Happy Halloween!

Eric and I had our "sometimes" annual Halloween Party last Saturday. It was SUPER FUN!!! Thanks to the Wallins for making it all come together...it seriously woundn't have happened without them. The decorations were spooky, the food was yummy and the Karaoke was off the chiz-ain! We took lots of pics to prove it.

See if you can find Eric in the mix. He stayed in character all night which made for some very funny moments. Kinda reminded me of Eric D. 1999-ish - for those of you who were around then you know exactly what I'm talking about. You'll appreciate the fact that 10 years later, it only takes a costume and a Red Bull for the "good-time kid" to reappear. We're not so old after all.

Adios Mullet!

Gotta document the mullet being chopped off. He still doesn't have much on top but he sure had a party in the back that I just couldn't wait to get rid of. Ty was so excited to sit in the driver's seat but when those clippers started buzzing he just about jumped out. I should have expected it from the kid who is deathly afraid of the vacuum. When it was all over, I think he liked his new 'do.

Before....





After... Ty is a constant source of entertainment. We just love this little guy!

Everything I Needed to Know - I Learned in Conference

Last weekend was another inspiring weekend - I just love General Conference! I wondered today (when I spend the majority of the time chasing Ty through the church halls) why we don't always have church in our pajamas in front of the TV. Then I remembered that little thing called The Sacrament. (Plus I'd probably get fat(ter) because it's so easy to run to the kitchen during the choir songs)
I learned lots...here are the highlights.

The BEST is yet to be.

Teach patriotism to your children.

Be a missionary.

PEOPLE are the most important.

Find your own Waldon Pond.

A testimony is a process.

Hope fills our lives with happiness.

Reach out to others.

I'm a good shopper - therefore I found a good husband.

Ponder.

Be a peacemaker.

"True disciples of Christ speak with quiet confidence,

not boastful pride."

Virtue matters.

Boys wear a white shirt to church.

Care for yourself and sacrifice for those in need.

"You don't know everything, but you know enough."

Pray that the gospel will be spread to every corner of the earth.

"You pile up enough tomorrows and you'll find

you have collected a lot of empty yesterdays."

Peace be unto thy soul...

CHECK IT!

My sister BECKY is rockin' her food blog this week with BROWNIE WEEK. Go there and sign up to win a cookbook - I can't win 'cause I'm her sister but I want someone that I know and love to win.

P.S. I will not be held accountable if you gain weight or break out just from looking at her DIVINE bites of chocolate lovin' - that's my disclaimer :)

Good Morning Fall!

TODAY is the first day of Autumn - I'm ready for pumpkin bread, soup, sweaters, some leaves and yes, cozy socks.

My boys found some "cozy" socks in my drawer. Yes these are mine...but for the record, they were gifts that were given to me. 'nuff said about that. After some "skating" in the kitchen, the boys begged me to wear these to bed. Nevermind that it is still stinkin' hot around here.

My 1st Climber

Ethan and Drew were never ones for climbing. They found little use for chairs and tables until they were old enough to sit and eat. Now older, of course they climb everywhere. Just the other day I caught Ethan trying to walk down the banister of the stairs. I had to explain that someone created stairs for walking down and so trying to balance on a 3 inch piece of wood isn't necessary anymore.

Ty is a completely different story. Perhaps he has learned from watching his brothers. I am constantly pulling him off of chairs, tables, stairs, couches and most recently BUNK BEDS. I guess the little fear of heights I was worried about does not exist. No sooner has Ty been dragged back down then he is right back up. And so I find this picture a little disturbing

...and now the ladder has been tucked away.

Silly me...who needs and jungle gym when you've got bunk beds.

P.S. See the cute stripe that my friend Annette and I painted on the wall? It goes all the way around and it was super easy - with Annette's help anyway.

CALL 911!

Dinner was cleaned up, the kids were bathed and playing and I was getting ready to do a little bit of scrapbooking when Drew yells "Mom!!! Mom!!! Fire! Fire!" As with any emergency alert, I rush into action. Hmmm...doesn't smell like fire...I knew at that point that there wasn't a fire but Drew keeps saying, "Mom, there's fire! There's fire!" With an eyeroll I go over to where Drew is sitting and say, "Where is the fire?"
"Right here!" he says pointing.

"Oh," I laugh. "A spider."

"That's what I said. A fire."

Either I need my ears checked or we really need to work on Drew's pronunciation. Disaster averted...again.