Trick-or-Treat

Happy Halloween to all! The kids are off from school today, so hopefully I won't go crazy with, "Is it time to go yet?!" excitement!! The only little downfall about our school is they don't really do to much holiday 'stuff' in school, so I was feeling a little sad that we don't have any cutesy school made decorations on the door this year. So, last night I decided we needed to have a family party! We made caramel apples


and hand-print bats!!! I put a borrowed Scooby-doo movie on in the living room and I think the kids were more involved with that-so maybe the bats are for me to look back on there small hands one day....and more scrapbooking to pile up! Jared had to teach at the "U" last night, so he will have to enjoy our party/pictures via this blog post! Grandma Allen came over and brought the new "Tinkerbell" movie, so we stayed up and watched that too! It was cute. Thanks Grandma for the fun movie! By the way my stomach feels this morning, I think I ate too much caramel, oh, and the apple!

Pumpkin Carving FHE Lesson

This is so cute if you haven't carved your pumpkin's yet, and if you have do one more (Super Wal-mart only $1.88ea.) or there is always next year. I found this on Everyday Food Storage blog. We did this for FHE tonight and I hope someone got something out of it!

Lesson: Because I am His child, I will serve God with all my heart, might, mind, and strength.
Scripture:(D&C 4:2). “Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.”

This pumpkin is going to help us remember how we can better serve God.



I can open my mind so I can learn about Heavenly Father and his plan for me to return to him.
(Cut the top of the pumpkin)



I can repent when I make a wrong choice.
(Clean out the inside)



I can keep my eyes open for opportunities to serve others.
(Cut the eyes out in shape of heart)



I can be a good friend to everyone and not turn up my nose to anyone.
(Cut a nose)



I can open my ears so I can listen and learn.
(Cut the ears)


I can open my mouth so I can share the gospel with the world.
(Cut the mouth)


I can follow the Saviors example and let my light shine in all that I say and do.
(Place a candle inside and light it)

Activity: It is no trick to treat others with kindness: Have small paper pumpkins cut. Family members can write acts of kindness they will do on each pumpkin. We then delivered our neighborhood "Boo's" which you can read about on my next post!

To help keep attention span and keep things simple, I had everything predone, so we only had to throw a few loose spoonfuls of pumpkin guts in the garbage and then just push the face features out, also we just talked about kind things we can do in our family!

Who Boo'd Who?

We are later than normal doing our neighborhood Boo, that is just okay too! The kids have fun doing this every year. We were going to make the classic sugar cookies, but I decided that was too much work and mess on my part, then I thought about using the Costco cookie dough that is in my freezer, but it didn't thaw in time, so I used Rachel Johnstones delicious Mrs. Feild's recipe! Can't get them any fresher than making them yourself!



RUN! RUN! RUN!

Another Calling for me!

Stay tuned...until next week!!! ha! ha! ha!

digital scrapbooking

I really must learn how to do this! I just posted way to many post, therefore some have gone to 'older posts' already! If you are interested please click 'older posts' to see 'recent posts'!!! Must go, Home Teacher's are here. Good timing!!!
Never mind, I fixed all to one page!!!!!

Happy 7th Birthday Andrew

Andrew is now 7. He has been counting down his birthday for a few weeks now! We were not able to do his "friend birthday party" the day of his birthday (Oct. 25) so we let him choose something to do with his family! He decided on Jungle Jim's! (I think this will be last year for him-getting a little big for the rides!)





All had a fun time!



That night we had G&G Allen,

Chantel, Kennedy and Chewy over for pizza, cake and presents.
Andrew got a Star Wars Lego kit,

and a much wanted Game Boy with a few games! He picked out his cake
at Costco and I must say it was a good pick! I am not much of a chocolate cake lover, but this was good! You will be able to tell if you look at my hips!

Sack of Potatoes

Anika's favorite way to be 'carried' to bed!

"I'm Not tired mom"

Gardner Village...a few weeks ago!

Sorry, for the ton of posts today, but after our Relief Society lesson I figured I should update this....
My mom likes Gardner Village, so I thought she and my dad
would like seeing the witches for Halloween.
Anika had fun trying to get the duck to some see her.

"Come here ducky... I won't hurt you...Please come see me!"


Afterwards, my parents were kind enough to treat me and Anika to lunch...the advantages to being the only child left at home!

Congratulations Andrew

This was a few weeks ago, but Andrew was so proud that he was able to do his 'reading fluency' in under one minute, he insisted I take a picture of it! So cute!

Gardner Village Fun

We went to see the witches

with my good friend Stephanie
and some of her extended family.
It was a fun few hours...although I don't recommend going on their "carnival weekend"!



The kids probably had more fun sitting by the water for lunch and watching the mino's swim around!!! >
I remember when I was young my brother's and I use to catch these in our hands or in styrofoam cups after our picnic was over! I also remember my mom daring my older brother to eat one live for a $1...yep he did it!