture of a sonogram. McKinzie and Geoff are expecting a boy!! I'm so excited for them. And me! She's due April 2. Let the countdown begin.

This past week I hurt my knee bad enough that I've stopped running. So yesterday and today I've gone on two mile walks.  Not the exercise I want but better than nothing. The trees have been amazing. When I got home this afternoon I took a stroll around the yard and took a few pictures.

trees, trees, trees

I took these pictures yesterday. It was the most amazingly beautiful day. Lately I feel like I'm living in a painting. All these fall colors are so vibrant. There is NOT a spot that would be a bad view! My favorite view is from our deck in either directions. The first two pictures are in the morning at about the same time. 

View from looking through the front entry window. 

View from my driveway. 

Front yard. 

Back yard. 

Where I started my day. 

While dinner was simmering I went and took a seat on the deck. It was still very comfortable out. We had a high of 76 for the day. Over the next week it will gradually get colder every day. I think I'm ready for winter. I don't remember ever having a fall as amazing as this one. 

It's obviously one for books, as this blog will become a book. :D