Happy Halloween!!!

The kids had lots of fun trick-or-treating this year, but actually got worn out pretty fast. After an hour or so they said "Let's just go home. We have enough candy." I was fine with that!Connor checking out the jack-o-lantern I carved to match his candy-holding pumpkin...

In the beginning the second the door opened all 4 kids would jam themselves into the doorway to get to be the first to get candy. After a while though they got scared. A few people had decorations that would shriek or light up and move when you came close. They were not happy about those.

When we were done we sorted out all the candy the kids don't like and I let them pass that out to trick-or-treaters. They loved doing that.

Connor was so cute. After his bath I went to get his milk and couldn't find him anywhere. He had already put himself to bed.

I had to be sure and reset the clock in the boys' room so they wouldn't be up before the crack of dawn. Tomorrow is daylight savings!

Trunk-or-Treat

Last night was our ward's fall festival and trunk-or-treat. The kids had a blast, like always. Savannah makes a pretty cute cat...Zach saw this picture and said "Hey, we're big, medium, small, and little!"
(Jacob is a Clone Trooper again, Zach is the red Mystic Force Power Ranger, Savannah is a cat, and Connor is Spiderman...or SpiderConnor)

Zach was all over the place and really hard to catch for any pictures...

Jacob always has fun chasing down his friends...

I actually dressed up this year, the first time ever since college. I got the Statue of Liberty crown in the Target dollar section and the sheet is mine from when I was like 7 years old. That's about as dressed up as I do.

Connor LOVED the dancing. As soon as he heard the music come on he abandoned his dinner and hit the dance floor. This little girl from his nursery class kept trying to dance with him. He'd just look at her hands like "What are you trying to give me?" and then start running around again.

My friend took this picture while Dallin was outside getting ready to participate in "Wipeout."

They had a Wipeout challenge with 3 teams...the Young Men, the Elder's Quorum, and the Bishopbric. Since Dallin is a ward clerk and they were missing a couple of people Dallin was on the Bishopbric team. I missed the first half because I took the kids to the car to get jackets on. It was pretty cold and windy. But this was what Dallin was doing when I got back...sticking cheeto puffs to his face with sour cream (I think).

Gulping down some milk. Their team won!After that we had the trunk-or-treating. Connor was really excited this year, which made it fun.

Savannah put her cat ears on top of her hood in the cold. Luckily I had brought some black pants for her too. Jacob wouldn't ruin the look of his costume, but finally put his jacket on underneath.

It was a fun night and now we're excited for Halloween!!!

"Ride bikes AHHHHHHHH!!!"

I told Connor & Savannah we'd go outside and ride bikes. We got all ready and it was raining. So instead of riding bikes we drove down the street to pick up the boys. This was Connor after we got back. He would not get out of the car or let me unstrap him for a good 5 minutes.

Petco Field Trip

Today we went on a field trip with some friends to the pet store. Connor's favorite are the "fishies."They got to pet a ferret...

Connor was at the back of the crowd in his stroller yelling "Connor's turn! Connor's turn!"

Savannah gets a big kick out of watching the little white mice and always gets giggling really good.

They took out this conure for the kids to see. Connor had fun squawking like the birds.

The kids really wanted to see dogs, so we went over by the window of the grooming room. A dog was getting a haircut and the kids stood there to watch the whole thing pretty much. They thought that was the best part of the day!

Braces: Part 2

Jacob got his expanders today. Here's the top...

...and the bottom. We have to turn them each day to widen his mouth up.

He even got a souvenir of his mouth.

Poor Jacob could barely talk after. It'll take a couple of days for him to get used to them being in his mouth. I got him McDonald's since we'd be getting back just as lunch was starting. The poor kid couldn't even hardly eat anything because he was having a hard time chewing and more importantly, swallowing. He brought it home (and got it all over his backpack...that's a whole different story) and couldn't even finish it at home. If you know Jacob and how much he loves McDonald's you'll know that he wasn't faking. We finally got out some jello and he wasn't quite as hungry.

Pumpkin Painting 2009

Last night for Family Home Evening we did our annual pumpkin painting. We didn't go to the pumpkin patch though because it was cold and rainy. The kids were perfectly happy picking them out at Walmart.

We just happened to have the missionaries over for dinner too, so we got them a pumpkin too.

I think Connor is left-handed, just like his Daddy. He chose green and just made little dots of paint all over.

We have some creative missionaries!

Savannah did the letter "H" last week for preschool so we did some "H"alloween crafts. This was her favorite because we got to paint her foot to make ghosts. She also loves using glitter...what kid doesn't.

"Time to scriptures!"

We usually read scriptures and have a family prayer in the evening before bed. We do like Dallin's family did and just read one verse each. It's doable with the kids so small, but sometimes even that is hard for them to sit through. We finally bought enough books for everyone to have their own (just the cheap paperback version). It's great because the older kids can follow along and the younger ones feel like they're so big to be included. Connor gets so excited when it's "Time to scriptures! Time to prayers!"

These are a couple of Connor's favorite accessories lately...a backwards hat and a stethoscope. He likes to be called "Dr. Connor."

School Fall Festival 2009

Last night was the annual school fall festival. The kids always look forward to it and we had a great time. On the way there Savannah was running down a hill and went down face first on the pavement. She got her forehead and nose pretty good.

Zach loves the "bouncy houses"

Savannah got to ride a pony and was SO excited.

Connor would have played with the ducks all night...

We got balloon animals from a clown in Jacob's classroom. Jacob & Zach got swords.

Savannah is TERRIFIED of clowns, so she stayed at the back of the room hiding behind Dallin while I got her request, a green doggie. Mint green is her new favorite color.

All 3 kids doing the "sweet treat walk." (Savannah is in the back of the picture)

The kids left with Dallin after an hour or so and I stayed to volunteer for both of the boys class booths.

This is Savannah's face this morning. Poor nose. Today we have Primary Activity Day and tomorrow is the Primary Program at church. Both Zach & Savannah have their parts memorized. Jacob's is longer. They're all doing a great job!

Space Derby Weekend

This weekend was super busy, but lots of fun! On Saturday morning Dallin and I drove to San Antonio to attend a temple session for a good friend. It was really nice to be there and we were happy we could go. The kids had an awesome babysitter and had fun too.

We went out to ride bikes again and Connor insisted on wearing a helmet. He was so proud to be like the big kids (wearing Zach's helmet).

I had to document this picture because Zach & Savannah have become the best of friends the last couple of months. I never thought I would see that day...and it's been nice. They love to play together and Savannah begs Zach to play the second he gets home from school. And he usually will.

On Saturday evening was the Cub Scout Space Derby. Jacob was so proud to get to carry the flag. I wish I had my good camera, but it's getting fixed right now.

Dallin had been helping Jacob a little every evening to make his rocket.

Connor has been doing better at listening, but I knew he's bolt if I let him out of his stroller. So he was stuck. Once the races started he was totally enthralled. He loved shouting, "3, 2, 1, BLASTOFF!!!"

Th boys counting down. Zach LOVED the races and totally got into it (he and Jacob are under the "finish").

Jacob's rocket was having a problem making it to the end. Dallin finally switched out the rubberband and he won 2nd place in his heat. That was his favorite part of the night...

After the races were over they did pack meeting awards. Jacob earned his Wolf badge, a gold and silver arrow point, some beads, and a music belt loop. He got to help pin the "Mom pin" on me. Great job Jacob!!!

Savannah had a great time playing with her friend Libby. They were "puppies" for most of the evening...

It was a fun time...thanks scout leaders!