Halloween is Upon Us

Our ward Halloween Party was tonight and our family did not disappoint with the costumes.   I was really surprised by Alan's commitment to the holiday this year.  I took Jacob and Sarah up to the church because I was taking food and needed to be there early.  Daniel was supposed to come with Alan right after us.  However, he they didn't show for a while.  Alan had enlisted Daniel's help in a very ambitious costume.  Can you guess what he is?

Alan was a member of the "Blue Man Group" and he did in fact paint his head blue!  Jacob was a computer virus.  He took apart our last hard drive and wanted to use the parts some how.  We thought it turned out pretty cool.  The back of his costume is below. 

 Sarah was the cutest little paleontologist ever!  She said everyone thought she was She Indiana Jones but she was quick to correct them.  I thought it was great!  She decided how she wanted her costume and everything.  We found her shoes at the DI today in the nick of time!  She is with her little friend Adelle and Adelle's sister Monty.  Monty was having a difficult time not looking at Alan.  Especially since he is their home teacher!

 I was going to be Julia Child but ran out of time helping everyone else get ready.  So what do you do for Halloween when you are the mom?  You put on way too much eye make-up and a funny headband. 

 The crew at the end of the night!  That is the back of Jacob's costume.

 

Daniel was a zombie and very irritated he couldn't wear his mask.  He isn't in to trick or treating anymore and he and Alan create a haunted house in our garage now each year.  So his costume is geared towards scaring others in the dark.  He said he wanted red hair this year so we put red gelatin  in it and blew it dry.  Once he started running around at the church, his hair sweat red drops down his face. 

I can't wait to see what they all come up with for next weekend!

Awesomeness

My kids are loaded with awesomeness.  They are doing so well in their lives at the moment.  Jacob won his flag football championship on Wednesday night.  They have only lost two games the entire season and kept pushing forward even when their coach got sick and wasn't able to attend the last couple of games.  A couple of the other teams got really frustrated with them to and would talk smack but these boys just played their own game and ignored it.  I am so proud of him! 

 

Jacob is in the middle of the pack here.  Last night he had his Fall Orchestra concert.  Alan went and said they did really well.  He is coming along with his cello and we are so glad he has stuck with it all these years. 

Daniel is doing awesome in his homeschool program.  We love the flexibility to just get up and go check out something that has to do with whatever lesson he is on.  We were passing by the Natural History Museum in Salt Lake City the other day and the kids yelled, "Stop Mom, let's check it out!". So I stopped and because they were almost ready to close we got to go in for freeeeee!  I love free and they had a blast.  It is a really cool museum.  It was really awesome because they had real life examples of stuff Daniel had just learned.  I love homeschool.    I have some pictures on my phone I will have to add later.  

Sarah has been practicing for the upcoming Christmas play at her school.  She is a snowflake and I can't wait to see her in it.  She was really happy she got to have a named part this year instead of "being stuck in the chorus" as she puts it.  I love that she has gotten braver as she has gotten older.  She wants to learn how to clog now!  It cracks me up!  I love it though and because we are in Utah, they have clogging classes!  

Alan and I are coming up on our 20th wedding anniversary and can't believe that much time has passed.  We are excited to go to the Salt Lake Temple finally and have a good steak dinner.  Our grand desires for extravagant celebrations went away when we had children and got a mortgage.  We figure when they all leave home we'll worry about traveling to exotic places.  

I have more pictures on my camera but the batteries just went dead.  Oh well, I'll have to add them later....always later!

Kidisms

There is way too much to catch up on at 10:50pm but I had to make sure I wrote down what Sarah said tonight! 
"Mom, can we do something since I don't have to go to bed yet?" 
"Sure honey, what would you like to do?"
"Let's make something.  Like a treat or something."
"Okay, what would you like to make?  Cookies?"
"Nooooo, let's make something else, mmmmm,  something, mmmm, unatural."
"Unatural?  Like what?"
"Let's make cupcakes!"
Too cute!  I am not sure why cupcakes are unnatural but I am onboard with making them anytime. 

I'm so far behind I'm in front!

Homeschooling Daniel has put a serious dent in the limited personal time I have.  Time I use to use updating my blog and regularly posting pictures of our family events.  So this post may get a little long as I attempt to update all that we have done in the past month or so. 

First I have to say that the most wonderful event that has taken place is Sarah's baptism.  It was a wonderful day.  She was so ready and prepared and just glowed all day.  Since then an increased level of maturity has overtaken her and she really is growing up.  All of the family that lives within 50 miles of us came to help celebrate this wonderful day.

 Jerry and Janet joined us from Provo.  It is probably more than 50 miles away so, thanks for coming up.  I always love seeing them!

 Jacob is looking pretty cool! 

 Sarah asked me if this is the shirt I always wear to their baptisms.  I then realized this was the very outfit I wore to Daniel's baptism.  I suppose I should get some new clothes but the ones I have seem to still work! 

 This, of course is a fabulous angle for anyone.  Daniel will be able to tie his own tie before he goes on a mission. 

 Cutest little family ever!!!!! 

 Family shot.  I must say our family sounds amazing singing the hymns.  It truly added to the spirit we felt.  I love that most of us can harmonize.

 The other half of the attendees.  Kent gave the talk on Baptism and did a wonderful job.  Thank you so much for doing it.  Sarah specifically wanted him to do it and I love that she not only knows our extended family, but that she feels close the them too. Grandpa Ron gave the talk on the Holy Ghost and was equally wonderful.  Sarah then went to go into the font and look like an angel standing there with Alan.  For something that is so simple, the Spirit manifests a profound feeling of peace and contentment that what we are doing is correct.  It was such a wonderful experience to help her change after she was done.  I didn't get to do that with my boys and was so thankful to have that time with her. 

 Impromptu kid shot.  They look thrilled!

 Sarah and Grandma Ginny.  Thanks for the dress Grandma, Sarah looks beautiful! 

 This was an effort to make Ollie happy.  I gave him the camera so he could take some pictures.  These are Kent's lovely feet and of course, Ollie's finger.

 Another beauty from Ollie.

 Alan whipping up his famous ice cream.  A family gathering wouldn't be great without it. 

 Diane and Ginny.  So awesome you came. 

 Resting after a full day.

Kate and Jenna with little Damon.  It was so fun to see everyone.  I have the best family in the world.  Seriously, the whole world!  Everyone who is able shows up and helps out and we have a great time together.  I could spend everyday with you all!

And, we can't forget the matriarch of the family, Mary.  What treat to have Mary and Bob come to share the day.  They made it extra special.
We all just hung out at the house after the baptism and ate tamales and salsa with chips and BBQ corn on the cob.  It is food for my soul to have my family around enjoying the celebrations the Gospel brings.  It is thrilling to know I get to be with them all into the eternities.