Carving Pumpkins

Tonight we followed tradition and headed over to Dean's parent's to carve pumpkins. It's always more fun when we carve together. Janna always has something creative planned and we help the boys make whatever it is they have in mind. Sometimes this is more difficult than others. (If you know Tanner at all he has a brain chalked full of ideas and trying to narrow them down to something do-able is a task I tell ya!) And when we're all done we finish off the night with some kind of yummy treat. Tonight it was donuts and cider. YUM! Thanks Mom, Dad, and Janna for such a fun night and for all your help with the pumpkins and the boys.

Janna's (a bat), Braddock's (The Hulk), Landon's (Iron Man), and Tanner's (A Vampire)

Trunk or Treat

We had our Ward Trunk or Treat Saturday night.  We ended up being pretty late so we didn't even decorate the car.  And it was pitch black outside by time it even started so we didn't really get pictures either, but there was a great turnout and we all had lots of fun.  I walked the kids from car to car and Batman handed out the candy at our car.  We topped the evening off with donuts and apple cider. 

I feel safer with these two in my backseat.

Batman never drove this kind of a bat-mobile before. ;)

The Hulk with Batman in the background and Spiderman speeding by.

Landon "Ironing" and Tanner's shooting some webs.

Peter Pan

Friday night a children's theatre group from New York was putting on a production of Peter Pan at the high school auditorium.  We thought it would be fun to take the boys.  We should have known better than to think that Braddock would actually sit and watch the show.  He and I were in the hall for 90% of the show, but Tanner and Landon enjoyed it so I guess it was still worth it.  Ha!  It was fun to get out and do something a little different than the usual for a change.

Senior Trick or Treat 2013

Halloween is upon us which means our favorite activity of the year.  We go with our ward to a local Old Folks Home and bring cardboard creations for the "Seniors" to come trick-or-treating too.  Here's some links to years past, 2012, 2011, 2010, and this year turned out just as wonderful.  I love that my boys get the opportunity to serve others and learn how that feels inside.  And I LOVE seeing the sweet smiles on the old people's faces as they come through the room.  It's a win-win for all of us.  Bishop Weeks was super cute with Tanner, and kept asking why we didn't bring him.  He told Spiderman to make sure and tell Tanner hello when we saw him.

Our SUPER family.

Batman and The Hulk

Savannah was an adorable jellyfish, complete with a Sponge Bob aquarium.

Liam was a firefighter with his own firehouse and firetruck.  And Ethan was an adorable giraffe.

The Young Women were princesses.

Janna was rocking her poodle skirt with the jukebox by her side.  And the Activity Day Girls had a whole haunted village.

Nate was Dr. Who with his Tardis. 

Landon was so cute and friendly.  He made sure to smile and say "Happy Halloween!" to everyone.

Sis. Schmuck outdid herself again and made this construction zone for her grandson.

And she made this jewelry box for her granddaughter.

These two are a married couple.  It doesn't get much sweeter than that!

The Owens' were the five little monkeys jumping on the bed, with their Momma and the Dr.

Iron Man completing his super duties.

Even the missionaries got in on the action.  It was nice to also have Sisters this year.

Spiderman even got up the courage to hand out a few treats.  Not sure why he decides to be so shy at times, and other times he's the life of the party.  This was definitely a shy night.

And our cityscape complete with the Bat Signal and a few super heroes peeking out from behind.

Pumpkin Patch 2013

The weather's taking a turn for the worst so Tuesday afternoon when it was at least sunny outside we decided to hurry and run to the pumpkin patch before it's not just cold, but rainy too.  We practically had the whole place to ourselves and we picked out some great pumpkins too.  Braddock thought he was pretty awesome walking all over the place, and he even made friends with a little dog that made his brothers scream and cry.  I guess we finally have at least one kid that's not terrified of animals.

Leaf Peeping

For FHE this week we piled in the car and took off for a drive to look at all the pretty fall leaves.  We had a little lesson as we drove about Heavenly Father's beautiful creations and how He made them for us to enjoy.  We love drives as a family, and we love fall.  After we got home, those of us who hadn't already stuffed ourselves with apple pie and ice cream at Dean's parents, ate some donuts.  And later that night, those of us who already had apple pie may have had donuts too. ;)

P.S. Being away from these four boys of mine this weekend, renewed my gratitude for them.  I'm one lucky wife and momma!