Happy Halloween!!

On our second night of trunk-or-treating, we had our ward festivities (which took all of 13 minutes to circle about) and then off to my parent's. Went up the street and then back again. Between two nights, we have GOBS of candy!! Anyhow, the kiddos then enjoyed counting up their loot, then dancing/dueliing around as the musketeers. Have you seen the new Barbie movie? Well that's what the 4 younger girls were, fortunately they each chose a different color! Kaylee wanted to be a cowgirl. Here they are. The kids also enjoyed answering the doorbell and passing out candy to the trick-or-treaters. I can't believe the number of people who came by!! It was crazy!! Especially to see the number of cars parked on Union and 19th. Why?? It's not like this neighborhood's candy is any better than another. In fact, the houses are much further apart! Anyhow...Happy Halloween!!

Fall Cleanup!!

Now that Michael was finished with sprinklers (as of 11:30 am today!!) and after Kaylee's soccer game...we came home and decided to take care of some yard business...YES...even though our house may possibly be sold (we are waiting for the appraiser to come and the loan to come through) we still are doing the work of fall clean-up. Anyhow...Mike did most of the work...I got to work the archaic bush trimmer...he used David's leaf blower, and blew all the leaves together!! It was fun to see how "easy" the work could be...afterwards, we let the girls have some fun...then used GOBS of kitchen bags (because I was too lazy to go to Walmart for bigger bags...). The girls worked on bagging the leaves, and I helped Mike bag the branches and trimmings...The yard looks beautiful now!!

Kaylee and soccer

Pumping Carving...

Mike got home about 8:30 Friday night, and even though he was tired after a long day of sprinklers he still carved a pumpkin with the girls...well sort of...I told them they could only carve the big pumpkin we'd gotten from our home teacher. And I drew the face, the girls wanted something more elaborate, but this is what they got!! Then off to bed they all went!!

Halloween One...

Aaron & Allison's ward held their trunk-or-treat on Friday the 30th. I can't remember a year where we didn't go with them...

Sprinklers 2009

Here we are once again!! Spent a few afternoons (which the weather was beautiful) with the girls handing out fliers. Their cousins were able to help out some, so I divided them up into 2 groups and sent them off...it was nice! Even Mikenna and I scooted around together. She was so excited to pass out those fliers!

Mike was busy for 3 weekends...we had to scramble for help...luckily David had some connections, and we found a 14 yr. old from my brothers ward. Sad that there aren't very many kids who want to work to make money these days. Anyhow, the kids couldn't get there until 2:30 on Fridays, so that left me to help out. Mikenna is such a good sport. One afternoon she sat in the truck with her coloring markers...she didn't much like the noise. Another Friday, I had to just follow in the van, so she sat, ate M&Ms, and listened to music-singing along. Luckily another afternoon she was able to play with cousins.

Glad to be done--until next year!!

Sisters sometimes are friends...

My brother is still a pyro...

Happy Birthday Mom!!

FYI: my mom doesn't like frosting.

Good Morning!!

Sometimes I get to wake up to this face in the morning!! If I'm lucky, I don't even notice her getting into bed with me. Mike said that one night, she came in...came to my side of the bed...waited...waited...then he called her to his side and put her in. I'm glad she didn't wake me up. Another night, I woke up to her crying...thinking it was abouts 5:30 am, deciding to let Mike sleep...I got up and brought her to bed...woke up all the way...then really looked at the clock: 1:30 am!! I couldn't go back to sleep until close to 5!! UGH!!

a GREAT big sister!!

The night before Mikenna was whining about having me lay beside her, which I was doing well to ignore, eventually all became quiet...and then the next morning I captured this pic, thinking "how neat she crawled in with Kaylee and Kaylee was reading to her!" Turns out, Kaylee went in and got Mikenna to sleep with her so she would stop crying the night before. Another night, same story...only this time Kaylee came and said, "Can you hear Mikenna crying mom? She wants you." Which I replied, "I know she's crying, I'm ignoring her." Later, when I went to my room, Mikenna was tucked into my bed...Mikenna is lucky to have a sister who looks after her when her mom is "done."

Projects...

Fall 2009...

2009 line up!!

ages: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
just for the week...

Who are these strange kids? Where did they come from?

Getting the earrings...

Julia asked me to video tape the event...so here you go sis!! You'll see that she didn't even flinch!! She said it didn't hurt and it just felt like a small pinch. Later, when I cleaned them, she almost passed out. She got all pale and nauseated...The next morning she didn't want to watch, and now she is just fine and takes care of the herself.

A DECADE OLD!!

A bunch of crazy girlies!!

Kaylee has been asking for "forever" to get her ears pierced. I figured turning a decade old was a great time to take care of it! We checked out the Piercing Pagoda in the mall...they had a much wider selection of earrings that hopefully Kaylee's ears wouldn't have a reaction to.

So she chose these pretty diamond flowers. Perfect for her little ears and personality!!

Went to Old Navy and took advantage of their nice sales :)

Then of course our favorite family restaurant!! (Kaylee wanted to go to Red Lobster, but I was able to talk her out of it.) Kaylee chose her favorite: shrimp. (Thus the reason why she wanted to try RL)

Mikenna enjoying the marrichino cherry.

The yummy birthday sundae!!

Kaylee is usually very responsible. Her teacher, Mr. Linn, is always singing her praises. She comes straight home and gets her homework done right away, even if it takes her a few hours :S She typically is there, helping her sisters...calming them down if they're upset or frustrated, or giving Mikenna piggy rides. She loves riding her bike and has found a new love of soccer. She reads in spurts, loves animals and still begs for a dog. She still loves to draw and sketch and even tho she may say she detests playing the violin and piano, she usually begins practicing without much persuasion. She has musical talent, I love listening to her play! She survived the adjustment into gas permeables!

Happy Birthday Kaylee!!