Why Virginia Totally Rocks

These don't capture the true colors of Virginia in all her Autumn glory, but they do capture the sheer joy that comes from the combination of said leaves with three kids and trampoline.

BOO!!!

Out of the 58 pictures Isaac took of our four different jack'o'lanterns, this one is definitely the best--both the picture and the pumpkin. Pumpkins were buy one get one free at Safeway, so everyone but Emma got their own carving project. Roasted pumpkin seeds abounded. . .

From L to R: Isaac's masterpiece (he drew, I cut), My "Boo"--Well, I said I wanted one that said "Boo," and Daman did the rest, Lucy's Kitty-Kat--I drew and cut, Daman's scaaaary ghost.

TRUNK OR TREAT!!!

We've loved the trunk or treats at our ward for the last four years. This was our last one. First came the chili cookoff. Yum. There was also a pie contest. Didn't enter. Didn't win. Didn't taste. Hooray for me. The kids ran all over the place and pranced across the stage in costume to boot. And then came the real fun of wandering the parking lot begging for sugar in a variety of forms. We love this ward and have made wonderful memories here. We are sad to leave such good friends, but I'm sure grateful that my best friends, Daman, Ike, Lucy, and Emma go with me wherever I go.

Halloween Day

We started the day in costume early. Isaac already had a ninja turtle costume, but he got the bright idea to be a mummy. So, we tore up an old ghost costume and wrapped him up. This was quite a project!! But, he was so happy, and was determined to spend the day in it--and even brave the inevitable bathroom trip. A good friend got Lucy this dress at a two for one sale at the Disney store. I almost cried when she put it on. . isn't she beautiful. My little girl is growing up!!

Next came a trip to a little Halloween festival. My kids love face painting and when I see an event touting a face painting booth, I put it in my calendar. This was the best so far. The lady loved Ike's costume so much she went a little crazy with the mummy makeup!! He thought it was awesome and was in creepy mummy character the whole time!

Beauty and the Beast

Daman hoopin' it up in the hula contest--he didn't last long

And finally. . . let the real candy flow. Notice Isaac's change of costume. The mummy wrap was a little much, so he opted for the mummy-faced ninja turtle look. This is Ralph, our super cool over-protective neighbor. We will miss him when we make the move. He is such a sweet, hard-working guy. Our kids love screaming hello to him across the street as he walks his dog three times a day.

EMMA!!

I tried to make a slideshow, but it was a no-go, so I fiddled with a collage. Our pictures have been locked in Picasa and I am slowly figuring out how to get them out. Because of this sweet Emma has been sadly under-represented on our walls and in the blog. And now she's almost nine months old, has two whole teeth, and brings a whole new meaning to her nickname "Thumper." This lady never stops grooving, and that smile? She pretty much wears that all the time. She is just one beautiful gal and I am so grateful for her!

Kindergartener!!

So, in case you can't tell, Ike was kind of excited on his first day of school. And I am kind of excited that I figured out how to get pictures out of Picasa and on to the blog. Isaac is LOVING school. He was pretty bummed to miss a day of school for a weekend family trip. And I quote, "Mom, I learn something new every day. If I miss school, I won't learn that thing!" What a nerd. . . I am so proud.

Ready to walk to school! I love the fact that we can walk Isaac to school every day. He was ready to walk all by himself the second day. Not so fast buddy. I'm sad that we won't be able to at our new place, but driving to school is fun too.

The New 'Do

So, I did it. It is all chopped off. This picture maybe isn't the best, my hair kind of blends into the door, but you get the idea. The stylist wouldn't really listen to me, I am not so good at standing up for myself in the salon. So, it is a little long and poofy on top, but I might go back in today and have her take a little more off the top. Daman offered to do it for me, we'll see about that.

Our Newest Toy

Now that Emma sits at the family table she really thinks she's the junk. If she's not getting the attention she wants she gives a hearty squawk until someone looks at her - at which point she goes straight into her huge gummy grin and banging her head on the chair back. She's tons of fun. So we have this little routine we sometimes do to get the kids focused and arms folded for the prayer before a meal. And it goes a little som'n like this - hit it! (if you know the artist to that song I'll give you a nickle). As I was saying, it goes like this "Open shut them, open shut them, give a little clap (Clap twice). Open shut them, open shut them, fold them in your lap (huge grunt from Lucy). " If your not familiar with the Reynolds clap, be grateful you still have intact eardrums - for some reason some of the Reynolds have insanely loud (Hulk claps according to Lucy) 'claps'. We noticed one night that while we (I) was clapping Emma had a seizure of sorts, or that's what it looked like. So just to be sure we did it again, and again, and again - I had no idea kids could be so fun. Enjoy.

For some frustrating reason I couldn't get these videos uploaded onto the blog, so you'll have to check them out on youtube - very worth it though:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4AHd-urgWc
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhnlqeorqJI