Boo-tastic!

We made our plans for Halloween costumes early in the month. Unfortunately I didn't execute as quickly. Let's just say I've learned my lesson and will start earlier from here on out and be more organized...

Ruth had her preschool party this morning at Bella's. Sunday night I decided I'd better get her costume together. A few weeks ago Ruth and I picked out trim, fringe, and bling to make her Indian vest. $12 worth of accessories. Sunday night I could. not. find. it. I searched for 2 hours. Offered many prayers {the whole family was praying at that point.} Still couldn't find it. Monday morning we drove the kids to school and raced home to put her costume together. I brainstormed what I could use with stuff I already had. And by some miracle I got it done in the nick of time.

As you can see it turned out great! She loved it. Every time she put in on she would immediately start dancing. Awww she is a funny kid. :)






Candy Corn Lucy's FIRST Halloween
{not the best pic ever. she was not happy with me at the moment. obviously.}


Austin as a LEGO


Emma Lynn as Ariel


Spencer as Russell and Kurt as Mr. Frederickson from UP

We went to the Trunk er Treat. It was crazy windy and Lucy was struggling so I spent the time in the church. We went to visit grandparents after that.



We tried to have a healthy dinner after we got home of Vampire Blood, Werewolf Teeth, Mummy Fingers, Witches Legs and Monster Brains but everyone told me their stomachs hurt. So we scrubbed their teeth and sent them to bed.



Lucy was adorable in the little beanie I made her.



Ok I pretty much think she is adorable ALL the time. She is our sweetest treat.

PS I sold all our Halloween candy to a dentist {who is sending it to troop overseas.} We used the money to buy "CARS 2." Love this. New tradition.

Childhood

It brings a calming sense to know that some of the innocent of childhood is undisturbed through the passage of time. My kids are playing games that ARE the essence of my elementary school childhood. And I love it. In some silly way it connects us, I can relate and even play with.

Emma looked at me, "How do you know that mom?"

Hard to believe but I played these games too when I was a kid.

* Jinx. 12345678910!
* Bubble Gum {bubble gum in dish...}
* Slug Bug {no tag backs!}
* Miss Mary Mack

Fall Goodness Continues

Spencer and Emma Lynn had a field trip to the Pumpkin Patch yesterday. The family was suppose to be out of town with Kurt on a business trip to Roseburg, Oregon but the conference got canceled. Much to our children's happiness! Now they could attend the field trip and Harvest Party. Can't miss school. Ever.

It was a brisk October morning. But we were prepared and had a great time.


Ruth was grumpy but we are not going to dwell on that fact.


Spencer took about forever to pick the perfect pumpkin.




Emma barely knew I was there. {hard to believe there were ever separation issues.}




The entire Kinder/1st classes

I love being involved in the kids' classes. I love the sights and smells of fall. I love getting to know new people. And I love my kids {even the grumpy ones!} Thanks for a great field trip Emma & Spencer. Glad we could be in town. ;)

Fall Fun

I love fall.

We have one tree out front near the road that provides the traditional fall fun with leaves. After a Creation Walk a pile was made. You can figure out the rest.

Now you can eat human food

This is what Emma excitedly told Lucy upon the first tasting of RICE CEREAL tonight.
:)

It was very much a family affair.
:)

She ate and provided smiles. The audience was estatic.
:)






She liked dad's mashed potatoes even better!!!
:D

Reclaiming Myself

I've struggled with the post pardum weight.

I realize that Lucy is 4 months old and that I've never lost all the baby weight at this point.

But.

I am tired of how it makes me feel.

I don't want to wait until we are on a good sleep schedule before I start exercising regularly and loose weight.

So today I started the TAKE SHAPE FOR LIFE program using MEDIFAST. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. I've never really been on a diet before. This should be an interesting journey.

To mark the progress here are the embarrassing before pictures. But I guess you've all seen it cause I've been walking around like this for months.

My Husband ROCKS!

This pictures speaks a THOUSAND words.

{Clue: no hole in the wall and a FULL, completed set of banisters.}

My husband is in high demand. I get it. But am I SOOOO grateful to have these projects done. I won't mention a timeline. Nothing but gratitude.

Looks amazing. I know you will agree that my husband ROCKS!

4 Months

I will try to refain from saying this every month {although I don't think it is a realistic goal} but Lucy is really growing and changing so fast!

Four months today.

She gets more beautiful everyday.

So here is a little bit bout life with Lucy @ 4 months:

- Weighs 13.8 pounds & 24 inches long

- She is a mover! The most active of all the kids at this age. She rolls over {both ways} constantly. And crazier still she gets up on her knees and SCOOTS! Granted it is a slow progress but she does move. I am slightly shocked and in denial bout the whole thing.

- Thrush still consumes our {Lucy and I} lives. It has been 2 weeks and 2 days at this point. Gential Violet didn't cure it. We got on antibiotics last Wednesday and are still struggling. I think it will be a miracle if the nursing thing will survive this.

- She LOVES her hands. She is always holding them together {which is just about the most precious thing I've ever seen. Here's the proof.}






And chewing on them. Plus drooling and making little bubbles. Surely we're not teething already!??!


- Sleeping pattern {and pretty much everything else} has been disrupted by the thrush. We are grateful for a few consectative hours. And she still really likes her mama in the areas of sleeping and eating and comforting. Good to be needed.

- She's talkative. She squeals in delight with her siblings, laughs at Kurt, & coos at her mom. So rewarding. She loves attention and gets plenty of it.


Love you little Lucy. Thanks for the joy you bring our family.

Super Special @ Seven

LOVE this girl.

Tyler Daniel

I got to take Tyler's pictures today. He is exactly one month old. He is a handsome boy. And growing and changing so much already. I definitely need to see & hold him more.

I also enjoyed visiting with his mama. We can relate to each other in all this post partum glory {drama??!?} And likewise Kenz and Roost were equally happy to play together.






I wish I was a professional. Babies are beautifully perfect.

Girl Scouts

In February 4Rivers decided to start a girl scout troop. Emma and I both signed up as Daisy and Leader respectively. We jumped right in by selling the famous girl scout cookies. We went through the rest of the school year without training, books or materials. It was all vague and semi-random and quite frustrating.

But THIS year...we had a full day training in September. We have manuals {and therefore planning AND purpose.} And best of all today the girls got their uniforms and membership pins! It finally feels {and looks} official. The girls and leaders were all a buzz with excitement. Happy day in our daisy scouting world.


Hailey's mom, Angelica, is the other leader with me.


We have 16 Daisies!


The 4Rivers Girl Scout Troop

Blessing Daniel

Elaine and Ben blessed Daniel today. I was grateful that the kids and I could attend. They didn't have school on Friday {teacher inservice} so we were able to get to West Jordon at a decent time. The kids love going to grandma's house. We turned the corner and Ruth started yelling, "I see it! I see it!" :)

Saturday we visited, Dad and I went to the temple, made Halloween goodies for Elder Richards and ate lots of yummy Halloween face food {mummy dogs, mash BOO-tatoes, Ghost pancakes and jack-o-lantern pizza.} Tim was also down for the weekend with friends to see some techno-paint-spraying-moush-pit concert. I'm obviously old cause I didn't get the point. But regardless it was good to see him.

Sunday morning we left West Jordon around 7 am to drive up to Logan for Elaine's 9am church. Ruth enjoyed being with grandma. She even attended RS with her. It was wonderful to see Elaine again. I wish it could have been longer...I wasn't planning to stay for lunch afterwards but how could I not?!?!! The food was delicious and Elaine's house is thoughtfully organized and decorated. But the biggest shocker of all is that I did not take a single photo of the entire weekend. {{GASP}} Daniel soaked the blessing outfit at church so it seemed like all picture opps were lost after that...I will do some pic sealing if I even see any photos to steal...

Great weekend. Great hosts. Great family. LOVE you all.

Pumpkin patch

Going to the Pumpkin Patch is probably my number 1 favorite fall activity. Its already the season. Nancy and Ed invited everyone to their pumpkin patch for a fun Family Home Evening Monday night. We roasted hot dogs, smores and plenty of chips and pop.

The kids had a WONDERFUL time and it was great to see all the family again.








Ruth was being a turkey and wouldn't get in the picture.


All the cousins.







Thanks for hosting Nancy and Ed. We will support you in making this an annual event!