Halloween and Other Fun

Hope you had a Happy Halloween!

Don't have a heart attack or anything like that, but the guilt of not posting finally got to me. That, and the fact that I couldn't leave Halloween photos unposted, just on principal, you know...it being our favorite holiday and all. Although I have to admit that we let things slide a bit this year. Alan and I both had last-minute thrown together costumes, our house went (nearly) unadorned, and we *gasp* failed to carve jack o' lanterns, although we put in some serious hours on decorated pumpkins for the school festival. So, on with the photos and commentary.

October was a busy month for us...here is some of what took place:

Hadley hosted a tea party for Rubes and I. Side benefit: Ruby got lessons on how to officially be a girl and she's definitely learned a lot.

Ruby LOVES to stir. She will do this for 10-30 minutes at a stretch. Just stirring a little cup with a plastic spoon. :)

Ruby also learned how to ham it up for the camera.

Alan busted out some awesome storage shelves for the basement. He also ripped out the hedge in front of our front porch, so you can officially see our house from the street. Weird. (Anybody wanna buy this sweet bike or exersaucer?)

Ruby became obsessed with "bookies" but will rarely let you read her one. This snuggle situation is extremely rare.

This, my friends, is the extent of our festive decor this Halloween.

Here's what I managed to dig out and stick in the trunk for trunk or treat. I like the vase of skulls and am thinking of displaying it year-round on my dining room table...opinions?

Ruby was not a fan of wearing her costume, but did ham it up majorly every time I pointed the camera in her direction. We have about 6 shots just like this snapped throughout the night.


Here is the family, minus one in front of our new car! We left Ruby in the car...how rude! Yes, we joined the throngs of mini-van owners and couldn't be happier. We admit it's the best solution for families with young kids.

Hadley was a Candy-Corn Witch...this also happens to be her favorite candy of all time. Weird, right? And check out this posing! (MYQ -- if you happen by some off chance to read this, think "I just threw up on Mike!")
Alexander, still obsessing about all things of the briny deep. We found the helmet online and made the belt from black duct tape. Add some sweats, and voila!

My lil Halloweenies, ready for the costume parade.

First Day of School & Other Stuff

Both my big kids this morning, ready for the first day of school. They will both be gone all day long. I'm not sure whether to cry or rejoice!

Hadley, ready for Kindergarten!

I can't believe Xander is in Third Grade -- the boy is huge!

Cute moment I caught last week -- banana picnic on the kitchen floor. Xander was feeding Ruby cut-up bananas from the bowl.

The Kindergarten rest mat I sewed for Hadley. I think I felt like I needed to sew it myself to send a little love with her each day. It's two layers of fleece with a light batting in between. I'm LOVING the owls.

Ruby seemed to know the mat was for resting and kept crawling over and laying on it with this cute look on her face. "Look mom, aren't I adorable?"

Potato salad face. The girl likes to eat and will pretty much devour and thoroughly enjoy whatever you put in front of her.

preview: summer in utah

the grotto in payson canyon.

sunset over grandpa's farm.

i'll get to the rest in due time.

Farm Fresh Eggs

The best part is, they are from my own backyard chicken coop. Aren't they lovely?

Happy Birthday Ruby!

we celebrated ruby's first birthday on saturday. a bold personality calls for a bold cake! we were so happy to be able to have mindi and her family join us to celebrate...it was so nice to have family around for ruby's special day! (of course there are NO photos though! how lame is that?)

ruby's favorite gift -- a toy camera from the simons. looks like shetakes after her daddy. do NOT try to take this away from her. she WILL use it as a weapon.

she wasn't entirely sure what was happening, but she knew it was something exciting.

"is that for me?"

aha! mindi's hand. proof she was here.

ruby wasn't so sure about the texture of the frosting on her hands, but a bite or two from a fork convinced her to dive right in.

there was plate-licking.

and searching for every last possible crumb. (i think i only wiped up about 3 or 4 from the tray)

cake: ruby is definitely a fan

iconic April fool's joke?

conversation this morning between the kiddos and i:

me: you know, today is april fool's day.
hadley: (indignantly) and i don't even have a shake hands buzzer!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE

post to follow with all the fun details and pictures from the party this weekend. here's the invite:

Happy Birthday Addi

this morning, xander said: mom, if Addi were alive today, i would wish her a happy birthay.

so would i.

we love you and miss you addison! happy birthday! our thoughts are with all of you today.

xoxox

your sis and her fam