Happy Halloween

A few events are all in this post, but all have to do with Halloween.  First of all, I decided to take on a challenge that I started 2 yrs ago.  I had gotten a pattern, fabric and all items necessary to make fairy costumes for Tarin and Raegan but never made them.  This year, I was going to finish that project...talked them into being fairies so I wouldn't be doing this in vain.  Only downer was I decided this a week before all the events were taking place.  Yep, I was crazy, but determined to finish this and accomplish a long lost project.  This project turned out to be more difficult then I originally anticipated, but I did finish it!  I was proud of myself.

Found these embelishments and liked how they turned out.

She liked how it turned out.  And I thought I would be bold and try the face makeup.  Not sure I will try that again, but it was fun to try.

Tarin's costume was the exact same, but obviously blue.

Her eye was healing nicely, and could hardly be seen.

Death made an appearance.  What a funny guy!

Then there was my Pirate!  He loved his mustache and goatee.

For our ward party, we went to the nearby Assisted Living facility, The Charleston, and had the kids parade through their dining hall, then sang to them.

Halloween night, Gma Wardwell put on a Halloween party for the kids in her garage.  They all had a blast.

Then it was Trick-or-Treating time.  The older ones (Rian, Jarom and Baylie) had all left to go together, so this was all the younger ones (without Jodi and her family--already left).

It was fun walking around with them.  Houses a lot closer then in Georgia, so they were able to maximize their time.  Ammon had the most fun of all.  Last year, he sort of understood what went on.  But this year he really figured it out and after every house had to show me how much more candy was filling up his bucket.  Such a fun age.

Then after a little while (being a school night) we called it quits and let them check out their loot.  Such fun times to being a kid, and a parent to watch them enjoy all these moments.

Random Post

Forgot to squeeze these pics in.  We did carve pumpkins, Trent attempted a Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation...uhm, he did pretty good, but it glowed like a devil.  Then I just did a simple vampire pumpkin, nothing special but it did glow better...

Then this was Halloween party day at the school.  I was a bit early, and Jarom was at recess.  He had talked about playing baseball with some kids, so Ammon and I wanted to check out their game.  It was pretty entertaining to watch these guys, but you can tell they were having a lot of fun.

Then a more random picture.  Ammon had gotten himself stuck in a bucket while having a friend, Isaac, over.  Funny boy!

Teenage Life

It's official, she is now a teen!  She is officially legal on Facebook.  Rian turned 13 years old and has loved every minute of it...can you see it written all over her face?  Well more of that to come in the upcoming years...  But really, she was the new start to our family.  Being our oldest child she has paved the way for the rest of her siblings.  She has been a great example of both greatness and teasing.  Wouldn't have it any other way.  Love you babe, and hope for some memorable teen years to come.  Happy Birthday!

Snow In October

Yesterday is snowed, but was wet.  Today was real snow and was awesome!  The kids were off to school before the fluffy stuff came, so I hope they saw it.  But Ammon just loved this...and I guess you could say I did too.  I know more will be coming and the excitement will fade away, but for the first snowfall, I have to get excited.  So pretty!

In Georgia this would have been a snow day for sure.  Kind of miss that!  :o)

First snowman of the season.

Projects Projects and More Projects...

I can't help to mentally check each kid off the list when a project comes up.  Tarin...check, Jarom...check, Rian...another science project!  almost check  Raegan is almost to the age of multiple projects.  I don't think I thought this through when I was having child after child.  Oh well.  They do such a great job I just have to take a picture of each one. 

Tarin is learning about each kind of landscapes and she chose to do the forest.

Jarom is learning about the wonders of the world and chose to do the pyramids.  Open it up and you see the different pathways that lead mostly to dead ends to trick people.  But one leads to the burial place of the pharohs and treasure.

Rian is doing yet...another science project.  Different soils with plants.  On going thus far.

Purple Eye

Monday morning was an interesting day but a good outcome.  I send the kids off on their bikes several minutes before 8am so they have time to play with friends at the school playground before the bell.  About 10 minutes after 8am I see there is a call from the school... In my mind I'm already rehearsing, "she will be fine, she can go back to class..."  This time wasn't one of those times.  The nurse had called telling me that I need to come down because she will need stitches.  Got my attention, but still a little skeptical, because it could still be just something little.

I get there but to my dismay, blood stained clothes from a huge gash above her right eye helped me realize I was very wrong.  Bleeding had stopped, but she was pretty upset at the word "stitches".

Swinging on the bars at school, she had slipped one hand and dangled with the other causing her to crash into the bars head on.  She said she hurt, but didn't think it was too hard, until he put her hand up to her eye and her hand was all red with blood.

Waiting at Urgent Care and the numbing gel on her wound.

Ammon was playing my phone and snatched this one of the doctor working his magic.  Although Tarin was still pretty shaken up with "stitches" being put in, she didn't feel a thing when the doctor mentioned he already put one in...that was when she stopped and realized she was ok.  She will say that the shot jabbed multiple times into her gash was pretty painful, but was glad it did the job.  She ended up with 11 stitches!  I think Jarom had the family record of 7...Tarin is the new record holder.  Let's hope for no more record breakers!  Overall, the day turned out pretty good despite the pain and anguish.

Stopped by Orange Leaf for some ice cream to make 'everything better'.  Ammon was pretty happy about that.  I enjoyed the time together more then any of them.

Next morning, she was still feeling pretty good, but looked pretty beat up!  Drainage had swollen the eye and painted some pretty colors.  I though it was kind of cool, but she was embarrassed to go to school looking like this.  Subbing her class half day, I was able to see her mid day and she was in good spirits.  I think she knew it was ok and that it wasn't that big of a deal.

Had to post this too.  She was trying to put ice on it before school, in hopes it would go down.  Trent had the idea to use this head band to hold it in place...pretty funny.  But as you can see she wasn't laughing...poor girl.

Raegan's Piano

With piano getting expensive, I did decide to pull Raegan out of lessons from an outside teacher.  4 kids playing gets pretty pricey...  This is her first year and I still wanted her to learn.  I taught our first two kids for their first year, and that is what I've decided to do with Raegan.  I have all the books and knew with her eagerness to learn, she would do alright with me as her teacher.  She has done extraordinarily well.  She has only been playing since the beginning of September, and has completing the first book.  I'm so proud of her.  

One issue she had, was her trying to play up in the black keys.  Her fingers were stiff and couldn't move.  Even though I kept reminding her to curl her fingers and play in the white (on the edge of the keys) she couldn't remember.  So finally it dawned on me.  I dampened some toilet paper and stuffed them in between the black keys.  Hallelujah!  It worked.  She's doing better.  Here in a few weeks, the others have their recitals and I will have Raegan all ready to play for the family at the next fast Sunday gathering.  Nice work baby girl!

Last Chance For Hiking

The kids had Fall Break from school, a 5 day weekend.  So the first day I noticed it was going to be beautiful weather, and probably one of the last days of the season to get out and hike.  We decided to do the Stewart Falls hike since no one has completed it from our family...  Also, Jarom and Raegan needed to pass off Faith in God requirements for Primary, so they planned this hike which also included gathering garbage along the trail.

Yep, Jarom's eyes are closed...darn it!  At the trail head ready to go with lunched packed and bags in hand.

Even though the fall colors were nearing their end, we were still able to enjoy spectacular views!!  This spot where Tarin is, was my favorite corner in the trail.  A few weeks earlier when Ammon and I attempted this trail, all these leaves were on the trees above and bright pink! 

Almost to the falls.  This is looking out toward Sundance Ski resort. If only pictures could do justice to the views...

Finally, we made it.  We are at top area where the trail opens up to the falls.  We climbed down the trail to the base of the falls.

Gorgeous!

After eating lunch, jumping rocks and learning the law of gravity with shoes slipping into the water, we headed back.  Still couldn't help taking pictures of the wonderful world we live in.

                                       Raegan and Jarom                                                                     Tarin and Ammon                                             

Yep, tired and soggy shoes.  They were glad to be done.  But as you can see, we gathered a bunch of trash from the trail.  There was bunches more, but we didn't have the means to gather everything up.  They did a great job!

Then of course, we drove the Alpine Loop home.  I love it!  Had to drive pretty slow, so the kids wouldn't get car sick, but all the better to take in the views!  Again, wish I had my big camera...the Aspen trees were glorious!  Literally glowing like yellow fire throughout the valley.

Just over the peak of the drive and making our way down to the American Fork side, this was an amazing view of Timpanogos.  Seriously can not explain how much I love this beautiful earth.  My heart fills with amazement and gratitude every time I get to be apart of it's beauty.  I hope, some day, that my kids appreciate this as much as I do and remember what a wonderful creation the Lord has given us.