TRICK-OR-TREAT!

Happy Halloween!

Today is the day the kids have been looking forward to all month long. They were so excited and asked me all day if they could go trick or treating yet. It didn't help having a kid come over trick or treating at 2:30 pm, I had to explain to the kids that no it was not time yet and that kid would probably not get much candy because not many people would be ready for him.

They all three made it easy on me this year and wanted to wear costumes they already had. Maicey was a snow princess, Gage was a dragon, and Violet was a witch. Dad had to work tonight so I took the kids around the neighborhood and over to Corey and Marianne's.

Maicey and Gage were so cute trading off ringing the doorbell and Violet was all social, making conversation with the people. Violet was such a big girl going up to the door and she loved picking out her own candy. The kids were troopers and barely even used the wagon I brought, we were gone about an hour and forty-five minutes. We were also very lucky to have got home right as the rain started coming down.

They all made out like bandits in the end and had fun sorting their candy (brings back memories).

Pictures from our trip to Logandale/Overton

Violet and Sienna

Uncle Bo and Violet

Bailee and Maicey

I could tell you girls really missed each

other. You were inseperable.

Girl sleep over with Bailee, Maicey, and Jaidyn

You girls had way too much fun. We went in to

check on you at 12:30 and you were all awake

talking and giggling.

Maicey, Kord, and Gage

What trip to Granny and Papas would be

complete without the nintendo ds

Gage and Kabe

You two played so cute together.

Rodger

We left to go out to logandale today for my Uncle Rodgers Funeral. It was a nice service where you could definitely feel the spirit. It was good to see family from my Mom's side since it has been a while since we have all got together. I am sure Rodge was looking down smiling at his "whole family", he loved family gatherings and when everyone came to his house. I will miss Rodgers laugh and his cheesy smile and also the love I felt when I was around him. My Grandpa and Grandma are amazing people who unselfishly cared for Rodge through the thick and the thin and never gave up. They are great examples for me of love and compassion. We will miss you Buddy.

First Snow!

Yes it is October and we had our first snow. We woke up this morning to a white blanket that covered the ground. It flurried a little yesterday but I never thought it would cover the ground. I actually like the idea of snow for Christmas and the cozy feeling it brings, if only summer could be a little longer-it felt like it flew by. The key is dressing for it, I like no maintenance gear and bare feet so the snow does challenge that. The kids were sure excited to see it though and even though we will be glad when it is gone, it is fun while it is here.

Gager's Stylin'

Gage is so cute with his style. He is my pickiest when it comes to clothes(go figure) and would wear soft shorts every day of the year if I would let him. He will tolerate jean shorts when I am lucky and don't even mention shoes, he finds something that he likes and he sticks with it. He is like his dad in that way ,"Why get a different style if you know you like a certain one." I like to mix things up but Gage has his own ideas. I however was not surprised when he came downstairs dressed in his snowsuit, with nothing underneath. My cute Gage full of personality and style.

Playdough Fun!

I decided to make some homemade playdough with the kids. They love to help pour ingredients in and it was extra exciting to pick their own color. Violet even snuck in a taste, which didn't look to appealing, but she's ate worse. Maicey pickes blue, Gager picked yellow(his favorite color), and violet picked pink(the one color she knows). I forgot how much better the homemade playdough is than the store bought, it has a cooler texture.

Try, Try Again!

Violet you were so determined today to ride your tricycle. Usually I try to motivate you to pedal but you do things when your ready all by yourself. It was so cute to watch you steer and everytime it went into the grass you would get off the bike and scoot it on the pavement-you are so patient at learning new things. You are so proud of yourself and love to show those that will watch your new trick.

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Vivi Enjoying her applesauce!

Violet I put a snack of applesauce on the table for you and the next thing I knew you were licking the bowl clean--mm good!

Horsey in the Night!

The kids were playing so cute tonight that we let them stay up way past their bedtime. They were having such a fun time running around the yard in the dark. Maicey came in and said, "Mom watch I made a new game called Horsey in the night!" Maicey you are so creative and such a great sister to give your brother and sister horse back rides.

Pumpkin Patch

Jordan went up to the mountains today with Corey to check out good areas for deer and elk. Hunting starts soon and Jordan looks forward to this time of year. He was definitely in his element surrounded by nature and all the wildlife.

While Jord was out doing his thing the kids and I decided we would check out the red barn pick your own farm. I found it online and it was a really cool place. It is ran by the honor system so you pick what you want and pay for it in a drop box based on their sizes. The kids had a blast trekking through all the pumpkins and going through the kids corn maze that is set up there. It was fun to see the kids decide which pumpkin to choose. Maicey would find some good ones but wanted to keep looking just in case there was a more perfect one. Gage searched and searched and when he found one he picked it and was happy with it. Violet on the other hand just wanted a pumpkin...any pumpkin and was content carrying it around.

We came home and decorated our pumpkins, we decided to paint them instead of carving so they would last longer without spoiling. The kids love crafts so they went to town painting. Maicey wanted to do a practice face on paper to make sure she got it just right. Gage made sure that the entire pumpkin was covered with paint, including the stem. Violet on the other hand was just happy to be painting her pumpkin....and her hands....and the table...and before I knew it she had blue paint in her mouth---YUCK!

The kids insisted on waiting up until Dad got home and were proud to show him their pumpkins.

Maicey Hairstyles!

I recently came across this cool site that had many hairstyles for little girls. I showed Maicey all the different ones and she was excited to try them out. She loved the heart one and wanted to wear it for school. Here is maicey sporting her new do. Maicey likes to have her hair done most of the time so it is fun for me to make these creations. Check my fun blogs to browse these hairstyles.

Hiding Veggies!!

I love it when I can get healthy food down my kids. They do okay when it comes to most things and if a side of ranch is included for the dipping they do great! What about the Veggies! All the veggies they seem to consume are the ones that have the least amount of nutrition for you. Well I went to our local Smiths for some shopping (which I love cause you can always find great markdowns) and found a killer deal on baby spinach (99 cents) for a good size bag. I decided to buy two and my pureeing began. I really like spinach cooked in different meals but for my kids I was going to have to be more creative.



So I tried a smoothie recipe which turned out pretty good, it did have a thicker texture but not bad and gage and violet didn't seem to care. Maicey on the other hand I knew she would notice so I added a little more juice and she drank it all, Yay!

1 c. carrots (pureed)

2 c. spinach

2 apples, peeled

1 c. orange juice

2 bananas

2 c. strawberries

I was on a roll so to our meatloaf at dinner I added 1/2 c puree each of spinach and squash (from our garden ) It turned out good as well. Gage insisted on helping me cook so I had to be a little sneaky adding the purees and when the meat turned kind of green I got out the food coloring to try and back up the reason why, it was kinda funny- kids aren't dumb. I went ahead and froze the extra puree for later. I try to feed my kids healthier choices for the most part -if it wasn't for my like of cooking desserts. But hey, any bit of greens is better than none, right?

Ahoy Maitey!

Today gage decided he wanted to be a pirate. He wore this outfit all day long until a huge rip appeared after playing a little too rough outside ( probably was because of my sewing job ). Anyway, it was fun while it lasted. The orange julius mustache wasn't intentional, but hey it fit right in.