Happy Halloween 2012; May the Force Be With You

Our kids decided they wanted to be

STAR WARS

characters for Halloween this year.

It was kind of random since they haven't really watched the movies, 

but Ryan did have a Lego Star Wars Xbox game that he got for Christmas last year and they played together some this year. They decided who everyone would be, and were so excited about it!

I've been so busy with house projects that I didn't have time to make costumes.

I ran to Target the week before Halloween and lucked out! They had one last Leia costume, and it was in Ellie's size! One last Yoda...in Sterling's size! They had a few different Jedi options that after a little bit of sewing and cutting worked out great for Ryan and Trevor as well.

Brenna would have made a cute Ewok, but that's a harder costume to come up with last minute. So, she wore the angel costume we were given, although she wasn't really dressed up because she is a perfect angel in real life. :)

This year the kids dressed up twice:

First for their school 

Fall Carnival.

 

  

 The week of Halloween Sterling, Brenna and I were able to join Trevor's class on his Kindergarten Pumpkin Patch field trip.

 It was a gorgeous day, and we all had a great time.

We got to ride on the hay wagon, go through a corn maze, and see a bunch of farm animals.   

 Then they got to pick a pumpkin to take home. 

 It was nice to be able to meet and interact with other parents from Trevor's class, and also watch Trevor play with his friends. He played "Giants and Monsters" with Logan like he apparently does at recess. 

 

  Halloween began with a festive breakfast.

 

 Pumpkin Jack-o-lantern pancakes.

  

 Baby Brenna's First Halloween!

 After the kids got home from school we made our 

Traditional Homemade Root Beer with Dry Ice.

  

The second time the kids dressed up in their costumes it was for the 
Ward Trunk or Treat on Halloween Night. 
(we were a little put out that it was on Halloween, since it would have been a great opportunity to actually meet our new neighbors...but I was in charge of the cake walk with the Young Women so we supported the party.)

  

 Luke Skywalker

 Obi-Wan-Kanobi 

in his youth.  

 Princess Leia

(all decked out in red lipstick, jewelry and high heels)

  

 Master Yoda!

 Never underestimate the power of the force! 

(the good side)

 It was fun, and a  little wild trying to keep track of our crew and hand out 

homemade rootbeer

and candy at the same time.

We told the kids that our "trick" was to see what they turned into  when they tried my potion! (The little kids didn't want to try, but the big kids did). Then we said, "Oh! You turned into a pirate!" or whatever costume it was they had on. It was fun. Then we also gave them a "treat." So we had a "Trick AND Treat" and our trunk. 

 Sterling LOVED Trick or Treating! We don't have candy around very often, so he thought it was pretty great he could fill up his bucket with it!

 Sorting and counting the goods.

 Brenna angel.

 Brenna getting her daddy. She loves him!

 Ellie took her wig off and looked so much like an 80's pop star that we had to get some pictures before she went to bed.

 She looks way too grown up in make up.

The day was such a whirlwind that I couldn't keep up on cleaning up.

This is what the kitchen looked like at the end of the day!

I was so tired that I took a picture instead of cleaning it up and went to bed.

I tackled it the next morning.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2012!

The Gift of an Ordinary Day

After many weeks of transition and traveling, we have been enjoying being settled in and having some time for the ordinary, simple things once again.

While unpacking boxes we needed a place for all the extra blankets and pillows, so we started putting them in the deep closet that goes under one side of the split staircase. It quickly because the boys secret hide out, and they have had great adventures in there! They have pictures of ninjas pinned up on the walls, and flashlights. It's also become a great place for a rest, and I've found them reading books curled up there too. :)

Guess what wildlife we've had in our backyard so far? Go ahead...guess...we never would have guessed right!

Wild turkeys and skunks!

The kids had fun looking at the turkeys out the window until we realized they leave an undesirable mess on our lawn. Now when they see them they run out and scare them away! 

 We absolutely love our backyard! 

 The kids play out there for several hours each day! 

 They can ride bikes on the sidewalk and back the to basketball court.

 They sidewalk chalk, play catch or soccer, run!, and play basketball (with their little hoop.)

It really is a dream come true! I can watch them play out the kitchen window while making dinner. It's amazing, and we feel very blessed. :)

Power tools and Barbeque!
(Que the Tim the Toolman grunt, uh-oh-oh.)

 Rob and the boys had a fun day getting everything we need to take care of our new yard at Lowes and putting it all together.

Rob bought a new grill, lawn mower, edger, hose, trimmer, etc. etc. with our 10% off entire purchase coupon.

 He also bought the boys red and Ellie green working gloves, which they love! 

It's another dream come true to have the boys helping work hard to care for the yard on a beautiful, fall Saturday. 

 Brenna is our darling, delight! 

She loves and knows each member of the family, and everyone has to have their turn to hold and kiss her everyday! 

 She's our precious baby girl!

 Some "ordinary" things we've done lately have included painting for fun and for school projects.

 Ellie did a big 
Native American school project and report on the Miwok tribe, 

and it turned out wonderfully! She brought in a mortar and pestle as well as a musical instrument and she did a very well on her oral presentation (even though they couldn't track down a CD player so she could play the Native American music and have her class learn the celebration dance we put together).

A+ Ellie :)

4th Grade has been a learning curve as she is now getting graded on her work.

 I've loved having time to bake with the boys lately. Ryan and I made 
Pizza braids for dinner 
one night, yum!

 Sterling, Trevor and I made 
peanut butter cookies. 

It's always fun to put on the crisscrosses.

We've loved having our bedtime routines back in place!

It always helps when everyone has a bed. :)

 

 Tubby time!

Sterling's Potty Training!

 I was waiting until Brenna was here and we were settled in our new house to start potty training Sterling. We've made it really fun, and he's had some great success!

 Showing off his muscles in his Lightning McQueen "Pull Up Underwear" as we call them.

 

He is obsessed with Lightning McQueen and Mater, and also coloring, so his chart has cars he can color in each time he goes. He also gets an M and M. Great motivation. :) 

 Trevor wanted to take some pictures, so I let him take some of me with Brenna.

 He did a good job!

  Did I mention we are loving our precious, doll baby? 

 One thing I have liked about our current school schedule it that it splits up my time so I can focus more on each of the kids individual needs. 

I love having Brenna and Sterling in the morning after the big three get taken to school by Dad. Sterling loves having time to himself to play without big brothers around, and I can get some things done! We also run errands quite a bit, 2 at the store is a lot easier than 5!

 At 11:10 we pick up Trevor from Kindergarten.

He and Sterling are such sweet buddies.

Sterling always tells him how much he missed him and they play cars and super heroes while I make them lunch. 

We have been reading and talking about scripture stories at lunch which has been wonderful. Then Trevor does his homework and chores and usually plays ABCmouse or PBSkids while Sterling naps.
After the big kids get home it's their turn for Mom's attention. 
More homework and chores. :)

 Brenna loves her new bouncer! 

 Rob surprised me with this beautiful bouquet one day.  

I am a blessed wife. :)

 I love picking up Sterling from primary and having him show me the picture he colored.

He is always so excited about it, and proud.

I love this kid. 

Brenna loves her bouncer. I guess I already said that. :)

She's just so fun to take pictures of! 

Brenna turned 5 months old!

She makes the cutest sounds and is now starting to grab her toes.

She is eating solids daily like a pro, and we're grateful she is healthy and happy.

 I am grateful that our ward has a fabulous scouting program.
Ryan had a super fun Pack Meeting!
They had a fog machine and a pumpkin patch set up, the boys carved pumpkins and had spooky treats.

He is excited about scouting now! We are excited too. 

 Brenna loves her bouncer...and Sterling loves Brenna...

 ...a little too much sometimes!

  Ryan is loving his new desk!
We got him a new desk, bed frame and nightstand, and he's loved having his room set up. 
He does study on his desk too. ;)

Fall is our favorite season, and it has been very enjoyable watching it come to our own backyard! 

 We call Brenna our 
"Ladybuggy" 
because we nicknamed Sterling "Buggy" and now we have a "Ladybuggy."

 We've enjoyed our new grill and use it often.
We had our new friends, the Smiths, over and they taught us how to smoke chicken with mesquite chips.
Yum! 

 I have been rotating clothes sizes for the boys and getting out clothes for fall and winter too (it's a never ending job and all you Mom's know!).
Trevor was so excited to fit in Ryan's old size 6 clothes! 
Especially this suit. 
He was ready at 8am for church because he was so excited about wearing it!
He has felt so grown up. 

We appreciate anew the 
gift of an ordinary day.