Halloween!

I have to admit that Halloween is one of my least favorite holidays (I was never too fond of dressing up and begging for candy), but I still love any excuse to be creative and celebrate. I spent the day slowly preparing our festive dinner before the kids got dress up to go out. Danny was actually sick today so we didn't go out trick-or-treating, but we did make it to our ward's trunk-or-treat. I think there will only be a few more years of that before the kids will be off to parties and/or opt to spend the evening celebrating at home. I can't believe how fast they are growing up. I can hardly remember their infant and toddler years (insert courtesy laugh here), but even since I've known the kids they are quickly growing up. Still, it has been fun to celebrate these moments with them and to create these memories. Happy Halloween!

Candy corn punch, spiders on deviled eggs, and a candy corn veggie tray (with cucumbers since my kids don't like yellow peppers or cauliflower) 

For our main course, the kids "carved" out jack-o-lantern quesadillas. 

For dessert we had witch hat cookies and Frankenstein pudding cups. 

Dallin, as a stick figure, and his friend, Tanner. 

Danny, as a Minon, and his friend, Jack. 

Laurin had a meeting & wasn't able to join us but here are the rest of the kids - Ariel, Minon and Stick Figure.

The Adventures of Merlin

Today I went with Danny's class on their field trip to the Scerra theater to see the play, Adventures of Merlin. Yesterday (although I didn't get any pictures), I went to Danny's class to read "The Night Before Halloween" and help them decorate sugar cookies and today I got to go on their field trip. I'm so grateful for Jeff's job and the means that we have that allows me to stay home and participate in these activities. I loved hanging out with Danny's class and meeting his friends (although I wasn't too fond of the noisy bus ride). The play was pretty entertaining as well. It was my first time going to the Scerra theater...I may have to check out more shows there.

Payton, Stone, Jesus, and Danny 

Last football game

Tonight was Danny's last football game. I feel bad that I wasn't able to attend more games but between finishing up Dallin's football season and our vacation, I missed the majority of the games. Luckily, I was able to attend his last two games. He did a good job...a little too much energy and not enough listening at times, but it was fun to see him play. I like that my boys enjoy sports. I think there's a lot to learn from team sports. I just hope they're careful and avoid any major injuries! Then again they're boys...I guess injuries are a part of the game. In any case, it was a good football season for both boys. Now on to other sports!

Pumpkin Carving

Today for Family Home Evening we (by "we" I mean the kids...Jeff and I were mere observers) got some pumpkins and created their jack-o-lanterns. I remember doing this as a kid. I liked creating the faces but was never too fond of digging out all the pumpkin guts. However, that seemed to be the boys' favorite part. I wonder why?! It was a fun, family evening.

Salem Haunted Mansion

I can't believe we're already starting to celebrate Halloween! I can't believe there are only two more months of 2013! This year feels like it's flown by. Today we were invited to a Halloween party at my brother Scott's house. My sister-in-law, Mel, likes Halloween so she planned a fun party for everyone. However, before we headed to the party, the kids bought some candy to make a candy-gram for Aunt Katie's birthday. We sure have enjoyed having Katie here in Utah. The kids absolutely adore their Aunt Katie. Jeff and I are lucky to have such wonderful brothers and sisters (not to mention parents) who love and support our little family. Happy birthday Katie!

Once at the party, the kids helped me set up and try out the games I offered to make for the party. We did Boo Bowling (where they rolled a plastic pumpkin to knock down paper towel "ghosts") and pin the "boo" on the ghost. The kids were then split up into two groups and escorted through all the games that also included bobbing for apples and donut eating before we indulged in goodies then went home. We were grateful for Scott and Mel (and Kaia) for inviting us to their home and for the fun party to kick off the Halloween week!

Dallin got a little lost when trying to find the "ghost". 

That's my brother in the Viking costume. Crazy! 

Dallin bobbing for apples.

No School!

Today the kids didn't have any school because it was the end of the first term. I can't believe how quickly the first 9 weeks have gone! The kids may not agree with me, but it seems to be whizzing by. I hope it keeps up this pace...at least until we get through the whole snow season then it can slow down again. (As you can tell, I'm still not ready for the snow!) In any case, I decided to take the kids to the Provo Rec Center. Jeff has been super busy with work since we returned so it was just the kids and I. We headed to Wendy's to grab a quick lunch before spending a couple hours at the rec center. It is a really nice facility! The kids enjoyed taking advantage of all the amenities but spent the most of their time in the pool (not surprising). Before going home, we made a quick stop at Krystle's house so the rest of the kids could meet their new cousin, Nolan. Poor Danny has been a little under the weather so he wasn't able to hold Nolan, but the others were. It was fun to watch how excited they were to meet the newest member of the family. I know it hasn't even been a year yet, but there are a days when it seems like we've always been a family. That's not to say that there aren't those days when I realize we are all still getting used to each other, but on the days where everything seems to go well I find myself on my knees giving thanks to my Father in Heaven. While each baby is a miracle, each successfully blended family is one as well. I love my kids and am grateful for their talents and strengths. They have taught me more than I think they'll ever know.