Halloween Festivities

Addison asked a few months ago to be a baby giraffe for Halloween. The then declared that I would be the mommy giraffe. I kept trying to manipulate gently steer her in a different direction, but she was committed the idea. So, here we are. Sofia wore a little dog thing because it was warm. She also donned a cheerleader costume and butterfly costume at different times. Emmy was a witch - she was happy about it - even though that isn't evident in this picture.

We made a trip to the local pumpkin patch/carnival-like place/mining area/everything you could ever try to put in one place to make a little money place. 

"Mining"

I did consider leaving them there.

Here's Alexis "riding a horse". I shudder at this, but the kids think it's the greatest thing to do. Lexi is showing me her correct equitation by keeping her chin up.

Emily could give a crap about being correct. She just wants to pet the horse.

Addie bravely held back her natural reaction of compete and total hysteria.

After she overcame her desire to have a freak out, she feigned happiness for the duration of the ride.

Grandma came with us for the trip. 

I don't think you need my voice in your head to figure out what is happening here. And no, it's not poop.

The sister missionaries came over to help us carve up our fruit.

The far left is spider. 

Emmy's speech class had a big party. We made goody bags for everyone.

And Lexi asked for roast pumpkin seeds. They really are so good.

Woof.

As you can see, Lexi was completely committed to playing the role of a cat. Meow.

Addie wore this outfit for, like, 4 hours straight on Halloween. She went to Emmy's party and helped and then went to her preschool party and played. She was so patient about the whole thing. She finally looked at me and said, "Mom? Can I please take this head off? It's really hurting me."

Emmy with Mrs. Mom. 

At Addie's preschool party.

Back at the pumpkin patch.

These two took over handing out candy duties.

We had a good year this year. The giraffe duo was actually a lot of fun. The other kids remembered the events from last year and were really looking forward to doing it again. 

Here's to another year of celebrating this pagan holiday with panache!

Picture Post

On our way to Utah for Aubree's wedding. 

Aubree and Ryan newly married!

Emmy holding the bride's bouquet.

This is where we spent the afternoon. 

At the Draper temple. 

Aubree's dad, Al, with Emmy. Al was a witness at our sealing in the Oakland Temple.

One of Aubree's bridemaids. She also works for Disney (Aubree was a Disney princess in Tokyo) as Pocahontas, Esmerelda and Princess Jasmine. 

A couple of my friends asked what I wore to the wedding. Here's a quick selfie before we made our way to the ring ceremony. Um, isn't the bathroom to die for?

The girls in their super cute dresses. The place was so beautiful; they literally frolicked in the garden between events.

Cheese!

Said frolicking. 

A quiet moment with Aubree before the ring ceremony. 

At the reception.

Photo booth fun.

To say the kids were tired is an understatement!  Fun = exhaustion.

See above.

The winds were wicked. We drove through miles of dust storms.

Wiped out at 8:30 when we stopped for dinner. 

Sofia loves standing up and then banging on stuff. 

Farm day at preschool.

First time out of the baby bathtub. She was in awe of the space, and so thrilled to splash in the big girl tub.

Sofia is also in the "climb up mommy every.single.minute.of.the.day" phase. This is one my least favorite phases. She is quite literally pulling at my pants all the live long day.

We went to the pumpkin patch with Addie's preschool. She felt like eating part of the corn stalk so we let her.

Addie's pumpkin.

Even though Emmy is a preschool drop out, she was included in all of the activities and got her own pumpkin.

The lab had a holiday so Allen and Grandpa Bob came along.

And because we need another person who chews on inappropriate things,  pees his pants, and needs to eat every three hours, we got a puppy. His name is Uno in honor of having only one nut. But then the vet found the other. By then it was too late so he continues to be Uno even though he is really dos.