Halloween 2009

We celebrated Halloween this year for many weeks. First we started with a pumpkin carving fiesta at Grandmas a couple weeks ago. Then of course there were all the Fall festivals that we attended. Last but not least the holiday itself finally rolled around. All the kids were so excited to go trick or treating but first we started at Grandmas house. She is so fun and the kids love how she dresses up like a witch every year. She makes a witches brew and all the children get to add to the mixture by adding frogs or spiders or eyeballs whatever Grandma has laying around. When the dry ice goes in and the bubbling starts the children are thrilled. We enjoyed pizza and goodies then headed to our neighborhood the hit up the neighbors. Ryan and I started with all the children together then I went home to hand out some candy myself. Just to let you know how busy our neighborhood is I bought 6 bags of candy and didn't start handing them out until most children had already been out for an hour or so and still ran out. We just can't keep up with all the activity around here. It is so much fun though because the neighborhood really gets into it. There are haunted houses and bonfires and food around every corner. the kids came home with full baskets and tummy aches and hit the sack pretty hard. This is such a fun holiday and we look forward to it every year. Jag want to know if he can go trick-or-treating tomorrow. Cant wait for next Halloween to roll around already!

P.S. We are all so proud of Jagger who decided to wear the costume with "boobies" after all !

Mommys turn!!!

Thanks to wonderful husband, Navie and Mommy got to spend some quality time at the Suns season opener home game Friday night! It was so much fun. Navie had so much fun at the Suns game and she absolutely loved it. Right when we walked in we got free tee-shirts and had great seats as well. It was such an exciting game and we beat the Golden State Warriors to top things off! I must admit I think that Navie was more concerned with when she was going to get her cotton candy then most of the game but she did know that the jersey she had on belonged to the best player of the game. Steve Nash!!! She kept telling me that she was cheering him on because he was the cutest one. I think she just felt cool that she was wearing his number. Another highlight had to be the half time show, we got to see some true magicians. I have to admit I was highly impressed and Navie was standing and cheering she thought it was fabulous! Thanks so much Navie for being moms date and for showing me such a wonderful evening! I look forward to our next mommy, daughter and cant wait to see what we will do then! Love you sugar...

Fall Festival #2

Our ward has a Fall Festival every year in a green belt in the neighborhood. It has become such a big event that this year they asked every family that comes to bring a pot of chili and a pie to share. Fliers go around to the entire neighborhood the week before so we plan on a lot of people. It is such a fun time to be with family and friends. This year was unique for one reason the WEATHER! I know everyone that reads this that is from somewhere other than Arizona will be laughing at me, but we were freezing!!! The high today was in the low 60's and tonight the low was the mid 40's. No costumes just pants and coats. Yes people we own coats and we dusted them off and used them tonight. Overall the weather didn't dampen our spirits it was so fun and once again a successful evening out with great friends! I just love this time of year. I wish it would be this way year round!!!

A special Sabbath

This Sunday was our wards Primary Program. I must say this time of year rolls around and Ryan and I get very nervous that our girls will be too shy to participate. What a special surprise it was when both our girls bravely walked to the pulpit and said their lines so confidently and clearly. Our leaders did such an amazing job this year and there was just such a priceless spirit that was abundant. They had the great idea of asking all the children to wear white, you wouldn't believe the sight of a hundred children standing and singing in unison about their Savior dressed like pure angels! I must admit the part that choked me up the most I am going to share with you. There is a song called "A Child's Prayer" and the children sang the first verse to us that goes as follows:

Heavenly Father, are you really there?

And do you hear and answer every child's prayer?

Some say that heaven is far away,

But I feel it close around me as I pray.

Heavenly Father, I remember now

Something that Jesus told disciples long ago:

"Suffer the children to come to me."

Father, in prayer I'm coming now to thee.

Then the congregation responded by singing to the children the second verse in unison we replied:

Pray, he is there;

Speak, he is listening.

You are his child;

His love now surrounds you.

He hears your prayer;

He loves the children.

Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heaven.

I felt as though my children were asking me a question and I had the wisdom to answer them and help them to understand our eternal plan. What an amazing Sacrament and I hope that everyone reading gets the opportunity to see their wards Primary Program and witness the children teach us about eternal families. I love the examples my children are surrounded by and those that take time out of their lives to bless them by teaching them. Thank you!

Fall Festival #1

This past weekend the school held their annual Fall Festival. We suited the children up in their gear (Navie cheerleader, Blakely Snow White, Jag Boxer & Greer chicken) and headed out. We spent a wonderful evening at the school with friends and family. They had bounce houses and a haunted house. Music was playing and cake walks with goodies to win. There was a parade and prizes along with food and candy galore! The kids had such a great evening and they really enjoy seeing their school buddies. Once Halloween comes we are hoping that Jag grows fonder of his costume. There is a suit that you put on him that has muscles and a champions belt hooked to it. While I was trying to get Jag dressed he looked at me and said "Mom I don't want boobies!" I spent forever trying to convince him that they were muscles and not "boobies" however he still opted to not wear the main part of the costume and only put on the robe and gloves! I don't know what got into him a lot of people would die for those kind of "muscles" or "boobies!"

A night under the STARS!

Ryan recently told the girls how he used to sleep outside as a kid on his trampoline. Of course after the story was told the kids wanted nothing more than to do the same. Now Mommy said "No WAY!" There is a definite reason that I was born when the luxuries of beds and feather pillows were around. I do enjoy camping if it involves fishing, or the best when it involves a cabin. I just don't think I was up to the camp out that evening. It has been getting chilly at nights around here so with the girls (including Hailey and Lauren) all bundled up and Jag and Ryan armed with their flashlights we set up the tramp. I got out every heavy blanket and also soaked the kids in some bug spray for precautionary reasons. The children were so excited they could not stop talking about their special camp out. Ryan scoring some major points pulled the car around back and hooked up the TV DVD player and they watched a movie and ate snacks as well. Around 1 am I woke up to my little girls climbing in bed with me and Jag had somehow already come inside and was already asleep in my bed. I guess waking up outside wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Props to Hailey Lauren and Dad that pulled it together and stayed outside all evening long. Overall it was a great memory and I am so happy that the children are getting to create memories with us. Although I am not planning another night time sleep out, the laundry lasted me for days!!!

Suns Game!

Ryan got ahold of some tickets to the Suns preseason game and thought it would be a great way to spend some quality "boys time!" Since Tanners birthday was the day before the extra ticket went to him. They had great seats and Tanner even made the big screen as the "Best FANS ever!" Ryan said that Jag hardly blinked the whole game he was so excited. He taught him to say "go suns," he also came home and told me that he "BOOed!" I guess you do need to know them both for games. They got popcorn, cotton candy, and stomach aches to go with the entertainment! Afterwards they hung around and got to shoot some free throws and take pictures on the floor. Overall the boys had a great time and would love to visit the Suns again. As well as the rest of the family!!! Go SUNS!