Primary Happy Hour

Last Friday, I hosted a "Primary makes me Happy Hour." It was a party to show our appreciation for the countless hours of service these wonderful, faithful members put into teaching the children in our ward about the gospel. Our Primary President, Jenny Smith, gave little awards to all those who attended. Terry Liddell received a pack of Big Red along with an award for the ability to learn from his students. Of course, the whole story had to be told. A while ago, Jenny walked by his room and saw every young man with a piece of tin foil on his forehead. Some were yelling, "It burns! It burns!" Apparently, they were experimenting on a theory that the cinnamon oil remainder on a Big Red wrapper can actually burn your skin. Well, some of our daring friends actually tried it. It was discovered that it only works after you lick the wrapper, but it REALLY DOES WORK.

Caramel Apples Xtreme

For Family Home Evening, I decided to do a craft-treat combo. We dipped our own caramel apples for the first time. Because we are wild and crazy, we wanted to also roll the dipped apples in a candy of the child's choice. The choices were crushed oreo's, milk chocolate toffee bits, nuts, and M&Ms. It was a little tricky, a little sticky, and we did have one trauma--Evan burned his hand on the pan as he was trying to accumulate the most caramel possible by getting the apple into the corner. The results were worth it. I had lots of disappointed kids who had to go to bed before eating their works of art, but it was getting too late. So, we pulled the apples out for their after-school treat. Yum!

Trunk or Treat

Saturday was our annual ward Trunk or Treat. It's always a fun event--and I didn't have to plan it this year! Everyone brings soup along with rolls or juice. I made chicken noodle with a fun package of halloween -shaped noodles (bats, spiders, pumpkins, witches). Yummy! I think Steve and Braxton had 3 bowls! It was a good reward for the work I had to put in to some of these costumes. The girls were easy. Lizzie "Tinkerbell" wore one of Emma's dress-up costumes with a safety pin in the back. Emma "Strawberry Shortcake Princess" chose her costume a month ago and I just had to buy it online. Braxton is Harry Potter this year, and we were able to borrow a friend's costume. Carter is Paul McCartney. He's found a love for the Beatles after playing Beatles Rock Band and had to be their "normal" lead singer. :) (John Lennon is a little over the top for him, I guess. Although my dad thought Carter would be a good Ringo Star. ) My wonderful, creative Evan is Darth Shadow, a Star Wars character found on the video game "Star Wars, the Force Unleashed." This took a little research, cutting, and sewing on my part having never played any star wars video games, but I think we came close. Evan was happy and that's all that mattered. Aren't they cute!

I wanted to dress up as a couple with Steve this year since last year's Flinstones were so cute and fun. However, my best-laid plans weren't panning out. With a limited budget (and a conscience) I was at a loss as of Friday morning. A good friend suggested Steve as Peter Pan to go along with Tinkerbell. Great idea, but I was fearful of finding a costume and more importantly, green tights in a XXL within 24 hours...I have had people request it, though, for a future Halloween. That sparked my creative juices and we went as Wendy and John. Both costumes required sewing, so from 10:00pm-4:00am, I pieced together a white nightshirt and blue nightgown. This is a big deal because I am NOT a seamstress. All I sew are Halloween costumes, but they turned out so great, I may have to experiment a bit more. Anyways...Steve found the wig and hat and glasses for us. Other than my hair being a little on the vivacious side, I thought we were a pretty cute set.
Lizzie took the award for being the cutest at the party! I believe she was made to be a Tinkerbell with the cute little body, the blonde hair, and even the feisty personality.

Weekend madness

This fall, our family has been extremely busy with the three boys each in 2 sports, scouts, and piano lessons. All 3 are on the year-round Fox Swim team. Braxton and Carter are playing soccer and Evan is enjoying football. Our Saturdays are pretty full with just the games. This past Saturday combined it all: Braxton had a scout campout Friday night, had to check in to the swim meet at 7:30 am, Carter's game was at 9, Evan's at 10:30. Then after the meet, Braxton played in a 3:00 game. Whew! One fun twist was that I got to go to Evan's game without the girls. They can be great cheerleaders, but after sitting in the cold for Carter's game, they were done, especially since Evan's field has no park within eye-shot. I love watching these boys develop these fun skills and improve every year.

Carter is quite the star on his team. I believe he has at least 80% of the goals for the season. "Give it to Carter!" is quite often heard on the sidelines, which makes me such a proud mama. One funny story about this past game was that all the kids were backing away from him whenever he'd prepare for a big kick. "Do you know why?" When he knew I was stumped, with a huge smile on his face he said it was because there was so much goose poop on the field that everytime he kicked the ball really hard, the kids were scared the poop would fly off of the ball and get them dirty. Gross!

This is one of Carter's goals!

Below is Evan, #63. He's on the end of the offensive line.

He loves to block!

Braxton missed picture day, so I took a few of my own. He even has sports goggles now! Thanks, Grandpa. He loves them! Braxton loves full back and really helps out his team!

My brother

Today is the birthday of my little brother, Wade. He and I are 17 months apart and life was quite an adventure growing up with him. He always seemed to be in trouble and was the easiest one to blame--mainly because he usually did IT-whatever IT was. Plus, Mom always believed us when we said IT was Wade's fault. He ate a ton of food, yet was known as "Buttless" in high school. He played basketball and had the record for the most "foul-outs" in a season. He was scrappy and fought for everything. He never loved the piano like I did, but learned to play the guitar amazingly well and can always impress me with his music ability. Wade has always had tons of energy and loves to laugh. He attracts funny people, too. He is one of the smartest and most talented men I know. He monopolizes every conversation because he really is that interesting and people really do love to hear him talk. It's a talent I've never seen matched! I know he's a great doctor and I am so grateful for the free medical advice he's given me. I love seeing him in the husband and father role that he plays now. He's got a big heart and a grounded soul. He's a great example and a "really funny uncle." Happy Birthday, Wadey-poo!

My Two Princesses

Picture Perfect!

Last week was picture day at Emma's preschool. She was fretting over what she was going to wear since she doesn't have many warmer clothes in a 6x! Yes, my 4 year old is super tall! We went to her favorite store, TJMaxx, and found this darling sweater. Of course, I had picked one with bright colored stripes and a hood; however, this was for her picture (she told me) and so she should get to choose the one she wants. Right? So, we got the brown one with the flower and butterfly--not the striped sweater. Oh, well. She insisted on going to bed with foam curlers to make sure her curls were really curly. Lizzie, not to be left out, also slept in her curlers. They looked so sweet on their pillows with their curlers! I wish I had a picture of that! Anyways...the morning of the pictures right before we loaded in the car to head to school, we ran in the backyard for a few quick shots just in case I don't like the school ones. These 2 girls were in perfect form, striking poses everywhere I turned. They are true girls!

As I was getting them ready, I was in awe over their beauty and kept counting my blessings that I have such gorgeous girls! Steve and I were nervous when we discovered we were having girls. Steve, especially, worried about them getting his barrel-chest or jowels, I worried about my many imperfections that I could pass down (I won't mention specifics ;>) I truly am grateful for these fun, little feminine creatures that add a ton of sugar and spice to our family!

Lizzie and those baby blues!

Emma's favorite pose

Lizzie cracks me up in this one. She's such a hoot!

Lizzie called Emma's name, she looked, and this is what I got! After I took the picture, they couldn't stop giggling at each other and almost fell off of the wall they were standing on!

My 2 princesses!

Jonomac Orchard

We had a weird day off of school (Building Articulation Day--whatever that means) a few Fridays ago, so I took the kids apple picking at Jonomac Orchard. It's only 45 minutes away, is simple, cute, open during the weekdays, and has no admittance fee. :) We had a great time. The play area is free during the weekdays, so I let them run. There were 3 different slides; a silo filled with corn like a sandbox where the kids could scoop it, bury their feet, slide into it, etc.; a duck racing station, john deer tricycle area, and a hay bale maze. After we got our wiggles out, we took our personal provided Radio Flyer wagon out to the orchard and picked our Cortland, Jonomac, Gala, and Spartan apples (those were the varieties ready for picking). We were able to pick over 40 lbs. in 30 minutes. All of my children commented on how much easier it was than blueberry picking! They would definitely do apple picking again without complaining! We put our apples in the car and went to the country store to try some of their yummy treats--apple cider donuts, apple cider slushies, and caramel apples. Mmmmm! Mmmm! Mmmm! We had a few more minutes, so the kids ran to the play area one last time!

This is one huge rocking chair--that really rocks!

In the Gala apple aisle

Eating the scrumptious apple treats

Smilin' in front of a cute red barn

"Princesses!"

"The hay hurts my legs!" "Ouchies!"

All five trying to find their way
This is the rubber duckie race! Too cute! Evan won.

Can't wait to go back next year!

My aspiring photographer

As I was uploading my pictures onto my computer I discovered over 20 of them had been taken by someone other than myself. Emma was very proud of her little photo shoot and asked me if I thought they were good. Honestly, for a 4 year old, they're not too bad at all. At least her babies look at the camera and smile. :)