Halloween Day

Nolan got to work on a fun STEM project using toothpicks and candy corn at school on Halloween. I love getting these little updates on his activities in 2nd grade!

2018 Volleyball Season

On Tuesday, October 30th Abby finished up her 7th grade volleyball season for Western Heights Middle School. She learned a lot this year including getting more consistent in her serving and her coach also had her play setter for a lot of the games. They didn't have many practices as a team which hurt them somewhat but they did get a lot of playing experience as they played 12 games this season. I love having an experienced photographer at the games who was able to snap these great shots of our little volleyball player in action! Go Grizzlies!!

Pumpkin Carving Time

On Monday, October 29th we decided we had better carve those pumpkins of ours. This is probably Jason's least favorite time of the year, but the kids love it so we sacrifice a bit of our sanity for their enjoyment!! Unfortunately I waited until the last possible moment to get our pumpkins and the pickings were slim. I was only able to get two medium sized pumpkins and one small pumpkin to add to the one that Maylie got previously from her preschool field trip. Maylie wanted her small pumpkin but the other three all wanted the larger pumpkins for carving so we had to draw lots to see who would have to end up with the other small pumpkin. Abby drew the paper with the small pumpkin and although she was disappointed at first, I think she liked how well it turned out with her koala design! 

This was Maylie's first time "carving" a pumpkin and she LOVED it! I helped her get all the seeds and guts out (I actually did that part for all four kids because none of them like doing this part!) then Jason helped her to carve a little pumpkin face which she was thrilled with!

Nolan carved a ghost...

Landon did a Ninjago mask and letters...

 And Abby's koala!!

Now I just need to get some lights for the inside of the pumpkins so we can see what they look like in the dark!

Trunk or Treat

We went to two Trunk-or-Treat activities recently. The first one was held on Thursday, October 25th and was sponsored by the Paramount Elementary PTA. There were some really well done trunks out there but here were our favorites...

Principal Laura Barnes and her husband had this fun Grinch trunk!

"The Greatest Showman"...one of our favorite movies!!

LEGO mania trunk was awesome! 

 There was a great turnout from the school and it was fun to see so many familiar faces as we walked along playing games and collecting candy that night!

Here was our little group which included Elsa, Clay the Nexoknight, Jim the Troll Hunter and Abby's made up costume since her real costume didn't arrive until the next day!

The next night we headed down to the community church at the entrance to our neighborhood to attend another Trunk-or-Treat that they were sponsoring. It was drizzling rain that evening so they moved all the festivities indoors. Despite Nolan's face in this picture, all the kids had a great time and we already have too  much candy and it isn't even Halloween yet!

Nautical Nursery

Soon after finding out that we were having a baby boy, I knew I wanted a nautical theme for the nursery. We started working on it in August by moving everything out of this room (it was used as a spare room/office) and painted it a nice neutral gray color. We put our crib back together, bought a dresser to match, added a recliner from my parent's home, and bought a bookshelf from a yard sale site. Then over the last month we've bought or repurposed a few items to hang on walls and shelves to give it a nice nautical feel. It is now officially complete and I LOVE how it turned out. 

One more month to go until we welcome this new little guy!!

Temple Trip

With the closing of the Washington D.C. temple for renovation, Abby hadn't had a chance to do proxy baptisms yet since she turned 12 last February. But she finally got her opportunity when our ward rented a bus and took all the youth on a temple trip to the Philadelphia Temple on Friday, October 19th since there was no school that day.

As 1st Counselor in the Bishopric, Jason organized this trip and all the logistics of taking youth, adults, and chaperones on a temple trip 4 hours from home. He also helped pack lunches for all 60 people who went along!

Each of the youth were encouraged to bring along their own family names to perform baptisms and I think this made the trip even more meaningful. Abby loved her first experience in the temple and here is what she had to say about it...

"My whole life I have learned about the gospel, and I've come to gain my own testimony about it. but I think it got stronger the day I went to the temple. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was better than I imagined. I had to wait a while for my turn, but each time, I liked to imagine that there were spirits stepping out of the font every time a baptism was done, and that they were exclaiming for joy, and the fact that they were now one step closer to living with God. I saw 2 new converts, baptized only weeks ago do baptisms for there family members, such as parent, and grandparents. Then it was my turn. I stepped into the font, and I instantly felt a strong overwhelming sense of the spirit. As I did my 5 people, I know that they were so proud and happy that I was doing some work for them. The administering of the Holy Ghost was equally as special. And although I know it would have been better if they had gotten it here on earth, it just made it more special that I was able to do it for them. I know that through the power of the priesthood, more people will be able to enter in the kingdom of God. I can't wait to go back!"

Party

Abby was invited to her friend Avery's birthday party on Friday, October 19th. She had a great time with all of the girls, most of whom she knew from her days at Paramount Elementary. 

They spent the evening playing lots of fun games and eating some good food. She sure does love to be social!

Webelos Hike

The Webelos fulfilled one of their requirements by going on a 5 mile hike along the Appalachian Trail on Friday, October 19th. Landon enjoyed the hike even though it was pretty steep in some places.

This was "High Rock," his favorite spot on the hike!

He was also thrilled about finding a rattlesnake along the trail. His Grandpa Don would have been pleased!

Such a fun group of boys and their leaders!

Misty Meadows

Since there was no school on Friday, October 19th, I took the three younger kids over to Misty Meadows in the afternoon. We had fun eating ice cream together and then enjoyed the beautiful fall weather while exploring all there is to do at the farm. 

Landon enjoyed finding little pieces of corn on the ground and feeding them to the chickens...

Nolan got in on the corn hunt too!

All the kids loved playing in the different mazes...

Maylie really liked feeding grass to this little donkey but was a little frightened by the miniature horse!

And a few fun pictures near the pumpkin patch!!

It was a fun way to spend a fall afternoon!