Happy Halloween

Here are my five trick-or-treaters; Meg too old this year.  L-R: Poodle-skirt Maisie, Banana Andy, Captain America Nick, Boots Eddie, and Dora Maddie.

Maddie was the the ultimate Dora.  To receive her candy she would announce, "Hola.  Soy, Dora.  This is my friend, Boots.  Trick-or-treat!"  Our community loved the children because many are Spanish-speakers, and they knew exactly who my little ones were.  Funny also, though, was that all the youngest trick-or-treaters in the community loved Andy's costume.  All night we heard, "NANA!"  Hilarious.

 The loot.

 Also hilarious was that Grandpa B. called Maddie, "Nora" all evening because he couldn't remember, "Dora."  That was a kick, too.  We were so glad he came to share his favorite holiday...Grandma B. in Indiana with Char and brand-new baby.

And this is my lovely kitchen table.  All month long I set the table after breakfast then cooed each time I walked by.  I still think it is so lovely.

Student of the Month

Tricker-Nicker received the "Student of the Month"award today!  Way to go. (For the record I deserved that same award every day of my entire educational career, but was denied.  So happy that he achieved far more than I ever could, even as a 1st grader!)

Pumpkin Carving 2013

Annual pumpkin carving proved a little more painful this year -- because we live in a small town, the stores were out of pumpkins.  I paid $8 each for these, so I only bought two.  Plus, we knew that no one would come to our door, except the javelinas to eat the pumpkins.  The FHE activity was fun, though.

Happy Birthday to Emily!

Hikes

Well,  no posting means we've done nothing.  Al contraire.  We've been on three beautiful hikes this month.  Here we are in Dry Creek Canyon.  We crossed the river 12 times during our 6 mile round trip jaunt.  Only Nick's shoes got wet; he simply waded.  The fall colors were extraordinary.

We also summited Sugar Loaf.  Here we are on the Baldwin Trail.

Uh, uploading pictures later...

It's Conference Time

It's General Conference weekend. Actually it began last weekend when I flew alone to Utah for the General Women's Relief Society Broadcast.  Mom got tickets for Cherie, Mindy and I to all go. Oh, the time together was soul completion.

Together this weekend. We took notes and were guided by our inspired leaders.

 Saturday between sessions we headed to the park to get some energy out.

Missionary Talks

Today our family spoke in church.  Our youth speaker was Meg she is my miracle child she is the best she shines the brightest.  Meg has many talents and she is the nicest girl a person could dream of.  She loves soccer and volley ball she also plays piano and has many talents.  Everyone loves Meg! (Hacked.  I left this post up while putting Eddie to bed.  All these things are true, though.  Quite true.)

Andy quoted all of D&C 4 at the fastest pace you've ever heard.  Maisie's talk went off without a hitch, and Meg wrote her own and it was great.  I had Maddie sing a beginning solo and then the rest of the older children joined her.  It was really sweet.  I played the piano, and I made so many mistakes.  No wonder I don't play in church.

The best part of the entire experience was the final preparation this morning.  Andy and Maisie set up a pulpit and conducting chairs.  Then all five kids (Eddie was asleep) conducted a faux meeting.  Andy welcomed assigned songs and prayers, and then listed the order of the speakers (he insisted on being the Bishop, because he was a boy and would hold the priesthood).  Of course the kids gave their talks, Andy wrote one especially for Maddie and Nick so they could participate.  It made all my efforts in the home worth it.

 Here is a picture of this morning.

My Big Baby, Eddie

I gave Eddie a haircut using clippers, instead of simply trimming around his ears.  He looks so much older now.  He is big.  He calls to all the birds while on walks.  Today in church while Austin was speaking he screamed "Dad" above all the other noise in the chapel.  I was so proud.  He is the first to give hugs, and the first to beg for otter-pops.  He ate seven in one day.  He goes to nursery soon, which means it'll be the first time he is left without any of his siblings.  This breaks my heart most of all.  Sheesh, I'm sentimenal tonight.  I just love my big baby.
Before

After

It's Great to be Eight!

My little lady is 8!  Because Maisie's birthday was the day before her baptism, she had special guests all day for her swimming party.

Sweet cousin Gabby came

We felt the warmth of the Holy Ghost the moment the opening song began.  Maisie sang a solo during the musical number, and she was so brave.  She was able to bear her testimony through song, and it was powerful.

Maisie's Program

Thank you for coming, family.