Just a quick Peek~

Kennedy looked SO adorable in her custume, ready for school this morning, I had to quickly share:

And here are the kids last night with the fun Jack'0Lantern pizza from Papa Murphy's. It was so cute!



And here is this morning's gorgeous sunrise. Wow! Kennedy and I have been enjoying these the last couple of days waiting for the bus.


Happy Halloween! Have a great night!

Pumpkin Love

We love Pumpkins. A lot.

We grew quite the crop in our garden this year, and they have been put to very good use.

I have decorated the house with them...

inside and out...

...Tomorrow we are going to eat one for dinner (see recipe in the last post), tonight we are having a pizza shaped like one, and last night we made jack 'o lanterns.

(note: Hudson did not take this picure. the tripod did.)

So fun! We got a little ambitious this year and bought a book of templates. Kennedy and I had fun carving out her scary cat, and Dustin made me the "C" I requested and tackled an intriquite bat template from the book...ambitious, ain't he!

Hudson watched and loved the face I did on his pumpkin. We think it looks like him!!

Kennedy eyeing the "guts..."

Luckily, we have awesome Dustin who did all of the dirty work (scooping out the guts) and we just got to do the fun part. We were even treated to some awesome home-made doughnuts from our sweet neighbors. Thanks, Jensens!

Look at our awesome porch! We are totally ready for Trick-or-treaters...Too bad we probably won't get any because of Trunk-or-treat...oh well, we are sure enjoying the festive house...(I love Halloween SO much...obviously...who buys HALLOWEEN lights??)

Oh, and the most important news of the post: Kennedy lost another tooth! She came home from school today and showed me this smile:

The prettiest Jack '0 Lantern at our house!

Halloween Carnival

We went to the Halloween Carnival at Kennedy's school on Friday, and it was so fun! Our friends the Wardles, who were our neighbors and best buddies until they moved to Vernal, stayed with us for a couple of days last week (so fun!) and came with us. Unfortunately, I really flunked at taking pictures of their visit, so not like me...Their little guy Tayson wasn't into the loud crowded halls, so they cut out early, but we partied till they shut it down.

Kennedy was a little china girl, and loved her sparkly outfit and wearing make-up. Hudson was a football player, and that costume really suits his personality (run and hit stuff constantly...).

Inside a crowded, dark school is not the best place for photos, but we tried!

It was fun to have a Halloween party to go to, and the kids loved playing all of the carnival games. Kennedy was so excited to see all of her school friends and show them her costume. We are excited for Friday night to get dressed up again!

Hudson cheating at the bean-bag toss...

Kennedy with her darling friend/classmate Bailey

By the way, I have adopted the Wardle's Halloween tradition of making pumpkin casserole. It is so festive for Halloween, and very delicious. I am going to post the recipe on the recipe blog, so check it out here!

Famous sunday

Yesterday, as we walked in the door from church, and were surrounded by the delicious smells of roast, carrots, potatoes, and rolls rising, Kennedy announced:

"I can smell dad's famous food."

He should be famous for his cooking, it is awesome! Pretty much every Sunday, Dustin takes care of dinner. He has perfected his roast, and makes the most delicious rolls.

He does not, however, like to have his picture taken with the finished product. Too bad.

On Sunday, no matter what time church is, it takes me the whole morning to get us out the door looking good, so I REALLY appreciate that he does this. We are really kind of depressed on the Sundays he has to work and we don't get to come home to that wonderful aroma...We are spoiled to have such a good cook here...

"I am a gravy-lovin' girl." -Kennedy

Hudson saying "cheese" and trying to eat at the same time.

Kennedy had her Primary Program yesterday, and she did such a great job, had her part memorized and said it just right. I love the Primary Program, it is always so entertaining. One little boy started saying his part, forgot, then said "dang it" into the mike and grumbled while he dug in his pocket for his paper and finally pulled it out. It was hilarious.

Kennedy told me that she thinks she is "kind of famous" too, since she spoke "up front" today. Absolutely. And, by the way, I don't want to be famous for a long time. If ever.

Crop-tober!

Ok, it's late, I've kind of had a crazy day, with 2 photo shoots, a Halloween carnival, and I've been scrubbing the house for this cheerleader-fundraiser homeshow (the house is unbelievably clean, I just might give you pics tomorrow...), and I need to sit for a minute and remember fun last weekend.

My mom and I went to an overnight scrapbooking crop in Idaho Falls (I got 32 pages done, sweet! I'm sure my mom doubled that number...she should be in the hall of fame...). Typical weekend with my mom: lots of fun, lots of talking, and she got hit on a couple of times...yeah, guys even find her at a scrapbook party...he was creepy, but still...It happens everywhere we go...Instead of listening to my little inner voice whining, what am I, chopped liver?, I'm going to look at it this way: Jenna, Jami, we have great genes (thanks Janie...). Mom-you are a babe!

My sweet neighbor Tracy was one of the organizers, and she actually scored us a sweet room at the Red Lion, overlooking the falls and the temple. Check out our night view!

These pictures don't do it justice, it was beautiful!

It has become a twice yearly tradition for us to attend this crop, and I so look forward to it. It is such an awesome way to rejuvenate and get in some serious girl-gabbing. If anyone wants to come with us next time, it really is a party. We missed you this time, Jenna and Trulie! If anyone else wants to join the party, we would love to have more girls come! They do this every October and March, so I'll keep you posted.

*Thank you Dustin for so willingly taking over so I could go. I had so much fun, and I love you for making it easy for me. You are awesome!

Saturday night, after we got home, we went to the straw maze they have set up right by our house. It was really fun! Cortnie and Tayler were able to come up with my Mom and Jami, and the kids were really excited. They had a good time, except for the two scary(on purpose) guys at the end, whom my kids were in tears over...

Kennedy, Tayler, Hudson and Cortnie

We went and got ice cream at the Rex and played in the arcade afterwards, which definitely made everything all better. The next day, we all got to listen to Kennedy give a cute little talk in primary. If you are wondering, she did not inherit my terror of public speaking. She is completely at home behind the mike. Thank you, Grandpa Jay...

The only bad part of the weekend was when my mom's X5 had some engine trouble late Saturday night. Luckily, my handy hubby was able to get them back on the road Sunday, but the experience really didn't help my argument that an X5 would be our dream car...Dang.

I really had such a great weekend, and I know the kids did too. Thank you mom, for bringing everyone and playing with me, thank you Jami for your help with the kids, and thank you Cortnie and Tayler for coming for a great visit! We loved seeing you!

Quilts

I have been meaning to post these pictures forever! My mom made these amazing quilts for all of her grandkids this year, and I was SO excited for Kennedy and Hudson to finally get theirs on their birthdays! I'm so using them as bed spreads, they are amazing!

Hudson loves his new baseball blanky~

Of course, I pick this year to make Kennedy a blanket, only to have it totally shown up...oh well, she still liked the ones I did.

Particularly after having done a little of sewing of my own lately, I really appreciate all of the work that went into these beautiful blankets. They will be treasured! Thank you Grandma Josie! We are so happy you shared your talent with us!

New Fall pics

We took these pictures last Thursday with our friends the Bjornns. We both really wanted to get some fall pictures, so Anna took the ones of our family that I had to be in, and I did the same for her. Fun! I was so so so impressed with Hudson. I was really not expecting good things from him, and we ended up getting some darling ones of him. He was so good! He has started trying to smile when I tell him to, and a lot of times the result is cute, but mostly it is this funny, squinty-eyed look, which I actually think is pretty cute, as well.

Have you got an hour?

Because that's how long it's going to take you to look at this post. For the short version of our weekend, jump over to Jenna's blog. She pretty much covered it...

Ok, my excuse is, I have been sick. Seriously, in bed. And in the bathroom. Thank you, Mom, Jenna, Trina, Kim's family, and everyone else we saw this weekend who had just had this CRAP. Anyway, I'm back to where I can sit up, so here is the update.

*Can I just say, the birthdays are over. THANK HEAVENS. I loved every minute of them, but whoa, glad all those parties are over with. I really don't think I should hve any more kids. I really couldn't do another kid's birthday...and do it right. :) So, we really did have a great weekend. Let me just clarify, Last weekend...I can't believe it is already the weekend again...I am behind. Let's just take this chronologically...

Friday, October 3rd: Cutting down trees in Lewiston, Katelyn's 2nd Birthday

Dustin brought his climbing tools down and helped Garret get rid of some dead trees in his yard. I wanted to put this picture up because I still think it's so cool that Dustin can climb (usually power poles) and I think he looks like a stud...sorry for the mess, G&T.

While they worked on the trees, I spent a very enjoyable afternoon playing with Jace and looking at Trulies darling scrapbooks. Let me just give a shout out to her scrapbook room. It is like, SHUT UP. Cute, organized, clean, awesome. I should have taken a picture. OH, wait, she has a blog, Trulie, get a picture up of the scrapbook room, stat.
That evening, we went to Katelyn's Birthday party. This was really fun for me, because we are never in town for any of my nieces or nephews birthday parties. She is so adorable. A true girl, through and through, she loved the outfits she got as much as she loved the toys.

I can't believe Hudson is 3 days older than she is, she is talking circles around him, oh, and she's pretty much potty trained...amazing! I love that she is such a little mommy, taking care of her dolls and carrying a purse...I know the love of purses came from aunt Shelli. You're welcome.


Saturday, October 4: Birthday Party at Toad's:

The next morning, we headed to Ogden for Kennedy and Hudson's joint party at Toads Family Fun Center. Every year for Kennedy's Birthday, I have planned something indoors, and it has always been nice enough to be outside. Well, this year, I took a chance on something outdoors, and it poured rain. Go figure. No go-carts or mini-golf or rock wall, but they still had a really good time in the arcade.

My gorgeous boys!

Me and my 6 year old! (she loved the blankets, by the way!)

I was so excited for this party, every one of my sweet nieces and nephews were there, yay! I told Kennedy, as we were putting together all 18 of these goodie bags, "next year, you are only having a friend party. You have way more cousins than you do friends!" :)

I had fun with photo products for this party: photo invites, photo stickers for the oreo suckers, and a photo cake...they all turned out way cute, and easy!

Don't they look happy? they are so worth the work!

The party went really well, the pizza was surprisingly good, everyone came, the rain didn't ruin our hair too much...other than my couple of major klutz moments (if you don't already know, too bad...lets just say, apparently I'm having a difficult time adjusting from flip flops to real shoes...that, or I'm just a natural klutz...). Thanks so much to our awesome family for being there and for the amazing gifts. Hudson and Kennedy are the most spoiled kids I know...

After the party, we headed back to my mom and dad's, and the girls relaxed and gabbed while the boys went to the Priesthood Session. We had a late BBQ afterwards and then of course, stayed up late for more gabbing...

Sunday, October 5: Conference... AKA: eat all day in your jammies.

We had a very relaxing Sunday. Mom cooked yummy food, which we ate all day long, and we just enjoyed being together. All the Webbs were there, and it was great. Kennedy loved spending some time with Cort and Tay, and I loved playing with all the babies! Hudson, Preslie, Will and Jace are all within a year of each other, and they are so funny. Will is really getting to be a little flirt, he will grin and grin, but if you get too close, he gets so shy, it's adorable.

Will thinks Hudson is pretty cool... notice Jeff in the background enjoying Dad's new massage chair...it provided much entertainment...

Kennedy and Tayler, doing something quiet...

Jenna and Jami giving the girls a little volleyball lesson...

Some good-looking boys! Jeff's Birthday was on the 2nd. Happy Birthday, big brother! We had cheesecake for him on Sunday - sorry, you'll probably have to share your party with my knuckleheads for the rest of your life!

Monday, October 6: Hogle Zoo

On the way to the Zoo, Grandpa Jay took Kennedy and Hudson on a much anticipated Cal-Ranch run...new horses and tractors, yay! Thanks Grandpa! And no, George was not really there...

We have been meaning to get to Hogle Zoo all year, and we finally fit it in. The kids had such a great time, and it was a perfect day for the zoo: perfect weather, not too crowded, active animals. We loved it! Mom, Dad, Jenna, and Preslie came too, and we met Jill, Will and the girls there. Truly a great day!

One of the best parts was definitely, definitely dad's "convenience vehicle." He has a torn miniscus (sp?), and while we did understand, we did not hold back on the ribbing. It was lots of fun though. The kids loved going for rides, and I even took it for a little spin.

The craziest thing was this Mountain Lion and his hatred of me on the convenience vehicle. I rode it up to his cage and he went crazy. We thought it was cool, so I backed up and did it a couple more times. Every time, he would hiss and start pacing. Truthfully, it was pretty scary, but cool.

This was Hudson's first trip to the Zoo. Do you think he enjoyed himself?

The new Conservation Carousel was definitely a hit. I don't know what it is about my kids and carousels...I'm pretty sure it was their favorite part!

It was a really neat carousel, though. The animals were handpainted and really pretty.



After hitting Trolley Square for the Old Spaghetti Factory and a Pottery Barn Kids fix, we got home pretty late on Monday night. The next day, I unpacked, got laundry caught up, and got ready for...


October 8: Kennedy's Friend Party


I know, I'm crazy right? Luckily, my two little baby-sitter girls were able to come over and help, and it turned out really fun. We had a pizza lunch (GOTTA love hot 'n readies), cupcakes, and the best part, a pinata! I know, America's Funniest Home Videos waiting to happen, right? First of all, Dustin wasn't even there. And second of all, the new ones are cool, they have ribbons hanging from the bottom, and everyone takes turn pulling one until the right one opens the bottom. It was a huge hit, and worked out perfectly. The last girl to take a turn opened the trap door. Fun and definitely easier than assembling goody bags (you give them their bags and they take home what they grab from the pinata...sweet!).

Our cute take-home bags - we stamped them ourselves, didn't they turn out darling?!

Kennedy and some of the first guests...she loved her pretty pink tables...

making a wish...

The Pinata!

Done, PHEW!