Pumpkin Art?

It took a couple of weeks for us to finally get to the pumpkin carving this year. The kids had fun scooping out globs of pumpkin slime but by the time we finally got to the actual carving, they lost interest. Josh was the only one to actually finish his without help.

... and this is how Jer survives pumpkin carving....

Whodunit?

This year, our "adult" Halloween Party was a Murder party. It was so entertaining just to look around at all the costumes! And, all night I found myself trying to decide if the person I was talking to was in character or not.

Darin, Jer, Doug, Brian, Brent, Ron, Matt, Brian, Dave, Bob, Rick

Jan, Nellie, Ashley, Karen, Kelly, Rachel, Anjanette, Cindy, Anitra, Sheri, April, Keri, Angie, me, April and Lisa

The only picture we ever get of the two of us.

Howlie Moon (the murrrrderrerrrrr)

Dr. Heckyll

Mr. Jive

Erin and Emma were a little uncomfortable with the look of their dad with an earing. He did actually have his ear pierced in high school so I think they thought he had actually gotten an earing in the hole. High school was a long time ago.. a sticker had to do. I think he looks pretty snazzy in the doctors coat.

While Jer and I were partying with other "adults," the kids were at a party for the Johnson cousins. I wish I had been able to get some pictures of all the kids dressed up, but I didn't make it over there.

Witchapalooza

One of my favorite things in the whole world is a good GNO. We went to Witchapalooza at Gardner Village on October 21. The show was a little cheesey but the food was good and the company was awesome. Before the show started, we walked around to get some good pictures. We had people asking to take our picture with their kids. We're not sure if they thought we worked at Gardner Village or if they thought they were at Disneyland for a minute, but we felt special anyway.

So many sparkles. I actually have a great picture of Cari and I on my phone, but I'm too lazy to download it. I'll send it to ya, Care. (the Duran Duran picture)

Me, Keri, Karen

(my sistuh) Tell me you're not looking at her pumpkins. Gosh.

Westin (the warlock) had a horrible very bad no good wig. It was like fingernails on a chalkboard to April. So by the end of the night, she was elated to finally get that thing off his head. This picture kills me.. obviously everyone knew what was going on except for me (as I sit in my perma-pose for all 12 cameras).

Ashley, April, Lisa, Keri, Jennifer, Cari, me, Nellie

(back row) Lisa, Jennifer, April, Ashley, Karen, Cari (front row) Keri, Nellie, me

Wheeler Farm

Over UEA weekend, we decided our "fun" activity would be Wheeler Farm with the kids. I'm not sure where it comes from, but all of our kids (especially the girls) are animal lovers.

Erin knew we were going to "the Wheeler's farm" so she wore her cowboy boots. She is such a character.

So photogenic.

Cheap entertainment. It's $1.50 for a bag of bird food.

We packed a lunch and ate at the picnic tables there. The kids got a kick out of that and we save a buck or two - which is good since we paid $12 for three pumpkins. We still haven't made it to the zoo in a while. That will have to wait now that it's cold outside.

Fall Fun

I LOVE October. I love summer because I love the heat, but October is fun in a refreshing kind of way. I love that in the morning and the evening I have to put a jacket on, but during the day it's still yard work weather. I also love that every night of the week is filled with something. I love being busy with life and kids. This week was a little busier than most and holy cow it went fast. Monday - dance. Tuesday - soccer game. Wednesday - Had a new baby nephew born, Young Womens, Scouts. Thursday - GNO Witchapalooza. Friday - Halloween Party for the cousins and Halloween Party for the adults. Saturday - soccer practice. And believe it or not, Jer and I work, the kids go to school, Josh is doing safety patrol and MESA. Emma got to serve hot lunch this week. And Erin had several play dates with Ashlyn. . . so all the "normal" stuff. And, there are all the traditions we have to keep up like making sugar cookies, leaving a treat for someone to "BOO" them, playing in the leaves at grandmas, decorating for Halloween, carving pumpkins, and making costumes. So here is a sample of pictures (I will post more as the month finishes out..):

Wheeler Farm

Emma (the purple haired cheerleader) and Erin (Glinda)

Cari and I at Witchapalooza!

Howlie Moon and Dr. Heckyll / Mr. Jive

Fall Soccer (he makes me proud)

So there's the teaser. I have a memory card full of pictures and can't wait to post them..........

Such a BIG Kid!!

My baby is no longer a baby! I couldn't believe it when she showed me that she had a loose tooth. But then Monday, she came running out of the school when it was time to go home and she had a sticker on that said "I lost a tooth!" She was so proud. Her teacher helped her put the tooth in a baggie to take home and she gave her the sticker. My shy little Erin was all the talk at school Monday. So funny.

Empty Chairs and Empty Tables ...

I want to post this without crying, but I know that's not possible. So if you want to cry with me, keep reading. Otherwise, I would suggest skipping this post.

In March, Tash moved in permanently. She got her first job.
In April, she was baptized. She smiled in a way I had never seen before. True happiness.
In May, we had family pictures taken. She learned how to drive.
In June, we went to Girl's camp. She was a leader and gave her first "devotional." She learned how to cook dutch oven chicken.
In July, we went to Youth Conference. She danced with a 15 year old at the dance.. we laughed. The adoption was finalized.
In August, school started. She registered for drivers ed, seminary and got into the CNA program for next semester. She gave her first talk in Sacrament meeting.
In September, she was made first counselor in the Laurels class. She proudly told everyone her brother would be passing the sacrament for the first time. She went to the Utah State Fair for the first time.

In October, she ran away.

I will never understand. I've decided to stop trying. I just wanted to post this so that I can find a way to have closure. We are all hurting. The wound is still wide open.

We love you, Tash. Always will. No matter what you say or do - we love you and you can't change that.