Carving Pumpkins

This year we started a vegetable garden and in it we planted a pumpkin seed. We got one good pumpkin out of it. The Manleys brought the kids over some pumpkins they had grown also. So we were set to carve some for Halloween. Blake designed and carved it by himself this year. He made a Kerby.

Hailey designed a jack o lantern with cool glittered eyes.

After we finally convinced Madison that a jack-o-lantern was the name of a carved pumpkin not pumpkin pie she and I made a mouse.

Todd made Abby a bat. She had the most fun dancing to the Halloween music in the background.

These guys are just too cute to spook! They are why I love Halloween!

Madison's Halloween Parties

It is only two days before Halloween and we have been to seven parties and most of them requiring costumes and treats in the last 48 hours between 3 of our four kids already. I can only image what the year to come will be like. Two more days of Halloween and I think I will spent for the week. I do love Halloween, however. Madison and I made these Mummy suckers for her friends to pass out. She was so happy that she got to put the eyes on. Here she is at her dance class party with Mrs. Jeni.

Thursday was her preschool party at Ethan's house. The had a fun Halloween lunch and made some crafts. She loved the witch fingers made out of string cheese.

These three girls have to stick together with all those cute boys.

Madison had a really fun time this year going to parties and of course getting candy everywhere she went. She also loved being Minnie Mouse.

Wild Thing

Hailey's class has been reading the book "Where the Wild Things Are". Each child was supposed to make at home a Wild Thing and then the class was going to have Wild Rumpus Party. Hailey really wanted to use pool noodles for ears, which I have to say made a pretty cute monster. At school they were able to wear their pajamas which the kids think is the greatest thing ever. I sometimes wish pajama day were everyday it is the one morning I don't have to remind everyone to get dressed or fight with them what to wear.
The played a couple of monster game, made crowns and monster hands, and wrote monster stories. I got to go help out that day. It was fun to see Hailey all excited about a change in their daily routine.

Let the wild rumpus begin!

Hailey's class is lots of fun and she has the best teacher. We are lucky to have had her with Blake also.

Pumpkin Patch

We managed to squeeze in the pumpkin patch Wednesday night with the kids. It was so cold by the time we got there, but we had a good time. The kids loved the corn maze and ran through it at least a half dozen times. One would come out and then they would run back in to find someone else and by that time someone else would come out. So I just stayed be the exit until I could get everyone to stay put. Todd had as much fun chasing them through the maze. They have a huge hay pit that Abby thought was amazing. She apparently does not get hay fever.

We decided to let the kids ride the horses when we asked you wanted to ride one Abby keep raising her hand and saying "ME!"

Madison was also ready for a ride.

Hailey would sway her body with the horse as it would trot along. She has always got to move with the rhythm. Giddy up cowgirl!

Madison was trying so hard to bite her tongue and not smile.

Abby was so excited to ride until one time around and she was done.

The kids thought it was the funniest think when Blake's horse had to stop and pee. Then he it did it's other business later on the ride. Now that is all they can talk about whenever we say anything about the pumpkin patch or say the word, horse.

I guess we can't really blame them, because Todd and I were fascinated enough to take have to take a picture and then post it.

Tonight it actually felt like fall weather might be around the corner. Too bad it was almost 90 degrees the next day.

Blake's Den Halloween Party

One of the requirements for the Wolves is to plan a party so Blake and his den planned a Halloween Party for their Den meeting this week. One of his leaders was sick so we had it at our house. The boys and his Den leader did all the work. The boys wanted to play the donut game so Todd took a little break from work to come down and play. I think he could smell the donuts. Todd and Blake were on the same team and won by swallowing the donut whole. Sister Tanner had a craft to them to do from their scout books that they are supposed to give to someone.

Here is Blake and the cubs in his den with their finished projects.

Mickey's Trick or Treat Party

Since we had passes we decided to go to this years Trick or Treat party at California Adventure with the kids. They had giant candy corn and huge Mickey ghosts all over the park. They close the park down to everyone else and from 6pm to 10pm you can trick or treat with all the characters.

We haven't been to California Adventure for a long time so the kids had lots of fun on the rides and there were no lines to wait in. Todd took them on Tower of Terror and they all loved how scary it was. You can see their posed faces of terror.

We got to ride the new Toy Story ride, which I have to say was really cool.

Abby loved the princesses. She went right over to them and started to talking to them. While the older kids did some rides with Todd we hung out with the princess a couple of times.

The kids got to wear their costumes, which they were very excited about. Blake was the Wolverine and we found a giant candy corn that Blake pretended to carve out "Happy Halloween" with his claws.

Our cute little Minnie Mouse loved the parade!

Hailey the cheerleader was so excited to ride the big Ferris wheel. Hip Hip Hurray!

Too cute as Tinkerbell!

It was fun to get away and spend time as a family.

Taking After My Sisters

Poor Blake and Todd are surrounded by girls. It is official that Abby is all girl like her older sisters. She came down the stairs the other day all accessorized saying "Mommy, look at me". She is getting so big and and has her own fun personality that keeps us laughing.

All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth.

Hailey really wanted her haircut short. I tried to get her to do it all summer and then one day she came home from school and said she wanted her haircut. I think she looks super cute with it this length. She also lost her two front teeth. She is always singing silly songs because it makes us all laugh to hear her talk with no front teeth. She is so easy going and full of personality!

H is for Hats

Madison made this cool hat at preschool this week. She also got a halloween spider painted on her face. She was very proud sporting them around all day. She loves going to preschool and is really starting to love learning her letter sounds and trying to write her name.

A new cousin to love

Jamey and Lisa had a new baby girl, Kate. We went down to see her for her blessing. She is very adorable with lots of black hair. Abby really wanted to hold her and share an Elmo toy with her. She was a little amazed that the baby moved because her dolls she cuddles all the time don't. She loved holding her and playing with her hands. She would look at her so sweet and make her ", Oh, Oh" sounds she does when she sees a puppy.

Disneyland with Daddy!

You get in free to Disneyland on your Birthday and if you have passes you get the price of a ticket on a gift card. So we decided to go there on Todd's birthday since the kids were out of school that day. Probably not Todd's first pick but the draw of free money helped persuade him. We ended up having a great time. Madison is now tall enough to ride almost everything so Todd and his three thrill seekers had a great time on the bigger rides. Todd and his three princesses.
Abby loves the characters. She was so excited to see "mouse".

We found some friends at Disneyland. They kids loved having ride buddies.

Everyone sporting thier 3D glasses.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Todd turned 37 today! He is definitely the best friend and husband ever. He is always an amazing father. We are all very lucky. Here is what the kids have to say about their Dad. Blake says he is the most awesome Dad ever, he loves to play X box with him and he is so glad that he is a boy like him. Hailey loves to wrestle with Daddy and learn how to exercise with him. He is the best teacher she says. She is also loves that he chose to go to Disneyland on his birthday. Madison loves her Daddy because he helps her get her jammies on and reads stories with her. She also likes it when he tickles her. Abby loves it when Todd comes home and loves it when he throws her in the air.
Happy Birthday to our favorite guy! We love you!

Grateful for Grandma

Todd went out of town for 10 days so Grandma came to visit for four of the days he was gone. 10 days is way too long. Thank goodness for the extra help. Grandma was super helpful and even helped me get some projects done. We went to pick Grandma at the airport and then walked around Seaport Village and went out to lunch. The bird quy walked over to Blake and put a bird on his head and arm. The girls didn't want anything to do with it. The weather was perfect for a walk along the bay. Thanks Grandma, we love you!