Long Day

October 24th was a busy day for us. We had one thing after the other to rush to. All the pictures are in opposite order of the day so I will start by explaining the night and then to the morning.

It was trunk or treat time for our ward. Doug and Cameron went off with some other the family to Utah for the BYU game so it was me and the girls this week end. I got them all dressed up, made my taco soup and picked up my niece and nephew on the way. The gym was packed with people like it always is for the trunk or treat with a table full of all different types of soups. It was a little difficult wrangling the kids and getting them all some soup to eat before treat time. We got it going, and happily hung out with our neighbors that we invited to come.

There were lots of kids and not enough trunks, so I think each kid went around 10 times or more to each car. Lilly walked around with Ella following other kids and Joseph held Miah's hand the whole time walking her around(bless his heart, that was very nice). They each made out with a lot of candy and busily ate as much as they could until we got home.

The sugar rush did not make for a good Sunday morning. Church was really rough, actually I ended up crying just after Sacrament meeting. I think I was still tired.

Lilly gave me a great pose for this one. My little witch.

Miah was a princess. I went to the dollar store before this and got her a crown since I have no idea where the crown is that goes with the dress. She was happy to be a princess. By the end of the night the crown was no where to be found. At least it was from the dollar store. I didn't have enough time to do her makeup so she probably could have looked better but hey, she doesn't care.

Here is all of them. There are a funny bunch. I'm sure they had a good time. Joseph on the left was a hobo I think.

Next, we come to the middle part of the day where Lilly and I did a girls day outing. We got all dressed up really pretty. I let her do some of my make up and pick out my dress.

We went to Miss ?something in Meridian. It is a cute very girlie shop with a dine in area. They do tea parties and fancy dine in food. Lilly loved looking at all that stuff, I really could not afford to buy her anything there so we took a picture of a tea set that she would like for her birthday.

We already ate lunch we stayed to eat some dessert there. Not the best dessert and kind of spendy but it is the experience we were after. Lilly got her own yummy hot chocolate and we really should have shared a dessert, but Lilly is not too kean on sharing so both of us got something.

I really hope Lilly liked it. After this was when we went to the dollar store and I bought Lilly a mini tea set there along with Miah's crown. It was good enough for her and much better on our bank account.

I really like this dress on Lilly. We bought it at savers for $4.99. I thought it was a good deal. She also picked out the neckalace for $2.99. It makes me think that for Christmas, I will go to savers or Good will and buy a bunch of neckalaces and dress up clothes, she would love that.

In the morning I ran at the Prison Break Half Marathon. I did train for this but for some reason it did not turn out as great as I hoped. I plan on trying again next year but for now I am going o take a break from it. I just have to beat my time. I actually don't even know what my time was, it was definitely not good though.

This made me laugh. When everything was supposed to start, everyone was still at the porta potties. Things were not announced very well so nobody knew what was going on.

Oh, I didn't explain where we were. The race was at the State penitentiary by gowen field. There was a pretty cold wind that morning but at least it was not raining.

Here is a picture of the front of the penitentiary.

I ran the race with my sister Katie and Judy Gibson from the 13th ward. Judy greatly surpassed us, so congratulations to her. I was really impressed, Judy you did a great job. I did finish the race and that is the best I can say. They did have a nice lunch for everyone after and thanks to Jake Katies husband, he brought Miah and Lilly with them so that I had them to be with when everyone else left. It was nice to have some of my family there.

While we were running, at probably mile 10 Jake found a spot to wait for us with he kids and support us as we went. It was nice to see them, but when Miah saw me she cried until we finally reached the finish line and I could hold her.

It was a nice day. I got a lot accomplished and it was nice having some girl time.

Painting Pumpkins

We had some fun Monday night painting pumpkins. We had lots of the little pumpkins from the garden this year and once we picked them the kids just would not be satisfied until they were painted. We did not have enough little paint brushes so it was very slap stick, but we got to have fun together and make a big mess. Miah was pretty much up for the big mess.

The little pumpkins are hard to see, but its not hard to see the paint all over Miah.

We were lucky that paint didn't end up all over Cameron and Lilly's clothes, because by the end we all resorted to the finger painting.

Lilly ended up with the big brush and completely covered like four pumpkins.

Temple Trip

Jeff got to go through the temple for the first time on Saturday. It was a beautiful day and I think he enjoyed the new experience. Doug was not able to make it this time but some of the other family was there to support him.

I am excited for him to go on a mission to Baltimore Maryland and I hope he enjoys it too. I'm sure it won't be very easy at times, but he has a family that loves him and that will be praying for him. So Good Luck Jeff. We love you.

They just had to go all GQ for one picture.

Here is most of the family. What a good looking family:)

I just had to get a picture of the trees down the sidewalk at the temple. They were gorgeous!

Practice cakes

I spent the day on Tuesday making some mini cakes for practicing different decorating techniques. I am not great at them but I hope to get much better. My friend gave me an idea that next time I just want to practice I should use the back side of a cake pan. That way the kids can easily eat up the mess. I used the real buttercream so the decorating was a little difficult. I think that next it will use the shortening and powdered sugar recipe for decorating because it holds up better.

Getting closer to Christmas

I like to start getting ideas for Christmas a little early on. I wish I could buy stuff throughout the year to get them when they are on sale and the best prices but that is not my thing and I don't have the money for that. Christmas is growing ever closer and for my in laws we are doing a homemade gift exchange. Me, I not so good at creativity. I wish I was, but not so much. So I am asking anyone out there if you have any good ideas for home made Christmas gifts. I do like getting things that they will actually use or would put up in their home. I like things with a purpose. So if you got any ideas, leave a comment. I could really use it, it would be nice to start preparing now!

Learning from my kids

I have to say that it is so nice to learn things from my kids. There are things that they will do that I am so impressed with sometimes. Like the other day, daddy took the girls to the store with him and I stayed home with Cameron. Cameron was excited because he decided he wanted to take the time that we had together and have a "boy time". I have girl times with Lilly because that kind of interaction is what she thrives off of. Cameron is good as long as he can play games and I usually sit down with him and talk about everything he did at school. So "boy time" wasn't as important for him.

So I asked Cameron what he would like to do for "boy time" and he said,"I know, I know, I have a good idea, you're going to like this one. I think we should read the scriptures together, then we can eat cookies and talk, and then we could watch a show, then daddy will be back". I told him that that was a great idea, and that is what we did.

Then last night I had Cameron say the prayer. I listened intently to what he was saying and there again he astonished me. He said the prayer so nicely with praying about the things he was thankful for, like school, treats, mommy and daddy, his new bed and other family members. He then prayed that he could be a good boy and that the kids could keep their room clean and several other things as well. As I listened it made me think about how innocent he is and why it is important that we be like little children: submissive, meek, humble, willing to submit to all things. His prayers come right from his heart. He does not use boring repetitions and he can feel that the scriptures are important(which is why he will not let us skip scripture reading even if it is late at night).

I wish that I would do more good things just because I know that is what Heavenly Father wants me to do, just as Cameron suggested reading scriptures because he felt that it would make me proud of him. Which I was. He makes me wanted to be a better person so that I can be a better example to my children and others.