Turkey Day

Since we were just down in Houston last weekend - and since we had a thanksgiving style dinner while we were there - we decided it would be okay to stay home today.

We started the day out early running in the Turkey Trot.
(Notice the shorts and t-shirts... it was about 75 degrees out this morning)

The kids did a great job! They definitely earned their t-shirts.
We hung out for a little while after the race - making some crafts, eating some snacks,


and checking out the wildlife...


before heading over to the park to get some more wiggles out.


Then we relaxed at home (some lucky kids got to take naps - although I'm quite sure they didn't appreciate the opportunity) until time for dinner
at the Steak 'n Shake!
It was enjoyed by all - especially me since I didn't have to cook or clean up!



Here we are after dinner... notice the difference in what we're wearing?
The temperature dropped about 30 degrees between 12 and 4 so we had to dig out warmer clothing. That didn't stop us from getting yummy ice cream shakes though!

The Big Three!

Our Peter is three years old!
Since September he's been the oldest here at home and he is great company!
He has an excellent imagination and loves role-playing games. It's always fun to see the "creations" he comes up with when playing with blocks or legos.


This year, we happened to be down in Houston the weekend of his birthday so we got to celebrate with Grandma and Papa.

Once again, Peter requested a Fire Truck cake.
I'm hoping for something else next year - this one is a pain to put together!
Especially since he only ate the ladder and wheels...

We love you Peter!
Thanks for letting us celebrate with you on your big day!

Signs that Potty Training may not be going so well

When you find your son lying on the floor in a puddle moaning,
"I just don't know what to do..."


Well... that may be an indication that potty training isn't going so well.
I would have laughed if he hadn't been so sad.

But being the eternal optimist,
I'm going to assume he was just having a bad day and keep on keeping on...

Wish me luck!
I think this project is going to require large quantities of chocolate...

Which Witch Are You?

We've been having some problems at our house with whining lately, so at the beginning of October we had a FHE lesson to talk about it. We decided to make a goal to be more willing and less whiny. Each time someone was caught being willing witch or whiny witch(by doing any of the things listed on the cauldrons) they would get a sticker in the cauldron.

On Halloween, we counted to see which cauldron had the most stickers...
It was a very close race, but the willing witches came out ahead and won the Halloween treat!

BANANA SPLITS!
It was a nice consolation prize for not getting to go trick or treating.

Good to the last drop!


Despite not going trick or treating, we still managed to amass a large quantity of candy from all the parties over the last week. So we were all pleased to get a visit from another witch - the Candy Witch!

She took away all but a few pieces of our candy and left these fun toys in their place.
I've heard a rumor that she delivers the candy to the bishop so he can pass it out to the kids a couple of pieces at a time on Sundays.

Halloween

Despite the fact that Halloween is on a Sunday this year, our costumes have gotten a lot of use. So far we've had the Ward Trunk or Treat, Costume Storytime at the library, and the School Carnival.

Here's a look at this year's costumes (sorry about the fuzzy pictures - I didn't notice that one of my kids left a big sticky fingerprint on the lens of my camera!)Leah as a witch


Lincoln as a cowboy


Peter as a carrot
(totally his idea!)


Eli as Superman