Halloween

I don't love halloween -- but I do find it much more entertaining with my kids.  Andrew was very into it this year.  And Eric seemed to enjoy things too.  We did a lot of celebrating: 

First, there was a little party at the church on Wednesday.  Eric was a Construction Site Worker and Andrew was a pirate.  

Thursday we had a Joy School party.  Andrew was hilarious.  He was definitely not shy as he came parading out in his costume, swinging his sword around and announcing, "Arrrrh!  I'm a pirate!"  Then after each song they performed, he bowed repeatedly, saying "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."  And finally the teacher and kids told a little story in which they had to work together to move a very large pumpkin.  Andrew improvised -- suddenly he waved his hand, "Abracadabra!  I'm Superman!"  And of course Superman was able to move the pumpkin without anyone's help.  Too bad that wasn't actually part of the skit.

And tonight we went to trick or treat at Grandma's apartment building, then came home to trick or treat too.  This time Eric was a Spiderman.  Unfortunately he wouldn't keep the eye mask on, but he was good to keep the Amish looking Spiderman hat on.   

Sister's Weekend 2008

Every year my sisters, mom, and I get together to spend a weekend away.  This year we went to "Time Out for Women" in Omaha, Nebraska.  The time off was great and I always have a good time with my sisters and Mom.  The Time Out speakers and performers were uplifting too.  I am so grateful that I have such a great family.  I am so grateful for the great examples they are to me.

Family Rules

Lately our house has been very loud and less-than-peaceful.  So tonight I decided that while we ate some dessert, we should come up with a few "Family Rules."  I asked Andrew what he thought some family rules should be.  Here are his comments, in order of mentioning:

1.  Tell the truth.

2. Don't go in a siten job (construction site area.)

3. Only go to a landfill with Mom and Dad.  

4. Eat your dinner.

I'm still chuckling at Number 3 -- we have never been to a landfill before.  But one of Andrew's favorite videos is about trucks -- including a garbage truck.  I'm guessing this is where he's heard that you shouldn't go into a landfill (especially not without Mom and Dad.)

One thing that I've been trying to think of is consequences for breaking the rules (namely hitting and yelling.)  We've always done time-outs, but they aren't very effective for us.  If anyone has any ideas, let me know.

It's days like these that I have to look at pictures of my cute little boys to remember just how good they are.

Trip to Idaho

This past weekend we took a much needed long weekend break in Idaho.  We kicked off the weekend with a "Cousin Work Party" at my brother's house.  Check it out here.  Then we headed to my parent's home and enjoyed watching General Conference.  Eric was especially excited about eating apples.

On Monday we went to my parent's cabin.  It was so beautiful there...yellow and orange Aspens, quiet cabin, and rippling lake.  So beautiful and peaceful.  Andrew was so excited to be there he talked a mile a minute for the first 20 minutes while we were there.  4-wheeling was a highlight for both of the boys.  

My dad stayed up at the cabin to work on a retaining wall while we headed back to my parent's house with my mom.  Andrew seemed very concerned that Grandpa was still at the cabin -- he kept saying "Grandpa's at the cabin for a long, long, long time.  I bet he's really, really tired."  He must have pictured him building that wall all night long.  Finally Grandma reassured him by telling him that there is a bed there too, so he could rest.  

Our last day we spent with my sister and her kids.  Andrew and Eric had a great time with Jacob.  And we of course went to Taco Time for lunch.  Then we went and checked out my newly wed niece's apartment.  It's already cuter than our house and we've been married for 5 years.  Some people just have great taste, I guess.  Anyway, it was a fun filled weekend.  

 

Brian's Birthday

Last week we celebrated Brian's birthday. In a desparate attempt to come up with a gift, I made a candy bar poster for him. I thought it would be fun to make with the kids but Andrew was too distracted because his friend Elizabeth was going to come over to play. And Eric clearly wanted one thing from that poster....candy. Still, it was fun to make and surprise Brian with it.
And just in case you're concerned that Brian's attempting a little fro hairdo, just know he got to the barber shortly after this picture was taken. (:

The Morning Routine

We try and go walking each morning...last week it was actually cool enough that the kids needed jackets. Yeah for Fall! I thought they looked cute bundled up so I took a picture. Andrew didn't want to smile, instead he wanted to do a "mean face." Ends up he's still smiling.

The Doctor is In

The other night Andrew was giving me a check-up -- Armed with a shot, he'd say "Okay, where do you hurt?" Pointing to my arm, I reply, "Right here." Then, stabbing me in the stomach he'd say, "No. I think you hurt right here." He also bandaged my arm with putty and a smiley sticker. I'm sure he's a very competent doctor, but there was one problem...he wasn't wearing any pants!