All the Festivities!

We crammed all the other Halloween festivities into this Beggar's Night (this year we are thankful for this midwest tradition of trick-or-treating on the night before Halloween as tomorrow is Sunday).

A little carving!

Awesome costumes thanks to Grandma's handiwork!

Festive dinner of mummies, monsters, and fingers--looked great, but the kids decided they would like the mummies better with homemade rolls rather than the kind in a tube.  OK, I won't cheat it next year!

Josh and I manned the fire and candy while Dad and kids hit the neighborhood. The weather was perfect and the kids had a great time!

Yesterday

Yesterday was a full day.  Olivia spent the day at the Show Choir clinic with about a million other girls (but not Emmie who chose not to attend this year and then wished she had when she saw all her friends there at the performance) and about 10 boys.

Then we headed to the church for the trunk or treat.

And then Jack lost his first tooth ever and Josh lost his second to last tooth ever (we hope) on the same night.  The tooth fairy only visited one of them. :-)

A Star is Born

I'm a little slow in getting this posted, but Emmie did a great job on her 6th grade play last week.  Here are some of the pics.

Jumping on the Pumpkin Patch Bandwagon

Yesterday, we made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch.  After our adventure to Howell's last year, we thought we would give it another try this year to see what it's like when it's open.  Since we had an early out yesterday, Kris took the afternoon off and we set out.

We discovered that it is a great pumpkin patch for younger families.  But Josh was a little bored (or it could have been just exhausted--he's pretty tired all the time these days!  Way early mornings, full days, and late nights.)  And, just like last year, we didn't find any pumpkins in the field that were good so I (being the frugal mom I am) talked the kids into picking out their pumpkins at the store instead of in the farm's little shop--which was way more expensive.

So while we had a good time, I think we will head back to Timberpine next year.  We haven't been there for a couple years, but the kids really like it best.  It has fun things to do for the little kids, yummy food, and the big kids enjoy the disc golf course around the nursery.  I hope they still have all that stuff next year when we go back.

Happy Fall!

Is It Monday Yet?

We had a crazy weekend at our house.

Friday:

*Spent all day (with Kris) in the yard, garden, and garage getting things ready for winter

*Got Josh to high school to work concession stand at game

*Set up for the Primary program

*Celebrated a friend's birthday

*Picked up Josh

Saturday:

*Reported to the high school at 6:00 A!M! for a four-hour shift volunteering for the state band competition

*Raced to church for Primary program practice

*Kris reported to the high school for his 1-5 shift at band

*Dropped Josh off at high school at 2:00 for his performance

*Got the grocery shopping done

*Back to the school to watch Josh perform

*Raced home to clean the house for Sunday's activities

*Out the door to a high priest group party

*Back to the high school (10:00 pm) for Josh's second performance of the day

Sunday:

*Primary Program in Sacrament meeting

*Played the piano in Primary

*Did sharing time in Primary

*Home to make dessert for the evening

*Had frozen pizza for dinner--Olivia said, "Well, this is a weird Sunday dinner!"

*Hosted Bishop's youth discussion at our house (which Kris presented)

*Choir rehearsal from 6:30-9:00

PHEW!! With the crazy weekend we had, I am so glad it's finally Monday morning.  I need a break! How was your weekend?

[And thanks to our awesome kids who had a pretty boring weekend while we were running around like crazy.  We'll make it up to you, I promise.  The pumpkin patch is next on the list!]

And the Performances Continue!

This past weekend has been full of performances for our family.

Friday night, Olivia performed a dance with the high school dance team at the JV football game as part of a dance clinic she attended.  She really had a great time.

Then Josh performed with the marching band at the varsity game (something he does at every home game).  Then Saturday was band, band, band.  He had to leave the house at 8:00 a.m. for an all-day band competition.  They performed at 2:30 p.m. and then 9:15 p.m., in two separate competitions, not arriving home until about 1 a.m.  They did a great job.  He wasn't sure if he was going to like the whole marching band thing.  He did it ONLY because it is required to participate in jazz band.  But now that he has done it a while, I have to say I think it is a great thing.  I think it is really teaching him some valuable lessons and giving him a great experience as he starts high school.  I think we will be continuing.  It's a pretty big deal here in the midwest.

Next, Emmie is slated to perform in her first school play next week.  She has been practicing a couple days a week for the last month.  She is really excited.

Now we just have to see what Jack will do to entertain us. :)

Get Your Groove On!

Remember this card from my birthday last year? It's still true. I still love to dance once a week at the Y and my kids are still totally embarrassed. It is one of those classes that is more fun than work; and it makes me feel not quite the old mom that I really am.

So a couple weeks ago our local TV station came in to video our class for a special segment they call "Work Out of the Week." And last night our story aired.

Check out this video. I'm the one in the front with the pink shirt and pig tails (if you couldn't recognize me).

And the Winner Is. . .

Congratulations Karen! Be watching for your fun book in the mail. Thanks all for leaving comments.

And watch for the next drawing sometime next month. Have a great Day!