Halloweened out...

The Kids had a blast this week celebrating Halloween. The celebration started with a trip to Grandma Lynda's annual family Halloween get together. We had yummy chili, carved pumpkins and listened to several children not using their indoor voices for about two hours...

Sticking your tongue out makes pumpkin carving easier!

Vampire teeth and Ben's ghost pumpkin

Rachel designing her pumpkin and cute Aunt Marie and Christian

Tuesday night we ventured over to the nursing home where Grandma Melanie works. They put on an awesome party, with LOTS of fun stuff for the kids to do!

Alex always likes to create his own costume.

This is what he came up this year...

I'm not quite sure if it is church approved...

Grandma Mel appeared as "The Witch". She cackled, cracked jokes and made a witches's brew for the kids to drink. She does an amazing job! Last year the kids didn't even know it was her. She has frequent requests to make guest visits at Hallowen parties.

Grandma Mel referred to Elli as "little witchy poo"

The kids enjoying the delightful decor at Grandpa and Grandma Mel's house.

I can hardly wait to throw these pumpkins away on November 1st. They are so shriveled up and have teeny tiny little buggy things crawling in them.

The runaway chipmunk...

The dogs were barking furiously, so I went outside to see what had their attention. They had scared this poor little chipmunk up the side of the neighbor's house. As far as I know, chipmunk sightings are pretty rare 'round here.

He eventually ran to the top of the house and went down the other side. The next day the children pointed out that the Chipmunk was now on OUR roof.

Interesting...

If anyone is missing a chipmunk, please let us know!

Late again...

Rachel missed the bus again today (third time this week)!
Hummm...it wouldn't be because she is busy doing things like this...


Poor girl loses a week of computer time each time she is late.

Are you kidding?....

Really?!!

What is it with me and tires?!

We've only had this tire for 6 days and I've already found another nail...ughh!

I've been tagged...

My fun friend Ali the B. tagged me.
The rules:
First, the people who are tagged need to post these rules and 8 random habits/facts/quirks about themselves.
Second, at the end of the post you need to choose 8 people to tag and list their names.

Here it goes...
1) I hate wearing anything on my feet.
2) If I could eat only one thing for the rest of my life, it would be bean burritos.
3) I never liked Halloween as a child and I still don't like it much.
4) I've always secretly wanted to be a dolphin trainer at Sea World.
5) I don't like turtlenecks and can't have anything around my neck.
6) I change tasks every 5-10 minutes...it's taken me 2 hours to finish this post...I get sidetracked easily.
7) When I'm pregnant, I love the smell of cigarette smoke mixed with tanning lotion.
8) I haven't read the twilight series.
9) I'm in love with Glenn Beck and told him so when I met him.
10) When I believe something, I do it passionately.

I tag these people:
I can't narrow it down to eight...sooo, if you love me, you are tagged! I'm sure that includes anyone and everyone reading this blog (:

C'mon, I think these tag things are just as silly as the next guy...but, you can do it!

Weekend in the red cliffs...

The kids and I spent the weekend in St. George visiting cousins while Alex was hunting. We had some car trouble in Fillmore, but thanks to Uncle Mark's instructions and the service center man at Shell, we were able to make it to St. George safely. When we arrived in St. George the car overheated again and began dumping antifreeze. A few calls later we were surrounded by family...Grandma Mel & Co., cousin Ryan (who hooked us up with a great mechanic), and Aunt Syd & Co. I felt so blessed and protected! We still had a great time in spite of the $750 car repair bill!

Elli, Chazz, Mitchell, Rachel & Ben at the St. George Jumpin' Jacks

At one point, the lights were turned off, disco lights were turned on and loud dance music played. The kids had a blast shaking their groove things!

This is a cross street in Ivins. Rachel and Mitchell are three months apart in age and have a club called the "chells". They thought this was pretty cool! Rachel was excited to visit Mitchell because they "hadn't had a club meeting for a long time!"

Happy Birthday tomorrow, Mitchell!

Rachel bought a box of Jelly Bellies at the Chocolate Factory. It had flavors such as baby wipes, pencil shavings, moldy cheese, etc. She tried everyone and always made sure there was a garbage can close by...just in case! A year ago, we bought some "Bernie Botts" (the Harry Potter collection) and Elli ate the vomit one and loved it! We've teased her ever since. She tried it again and decided that she "doesn't like vomit jelly beans anymore!"

A trip to St. George is not complete without visiting the Chevron in Beaver (even if they did try to sell me a new set of tires...)

Alex, don't worry about your wife and children while your hunting...we've got everything under control!

Pictures of you...

My friend, Sharon (a college rommate who recently found me...thank you!) posted this tag on her blog. Go to your picture files...Open the 4th file and the 4th picture and post it.

This is what I got...

.

Back off...he's mine, all mine!

If you are reading this...

CONSIDER YOURSELF TAGGED!

Fall Flashback...

I was looking through pictures of the kids last Fall and was amazed at how much they have grown...can they stop already?!! I always want to pull them out of old pictures and talk to them and kiss their cute little lips.

Making Strides...

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. My friend, Corinne, invited me to join her in the Making Strides walk at Liberty Park. It was great! This month is dedicated to increasing awareness of the importance of early breast cancer detection.

As we walked, I was reminded of all my dear friends and family that have been affected by cancer (breast and other varieties) and I felt of their courage and determination to fight and find hope.

I love you all!

Have you had your yearly mammogram yet?..if not, do it!!

Me, Corinne and Maika

Corinne (a.k.a bacon saver), thanks for the yummy breakfast, hot cocoa and pink gloves! But, please...next time don't forget the WD40!

the Sunday salamander...

The Sunday salamander.

The kids found him on the back porch. He must have surfaced after the two days of non-stop rain. Salamander sightings aren't too common around these parts...we thought he was pretty cool!!



*********************

Last night Ben was helping me in the kitchen. He was dancing to some music and I asked him if he had ants in his pants. He replied, "no, I have a bug in my bum!"

Three strikes...

I was tired to start with. This morning Elli had an appointment to see the foot doctor and Ben needed to get three booster shots (same clinic, different docs). When we arrived they asked me for the papers I was supposed to fill out for Elli..."Oh, you mean the ones sitting on my desk at home?" Strike one.

.

Next, the nurse for Ben's doctor came to the waiting room and asked if I knew which shots he needed. Feeling confident, I handed her a folded paper from my purse. She opened it, read it and looked puzzled. I glanced over at the paper...it was Elli's report card! Embarrassed, I told her I really wasn't fit to be a mother and then preceeded to call the school so they could fax a copy of the paper I left at home. Strike two

.

We were escorted to the exam room. Ben discovered the camera in my purse while we were waiting for Elli's foot x-rays. I let him play with it. It kept him happy and most importantly, busy. The doctor returned and I listened, trying to give my undivided attention. I was unaware that Ben had the camera pointed inches away from my left eye. Snap...I was BLIND! I couldn't open my eyes and tears began flowing at an unstopable rate. "Go ahead, I'm O.K." I said to the doctor (lying like a rug!). As the doctor continued, Ben preceeded to take a picture of him talking to me! I failed to take the camera away after the blinding incident. Strike three.

.

"Bet you haven't seen a three ring circus like this for a while," I said. He replied, "Not since I left my house this morning." What a good sport!

Blinded by the light and Dr. Ollie

Happy feet?!

Soccer comes to an end...

a BITTERSWEET GOODBYE to...

*six games a week

*three practices a week

*games at the same time or 1/2 hour apart

*driving from one side of Springville to the other side repeatedly

(it was hard on Saturdays not to stop at all the yard sales!)

*54 bottles of water

*looking for shirts, shorts, cleats, shin guards and socks before every game...not an easy task at our house!

*great exercise for the kids

*enjoying the unseasonalby warm weather

*fun with the family

Rachel's team were the STRIKERS. It was so fun to watch her improve with each game. She did such a great job and can't wait to play again next year.

When it comes to soccer, Elli doesn't mess around!

She is a great player!

Her team was PINK THUNDER.

(I'm sure, not a reference to their thighs)

If you've never watched cub soccer...you're missing out! It's entertainment at it's finest! Ben had an amazing coach, Nancy. She has been coaching him for two years and has worked miracles! We are so thankful for her! Ben scored a goal in his last game and we were so excited. He's been known to score goals for the other team...Alex tells him that he is the other teams best player. Ben got to be on the team with his best friend, Gabe and cousin, Josh. Josh's mom, Aunt Heather, took these great photos of the boys!