Halloween

We had a really good time for Halloween this year. It isn't Jared's favorite Holiday but the kids love to dress up. This year I really didn't want to spend much money on trying to find costumes for the kids. Taylor decided to dress up as a Football player-thanks to Grandma Sherry. She saved Cody's old uniform. Abby decided to a rodeo queen. I was thrilled because I had been trying to talk her out of being a princess again. (Go figure, I spent days trying to find her a crown to wear on her hat.) Dallin was Bulleye, the horse from the movie ToyStory.

We went trick or treating with Tiffany and her girls. We went to the Grandma's and neighbors. It was so much fun this year because everywhere we went instead of just getting candy the kids got load of attention and love. Everyone made a big deal about how cute the kids were. We made some fun memories. We ended the night at Grandma Sherry's for Soup Bowls. It was a perfect ending to a wonderful night. It is nights like this that make me grateful to live in a small community close to family and so many good people.

Crazy Hair Day

For Red Ribbon Week at school the kids dressed up. Every day was something new, like wearing your PJ's or a hat to school. On this day the kids had crazy hair. The kids were so excited about it but there is only so much you can do with hair that is less than an inch long. I had bought so glitter glue for Abby's Halloween costume and it seemed to come off pretty good so we decided to try it in their hair. Of course if Taylor and Abby had their hair done, Dallin was not to be left out.

Note for the future:

The glitter stayed in amazingly well (I really thought that it would start flaking off). The trick to getting it out of the hair was to simply let it soak in the bath tub. Abby's hair was a little tricky to get ponytails out that were glittered together. Next time we'll do one or the other.

Garden

Jared is determined to be a farmer. We had a garden but it was average size. Now we have three times the garden. One that will help us and the rest of the ward be self sufficient. As much as I tease Jared, I love it. I always wanted a garden and really missed having one when we lived in Plain City. I love making dinner from our own produce. It is satisfying to eat something that you grew. We hope that it will help the kids learn to work and be responsible and that it can be a whole family project.

Dallin's sandbox

This is were Dallin used to play. He would drive his tractors up and down the driveway. He would dig holes where holes just shouldn't be and just for the fun add water.

Jared has been in the process of making a sandbox for our little digger and it is finally done. The kids love it and Dallin is one happy road builder. The sand does make a mess but at least he has a place to play and be a boy. Thanks Daddy.

Boo at the Zoo

I love Willow Park. Sherry took us to see Boo at the Zoo at Willow Park in Logan. They were celebrating Halloween and had a ton of fun activities for the kids. We did everything from face painting, craft projects, a dive in the leaves for toys and even went trick or treating at different stations.

We went with Tiffany and her girls and had a lot of fun. Dallin's favorite thing at Willow Park is to feed the ducks. He sits and talks to them and feeds them one pellet at a time. By the time I could drag him away his hand was brown from the pellets and the other kids were on the other side of the park.

Abby loved getting her face painted and to fill her bag. She loves hanging out with Brinley and playing Mom to poor little Brooklyn. Taylor is really a little scientist at heart. He loves to study the animals and tell us all the amazing facts that he can remember about them. He is pretty good about being patient with all the little kids and helping me keep an eye on Dallin.

Sherry is such a wonderful Grandma to the kids. She helps me realize that the kids are only little once and not to miss each moment.

UEA weekend

The kids and I had a really nice UEA weekend. September felt crazy for us all. Jared had been working so hard trying to get the yard in before winter hit. Taylor was playing soccer three days out of the week. I had been stressed about my school work and trying to please a new boss. Dallin was in withdrawals at seeing the other kids leave for school. (If he thinks this year is bad--just wait until Abby goes to school all day long! Poor kid)

I decided that we needed a break and UEA was perfect timing. We started the weekend by painting pumpkins. We had so much fun. We might not have a lot of talent as artists but we tried. Taylor really wanted to carve one but I felt a little intimidated with three little kids and knifes.

On Friday, I took the kids down to Ogden and we went hiking. My sister Adria and I took 7 little kids and tried to hike up Lewis Peek. The weather was perfect for hiking but we did not count on the mud. It had snowed up there the week before and it hadn't all melted. What did melt was then mud. Dallin tried to be so careful but by the time we made it back to the van everyone had to strip to even get in the vehicle. We ate a sack lunches at one of the look out points. I would love to do this every year and see if we can't make it a little farther every year. I was really impressed with the kids. They got along really well and we made it pretty far. I love being in the mountains. It seems to put things in perspective for me.

As if we hadn't had enough exercise for the day, that afternoon we took the kids swimming. We the pool all to ourselves. By the time we made it home we were all exhausted. It was fun though.