Happy Halloween

Our Halloween festivities started yesterday when we were fortunate enough to attend Uncle Brett's work party. He works for Adobe, and they are known for their amazing Halloween party. We got there when we could after school, but it was a couple hours into the event. We were told we would have to stand in line an HOUR just to get in the door! That's how popular this party is! After about 15-20 minutes of waiting (and some popcorn from the food tent near the line), they took the majority of the line and had us go through the last building. Each Adobe team makes a themed display for the families to walk through, and so it was in multiple buildings! There is a contest among the employees, so they go all-out in their displays. It's too bad we didn't get to see everything, but I was amazed by the detail in what we saw . . . Lord of the Rings, Hunger Games, mad scientist laboratories, etc. The kids got some candy for their bags, and we each had a soft-serve ice cream cone before heading home.

on the hay ride from the parking lot to the building

waiting patiently in line

It's almost our turn!

This afternoon the school had a Halloween costume parade. The kids walked past me pretty quickly, but I managed to get a picture of each of them! Elizabeth spent most of her time on the playground instead of watching the parade.

Nathan is Twins baseball player Kirby Puckett

Benjamin is Iron Man

Joshua is Jango Fett from Star Wars (for the 2nd year in a row)

Elizabeth was SO PROUD of herself for climbing all the way to the top of the "spider web". I was just nervous!

It was a great evening tonight for trick-or-treating . . . the weather was beautiful! Nathan got to go with his friends this year, and really loved being able to go with them to an adjoining neighborhood after they were done in ours! Joshua and Benjamin went with our next-door neighbors and their parents. Elizabeth went with Dad and with her best friend Izzy, while I stayed home to pass out the treats.

The kids in character -- that's Benjamin's Iron Man pose (he's not mad I'm taking a picture!)

"When will my trick-or-treating begin?!"  -- our little Rapunzel!

Best friends are both princesses!

"Trick-or-treat!"

Nathan with his friends; yes, that is Ursula in the background -- Izzy's whole family was Little Mermaid characters and they looked amazing!

Aprons

For Valentine's Day, I made aprons for the boys -- I had made one for Elizabeth at Christmas and they had asked when they were getting one. The only thing is that I did not have enough time to finish the aprons in time for Valentine's. They opened their gifts, which were cut pieces of fabric. I told them I would finish them soon. Is six months later still considered "soon"?!

I worked on them while Nathan was out of town, and I'm happy with how they turned out. The boys are excited, and hopefully it means I will get more help in the kitchen :)

Nathan's

 Benjamin's

 Joshua's

To Be a Pioneer

The 24th of July is a major holiday in Utah: Pioneer Day. Since Ryan and I did not grow up here, and since he does not get Pioneer Day off of work, I always forget about it until the day of. So our festivities usually are doing the things we do any other July day :) Earlier this month I saw some ads for the city Pioneer Day celebration, and I made the effort to plan ahead and actually do something fun this year!

First we attended a neighborhood pancake breakfast, which included a huge slip 'n' slide on the hill of the park. Later in the day we went to the city Pioneer Day event. It was crowded but a lot of fun -- there was so much to do!

an Old West jail

 I think the boys' favorite activity was the ax throwing!

Benjamin                                                                        Nathan

Joshua

the target

 They also enjoyed the slingshot booth!

Nathan                                                                                Joshua

 Benjamin really got into it!

We wandered over to the adjacent Pioneer Village (which is always there, but we have never been to it). We got to see inside a typical home from the time the pioneers settled the area -- it was one itty-bitty room! I can't believe they would fit a family of 8-10 in there! We also went in a blacksmith's shop, played a few pioneer games, and took a turn with the handcart. Nathan was in an uncooperative mood, so Benjamin pulled the handcart alone -- I was very impressed!

Elizabeth made a paper bonnet at one of the booths, but was not ready to pose in it until we got home.

Bean Museum

Today we went to BYU's Bean Museum with our friends, the Denneys. I have never taken the kids, and so I'm glad that the Denneys invited us to go. We all had a great time!

We had a great time looking at all of the different animals. Benjamin has loved Cheetahs for a few years now, and so he and Joshua really enjoyed looking at the animals from the African savannah.

Elizabeth was excited about every animal and loved being with Izzy. Nathan especially loved the "bug room".

Eventful

Today the boys and I stayed busy -- we attended 2 different events happening through Provo City. (Ryan stayed home with a napping Elizabeth.) First, we went to the library for the Children's Book Festival. Each of the boys got to choose a free book. There were various authors and illustrators that were doing book signings, and we stopped to watch an illustrator, Guy Francis, in action.

It turned out that we inadvertently had gotten in line for the boys to request a drawing to take home! It was amazing to see how fast he could draw, and the boys love how their drawings turned out!

There were also various crafts and activities for the children to do. They made capes, bookmarks, and Skippy Jon Jones masks. There was also a game similar to Four Square.

When we were done at the library, we headed a few blocks southwest to the grand opening of the Utah Valley Convention Center. We ate free hot dogs and chips, and toured the new building. It is beautiful!

beautiful view from the terrace

Easter Sunday

They may not look ready for a magazine cover or anything, but the kids looked good by our standards for church today. It is a miracle that all 3 boys are wearing ties!

And I LOVE Elizabeth's Easter dress!

silly girl!

We had a delicious Easter dinner with ham and cheesy potatoes, of course. I didn't get a picture of dinner, but here is how our Easter eggs turned out:

Most importantly, we enjoyed remembering our Savior today. He lives! He suffered for us, and through Him we can be made whole. I am grateful for this knowledge, and for the chance I've had today to reflect on the true meaning of Easter.