Halloween 2009

Here's a quick recap of our Halloween this year. Beth was a very cute tiger.
Eric was going to go as Thomas but at the last minute decided to be a pirate. Luckily we had all the stuff we needed to make the change. He enjoyed the increased freedom of movement that this costume offered over Thomas.
This is Eric and Beth being cute. They were rubbing noses with each other but stopped by the time we got the camera out. So I asked them if they could touch noses again. They looked at each other and did this...

Beth was taken aback when some people opened the door. Eric would get so excited that he would say, "trick-or-treating" to everyone. It was very cute and when he finished up with, "thank you and happy Halloween," he gave everyone a smile.

Eric was thrilled with the quantity of candy and Beth liked to chew on the chocolate bars while still in the wrapper. It was a great year.

And a BIG thanks to Sam and Mary who came down from Nevada to spend Halloween with us. Sam stayed behind to hand out candy, and Mary came along and snapped these cute pictures. Thanks you guys!

Ryan's Note: Now that we're through with Halloween, I thought I'd list my top five Halloween flicks. Not necessarily the scariest movies, just the ones I enjoy the most.

#5: Ghostbusters. Classic, funny, quotable, old special effects that still look cool, and--of course--it's got Slimer!

#4: Ernest Scared Stupid. Endearingly dumb, with tremendous sentimental value. And also highly quotable.

"Hey booger-lips! How about a bumper sandwich!"

"Mee-akk?"

#3: Anything from Alfred Hitchcock. Shadow of a Doubt, Rear Window, Rope, Vertigo.

#2: Arsenic and Old Lace. Two words: Cary Grant. (Did you know his real name was Archibald Leach?) This movie has him, Priscilla Lane, Peter Lorre, the two aunts, poisoning, a towering homicidal maniac, and dead bodies stowed in every nook and cranny. Hilarious LOL moments.

And . . .

(Drum roll!)

#1: Garfield's Halloween Adventure. I know this is a TV special and not a movie, but it's tops in my book. Funny and frightening for all ages. It captures the sheer candy-avarice and ghoulish delight of the holiday. If you remember this from the eighties, you know what I'm talking about.

"Candy, candy, candy, candy . . . !"

Now it's your turn. What are your top five?

Getting Ready for Halloween

We had our ward Harvest Festival this last week and we all had a great time. Eric went as Thomas (I know, big surprise). He also wanted a mustache because Beth had face paint on, so why shouldn't he? While he was super excited to be Thomas, he refused to keep the costume on once we were at the party.
Beth was a Tiger. We have a great hat/mask thing but she refused to wear it. She also insisted on carrying this frilly basket as here trick-or-treat bucket. She carried it like a purse most of the night. Our little princess.

They were both a little tired, but once we got there and they got suckers, happiness was quick to follow. She is willing to share, if you're brave enough.

A little clip of them on the drive over.

DEADMAN 2009

I have to start by saying that my great weekend away was possible thanks to my wonderful husband. He stayed home with the kids all weekend so I could head to Wyoming with the Clines' side of the family for our annual hunting trip. Mary and Sam were great to pick me up so we could make the trip together. It was a long day of driving, a great day up the mountain, and another long day of driving home -- equalling a wonderful, well-spent weekend.

I found out that our family has been hunting on Deadman mountain up the Grays River range since 1951. I have to thank them for picking one of the most beautiful spots on this earth. After the long drive, Sam, Mary and I made it to camp a little after 11:30pm, we quickly rolled out our beds and got what little sleep we could before taking off at 5:30am. We spent most the day tip-toeing around places like this.

But when you get to the top you're rewarded with a view that truly takes your breath away.

Here is our group up at Mac's tree, (you can't see Mary and Sam because they're taking well-earned naps).

Honestly, can you think of a better place to sleep? What a view!

This is a view from just above camp.

Check out the new door Dad put together for the cook tent.

This was the sunrise the next morning. Totally amazing!

For breakfast we tried bringing donuts up. They were dry and gross, but we found that a little toasting over the campfire made them almost edible.

Mary was cute and practical when she thought up the idea to "toast" her breakfast. It was great to spend the time with my sister. I don't get to see her as often as I would like. Love you, Mary!

This is my cousin Ty. He and his wife Jackie were great to drive me from Heber all the way to Provo. Ryan was supposed to pick me up, but found he had a flat tire and a flat spare. After dropping me off, Ty and Jacki then had to drive another 3 hours home. Thanks so much!

This was the smallest camp we have had in a long time. We missed many of you who couldn't make it. Hopefully next year. It was wonderful to see Dad. He is one of the most generous and giving people I know. I love you, Daddy.

The worst part. Saying goodbye.

This is a view of Virgina Peak just below camp on the way home.

I miss it terribly, but also missed Ryan and the kids. It was hard to be apart for that long.

Eric-isms

Conversation between Eric and Mommy waiting at a red light while driving to BYU:

Eric: Excuse me, Mommy. Can we please hit that car?

Mommy: What? You want to hit the car?

Eric: Yes please, that one. (Points to the car in front of us.)

Mommy: No we can’t hit that car! That would cause lots of problems.

Eric: I like problems.

Mommy: No, we can’t hit that car.

(Eric lapses into sullen silence. We proceed through the now green light and brake for another red one).

Eric: Excuse me, Mommy. Can we hit that car? (Indicates the car now in front of us)

Thank the heavens for little boys who fill our lives with laughter and love. Keep 'em coming Eric.

Weekend Conference Visits

We sure had a crowd over Conference weekend! Dad, Mom, Megan, Kacey, Tyler stayed with us and Jason, Ellen, and Gavin crashed at Zach and Alison's. We kept very busy. Dad had tickets to the different sessions, and we had Kacey's bridal shower Friday night, which was wonderful. Thanks to everyone who helped.

Eric and Beth loved having Gavin here. They both love babies, and Gavin--despite being almost nine months younger than Beth--is nearly as big as her, so they were able to play with him more. I heard Eric saying things like, "Oh, how cute!" and, "Stop drooling, Gavin!" Poor Gavin had a cold and was teething, but he was a good sport.

The cousins. Can you tell they're related?

Beth quickly took to her Grandparents and liked to touch Grandpa's finger. (No, not pull it, just touch.)

Beth phone home.By the end of the weekend she was following him around and they were fast friends.

She also liked cuddling with Grandma and especially like reading stories with her.

Kacey was very patient while Eric helped her apply her makeup. I'm sorry that I didn't get any pictures with future Uncle Tyler, but Eric remembers him. He's prayed for him the last two nights in a row.

As always, Beth loves playing with Zach and Alison.

Eric is still asking for Aunt Megan and wants to play with her.

Everyone has now been gone for a few days and things are just starting to get back to normal. The kids love seeing their Grandpa and Grandma. (How can they not when the grandparents' motto is: "My grandkids aren't spoiled! They don't get anything they don't point at first!"?). Thank you everyone for the memorable weekend, and please come again soon!

Thank You, Guardian Angels

Tonight I am very, very thankful for guardian angels. I also realize and am thankful for all the times Eric and Beth are kept from harm even when I'm oblivious to the danger.

After tucking the kids into bed, Ryan and I went downstairs to clean the kitchen. A while later, we heard choking and Eric crying, and we raced up the stairs. Turns out Eric had removed a bolt from the standing fan in his room, swallowed it, choked, and threw it up along with some of dinner. He's fine, but it shook him up pretty bad. I thought he was past the "put-everything-in-my-mouth" stage, but I stand corrected.

I know I can't intercept every threat to my kids. That's why I'm so grateful for those guardian angels who tend their charges so diligently.

Behold, my reasons for being a "hover-mother."

We bought new winter pajamas for the kiddos. It's still pretty warm out, but we're supposed to get a major cold front through tonight. We're going from mid-80's to the 50's. The kids love'em, especially Eric. He wears his on and off throughout the day.

Eric at School

This last week at preschool all the kids were asked to bring in a picture of their family and tell the rest of the class about them. This is a little video of Eric during his "presentation."

You really did do a great job Eric, we love you!