Halloween 2007!

We had such a great Halloween! I was so excited for the kids. Claire has been looking forward to this for weeks. I made her costume (not really my choice), but she has been so good to just look at it and not touch it for weeks! It was great. I had it downstairs to wash today, and she brought it back upstairs and put it on the chair that it sat for 2 weeks! So cute. Claire started her day with a party at preschool (crazy!), and then we went to our friends house for some homemade pizza and playtime with the kids. We wanted them to keep busy so they wouldn't think about trick or treating. Around 3:00 we headed to downtown where they had trick or treating. It was crazy. There were a ton of kids, but the kids had a great time. Claire was on auto pilot after the first couple of stores. So funny! Owen decided he didn't like the stroller and was walking all by himself. By the end of the day he was saying trick or treat.

After that we went home and got ready for our ward trunk or treat. They had a dinner and then of course tons of candy. There were kids everywhere, but it was a lot of fun. We hit a few of our neighbors houses after that, and then called it a night. I couldn't believe that Claire could trick or treat that long. I think that Chad gave up first! We had a great time, and it is so much fun now that the kids understand what Halloween is. I can't wait until next year - although I do hate being asked for candy every few minutes. Owen is an addict, so we hid the candy in our room (that might not be the best place for me!).

FHE Cookie Decorating

For FHE we decorated Halloween cookies with some of the neighbors. It was so much fun. Claire could hardly wait for Ellie to come over. It is so great that they are becoming good friends. We were so glad to have everyone visit, and will have to do it again on the next holiday!

Pumpkin Carving with the Claysons!

Thank you Great Grandma Bock

Yesterday we got a wonderful package, filled with goodies for Claire, Owen and I. Great Grandma Bock made Claire a cute dress, which she loved, and sent Owen a great sweatshirt, and I got a cookbook. Thank you for making our day, and we will post pictures soon of the dress actually on! We can hardly wait to see you at Christmas!!!

Preschool

I know I said a long time ago, that I would post pictures of the preschool. OK, so school has been in almost 2 months, and I'm just getting to it. It is so hard for me to not have a janitor, that I never think of running down there and taking pictures. Chad did such a great job on this, that I just can't not show it off. This used to be part of my garage (our garage was huge, so we can still park a car and Chad has a tool area). We built the whole thing in, and have outside access from the backyard, so people don't even go in our house. It is turning out to be a great blessing for our family because I can still spend a lot of time at home with the kids. I was also lucky enough to have one of my young women (who is home schooled), come to my house each day to babysit. It doesn't get any better than that!

The Joys of Dressing Themselves!!!

I can't tell you how hard it is for me to let my children (mostly Claire), be independent and pick out her clothes. I fell like I have good taste, but she doesn't. She is so picky now that I have to take her to the store, and make sure that she likes something before I buy it. I found the cutest outfit the other day for our family pictures, but she didn't like it. It's not worth buying it because she will only wear it the one time I make her, and then it is done. Oh well, I just have to give up, and let her dress herself - that is HARD!!! Last weekend we found her a new hat and gloves, and boots, and I can't get the things off of her. She has worn them everywhere!! For FHE we went to visit a new member of our ward, and she refused to take them off. Oh well, at least she was warm.

Claire is ready for snow!! Almost - does anyone know where I can find some 4T or 5T snow pants - I can't find them anywere. I'm sure once I get them, she will wear those all the time too!
Saturday morning - we bought them on Friday!

This is not Owen's jacket, but his good friend McKinleys. She came over to play and when her mom held her coat up for McKinley to put on, Owen ran right over, and got ready to "go." I'm sure this picture will provide good blackmail in the future.

Fall Is Here!

We just love Fall! The other day for Family Home Evening, we were outside, and the kids discovered throwing leaves. When we went outside a few days ago, there were a bunch of new leaves. We raked them up, and had a great time. One of the best parts about Fall, the cold I could do without!!