Hali's Last Year In The Single Digits!

Hali had her 9th birthday on Monday.  It's crazy how fast they grow.  I still think of her as a three year old.

I mean, seriously.  Who wouldn't want to look at that face everyday?  Course, Max back there is pretty cute, too.  Oh, I just want to munch on her face!

I guess she's pretty cute now, too.

If only I could get a picture of her with her eyes open.  *sigh*  It wasn't a friend party year, so we had an informal cake and ice cream party.  We had family and some friends over to celebrate and Hali had to have a Hannah Montana cake.  Let's see, Halloween, Birthday.....do you think she likes Hannah Montana?

On her actual birthday, we took her to dinner.  And of course, she chose the Mayan.  Ugh.  At least we don't have anymore kid birthdays until June, so we'll get a bit of a break!

Happy Birthday, Hal!!

Finally......Halloween!

It looks like the worst of the sickness has left us behind.  We still have a few hacking, but no more vomit or fever's.  YAY!!  Somehow, Regan and I managed to remain germ free this week.   We can't quite figure out how we got so lucky!  Anywho......  on to Halloween!

Wednesday night Hali's dance studio had a trunk or treat.

I know you aren't supposed to be in the trunk, but it was really cold that night, so the kids were doing anything they could to keep warm.  My one complaint about living in Utah is the weather on Halloween.  I love it when it's warm, hate it when it's cold. I mean, what's the use of having spent so much time on a costume, just to cover it up with a coat?!  So, meany mom, didn't bring any coats.  Therefore, the children froze.  Poor Zoey was visibly shivering as she went from car to car.  I'm so mean.

Next up was the school costume parade:

And that would be pretty much the only picture I got.  It bugs me that the teachers have these kids practically running through the isles!  Our parade was supposed to go from 9:00 am until 9:45.  They were done at 9:15.  Hello!

Halloween night we took the obligatory pictures of the kids in their costumes.  Porter was a knight.  Zoey was Little Bow Peep, but her individual picture turned out blurry.  Bummer.

Regan was Medusa.  Can you see the snakes in her hair?  Look close!  It took me forever to get those things in, so you all better look!

Hali was Hannah Montana with the costume deal of the century!  Disney store for 12 dollars!!!  She almost didn't go trick or treating, because she was showing signs of "the sickness", but I felt so back for her that I let her go.

The kids were being dorks and wanted to pose for this picture.  The knight is saving Bow Peep from Medusa.  Yeah.  My kids are not boring.

My kids are always begging me to do something Halloweeny for dinner on Halloween.  So one year, I made witches hands out of chicken, I've died food with food coloring, used orange peppers as jack o lanterns and put spaghetti in them.  This year I went easy.

Mummy dogs.  Easy.  But a great sacrifice on Mom's part, because I don't like hot dogs.  The things we do for our kids.

Those Darn Pigs....

I should be posting about Halloween  and I will, but right now four of the six in this household are sick.  We suspect the swine flu.  The simptoms match.  So, we are all holed up in the house trying not to go crazy.  Poor Porter's had the worst of it so far.  He's the only one throwing up.  So, give me some time and I'll post pictures.  Thanks for your understanding.

Sigh

This isn't exactly the view I wanted to see from my door this morning.

Ewww! Just....Ewww.

Porter:  "Mom!  Zoey dropped her lollypop and I picked it up and licked it.  Then I went in the bathroom and I washed it.  And I washed it with soap!"

He then pops the lolly pop into his mouth.

Mom:  "Ewww!!  Porter!  We don't eat soap!"

Porter:  "Why?"

Mom:  "Um....because it tastes gross!"

Porter just gave me the most cofused look and walked away with the lollypop back in his mouth.  I mean, I have sented soap, but I can't imagine that the sent makes it taste any better!

I Know, I Know,You All Get The Point.......

  My door is RED!!!

Anyway, before I get to the main point of this blog, I just had to add this picture.  A lovely girl named Emma took this picture at Elyse's wedding and it's just too cute!

Last week we took the kids to get their pumpkins.  We went to the pumpkin patch that is right next to their school, but of course, I forgot the camera.  Typical.  I did, however, pull the camera out for the pumpkin decorating. 

Hali and Regan were determined to carve their pumpkins this year.  We used to do it when they were little, but found that Scott and I did most of the work because the girls thought the insides were too slimy.  So, a couple of years ago I found these little babies:

 

No mess, no fuss!  LOVE THEM!

But Regan and Hali really wanted to carve.  So, we made them do it.  I wasn't touching the slimy stuff.

They now realize that it's tough work to carve a pumpkin.  And before you know it, they look like this:

I'm not sure that will stop them from trying again next year!

We're Seeing RED!!!

I just couldn't stand it anymore! So, I finally did it.....

I painted my front door RED!

I absolutely LOVE how it turned out. It took about 5 billion coats (and might need a few more), but my door is finally red. I worried a little when the first coat looked fuchsia pink, but I'm loving how it looks!

Elyse and Rob

We had a very special occasion this weekend. We traveled to California and witnessed the marriage of my niece, Elyse and her fiance, now husband, Rob, in the Newport Beach Temple.


Elyse made such a beautiful bride and she just beamed the whole day! And surprisingly, my sister remained really calm all day long!

My sister and her family.
My parents with Rob and Elyse.
Regan holding an extra bouquet.
Jordan, Ashlin (?), Hali and Zoey. Ashlin was the flower girl and she and Zoey are the same age and became little friends. So cute!
These two by far were the best to watch. It was like instant bonding and then they were inseparable! That's Porter with his cousin, Trini. I just wanted to listen to them talk and play the whole weekend. So funny!
The bride and groom got to drive away in my dad's Prowler.
But first he gave Trini and Porter a ride. Very exciting.
This is my sister's back yard. It was beautiful! April's friend Shawna did the flowers and I couldn't imagine anyone doing a more incredible job than she did! They were stunning! The whole receptions was fabulous!
They had a live band and the party didn't end until 11pm! Everyone stayed and danced to the bitter end! Glenn and April sure know how to throw a great party!

Congratulations, Rob and Elyse!