Sunday, November 8, 2009

little chub




Can you believe this big, little guy is three months old already? Oh time, please slow down!

He loves to be around his brothers and sister...constant entertainment.

He is a sleeping champ, and an eating champ.

He weighs over 12 lbs.

He's so happy to be in his Bumbo or the swing.

...Or resting his double chin on my left shoulder. He loves my shoulder....he can see the whole world in a different view.

He's a delight to our family.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Why do I let myself?

I was abnormally productive today. It felt great! And LOOK! I'm even blogging, AGAIN! (that's just unheard of lately). So, after roasting and puree-ing 5 pumpkins, sanding and spray painting my daughter's bed frame, and garage sale-ing ... all while doing the other daily tasks involved in raising 5 little ones, I realized a small (maybe not so small) miracle taking place in my life.

A few weeks ago, in Stake Conference at church, we were asked by an area authority to really think and pray about what we can do to be better people. I took on that challenge. Sort of hesitantly. I wasn't sure I was up for any more challenges right now. But I did. My answer was easy..."read my scriptures daily"! I already know the blessings that come from this seemingly simple task. I had just fallen out of the habit and became lazy. Actually, truth be told, I've been "drowning" in my hectic state of life and couldn't imagine adding one more thing to my plate!

What a miracle. For 2 weeks now, without fail, I have read for a full 1/2 hour in the morning when I get up to feed William. Instead of wishing I was still in bed, and letting my head bob in a half-sleep state, I grab my scriptures and read away. All of a sudden, life is manageable. NOT ONLY manageable, but it feels like I have MORE time in my day and MORE energy to get the things done!

It's not all roses and butterflies, don't get me wrong, but that's another thing I've noticed: I've been more relaxed when things don't go as planned or there are messes that I haven't been able to get to yet. I've had a bit more patience too. I actually find myself laughing with Ryan when the milk inevitably gets spilled, or the kids start fighting or dinner time turns into family fued / chaos!

I love how I feel. I need to remember how I feel and NOT let myself slip out of my reading habit.


Just had to share.

Friday, November 6, 2009

More Halloween

We used to do this every year. An open-house Halloween party.
Since we moved, the tradition died.
This year we brought it back!

Complete with "spooky sounds of the season" playing the background,
it was a Thriller kind of night.

We had all kinds of games for the kids:
Halloween coloring pages
Halloween Twister
Pass the Pumpkin
Doughnut on a string (We didn't get to, bummer)
and the trampoline all a-glow

(I thought the red eyes were appropriate)

Next year we'll have a "photo-op" for all dressed up couples...
maybe.
Vanilla Ice and Angelina/Octo-Mom...odd couple

Now for the decorations and food!


We had the back yard appropriately decked out to fit our
haunted house theme...





I loved prepping all the food and goodies with the help of my kiddos
(and Ali, thanks).
Three different kinds of Chili, hot and delicious

Emily loved her job of making labels for the food


Jaydon and Joel helped these little cats see
(my favorite baking find at Target this year...candy eyes)

And they could all help out with these simple, spooky treats

Ali pitched in and made the darling cemetery pudding cups.

We also both tried our hand at decorating these monster eyeballs.
So cute, fun and delicious!

Another favorite baking find...ghost-shaped baking cups.
So simple, and a hit!

Next year we'll take more pictures...
so come and join us next year, if you're in the neighborhood!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

some of our Halloween...

Mummy pizzas for dinner


a variety of costumes to parade around in for the night:
Vanilla Ice, bringing back the 90s
Angelina Jolie, with babies all around me...or is it Octo-Mom?
An Indiana Jones trio...Indiana, Mutt and Marion
and don't forget Batman!


Joel, as Mutt. On the neighbor's mini-bike

We had so much fun at the neighborhood party, then trick-or-treating. Then we headed home for our very own party...more on that to come.