Schmalloween

Halloween is always so much fun.  But to get ready for the big day, there are some things we have to do.  First of all, we have to rake leaves.  We have an overabundance of leaves.  This pile was just from "round one." 

 

Next, we had to carve our pumpkins.

 When Josh was cleaning out his pumpkin he thought it was cool that almost his whole arm fit inside.  All the way up to his elbow!

 The finished products....

 We had several Halloween parties that we went to, which are always fun.  I just snapped some shots of the kids before going to one.  I kept yelling at Kate to come take some pictures but she wouldn't come.  Come to find out she had buckled herself in her carseat and was waiting in the car to go.  Oops.  So we didn't get any of her here. 

But for our costumes we had a totally awesome Ninja....

 And the cutest little cheerleader...

 I just realized we didn't ever get a shot with our whole family.  Will was asleep during this picture.  O-well.  Kate was a duck and Trav and I were zombies...

 Here's grandma and grandpa with the grandkids that could come.

 I'm just telling you now....don't mess with me.

 Eating doughnuts on the porch.

 I love how Will is just looking at Daddy in this one.  You wonder what is running through his mind.

 Now we're back to our house and a little duck helped me rake some more leaves.

 Will in his Halloween jammies and Kate in her Halloween shirt which she wore at least 4 times a week the past month.  She's still begging to wear it and I don't know if I have the heart to tell her 'no.' 

 Here's the one and only shot we got of just Will as the cutest little polar bear.

 Kate's been talking about being a duck for months now.  She was so excited to say "Quack or treat!"  When we came home from trick or treating she said very sadly, "Oh no!  I'm going to have to be a duck again next year.  I forgot to say quack-or-treat!"  She said "trick or treat" all night long and totally forgot about her plan.  So disappointing!

 Right before heading off into the world of trick or treating...

 Here's a really scary/gross picture of me on Halloween night.  I hope William's not scarred for life with parents like us.

Photo shoot city

So this past conference marked 6 months since I've worked.  The last time I worked at the Roof was for the April conference, then I went on maternity leave and just never went back.  It's strange to think that I've been out of work that long.  But it is nice to actually be home for conference!  It's been 10 years since I've been home to see all sessions.  I even got to go to the Relief Society session the week before. AMAZING!  

Well we tried something new to keep the kids in check during conference and it worked so good so I figured I'd share.  We had conference concessions.  During the first session they earned "dollars."  One for being good during a talk, or 2 for telling us something that was said in the talk.  So they earned all kinds of money during the morning session.  Then they redeemed it during the afternoon session however they choose.  For Kate that only earned $5 she could only buy a few snacks, but Rach earned I think $18 and she got a ton.  So they got lots of snacks as we listened to conference.  It was a hit!  They loved it. I think we'll do it again.

 As for everything else.... the best way to get wiggles out it to bounce while you're bouncing....

 We dug up the garden (aka Rachel took a machete to the garden)

 We finished fall soccer.  Can I say that my kids are awesome?  Okay.  They are awesome.  Josh has improved SO much in soccer this fall and really did so good.  Rach had an amazing last game. She was goalie for the last half and had so many amazing saves.  The parents on the other team were even giving her compliments after the game for how great she did.  You could tell she was so proud too.  Best way to end the season!

 I have 2 little knitters on my hands.  We've been busily making hats to donate and the kids have really taken off with it.

 Then we went to Wheeler Farm and had a massive photo shoot.  I like to pretend that I'm a photographer and take cool pictures of my kids. The colors there were so pretty so I tried to get some good shots.  So brace yourself...and here you go....It helps that I have cute subjects.

 Had to get one of grandma and William too...

 I know this isn't a smiley picture of Rach, and yes, she's in tie dye...I know.  But I love the coloring and think her eyes look beautiful in this one. 

What cute kids I have!  We had such a blast and I love fall!

Smiles and Soccer

So this post is dedicated to all those dimples that we find in our house.  They are just too cute to resist. 

 We also have ourselves some soccer players!  Thankfully they let them play because sign ups were when I was in the hospital and I totally forgot.  I had to go into the rec office and beg to let them play.  Josh is now a Blue Ninja....

 This kid is not the most aggressive player on the team but he loves to play goalie and is really good at it!  He looks pretty tough too.  He is also an excellent trash talker.  His first game they played a red team and he said, "I bet I know what their team name is...the red chickens."  Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's not the name they chose.

 We also had a stake fair a few weeks ago.  We had a good time getting tattoos, eating scones, popcorn and cotton candy, and getting rained on.

 Rachel was in a dance performance with these cute girls.  They danced to "Eye of the Tiger"  Notice the black and orange?

 Here we are back to smiley McGee.

 Rachel's first week of soccer she had a 'bye' then the next 2 weeks got rained out.  So when some other teams had 3 games she hadn't had any.  Her team name is Gold Rush and they are pretty awesome now that they actually get to play!

 My little Utes.  I think they look so much alike in this picture.

 And sometimes you just play so hard you pass right out.

 Ummm.....I don't know what to say about this boy and peanut butter sandwiches.