Prairie view Halloween

Garrett as Harry, Aubrey as a witch, Dalyn as a not so happy skeleton (his costume bugged him and he thought his face painting looked like a clown)

Garrett and Aubrey both got a watermelon brain for their party treat! That was a fun one.

Garrett and his friend Riley as the Harry Potter trio. Isn't Garret a great Harry~

Always love Halloween, especially the parties at the Elementary School. So glad Pairieview still allows costumes and celebration! Costume parades, costume parties, and Halloween sing alongs add to the festivities.

The Amazing Radioactive Lady Bug

This is one of those moments I live for as a mother. It was the first frost of the season and the kids were itching to get outside and explore what the recent cold did to our yard. They threy on some clothes and went exploring. A while later they came in with a few frozen bugs. Dalyn's pantomimed frozen bee was the best, should have gotten a picture of that one. They also showed me the frozen lady bug they found. Sure enough, she was dead as a doornail, or at least as frozen as one. But Aubrey the bug rescuer decided that she would love it back to health. So out come the canning jars and pound, pound, pound goes the hammer for holes in the top of the bugs nursing home. About three hours later Garrett and Aubrey look into the jar and start yelling, "she's alive, she's alive." No way I think but sure enough there is the lady bug limping around her jar. "Wow", I said, "she really is alive". "Oh," says Garrett, "it must have been the microwave that warmed her up." I laughed and laughed at that one! Upon closer look the lady bug was still alive, but one wing was a bit deformed and a leg was sort of jutting out to the side. But hey, it's good logic. Want to warm something up? Just stick it in the microwave for a radio active sauna.

Mr. Destructo

Oh how quickly I forget the messes a little one year old can make. I am in big trouble with this one! He is a mess maniac. If he can open it, I might as well count it destroyed, cluttered, disorganized or basically torn apart. My favorite quote from my good friend Nicole sums it up nicely. "Cleaning up after this kid is like shovleing snow in a blizzard!" Well said. Couldn't agree more. Just a glimpse into my world right now would show me running around stepping on cups, game pieces, toothpaste, and femine hygeine products (thankfully still in their nice protective plastic covering). Making dinner and cleaning dishes is a bit ridiculous. By the time I get something done there are about 10 other things undone! Just a quick story that sums this up nicely. I was cleaning the bathrooms which deperately needed a cleaning, and by the time I got them done Layton had torn apart ever cupboard in the kitchen, strewn all the diapers and socks from his room down the hallway, dismantled the bathroom drawers, and taken all his shoes from his room and dumped them down the stairs. Yes we have recenty installed some door stoppers ( thought it a good idea after he got into the bleach and poured it down the entire front of his church outfit) but he has since unearthed other undiscovered cupboards. Ah well, this too will pass, right?!

Soccer, Soccer, Soccer... Whew!

3 kids in soccer... does that qaulify me as an official "soccer mom". We had fun, but boy was I glad when that last soccer game of the season finally rolled around. Scott was trying his hardest to continue to coach Garrett's team. Some of the kids have been with him for the last 4 years. But with his new role as Bishop, it was a little difficult to do as much as he would have liked. We were grateful for Steve who came in and helped coach. Although it was touch at times, it was a blessing to not have sole responsibility for the team. All the kids learned much and improved in their skills. (and yes, I took these pictures instead of paying for the traditional soccer pictures. Just not going to pay when I have a perfectly good camera. I know just call me "soccer mom" scrooge!)

My Baby is 1!

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Chuck E Cheese....where a kid can have a fabulous, stress free (for mom) birthday complete with all the fixins. This #1 birthday for Layton was as much for the big kids as it was for Latyon. They were so excited that he was turning 1. Layton was in awe by all the noise and commotion (his eyes say it all) but was freaked out by the giant, scary mouse looming over him. He ate two entire slices of pizza, his favorite thing to eat, and downed the frosting on his cake faster than any of the other kids did on their traditional 1st birthday apple cake.

One Year Older and Wiser Too!

The start of the school year is always a time of new beginnings. I still can't believe my kids are growig up so much. Garrett in 4th! Aubrey in 2nd! Dalyn in Kindergarten! and little Layton just wanting to come and be a part of it all. I love the compliments I get from their teachers. There are not many prouder moments as a parent than when your child's teacher tells you how much they adore your child. In fact Aubrey's teacher (who has no kids yet) said that if she could ensure that she had a child like Aubrey she would have kids today! I've got to remember these moments.