Preschool Pumpkin Carving Party!

Cade and Claire get put to work!

Stars, Hearts, a Smile, and SNOT!

Last night was Claire's preschool pumpkin carving party. Yep- nothing says fun and safety like a bunch of 3 and 4 year olds hyped up on sugar and running around, while their parents hack into pumpkins with carving knives! We had so much fun! Claire got to 'design' her pumpkin and Eric carved it for her. He did get to put some of his own ideas into it though...if you look closely the pumpkin has "snot" coming out of it's nose...I am so proud! Claire slso had dance yesterday and was able to dress-up in a costume for class. Due to the fact that she got to dress up, the boys had to try on their costumes as well. All the kids are counting the days until we get to Halloween, and their excitement has become contagious! Hopefully, we'll be able to stay out for a while. I think that the weather is supposed to be in the 40's. Well, good thing that I got out the winter jackets this week!

Oh No...SNOW!!!

Well, the weekend started out a bit windy, but with bright, clear blue skies. We raked up a TON of leaves and Eric took them out the the town leaf pile. It was so cute to see the kids playing in the truck bed, crushing all the leaves to make room for more!
Well, we woke-up this morning and it was even more windy, with gray skies. By the time we were on our way to church it was snowing! We weren't worried...we weren't dismayed...the snow wasn't sticking, just falling and melting. Well, we got home and the missionaries came over to eat. Around 4:30 they left and immediately my phone rang. My friend, Meredith, was calling to tell me to look outside. The snow had gotten worse and was STICKING! Man- I thought that we would have a few more weeks of good weather. Well, get out the snow blowers and shovels my friends...it looks like winter is here...EARLY!

Halloween is almost here!

My attempt at window painting!

We made it to the Zoo...Finally!

I love this time of year! We just passed our first hurdle of the month...Cade's birthday, and now we are on the Trick-or-Treating COUNTDOWN! During my blog stalking, I found a FABULOUS idea on my cousin-in-laws blog. She painted her windows in Halloween themes! I loved it and decided to give it a try. Luckily, my mom was out here and did half of the windows for me, but the above picture is what I did! (Thanks for the idea Heather!) The kids are soooooo excited about Halloween and are trying on their costumes everyday and practicing knocking on all our doors...no wonder I have a headache!
The other fun thing that we got to do recently was go up to the ZOO! We haven't been there in forever, so when we took my Mom up to the airport, we made a stop at the Zoo for some fun. The weather was gorgeous, and there was trick-or-treating throughout the entire ZOO...as if the kids needed bags full of candy! We had fun, and now are just hoping that the weather stays nice for Halloween!

Cade's Birthday!

Hard to see, but there's the cake!

Cenneidigh, J.T., Jax in the back, Cade and Jacob!


Well, another miracle has happened! Cade has made it to 6 years old! I know, I know, I am shocked as well! We had a few of the family over for cake and ice cream, and we were lucky that my mom, Grandma Rita, was able to spend a few days with us!
So, Cade had wanted me to make his cake this year. Last May I made Claire a Princess Castle Cake...and if I do say so, it came out prety good! Well, I asked Cade what kind of cake he wanted and he said a chocolate Pirate Ship cake...yeah-he might as well have asked me to build him a nuclear reactor for his birthday! Lucky for me, my mom and I found a Pirate Ship cake at the local grocery store...thank goodness! He got lots of toys and had a really fun time. I really love it when all the cousins converge on us, all 10 of them, plus the Martin's 3 (with our kids we are at 17!)...it was so fun to stay up and chat with everyone.
I had such a good time visiting with 'the girls' while all the men-folk went downstairs and played video games. I can't wait for Thanksgiving and the holiday season. It is so fun to go to everyones homes and spend time with eachother...as if we don't see eachother enough every week! Well, the drawback to the holidays is that we get REALLY cold weather! Remind me again why we live out here!:) It's already getting pretty chilly...better stock up on hot chocolate and soup! We hope you are all ready for winter and the holidays...wherever you live!