Witchy...

 This year, my mom and I got our Halloween on!  We did some crafty projects while the guys went to the priesthood session.

We have always wanted to make a witch out of an umbrella and a Halloween banner...so we did!

It feels magical and my little goblins can't wait for the 31st!

 One of my favorite decorations is the hand.  Look closer.  It's actually my Grandad's hand!  His finger was chopped of in an accident when he was using some machinery to build cabinets.  Perfect for the spooky shelf!

Eye of newt

wing of bat

dancing witches

and a one eyed cat.

Jack o lanterns

shinning bright

this I saw

on Halloween night.

A hooting owl

high in a tree

marching skeletons

comming at me.

This my friend

is a scary sight

so beware

on trick or treat night!

It's Begining to Look and Feel Like....

Halloween over here!

It's Time...

 Justin had decided it was high time the boys learn how to shoot BB guns.  I took a deep breath and decided to stay silent.  It was really hard by-the-way.

The guys left on a mission and came back with the goods, BBs.  They set up a little target out back, a diet rootbeer can and a helpless little pumpkin stuck in some wires.

Justin spent tons of time giving the "safety talk", which I over heard every word and felt pretty satisfied.

Nathan went first.  He hit the can! Then Kendall's turn.  He hit the can too!

It turned out to be really fun and I couldn't stop laughing at Kendall and taking his pictures.  He was so little to be shooting a gun and keep hitting the targets!

When they were done shooting, Nathan put the can on his head and we got a picture.

Grandeur

 Mom and I ran into Kohls the other night and we came out to this!  It was warmish and smelled like the steakhouse up the road. 

It topped of a rough weekend and I was so thankful for such a tender mercy.

Family Night Treats

 Kendall and I were at the store trying to figure out our treat for "family fun Friday night" when we walked past a bumper crop of apples.  There around them were all these little packages of caramel apples.  We both looked at each other.  Kendall's eyes were wide open and he was smiling.  He read my mind.

By the time we picked up Nathan from school, we had caramel, chocolate, coconut apples for everyone that night. 

He was quite the help.  I'm not sure what I would have done without him...whew!

Plum Creek Stables

 The field trip this month was to Plum Creek Stables for a hayride! 

We packed a lunch, admired the pond, rode on the tire horse swings, visited with the other moms and kids, and by the end....we froze!  We were so happy to run back to the car and turn on the heater full blast.  So grateful for that modern day convenience!

In Between

 One of my favorite traditions is going to Daniels Park in between conference sessions.  You get to reflect and talk about what you have just heard while looking at one of Heavenly Father's masterpieces.

After it ended this year, we ate a pre Thanksgiving dinner complete with all the sides.  *Side note*  Our turkey wasn't going to work. We had just thawed it the night before and it was freezer burned...soooo we opted for a brisket instead, complete with all the thanksgiving sides. Giggle, giggle.

General Conference

I

 I always look forward to General Conference!  I love hearing each talk and enjoy the feeling that is present in the room.

This year I put together some different things.  When one of the apostles spoke, the boys got to unwrap a a goodie.  My favorite was the sugar cube temples.  They spent an hour on them and I loved that they listened as they built.

I printed a bunch of stuff from online, missionary color by number, journals (I had president Monson's picture on these because I wanted it to be the first thing they opened.  That way they could take notes the whole time.) A temple match game, Twizzlers, suckers, pretzels and water, beef jerky, gummy bears, stuff from around the house, play dough, stencils, finger puppets, create your own pumpkin, puzzles, and sugar cube temples.

I loved so many of the talks but my two favorite were President Eyring and President Uchtdorfs.  Conference makes me want to be a better person! I already can't wait until April!

Hillan Hillbillies!

 Mammy and Papa's ward had a Hoedown!  Todd and Martha were on the committee and helped to pull off a night to remember!

Mammy won first prize for her white chicken chili, Nathan's potato car did great down the tracks and Martha won best apple dessert!  Kendall's potato car just stopped halfway down but now we have a strategy for next time.

The boys weren't quite sure what a hillbilly was and it was a major step just to black out a tooth, but they did it and found out it was a blast!

 The Morris couple... best Hillbilly costume!

A Birthday Hike... Kind Of.

 On a radiant Sunday afternoon, we all decided it would be fun to head up to the mountains to see if the trees had started changing colors. 

It was beautiful!  We had got comfy in our jammies and most of us had on our flip flops.  We could not help ourselves.  We had to get out on walk on one of the trails, plus Kendall kept saying that he'd like to do a hike for his birthday...

...and that is how we ended up doing a hike in our jammies and flip flops.

Kendall is FIVE!

 Many weeks of excitement have been leading up to this very important day.  Kendall woke up at 6:00am to his favorite cereal, Trix set out along with blue and green decorations and presents.

He opened gifts and Justin took him to Albertsons to pick out doughnuts for his class. 

I got to be the helper on his special day and he beamed with pride as he gave each classmate their treat.  It was too cute!

We came home and went to work making TWO different cakes.  He wanted a dirt cake and we just had to make a giant chocolate cupcake!  Kendall is a chocolate lover!

Kendall's primary teacher called earlier that week and asked about FIVE talents that he has.  Since he turned FIVE I thought it fits with his FIVE theme.  Here they are:

1. Kendall is an extremely hard worker. He always asks for jobs and completes them.  He always goes the extra mile. We always say the saying, "work hard, play hard!" And he does!

2. Extra thoughtful and kind.  Whenever we pull up with groceries, he is the first in line to take them in.  He is always praying specifically for people and extra sensitive towards others needs.

3. Amazing soccer player and fast runner.  The kid can run!  He is always trying to get better and faster.

4. Happy!  I LOVE this about him!  He is Mr. happy pants.  Always smiling and laughing and looking for some kind of fun.

5. Dedicated.  He had been able to throw a spiral football since he was two.  He practices and practices til he has what ever goal he sets, down.

Kendall is good inside.  Even though he is only FIVE, he is a good example to all his family and we all want to be like him!

This picture is so him!  EXCITED and HAPPY!

Love his chocolate mustache!

Why Thank You!

"This is the PERFECT meal and the PERFECT time on a PERFECT day!" - Nathan 7 1/2

I think I'm gonna keep you!  All I did was make quesadillas and let him wear his Halloween costume after school.

The Rocket

 A miniature rocket launched in the backyard thanks to Papa, vinegar, and baking soda. 

The exploding launch resulted in pure awesomeness!

Kendall FINALLY Got a Dog!

 Meet "Tough Spike." 

 Kendall had a "longer" day of school.  The kind of day that you get to pack a peanut butter lunch and eat it with Miss Melody and make puppets.  Dog puppets!

He was so excited to bring his puppy home! This guy has made Kendall's week.  He still wants to be a dog when he grows up.  Kind of.

Gettin' Juicy!

One of my besties had a baby and he is doing a great job of curbing my hunger for a newborn.  We snapped some pictures and captured a few of his many faces.  He is as sweet as they come and there is nothing like a mothers' love.