What We've Been Doing...

Life is going full force around these parts. We seem to be doing lots of normal things and before we know it, it's almost Thanksgiving!! Our lives are filled with homework, especially with Seth, music, school, plays, jobs, and the list goes on.

 We have loved having Aunt Natalie around. We have about 1 month left before she moves away to college, but we sure have loved having her around.

 She is a great teacher. Here she is teaching the girls how to make friendship bracelets. She has also given them lessons on how to wash their faces, wear clothes, how to keep their room clean, how to drive when they are old enough, be kind, how not to be moody and hormonal, how to get parts in their play (more about that later), how to play mario kart and not be ticked, and other great life lessons. They love it when it comes from her, so much wiser than mom and dad!

 We had our first snow storm and the kids were in heaven. Sarah was very worried about Captain staying warm enough (mean mom won't let him in the house) so she put one of her jackets on him. Later on it was a scarf, silly girl!!

 Last Friday, after getting Seth off to Seminary and everyone going on their morning routine, we got a call that school was cancelled. We had some super excited kiddos, so the winter gear came on and out they went.

 Snowball fight!

 Most of the time, they are the bestest of friends and I love it!

 Trying to catch snowflakes with their tongues.

 Seth also had a Court of Honor this month. He now just have to finish a couple merit badges and do his Eagle Project and he will be done!! Whew!!

Now on to Thanksgiving...even if we are already listening to Christmas music!!

Halloween and Other Festivities

 We tried a new pumpkin patch out and loved it so much more than all the others. Seth wasn't feeling to swell that day but he was a trooper and picked out his pumpkin anyway.

 These two girls wanted one that was a little different so they wandered the fields looking and finally found some good ones.

 We also picked up a few gourds which the kids thought were pretty cool.

 Luke really wanted a picture of just him on this huge pumpkin. Good thing he's super cute!!

The weekend before Halloween we attend an adults only (and no it's not risque) Halloween dance party. It is an absolute blast. We LOVE going every year and it is a requirement that you have a costume.

 Natalie came with us this year and boy did the nerd costumes work awesome. No matter how we danced it fit. Love that!! We got so sweaty that we all had to take a shower when we got home but man did it feel good to be crazy for a couple hours.

 Seth and Sarah were carving their pumpkins for mutual so Luke, Natalie, and Kathryn carved theirs while Seth and Sarah helped them and sorted out seeds, Sam made dinner and I made cookies. 

 They spent hours picking out their designs but after finally settling on their choices we carved away.

 Luke decided to cut off the bottom so it would work better for lighting candles.

 Natalie getting into hers.

 Kathryn working on her design.

 Seth helping Luke.

 Two of the finished products. I completely forgot to take pictures of everyone elses :(

 We didn't have school on the day of Halloween and it was awesome. Plus I really nothing to do with the kids costumes. They decided what they wanted to be and how to make it happen and all I did was hair and make-up. Perfect low stress Halloween. My favorite!!

 Luke was "a army guy"

 Sarah was an "Indian Princess"

 And Kathryn was "Raggedy Ann" (she sewed most of her costume and was absolutely tickled pink with how it turned out!!)

 We combined with another ward to do a trunk-or-treat that night and it was wonderful. The kids were in heaven. I handed out candy in our decorated trunk and it worked out wonderful.

 Seth was too busy out with friends to participate much, tis teenage hood, I guess....

 Our good friends the Brownlees were awesome. Their family theme was amazing!

 This was the trunk right next to us. There is a man hiding in there and would scare the beejeebies out of the kids. If you were brave enough to grab the king size candy bar then lucky you. Luke did it and was so proud of himself!!

Happy Halloween!