Finally!!!

After months and months of waiting...we have EGGS!!!

Boo at the Zoo...

...a beloved family tradition. Since Darren was at a scout camp out last weekend, and the kids and I would be going ALL ALONE, my parents so nicely came with us. The kids trick-or-treated for stuffed parrots, lots and lots of candy, and even a little slime. We went to lunch after at the Red Butte Cafe, and then went shopping at the Basket Loft, where my mom bought the kids their own Christmas bubble night light, which they have already plugged in and started using, even to my obvious observation that it's not Christmas yet. We had so much fun!

Dad talking to Jordan (I don't think Jordan can stand to be left out).

Pumpkin Walk

Our city has tons of volunteers carve a zillion pumpkins, and then for three nights hosts a "pumpkin walk" around the park where the kids can admire the cool pumpkins, and of course pick up some more candy. Oh yeah, and have hot chocolate and nachos, too. Isn't this a great holiday?

Maddie with our neighbors, Cambri and Devyn

He really is worse than a kid when you ask him to do something simple like smile.

What Do You Do...

If you are concerned about the amount of candy your children will bring home on Halloween night? Take them to the ward trunk-or-treat, to get even more!

Maddie and cousin Hanna

Hanna won the donut eating contest (against kids much older and bigger)!

Emily Says Another Cute Thing

We have long had a family tradition of nightly family prayer. Whoever says the prayer that night, everyone else gives that person a compliment. Last night, it was Emily's turn. After saying her prayer, Nicholas started to give her a compliment. She interrupted him, saying, "I do it, I do it, I DO IT!" Then she said, "My compliment to Emily June is that she reads a book." And she laughed. And we all laughed.

My Roommates from SUU

Stacy and Baby

Heidi, Julie, Alaina

A very short time ago, I was a freshman at SUU and was lucky enough to have some great roommates. Last Saturday, I was able to see a few of them again at Stacy's baby shower. (Her baby boy is sooooo cute, by the way.)
I realized after the shower was over, that I had forgotten all about the promised caboodle, sunglasses, and boyfriend-getting Subway shirt. Next time, guys!

The Dream Stealer

Friday, Maddie did a beautiful job dancing at The Browning Center. I was hoping to get a better video than the one I posted Friday (it was short because instead of hitting record I accidentally turned the camera off, and then, you know, by the time I got over the shock and got it started again...) but I forgot about that small detail--NO photography of ANY KIND during the performance. And yes, that includes videos, I asked. So I do not have a better video or any pictures of Maddie in her darling blue, flowing costume.
The CDT performance of the Dream Stealer was incredible! Emily, Maddie and even Nicholas loved the whole thing. My favorite part was when the dark forest (kids with huge branches somehow strapped to their wrists) danced around the stage; it was very scary. Maddie and Nicholas's favorite part was the end, when all the dreams held their sparkling, lighted hands up in the air. Better than a movie any day, I say!

It's Friday!

This morning when I was vacuuming, I tugged on the hose to the canister a couple of times and when it wouldn't move I looked behind me...

Emily found the Red Balloon toy catalog and was very, very intrigued by it.

Madison had a three hour dance rehearsal last night in preparation for a performance tonight at The Browning Center at Weber State University. Her dance class is opening for the Children's Dance Theatre. I'm excited to see CDT's production of the "The Dream Stealer". This is a few seconds of Maddie dancing under the star.

Sweet Little Nicholas

We bought a new printer over the weekend which included a scanner among other things, and I wanted to show Maddie's "Me, Myself & I" poster that she took to school today, but I can only find one half of the scanned picture, and that half is three times to big to load on to my blog. So I will have Darren look at it tonight, but in the meantime, I found this so cute picture of Nicholas while I was looking through my images. I don't even know how old he is here. This just reiterates my standing belief that he is getting "TOO BIG"!

Today Is Leave a Comment on Jordan's Blog Day!

I have really found this to be a fun pastime, and am going to nominate it as a national holiday. If anyone knows how I should go about that, e-mail me. Or I'll try Googling it. While we're at it, let's all wear orange ribbons in support of Cullimore 2028. (You'll have to buy your own.) Show your support!

This Is What Emily Has Looked Like...

for the last three days, and most noteworthy, what she looked like on our trip to Walmart this morning. I throw my hands up in the air and admit defeat. However, it is pleasant that she keeps referring to the picture of Snow White on her dress as a picture of me, mommy. This child does have a high opinion of me.
You would think, especially it being so close to Halloween, that other mothers at Walmart would smile as if to say, "How adorable." But all I received were looks of dismay that clearly said, "Can you please dress your child appropriately for a trip to the grocery store?!?"
By the way, it is rather hard to convince a two-year-old that clothes need to be washed every so often. Tomorrow, she will be wearing something different. Maybe the blue Cinderella dress.

Our Annual Trip to Pumpkinland

Yesterday we went to Pumpkinland--a Halloween tradition for us for the last eight years. It's really Vineyard Gardens (a nursery) that is transformed into a magical maze, play area and light alley. I love the maze because it's small enough to actually find your way through, unlike the bigger mazes that either require a map or just cutting through the visitor-made shortcuts to the exit. Pumpkinland's maze is big enough, though, that it still took us quite a while to find our way out--and would have taken longer if Mom and Madison hadn't cheated by going out the entrance and back in the exit to find me and Nicholas. Cheaters.

The maze has jokes to read at every turn. This lets you know if you've been down that path before. Here are just a few of them.

We're Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo...

Today we went to the zoo with our long-time friends. It was good to see them again. Emily was excited to see the animals up close that she reads about every night in her book Goodnight, Gorilla. It's always a fun day at the zoo.

construction, very interesting

Spinach Smoothies

Yep, I said, "Spinach." I actually saw this recipe on another blog I like, and tried it. It was surprisingly good and the kids loved it. We've had it two days in a row; tomorrow the kids and I should finish up the rest of the bag of spinach. We're full of antioxidants and vitamins. Now, if I could just convince my husband to try something green with the word 'spinach' in the description. Should it be easier to get your kids to eat healthy than your husband? Hmmmmm.

Spinach Smoothies:
2 or 3 cups of spinach (I just cram the blender half full)
2 bananas
2 cups of pineapple juice
about 3 cups of crushed ice
Blend until smooth.

The First Day of Disneyland

Sunday was our first day at Disneyland. Maddie's favorite ride was Pirates of the Caribbean, Nicholas' favorite ride was Space Mountain, and Emily's favorite ride was It's A Small World (and the Pooh Bear ride). As for Emily, I think she could have done without all the other rides, since she was crying at the end of most of them. Scary villains were coming at us at every turn. Emily did like to see the characters, though. One of the first characters we saw was Mickey Mouse, and I left her in her stroller thinking she would cry if he got too close. She wanted to get out though, and ran right up to him and gave him a hug. It was so darling, and I felt bad that I did not have my camera ready and taking a video. We also saw the parade that evening, and ended the day with the fireworks. My kids are already asking to go back.

Swimming & Relaxing

Monday, Darren was at his conference all day so the kids and I went shopping at Downtown Disney and the kids bought souvenirs and we ate lunch at a nice European bakery--nice for me, though Nicholas thought his hot dog bun was burned (it was grilled), Maddie didn't like the funny tasting cheese in her grilled cheese sandwich, and Emily wasn't particularly fond of the soup--and she loves almost all different kinds of soup. I could not see what they were complaining about.
We went back to the hotel and swam with our cousins, and later that night Karen and Jeromy watched our kids (thanks again!) while Darren and I went to dinner hosted by his conference. The conference people rented out California Adventure and we got to ride Soarin' Over California with no wait, and then dinner was in a building next to the Muppet 3D show. They had a great live band and excellent food--prime rib, salmon, Chinese food, and most importantly a lot of different yummy desserts. We had a great time.

California Adventure

On Tuesday we went to California Adventure. Nicholas was able to talk to Crush, the turtle, we rode the Tower of Terror, the river raft ride, Soarin' Over California, and a couple of roller coasters along with a lot of other rides. Fun, of course.

The Second Day of Disneyland

On Wednesday we went with Karen and Jeromy and their kids to the character breakfast at the Plaza Inn on Main Street. It was a ton of fun and the food was great. The rest of the day we rode rides and had fun. We even made it on the Nemo submarine ride at the end of the day, thanks to Jeromy standing in the long line for the rest of us.

It's A Small World

Maddie, Nicholas, Landon, Emily and Kylee

The cutest video ever.