Happy Halloween

Halloween is fun, but sadly it's just not my holiday of "over-doing-it".  I guess I live in the wrong state for that...oh well.  Sadly again, it's rubbed off onto my kids.  I don't think about costumes until the week of (terrible I know).  So my kids haven't really been to into it either.  Sure they love to dress up, but even Tarin just wore a cape and no make up or "hassle items" because it's just fun to be with friends and family and (most importantly) get candy!

For our ward party it was a trunk or treat.  Ammon is my Blue M&M (he loved getting M&M's--kind of wierd).  The rest of the family went to an Imagine Dragon's concert, so it was just Ammon and I at the party.  At first he was scared, and really, I wasn't too comfortable either.  We are still new to the ward and the ward it literally 800+ members reading in 5 families a week (about to split)...so it was odd not knowing anyone.  But as you can see, he warmed up.  The plus side to a huge ward there were tons of cars that had their trunks decorated and lots of candy to go around.  Loved this guy, he did a great job on his costume.

Here is the concert pictures...kind of hard to see

Of course Rian loved it, and Raegan warmed up, but overall it was overwhelming for the three younger ones.  But now they can say they have been to a concert and know what it is like.

Halloween day the Elementary had a parade.  I didn't catch Tarin or Ammon but Raegan as a vampire.

 Halloween night, Jarom dressed up from Studio C comedy show "Lobster Bisque" and Ammon the M&M.  Ammon loved going around with big brother and mom far back watching. Tarin went with Elissa, a friend, and Rian went over to friends house to watch a scary movie.  Raegan, well, she was mad at me for something, so didn't do much.

 and of course, reap the rewards...luckily, the kids were able to donate most of their candy to the troops (helps me not eat more) through the school and get a coupon to the trampoline place.  Much healthier holiday.

Overall, it was a good night.

Happy Birthday To Rian -- Big 1 4

Happy Birthday to Rian Marin.  She is now legal to go to dances...

Can't believe I'm a mom to a 14 yr old.  

 She got her breakfast birthday.  I know she was super excited for us to sing to her...first of many!

At least the pancake was awesome!

 That day was a bit rainy, but look what the afternoon brought!  It was gorgeous!  Tempting to go search for that double pot of gold in our desert back yard...

Then as the clouds shifted, the entire bow came out!  It was really cool...such a pretty sign on your birthday.

Then Rian and I worked on her super chocolatey, nutella cake!  Oh my, this thing literally gave me a crash the next day, I was not myself...super rich and sugary, but I'll admit really tasty.

 Yep, getting to that point where too many candles is just...too many candles

For her birthday, she had gotten a few items, but this one will be around awhile.  She wanted a Chevron design on her wall...I told her we need to get settled into our house for a bit first, but she was persistent and why not, its her birthday a really it took total about a days worth of work.  I was surprised how easy it really was.  Hard part, all the kids wanted to help (I'd love them too, but this was precise lines and all...)

BEFORE

 AFTER

The colors look a bit weird in this crappy lighting...but the background color was a greyish color, and then a coral orangish color with mint as the accent.  It looks reallly cool.  This was really fun and now Tarin and Raegan are hoping for something in their room.  :)

Happy Birthday Ri Ri, I hope your day was as beautiful and perfect as the rainbow.  Hoping for another great year.

Pumpkin Carving

That time of year again.  The kids love it.  I'm the dig-out-the-goop person and daddy is the carver.  Luckily, I have Tarin my aspiring gooper-outer...she is my little me as far as "gettting her hands dirty" in all things

 Working together...Jarom is craving pumpkin pie...

Daddy trying out an easy and cool design

Pretending to eat it...but looks like he has a special attachment... 

Of course one was a cat.  Dad did a great job.

Snowy Morning

Honestly, I think this was beginning of October, not sure, but we got our dusting of snow.  Cold, but actually really beautiful.  I'm glad we have the view that we do.

 view out our front door

 view looking toward Lehi and American Fork--utah lake

 Same view just later in the morning...love how the sun kisses the trees and fields

view straight off the back deck

Busy Kids

Besides soccer, the kids have piano duets and quartet judging coming up.  They don't like it when I stick around to critique so I had to sneak up on them to take this one.  Jarom and Tarin have two duets they are working on.  Rian has two quartet pieces she is working on with other kids.  I think it's amazing what they have accomplished.

Another challenge, the elementary age kids were challenged to run 100 miles before the end of the school year.  Raegan is ahead with 12 stars on her chart and Ammon is close behind.  He will come home from school and want to do his mile on the treadmill.  He's determined to keep up with Raegan.  He has 10 miles so far.

Jarom had his band concert and did a great job.  He is playing the Baritone.  It's a big instrument, but he has picked up the ability to play it really well.  Piano pays off...

 Rian had her choir concert and did a fabulous job too.  Love that our kids are involved.

Georgia Time

Thursday morning, October 10th I get up early to fly out of Salt Lake City to visit my "home".  For years when we moved to GA I longed to be back west close to what I knew to be home.  Little did I know that home was all around me.  I had grown so much in our 11 1/2 years of living there that I had to go back for a visit and see all the wonderful people there.

Upon arriving into Atlanta, I grabbed a rental car and headed out to Newnan.  Oh it was so surreal...I had to get my bearings and it just flooded back to me.  I stopped by both our old houses and drove all around the area.  Although I did come out to visit and had no plans of any kind, I did a lot of driving and just soaked it all in.  If I never get back I wanted to really remember this place. 

The southern charm and core beliefs are so amazing.  I felt so at home.  Living in Utah just isn't the same.

Wish my kids could have come too...I saw many of their friends.

Sydney Farmer and family

Catalina Reisinger, Sam Thorne, Hailey Bake and sooo many more!  Can't believe how fast everyone grows up!

I saw many of my friends too and didn't take enough pictures!  Melissa Coe, how did we not get a picture together!!  My sweet kindred spirit whom we are bound forever.  I love you and had an amazing time with you!But I feel I saw many of the ones I longed to see.  I didn't even touch the Summergrove and Newnan Ward peeps...I love you guys wish I had a week to visit!!

I did get to spend some time with some other ladies that made my last few weeks in Georgia (before moving) the best times ever.  Kristi Henderson and Lisa Carlock.  So we continued the saga...we headed up to a Hilton by perimeter mall.  We had a blast!  

 Ladies on the loose...watch out!  Had to get the king and queen in the background...too bad their crowns didn't show up very well.  Thanks to the gentleman that Kristi flagged down with "hey baby" in his car to take our picture!

We hit Chow Baby for dinner...oh so amazing!  Need to do that again sometime!

Afterwards we were looking for a club with bands to check out...we were directed to one called West Terminal.  Well, Kristi went in to check it out, and I decided to ask the officer in the parking lot for a good place to park (with Lisa in the back seat).  Well after a short talk he asked why Lisa was in the back (passenger seat empty of Kristi).  I joked that I'm her paid friend...well, come to find out Kristi said the bands were crappy because it was Pride week.  Oh man, did that officer think we were crazy!  But a lot of things made sense the rest of the night...

Finally we set off for Atlantic Station and hit a few stores.  Then we headed back and hit the hot tub and poor James...or was it Jason the maintenance guy who let us into the hot tub after hours?  Anyway, we all crashed and made it to 1pm church in Sharpsburg ward the next day.

That night, the Marlers invited me to dinner at their new house.  Great place out on the BT Reservoir!  I had a blast with all my little buddies.  Love you guys!

A huge Thank You to Brian and Lori Clark for letting me stay with them while I leaned back on old times.  Love you all so much.

I sure hope to be back and see everyone again real soon.

Random Doings

I tried out the produce co-op through my sis-in-law, but I think I will start up my own.  Although it was great stuff, it just wasn't stuff we use...except the spinach!  Oh yeah, bring back the spinach smoothies!  My kids love these smoothies.

I also ordered 40 lbs of chicken through Zaycon.  Huge chicken breasts and so fresh...but so fresh I had a lot of work ahead of me.  Before heading out of town to Georgia for a visit, I had to have this done.  I cut off all the fat and 90% of the chicken I had cut up so it was ready to use and the other 10% left as breasts for crock pot and grilling.  You should see my freezer!  Oh it's a good feeling to have that all done and ready for use.