Moving on...

Ok, I am SO done with Halloween. I was done with it about a week ago. It was fun but I'm sure glad it's over. So.... let's move on to the REAL fun stuff. Guess what I bought today at Costco? This:



Isn't that so much fun ?!? All the tv shows I grew up so conveniently packaged on DVD! I've been eyeing it at Amazon for quite awhile and found it today for a lot cheaper. The kids already watched "Santa Clause is coming to Town" this afternoon and begged to watch it a second time. I love Christmas. Growing up my mom made us wait until September 1 to begin playing holiday music - and it was hard to wait that long. I guess you could safely say we're Christmas freaks in my family. We usually make it until about October 1 these days but we've been playing the Christmas tunes around here for weeks already. Anyway, I am into Christmas full force. All my online shopping is done and should be here within the week. I purchased a whole bunch of gifts today at Costco. My homemade gifts are done. I have the kids Christmas outfits purchased. And my Christmas cards are designed and started. I fully expect to be done with them by the end of the week. I think I'm especially anxious this year because it is the first year since we've had kids that Al hasn't been in school. We are both thrilled with the prospect of a fun filled holiday season. Now, when can I put my tree up (only kidding... kind of).

The best 72 hours of his life

Our otherwise super fun day came to a disappointing end tonight. We went to the mall to trick or treat, then to dinner and then I took Carter to a few houses in our neighborhood. When we got home, Al whispered to me, "the fish is dead." We sat there trying to decide how to break it to Carter (who was in the bathroom brushing his teeth). Al took the fish into the bathroom and explained that he went to live with Heavenly Father and we needed to flush him down the toilet. I listened from the kitchen. Carter was surprisingly calm until he saw me. He buried his head in my lap and cried and cried that his little fishy had died. Such a sad thing to have to learn as a little kid. I think it was the best 72 hours of his life, having a little pet fish to love and care for. It makes me want to go right out and buy him another one, but I don't think we will. After all, how in the world do you keep a little goldfish alive?!? And I can't imagine doing this every three days. One heartbreak is enough. Poor guy!! Hope everyone had a great Halloween!

Pumpkin Carving

Today we finally carved our pumpkin. Carter has been begging for days, ever since his teacher showed him the "gooey stuff" inside the school pumpkin. As you can see, he had no problem getting his hands dirty. M is so squeamish and would not even touch it. Carter chose the face design himself. He's really fascinated by Dracula and his "big, sharp teeth" so he had to carve the pumpkin accordingly.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road!!!

Well... here is the big unveiling of our costumes for the ward Halloween party last night. I'm so happy with how it all turned out. We got stellar reviews. Our pics here aren't great- we had a really busy day yesterday and the kids were already tired when we got there. Hopefully we'll get more on Halloween. The ward party was great. They had a game booth where the kids could win a real life goldfish. After about 4 attempts Carter won his very own fish. I'll have to take a picture of it and post later. Both kids are obsessed with our poor little fishy. Makenna walked around all morning screaming "Fish, Fish, Fish..." and trying to climb up on the counter where he currently resides. We'll see how long he actually makes it!

Pikes Place Market

Yesterday we went with Al's brother Steve and his wife Meg and her parents to Pike Place Market in Seattle. They were in town for a wedding and we had a great time with the short time we had together. The market has so many neat things to see and taste. We had lunch and tried tons of food samples. Makenna ate this entire cinnamon roll by herself.

Carter enjoying his smoothie.
The group along the waterfront

Carter holding a fish in the market. This was right before the guy yelled at us for picking up the fish. Oops. He REALLY wanted to hold a fish and was pretty sad that he didn't get to hold one of the huge ones. I have a ton more pictures but I seem to be having technical difficulties uploading today. We had a blast being with Ste and Meg and stayed up WAY too late hanging out. Hope you guys had a safe trip home!!

Preschool Pumpkin Patch trip

Friday was Carter's preschool trip to the pumpkin patch/organic farm. We all had fun petting the farm animals, going through the corn maze, picking out pumpkins and learning the life cycle of a plant. By far, Carter's favorite part of the day was digging in the dirt for worms. We had a hard time getting him to leave the digging area and leaving the worms in their natural habitat. On the other hand, Makenna was super scared of the worms and cried whenever Al tried to get her to touch one. Too funny. The kids both loved the giant pumpkin and picking out their own pumpkins.

I am the mother of a little boy.

This is how I know:

1. I’m constantly unearthing rocks, twigs, bark and occasionally a stray dead bug from the pockets of pants and jackets.
2. ANYTHING can be turned into a weapon. A stick, a pretzel, a toothbrush…etc.
3. We have started occassionally having that boy smell in C’s bedroom. You know, “that” smell. Ewww. Somehow, they all seem to have it until they get married and then it miraculously and mysteriously disappears. Hmmm.
4. I have to wipe down my bathrooms. Every. Single. Day. Enough said.
5. And this is the newest thing. The thing I don’t like and have no idea how to stop. The sudden obsession with potty and bodily functions talk. I have no idea where he learned it since it certainly didn’t come from home. I suspect one of his little friends at preschool learned it from an older sibling and has taught Carter all about it. Corrupting my innocent boy. Anyway, I try really hard not to overreact since I think he does it to see my reaction. But um, it’s gross.

But yeah, he’s ALL boy all the time. And I wouldn't change a thing. (Except the potty talk, of course).

Pumpkin Patch

Today we finally made it to the pumpkin patch. The kids had a fantastic time picking out their pumpkins, petting the farm animals and getting harvest treats. Al actually took them to a fall festival last weekend (during my Super Saturday) but forgot the camera. And we have another trip to the PP this week with preschool but we just had to take advantage of the perfect weather for our own family trip.

Blessing Day & Autumn Album

I have no idea why my pictures are all funky on here. But here's a layout I did today. A total scraplift from my sister Nicole. I also did this adorable autumn album earlier this week and I love it. I haven't even added the pictures yet but I'm going to display it with my other fall decorations. The album is actually 10 pages but here's just a couple.

Closed!!!!

Just wanted to let you all know that we finally closed on our CT house today. It has been a long 6 months and we are happy to have it over with. Many thanks to family and friends who have supported us and prayed for us. We know there were many who prayed for us and we felt strengthened by your prayers. Thank you!!! We hope someday that the lessons will be crystal clear but for now we are relieved to have the burden lifted.

Stripes

Just some pics I took of the kids this morning. M really does not like her boots. Too bad because they look dang cute on her.

I hope I eventaully get a good picture of them together again. M was totally crying here, but you can't really tell.
C is utterly obsessed with this Frankenstein pillow. He even took it to school for his show and tell this week.

(Now that I am looking at these pictures, I realize I need to find another wall to pose the kids in front of. Or find a way to edit out that dang plug :) )

FHE at the Temple

Tonight we drove over to the temple for our little FHE lesson. We walked around the beautiful grounds and talked about temple marriage and eternal families. The kids loved it. We talked about how the angel Moroni is at the top of the temple. As we were walking I turned to Carter and said, "Who is that on top of the temple?" He couldn't remember. So I prompted.."It's Angel...." (I wait for him to fill in the blank). He says "Food cake?" Get it, angel food cake. Hilarious. You just can't make this stuff up. Gotta love my little Carter boy.

The power of the family tradition

WAY back in 1978 my parents bought this puzzle from Hallmark:

I am ABSOLUTELY positive that at the time they had no idea what kind of obsession this puzzle would turn into for our family. Every Christmas since then we have set up the puzzle and labored over it until every last piece is in place. We have been known to do it more than once during the holiday season. I'm not sure it's actually the puzzle that we love so much or if it is an excuse to put on some Christmas tunes and spend some time hanging out together. Over the years, I think my parents have only lost 3 pieces of the original puzzle. Working on the puzzle together every year is one of my favorite memories of my childhood Christmases.

Fast forward to the Christmas of 2003. My younger brother sent each of us a special package that year. And in that package was our very own copy of this exact puzzle!!! He spent months scouring Ebay to get this puzzle for each of his older sisters. It is one of the most touching and heartfelt gifts I have ever received. I don't know why I love this puzzle so much. Maybe because I have such great memories of being with my family doing that puzzle or maybe because it is a visual representation of all that was good in my childhood. Either way, long live the family tradition!!

Swamped

Wow. It has been SUCH a busy week. I am swamped trying to get things ready for Super Saturday tomorrow. I will be so glad when it is over and I can focus on something else. Did I really say this was my dream calling?!? (Stop laughing Mindy!) Seriously, it has been such a great way to meet people and make friends in our new ward so for that I am grateful. Here's a few very random shots from the week. This first one is for my sister. We bought these super cool chunky letters at a flea market in Denver this summer and she wanted to see how/where I put mine up. (I know my wall looks a little out of proportion and I actually have 2 more things to hang up to balance it out but haven't had a spare second)

Today I had to make a quick Target run and we found these cute new Lightning McQueen pjs for Carter. He actually needs some new jammies so we got the LM two pack and he is thrilled. Tore off his clothes the second we walked in the house. I wonder if we'll ever get him to wear anything else!!
Speaking of snoozing... I couldn't resist snapping a cute picture of my sweetie a few days ago. She has some crazy sleeping positions. Of course, the flash woke her up but it was worth it.
I know, could he be any skinnier or have more knobly knees? We've nicknamed him "Knobs, the pirate" because he's just so skinny. Anyway, last week I bought a box of Cars bandaids. Somehow he snuck them in his room during his quiet time. And proceeded to put the entire box all over his body. They've started to fall off now and he is using scotch tape to stick them back on. Sigh... never a dull moment!!

I bid farewell...

Here are few more scrapbook layouts that I've done this week. And now I must bid farewell to my little scrapbook bug for a few weeks. I am up to my eyeballs in Halloween sewing. It will be a miracle if I get it all done in time. As I was cutting out patterns last night, Al was just laughing at my over exuberance with the costumes this year. I'm not really sure I know what I've gotten myself in for. Wish me luck!!

Photo shoot at the park

Today we met some friends at the park for a playdate. I thought I grab a few pics of the kids since the weather was nice and their clothes coordinated. Things didn't go exactly as planned....


Notice how Carter has on his perfect picture face while holding Makenna in a death grip headlock. She struggles to get out.
A great one of C by himself.
So I think maybe I'll try to sit them side by side. Nope, Makenna was not having any of it.
I let her run around and play for a few minutes, hoping that she'll be happy enough for pictures after all. One last shot, one last headlock. It was a bust. But I still think the pictures are hilarious.

My little "problem"

I have a problem. I love children's literature. Love it. I have amassed quite a collection in the last couple years. We have hundreds of children's books in our home. I have always loved to read. As a young child my parents read to me religiously and we had a great collection of literature in our home. As a preteen I really started to read on my own. I was the kid who begged to stay up later to finish the chapter. And often my parents would take away the flashlight I was reading with under my covers. Eventually, they gave up and let me stay up late to read.

The best day at school for me was when we received our book orders. (The second best was the day we got the order form). My parents were kind and indulged me often in my choices. They must have been rolling their eyes though, knowing that the books would be read in less than a week and I would beg for more books the next month.

As an adult I still love to read. I keep a record of the books I've read and average about 50 a year. Sometimes I have to ban myself from reading since it can consume so much of my time. I would rather read than watch TV or work on other hobbies. And now I LOVE reading to my kids. I love that they love to read. We sit down together a few times a day to read books. I love that Carter loves some of my old favorites--like the adventures of Harry, the white dog with black spots --or the growing pains of Frances the badger. And we are discovering new favorites together too -- our most recent is Olivia, the pig--who reminds me so much of my little Carter, it's not funny. And I love that Makenna brings me the same darn book to read a million times a day (currently Goodnight Gorilla) .

So I like my little problem. And I'll keep buying children's books. Because I think it's so important for kids to love to read and for them to hear the same books over and over. If you ever need a book recommendation, let me know. Or if you have a recommendation, I'd love to hear it. Read on....

(PS - a riddle: Just how much damage can two toddlers and a 5 gallon bucket of dry beans do? Stay tuned tomorrow for the answer)