A few more Halloween things

We finally got around to carving our pumpkins on Thursday night. It was fun, and the kids enjoyed it a lot more than last year. They actually enjoyed cleaning out all the slimey stuff the best. The pumpkins turned out fine. We didn't do anything fancy, just the traditional jack-o-lanterns. There's not much creativity left in me anymore.

Tonight we attended the May Valley Ward Halloween party/Trunk or Treat. It is Jake's parents and brother's ward. We thought it would be better to spend the night with people we know, instead of going trick-or-treating by ourselves. So, the kids got to dress up again. Taylee chose a ballerina.

And, Rohne was a scarecrow. He actually kept this costume on the whole night, and only asked to take it off 5 or 6 times.

Here's the cousins, minus Parker, engrossed in a spooky Halloween story. We had a great time, and our children are still talking in their rooms, when they should be sleeping. That darn sugar high can do that to you. We volunteered to clean the church tomorrow, so it's up bright and early.

Happy Halloween everyone! I hope you all had a fun holiday.

The Ward Halloween Party was a Success

We decorated all day long, and needlessly stressed, but the party turned out great. There was a great turnout from the ward, as well as from visitors and nonmembers. The carnival consisted of pumpkin and face painting, cookie decorating, bean bag toss, fish pond, donuts on a string, caramel apples, and Monster Mash dancing. Our Young Women's President took on the bulk of the organization, and did a wonderful job. The kids Trick-or-Treated by searching out adults who were designated candy givers, and getting a sticker and piece of candy from each of them.

I was very proud of Taylee's hair, which took me way too long to do.

We invited our friends, Tila and Lori, as well as Monique and her kids. Tay was a fairy, Rohne, McKay and Parker all dragons, and Samantha was a butterfly. Rohne kept his costume on a total of about 5 minutes. I guess it was too bulky for his liking.

Jake dressed up as the infamous Indian Jones, and I was a spider witch. (or so the kids called me.) Just check out my shoes! I wore those puppies all night long. Thank you Sharon, for all the wonderful costumes.

Halloweens of the Past

My lovely sister, Natali, challenged us to post a Halloween memory on our blogs. I'm sad to say, though, that I think having children has seriously damaged my memory. I can't seem to remember many specific Halloweens from my childhood. Here's a few, though

-I was baptized on Halloween night when I was 8 years old. I don't know why the Stake decided to do it that night. I was baptized along with Carl Hickey, Teah Perry, and Karrie Stapp. It was a very special night, and I wasn't sad at all to miss the festivities. We didn't dress up, or go Trick-or-Treating that night, so we all went to my Grandma Hamblin's afterwards, and she stocked our plastic bags full of sugar-free sweets.

-I think I was a punk rocker 2 years in a row. This was a very popular, easy costume to make. I would rat my hair up, spray on the Aqua Net, slap on some serious blue eye make-up, and go. One year, I was very sad because I wanted to look like Debbie Gibson on the cover of "Out of the Blue." I had some stonewash jeans with a hole in the knee, and my mom would not let me rip another hole in the thigh, like Debbie had. After wearing them for Halloween, I cut off those jeans and wore them for shorts in the summer.

-I come from a small town, and when we were teenagers, Halloween meant causing trouble. (Of course Holly never took part. She was too busy having Quatro Parties at Darcy's house. Goody too shoes, she was.) We smashed many pumpkins in our day, slashed leaf bags, and egged and T.P'd houses. This was then followed by a little jaunt in Sunny's Jimmy on the Interstate to Burns Brothers. And, what we did on that ride, I will never tell!!

-When we were kids, we never walked around to go Trick-or-Treating. We would all get in the car, and my mom would drive us around to our relatives, friends, and people in the ward. We never, ever went to someone's house we didn't know. They would usually invite us in to have a homemade treat, and we would stay for awhile visiting. I remember wishing that we lived in town, because the town kids would always get tons more candy than we did.

-One year, when Ben was in High School, I was home when my parents got a call from Randy Chandler, one of the Deputies in town, telling them that my brother, and his friend, Charlie were taken into his custody. It was quite a sight to see my Dad's face get very serious, and watch him storm out of the house, barely saying a word to us, and my mom. Turns out they had decided it would be a good idea to drive around with Chuck's spotlight, and flash it in driver's faces. They blinded Randy, and he was not happy about it!!

-For Taylee's second Halloween (she was only a couple months old on her first, and we didn't dress her up), I too, wanted to carry on the tradition of homemaking Halloween costumes, like my mother did. I bought all the stuff to make a ladybug tutu for her. However, I was given an ancient sewing machine from Jake's Grandma, and couldn't make it work. So, Natali drove up from Rexburg, brought her machine, and whipped it together for me. It probably only took her 5 minutes, and I felt a little foolish. However, I did take credit for it. I glued on the pom poms, and made the headband by myself, after all! Thanks, Nat!

Come on everyone, post your favorite Halloween memories!

A Little Update

Just Rohne and Parker jammin' one night when we borrowed the Wii from Jer. Now Jake is pretty sure what he wants for Christmas. We'll see. . . .

I realized I have not been blogging lately, so I decided I would do a little update for everyone, whether you care or not!!!

1-We have been pretty boring lately, but I feel like we've been really busy. I don't know why, but I can't seem to get anything done.

2-Jake's new job is super busy, and overwhelming. And, he is gone a whole lot more than he used to be. I'm still trying to adjust to that. I need to start a project, or have regular things I can do to distract myself. Still haven't figured that one out.

3-We have a huge ward Halloween Carnival coming up next week that I really should be looking forward to, but I'm not. Since Jake is the Activities Chairman, it's just so much work to get everything organized, and it kind of takes away some of the fun. I guess someone has to do the planning, though, right?

4-Rohne has been off the shot for 6 weeks now. We went back to the hospital today, and everything still looks good. His counts have been a little neurotic, but the Dr. thinks it's just how his body works. We haven't dipped in the 200's or lower yet, which is a good sign, and he said that normal kids sometimes even run low when they have a little bug. We will check his blood again in a month, but for right now, he looks awesome!!! This is very good news for us. We have been praying for this for a long time, and it will be so nice not to have to make a trip to Children's every week.

5-Yes, I turned the big 2-9 yesterday. It was just a normal day, but we did try to make it special. I heard from all of my family, and I sooo love talking to them. And, some special friends also remembered to wish me well. I seriously think that I pulled out a gray hair today. Turning 30 will be a big turning point for my psyche.

6-And, I guess that's about it. I am wasting time because I need to prepare for Preschool tomorrow, and my house is a wreck. I'm just too tired to make myself move off of this chair.

I know, Family, you will be shocked, but I actually let my kids play in the McDonald's PlayPlace today. They had to get their flu shots, and when asking them what they wanted for a bribe, this was it. I practically sprayed them off after this, but I won't be a bit surprised when someone wakes up tonight or tomorrow throwing up. It's just how it ticks around here.

Can you tell they had a good time?

The loves of my life, and the centers of my universe.

New Addition to the Family

Yesterday my mother-in-law brought over a special present for the kids. She loves to frequent Thrift Stores, and found this treasure, knowing my kids would enjoy it. They have lovingly named him "Jack Punkin' Head," and he quickly became a member of the household. Taylee treats him like her doll, and asked me today if she could dress him up, and Rohne likes to wrestle with him. Taylee saves Jack, when necessary, and they both give him hundreds of hugs a day. Thank you Grandma Nana!

Fun, Fun Family Night

So, my sister-in-law, Monique had the great idea of hosting a Halloween Family Night. We wanted to do Caramel apples, complete with yummy toppings of all kinds, and make Gingerbread Haunted Houses. Neither of us have ever been very successful at making caramel apples, and we never did get the caramel just right. It was either too thin, and the caramel just fell off, or it was too hard, and we couldn't get any toppings to stick to it. Anyone with a foolproof way of doing them, please let us know. They were still really yummy to eat. The Gingerbread Houses were a lot of fun too, but very time consuming and detail oriented. I was once again reminded why I am not the craftiest gal. I just want to get it done really fast, and still have it look like I spent hours on it. Somehow, this isn't the way crafts work!! Jake and I did one, along with the help of Jake's mom, because we got very tired at the end. And, Jer and Mo did one too, which wasn't fair because Jeremy is a real artist. They both turned out great, and it will be fun to have a new Halloween decoration to display. Taylee still reminds me daily that our house is not as spooky as Samantha's.

Rohne, and his apples. Apparently he ate way too much candy, because he was up all night complaining that his tummy hurt, although he didn't ever throw up. I am soooo glad that it wasn't the flu!!

Me and Tay trying to figure out how to make those darn sprinkles stick!!

The boys were mostly entertained by playing Rock Band, and Mario Kart.

The finished product. Someone said it looked like the Weasley's house, and I said that is exactly what we were going for!

Pumpkin Patchin' It Up!

Today was the perfect day to go pumpkin pickin'. It was so beautiful outside, which was a huge relief given all the rain we have had lately. It seems like everyone else had the same idea as we did, because Jubilee Farms was packed!! We enjoyed the day with Jer & Mo and their kids. We have been spending a lot more time with them lately, and it has been so much fun for the cousins, and grown-ups. After the pumpkin patch we headed to Bothell for the "Soft Opening" of Jessi's new Red Robin. We luvvv free food, and the new restaurant was just beautiful. Enjoy the pictures!!

It's so hard to get a family photo with everyone looking at the same time.

It was so sunny, that Rohne had a really hard time keeping both eyes open. I guess I should have brought out the shades, huh!

It was a little muddy, but there was a great selection of some deliciously ripe pumpkins! We can't wait to carve them.

What a fun day!!

"Find Joy in the Journey"

General Conference weekend is always something I look forward to. I love to learn from our beloved prophet, and apostles. My kids don't let me sit and listen intently, but the talks that I seem to really need, always make it through the chaos. I loved President Monson's talk on finding joy. It actually took me quite a while to get pregnant with Taylee, and I was so discouraged month after month when it wasn't happening. Then, when she was here, and I was so ecstatic. She was a burst of sunshine in our lives. I got pregnant with Rohne very surprisingly when Tay was only 4 1/2 months old, and I was so overwhelmed. I was also happy, but so worried about how I could adequately care for these 2 babies. Both of my kids were very colicky and fussy newborns, which really weighed on me. I remember hoping for them to grow up faster, so that phase would be over. Yet, I would give anything to have that time back now, and remember to laugh a little more. Children are so precious, and they grow up too fast. Every day, and I am going to try and remember President Monson's talk, and find joy in all that they do. I will try and stop to listen to their stories, and play with them. Let the dinner menu go sometimes, and leave the dishes dirty in the sink. Forget about "Dancing with the Stars", and play Duck Duck Goose, and Hide and Seek instead. My individual plans and interests can wait, because I chose to be a mom, and I am smack dab in the middle of it. I want to someday look back at this time, and have very few regrets, because I did my best, and found joy. Thank you, President Monson, for the divine inspiration you shared with me that day.

1 Cup of Crazy + 1 Cup of Fun, Mixed Well = 1 Happy Family

We had kind of a crazy week. Jake started his new job, and it has been a challenge getting back into our routine again, after having him home for awhile. The kids are missing him, but we both feel so good about this change. Rohne's lip is healing much too slowly for my taste, so we spent all of Wednesday at the Hospital. I had to attempt to hold down a very strong 2 year old while they put in an IV, while my girly watched, covering her ears and eyes. And, because we just barely switched insurances, it took forever to get our medicine, which lead to a very messy accident while I fought with the pharmacy workers. It was not a good day!! But, we have had some fun mixed in, and it helps me to forget the bad stuff.

It has become a family tradition to attend the Salmon Days Parade every year. We always record the first session of Conference, so we can watch it later. Without fail, it rains every single year! We made it through about 3/4 of the parade before the downpour started. My kids loved the parade, and I got to see 3 of my Laurels play in the Issaquah High Marching Band.

I tauught my first preschool class, and it turned out really good. We learned all about the letter B, which including blowing up ballons, and making blue necklaces. That night, my niece, Samantha, also had her 4th birthday party, which was a Halloween theme. Taylee dressed as a pretty witch, while Rohne was Cowboy Diego. They had a "hair-raising" time, as demonstrated by Taylee in the last picture.

We are a happy family, that loves spending time with one another. Fall is bursting and showing its beauty all around us, and I can't help but anticipate the upcoming holiday season. It is a time that brings out the best in all of us. I am so thankful for a positive, loving husband, and 2 kids who love me more than I deserve.