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!

First Day of School

Andrew started Joy School last week. He was very excited. I was concerned that he thought it would be like Elementary School -- we live next door to the school and so he sees all the kids, the buses, the big building, playground, etc. Sure enough, as we walked up to the house that first day he said "But this isn't school!" Here is a picture of him on the first day -- he's holding a truck that he chose to take to "Share and Tell."
So each morning he tells me he doesn't want to go, but once he gets there he has fun. And I think it'll get better as he gets to know the other kids. It is clear that his favorite part of school is "free play." He's been playing pirates during that time -- there are only girls in his class, but I guess he convinced them to march around with swords too. Ahhhrrrg!

His usual response to "How was school?" is "I'm too tired to talk about that." So today I waited a few hours and asked again...he responded in an exasperated tone "Why do you keep talking to me about Joy School?" Ha. What a boy.

It was also our Anniversary last week. 5 years! Brian sent me this beautiful bouquet of flowers. Nice. Then Dave and Allyson watched the kids so we could go to dinner. We went to the Snake Creek Grill in Heber City. The food was delicious....it's been a long time since I went to a restaurant that good. Yum. And it was nice to go on a long drive without the kids. The evening was almost perfect-- the only drawback was the seating in the restaurant. I could hardly carry on a conversation during the first part of dinner because seating was so tight that I felt like we were practically sharing the table with the people next to us. But once the loud lady next to me left, I wasn't so distracted. Anyway, it was a great night with my great husband.

Farewell to our trees

Yesterday we had two of our trees cut down -- one was lifting the sidewalk, the other was an Aspen that was sprouting new trees all over our lawn. We have debating this for a while because we knew we'd lose a lot of shade. And sure enough, our house and yard look so bare! I'm kind of sad. I hope our already struggling lawn doesn't die completely. ): On a more positive note, the kids were very entertained watching the men with chainsaws, the truck chopping the trees up, and a stump grinder. They sat on the piano and watched out the window.

Our lawn also struggles in the backyard -- large yellow patches everywhere. So we've been trying to bring it back to life by turning on the sprinkler in the evening. Andrew went out and played in it last night -- of course he was already wearing his rain boots that he wears almost every day. Then he asked for an umbrella. A good pictures moment!

Dress-up

Andrew just loves playing with his best friend -- she is a girl and he really has a great time in her dress up clothes. If he ever becomes famous, this may be the picture that is shown on some talk show to embarrass the future macho man I'm sure he will be. Just look at that smile he has on his face -- such joy!