HERE COMES HALLOWEEN

We were a busy family this October, but never to busy to stop by the Pumpkin Patch! Unfortunately we picked an evening when a storm rolled in. We got out of their a little quicker than expected because the wind was roaring, we were covered in dirt by the time we left not to mention drenched by the rain.

Reagan's class also made it to the pumpkin patch and as the room mom this month I go to go with them! The weather was much better this time around.

Part of the reason we were so busy during the month of October was due to Jaxson still playing football, Madi was playing softball, I was team mom for football, room mom for Reagan's preschool class and Room Mom for Jaxson's class. (Both of which I had to plan the activities for the party), working part time, Young Women's Night of Excellence preparations and I had the combined YW lesson I needed to prepare for fast Sunday at the beginning of November. This was just in addition to the usual, carpool, dentist appointments, Halloween parties, U of U football games, scouts, dance, tumbling lessons, etc.

I did however manage to sneak in a girls night in the middle of my crazy month and a few of us attended our annual Witches Night Out at Gardner Village. This year the weather was beautiful and we enjoying shopping and eating at Archibald's. The only missing was Jolynn! She started this tradition and it just wasn't the same, not having her there and sporting our witches attire together.

I always dread carving pumpkins because of the mess it makes - I like the actual carving part, just not the sticky clean up. We even got my dad involved this year on the carving. We also painted pumpkins this year because we had so many small pumpkins come from our pumpkin patch in the backyard. Most of them were too small for carving, so we spent one Sunday afternoon painting away. I think this is my preferred method going forward. The kids were amazing at what they were able to paint. Madi has such an artistic talent and she created several angry birds pumpkins. Dan and I were very impressed, so was Jaxson as he tried to paint an angry bird as well. Dan and Jaxson ended up painting the Scream ghost, it looked amazing on our porch! Reagan and I created a pink princess pig that she ended up taking to preschool.

Halloween wouldn't be Halloween with out the annual party that Grammie throws for the police department families. We love going there for dinner, games and treats.

On Melissa's birthday this year, we decided to do a progressive dinner. We started out the Galloway's for appetizers, which included: little smokies, bacon wrapped tator-tots, and beer bread and spinach dip. She also made the most darling mummy drinks out of bandages.

Next we headed over to the Scott and Ali's for some salad. They made a delicious spinach and strawberry salad (So I heard - I don't eat salad myself) and then it was off to Richard's for Chicken Tortilla Soup.

By the time we made it our our home for the main course, I was already full! We all gorged ourselves anyway with french dip sandwiches, baked potato chips/fries and Halloween punch. But that's not all, then we cruised over to Grammie and Papa's house for dessert. We had Chocolate Molten Cake and it was divine! I think I gain 5 pounds in one day. It's never good to eat so much you are ready to explode and now cant enjoy the remainder of the evening. (But it was so much fun and I would do it again next year!)

Reagan had the cutest preschool program for Halloween! They class sand songs, did tricks and told jokes. Reagan's part in the program was to tell the following joke. What is a monsters favorite treat? (I don't know hooky spooky, the class would say) An ice-SCREAM cone! I also got assist with the class party as part of my homeroom mother responsibilities this month. So Reagan and decided to do caramel apples and the cute mummy juice boxes Melissa made at the progressive dinner. I brought my crock pot with warmed caramel and I dipped the apples for the kids and they decorated them. Next we wrapped the juice boxes and glued goggely eyes on them. The kids loved eating their apples and taking home their mummies

A few years ago I started a tradition where I make jack-o-lantern pancakes for breakfast. This year was no exception! Although this is the first year I have had to make them on a school day because the past couple of years Halloween has fallen over the weekend, or the kids have been off-track. This was actually the first year Jaxson has been in school on Halloween in several years, so Reagan and I went over to the school to watch the Halloween parade, then we came back to prepare for the Halloween party at school. I also had to prepare the annual dinner in a pumpkin and breadsticks, which has also become a tradition at our home. Grammie was out of town this year for Halloween, so we didn't get spudnuts - what a disappointment that was. I was missing the thought of having doughnuts that I stopped by the grocery store and picked up some Krispie Kreme's to have instead.

This was the first year that Reagan and I met up with friends to go trick-or-treating. She had so much fun with the girls and just hung onto Isabel Bentley. She was super sweet with her as they held hands from house to house. The weather was unbelieveable and we didn't even have to wear jackets. Jaxson went off trick-or treating with Jacob and Madi ended up trick-or-treating with her friend Sierra in her neighborhood.

Madi dressed up as a Justin Bieber stalker and had his birthday as her cell number. I decided to be Dr. Fever and try and cure the girls of the Bieber fever! (So far it hasn't worked)

The only downfall on the night was when Madi and her friend came back to our neighborhood to trick-or-trick, they were both egged. We couldn't believe that someone in our neighborhood would do such a thing. The girls came into the house crying and dripping in eggs. They eggs were thrown pretty hard and hit them straight in the face, neck and ears. They were covered in raw eggs and Madi really had a hard time. She couldn't understand why someone would do such a thing and be so cruel. Jaxson wanted to be her hero and go find them and egg them back. I had to explain that two wrongs don't make a right, but that it was nice of him to want to defend his sister. I had Madi get in the shower to clean up and calm down. In the meantime Dan called the police to notify them of the incident, so that if the teenagers were still out about egging, that hopefully the cops presence in the neighborhood would scare them away and no one else would have to go through the same experience. I believe the biggest lesson my kids learned that night, was never to be the bully. That it doesn't matter what people do to you, don't ever sink to the same level and always be the kind one, even if you have friends that are being mean. Because you have now seen what it is to be on the other side and how awful it hurts to be picked on both physically and mentally. Not the best way to end Halloween, but I good learning experience to say the least.

MURDER HIGH REUNION - 1985

Dan and I threw a murder mystery party for Halloween this year. Everyone had such a fun time a few years ago, that they wanted to do it again. This year we chose an 80's theme - and just like last time everyone went over the top with their characters/costumes.

We decorated the basement with neon colors, records, cassette tapes and 1980's movie posters. We had 80's style games: Twister, Perfection, Connect Four & Rubik's Cubes. We had an array of 80's style snacks including; Bottle Caps, Nerds, Pixi-Sticks, Zotz, Chick-O-Sticks, Candy Cigarettes, Hostess Snacks and Jello Pudding Pops.

Characters at the party included:
Danny Drums and Sally Sax - the marching band duo turned famous for their music work in the movies
Joe and Natalie Nebraska - the jock and head cheerleader
Bryon P. Keaton and Myra S. Keaton - the math nerds who become rich
Cindy Crawfish - class flirt turned model
Mike and Mallory Majesty- the prom king and queen
Molly Ringworm - drama queen turned Hollywood actress
Steven Spielson - Hollywood Director
Pamela Abdul - the pom pom captain turned Hollywood choreographer
Judd Jensen - class stud
Nick and Nancy Nixon - class president turned politician
Bobby Bright - valedictorian turned lawyer
Terry Johnson - hall monitor turned traffic cop
Bailey Babble and Randy Reporter - class gossip and newspaper reporter
B.A. Barricade - punk, turned private security

The entire evening was a riot! There were many colorful characters at the party. Rusty with his orange jumpsuit and black Mohawk. Ryan in his actual basketball shorts from high school. Heidi was hilarious with her math nerd/cheerleader image and braces. Dan wore gold MC Hammer pants and Erica had a "beautiful prom dress!" She actually carried her own red carpet with her everywhere she went. There were lots of leg warmers, off-she shoulder tops, ratted hair and jelly bracelets. James had the perfect nerdy image and Chip has a ridiculous light pink tuxedo. Jaime had on her cheer leading outfit and there were a few mullets as well.

The murder of Steven Spielson was no surprise as no one liked this famous director. He thought he was so much better than everyone else at the party(even taking calls during dinner from Jennifer Aniston - to prive he was famous), but the question was, who would do such a thing? There were many suspects, as many disliked him - was it the musicians who were not paid for their services, Natalie Nebraska who was afraid her affair would come out, the politician's wife who was trying to covering up her husbands indiscretions with Spielsons girlfriend, the actress who had secrets that only Spielson knew? Ultimately the truth would come out as the night progressed!

What a fun evening with friends, nothing like Halloween to spice things up a little bit. Definiatley not your average date night (Dinner and a Movie) IT WAS LIKE, SO MUCH BETTER - TOTALLY RAD!

FALL BALL

Madi played softball again this fall and really started loving the game! She was able to play with a couple of friends from school, Sierra and Angelica (aka: Billy and Jello) Sierra's dad was also one of the coaches. They named their team Smoke because of the color of their jersey's. It was kind of interesting to yell "GO SMOKE," when the team was doing well!

I saw a lot more confidence in Madi this season, she was better prepared both up to bat and in the outfield. Sometime during the season Dan took Madi to the batting cages and a lady corrected Madi's swing and told her what she could do to improve. It helped tremendously! Madi even ended up purchasing her own bat and stated she wanted to play in the spring!

WHO IS THE HOLY GHOST?

Recently I have discovered that Reagan is always by my side. She follows me around everywhere and since the other kids are in school, we tend to do most things together. She even follows me into the bathroom. It seems as if I am never alone because she is always there, right beside me.

After making this discovery I started telling people that she was my consent companion - like the Holy Ghost. One day I told her she was my little Holy Ghost. She immediately responded by saying "I'm not the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost is in your hear, right here." (She used her hand to symbolize where her heart was.) I then asked her, "Did you learn that in primary?" She told me "No," and then said "Grammie taught me."

I thought it was one of the cutest things she has ever said. I guess my mom's Family Home Evening lessons on the 4th Monday of every month do register with the kids, even thought it seems like complete chaos.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Jaxson had his first football season game this weekend - in Kamas of all places! So we decided to stay the holiday weekend in Park City. We had a free two night stay at the Canyons and decided it was time to use it.

We had a fabulous time hanging out with the kids (even though our sleeping quarters were pretty small) - we swam, played tennis and games, watched the food network with everyone in the bed, went to a matinee (Spy Kids) and ate a lot! We also headed over to the Olympic Park and did the Alpine Side and Zip Line. The zip line was less than exciting because it was so short (I guess once you have been zip lining in the Caribbean - nothing else compares). We did however stop to watch the ski jumpers practice which was incredible!

Overall a fun weekend out with the family!

WOULD I DO THAT?

I have to start this post out by saying, I have never had a child quite like Reagan... She is super inquisitive, very strong willed (or spirited),funny as all get out, sticky sweet at times and gets into so much trouble!

Monday afternoon I was upstairs folding laundry, Reagan was by my side as always and I asked her if her wanted to go play in the playroom. She said "OK" and within moments was back at my side with a couple of bean bags. She asked if they belong to her and I said "Sure." She was very excited, I wasn't sure why because we have had those bean bags since Madison was a little girl. She wanted to know if she could keep one downstairs and I said that was fine, because she has a toy box in the family room. She began asking more questions like, how am I going to get it up there. I was confused by this comment because the toy box was on the floor, so I just responded by saying "You'll figure it out." She disappeared and within moments she was back at my side saying "I pushed the 8 and the 5." I had no idea what this was in reference too, so I kept folding clothes.

I couple minutes later, Madi called up the stairs and asked if Jaxson had put a "EDY" (warming corn bag) in the microwave this morning? She told me that the microwave was smoking and he may have left it in there too long. I told her yes; while I was coming down the stairs; however I was confused because the microwave had not been on and it was 5:00 PM.

As I entered the kitchen, the whole room was full of smoke and you couldn't breathe. I looked in the microwave and found the bean bag that Reagan had taken downstairs sitting on the shelf in the microwave, burnt to a crisp. The once tan colored bag, was now black, burnt open with charred beans inside. The bag was smoking and had orange sparks coming of the bag ready for the makings of a fire. The microwave was dark brown and the rack in the microwave was black. i quickly picked up the burning bag (with my fingers, not the smartest idea) and moved to to the sink to extinguish the flames. While i was doing this, I ask Madi to open the doors and windows - at this time we are both coughing and choking up from the smoke in the house.

The microwave had 1 minute and 12 seconds registered left on the timer when Madi opened the door. From my calculations, if Reagan hit the 8 button and then the 5; the microwave had been on for 3 minutes and 48 seconds. (The buttons 1 - 6 have a express start and begin the microwave immediately) This meant when she pushed the 5 button the microwave began for 5 minutes. In 3 minutes and 48 seconds, while she was under my care, my daughter almost started my house on fire! What am I going to do with her?

It is now Wednesday, and we have left our windows open for days, cooked cinnamon sugar in the oven, boiled lemons in the microwave, turned on all the fans and my house still smells like we have had a fire. Its lovely!

This moment takes me back to a couple of years ago when we turned on the fireplace and the house smelled terrible (like burnt plastic). All of a sudden something yellow started dripping out of the fireplace. I didn't know what it was, so we turned off the fireplace and I looked on top of it and noticed several of Reagan's plastic silverware from you kitchen, shoved back into the fireplace - melted - fumigating our home. I waited for the fireplace to cool down and I tried to get the silverware out, but it was stuck! I turned the fireplace back on to melt them again and I scraped and scraped the silverware out of there with a knife. WE never quite got all the residue out. Like the microwave incident, I tried burning it out by turning on the fireplace and opening all the windows to let the smell escape. To this day every time we turn on the fireplace, it still reeks of burned plastic.

I guess I am grateful all my children are not like this cute little one! (and grateful to Madi for finding our soon to be fire in the microwave.) i just wonder what would have happened if she hadn't of caught it when she did.

GRANDPARENTS DAY

Sunday was Grandparents Day, so I invited my parents over for dinner. While I spent the afternoon preparing dinner and making a cake, the kids started preparing too. Madi wrote both of my parents a sweet card; while Jaxson memorized a little rap, that he performed for them that night. Reagan had made a door hanger at preschool with her picture on it. It said "You are Special to Me". Reagan also asked my parents if they could share her door hanger with Nana and Grandad. It was really cute!

Because it was a special occasion, we ate in the dining room and had their place settings decorated with the small gifts and poems. After dinner, we played some games and then I pulled out my Beautiful - Nothing Bundt Cake (my version) and we sang Happy Grandparents Day to you!

It was a fun evening - my kids love their grandparents and they love spending time with them.

FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL

Reagan started preschool today! She is growing up way too fast, I can't beleive that next year at this time - I will be sending her off to kindergarten.

She is so excited for preschool, she has several friends in her class in our neighborhood (Kate, Mia, Addison, Alison, CJ and Hallie), plus she loves she new teacher Miss Amy! I love her too and I love that she gets so excited to go to school. She is going to be a busy girl this year with preschool, tumbling, dance and playgroup!

MOAB - SUMMER STYLE

We purchased discount tickets to take the family on a river rafting adventure in Moab this summer. I knew taking them to Moab would be more like a float trip, but with small children, I thought this would be the best way to introduce them to the river.

The Galloway's and Sanford's also purchased tickets, so we all went together - it is more fun to have a big group to go river rafting with anyway, so this worked out really well for all of us.

Lucky for us, our cousins own a condo in Moab and allowed us to rent it out for the weekend. We had a hard time finding a date during the summer that would work and ended up going in mid August (really hot time to be in Moab).

We celebrated Madi's birthday while we were in Moab, she was supposed to bring a friend; however she got sick right before the trip and she couldn't find anyone else to come with her, with such short notice. She was disappointed, bu I think overall had a good time anyway. She received a iphone for her birthday which she was not expecting and ended up being extremely happy about this gift) We also took her out to dinner on her birthday that night and had leftover cupcakes from her party that night.

While in Moab we hiked through Arches National Park, we spent most of the day at Sand Dune Arch, playing with the kids. The entire party dug into the sand and buried the kids in the sand. They loved it! We also started carving sandstone, it was so funny to see everyone sitting there trying to carve sandstone pieces, while sitting in the sand. We also climbed the arch and explored all around the arch too. Jaxson and Jade and little climbers and scared us a little because they have no fear! The weather was actually manageable because we spent the afternoon in the shade of the Sand Dune Arch.

Later that evening we all got flashlights and hiked to Delicate Arch, he were told that seeing the arch at sunset was breathtaking and we knew hiking the arch a night would be less hot and easier for the family. Unfortunately we got a late start and we were hiking in the dark (good thing we brought flashlights). When we got to the arch the only way to see it was to shine the flashlights all around it. We got some pretty cool pictures, but I don't think the kids really realize how beautiful this arch is! While handing out at the arch, there were mice running around everywhere, you would see them when you would shine the lights around (A little creepy, I must say). My favorite part of the hike was walking with Reagan (she was amazing and hiked the entire way and never asked to be picked up - what a trooper) She talked our ears off, saying the funniest things. Madi and I just laughed and laughed all the way back down. She talked about how she didn't want to break her elbow and why she didn't want to break it, then she would completely change he subject and talk about something else.

We spent Saturday on the river and had the best river guide! She was very experiences and was so good with all of the kids. He let the kids play in the water, swim the rapids and threw most of them in the water at one point or another. Reagan loved every minute of it - especially swimming in the water. Madi was a little nervous at first; however I think her nerves subsided the longer we were on the river. Jaxson loved it as much as I thought he would. The one comment Reagan made that cracked us up, was when I asked her if she was having a good time and she responded with "No, I want bigger water!"

On the way home we stopped at Dead Horse Point, the kids tried catching a lizard and we took some amazing pictures.