10.24.2011

Halloween Traditions

Here at our house, we enjoy the classic traditions leading up to Halloween each year.  We've already gone to the pumpkin patch, so the traditions continue....

Caramel Apple Making
So much fun!  Who doesn't love making and eating these divine treasures?  In fact, it's what we had for dinner, along with some popcorn and veggies and dip.
                                     

Pumpkin Carving
Best quote of the night is awarded to Emma-
"You're right, Dad.  You're not very good at this." as he was trying to help her with her pumpkin.
                                     

 I'm impressed that the girls drew their own designs for their pumpkins.  And this was Maggie's first year of carving completely on her own.  I love the stitches on the side of hers.

Israel's creation

Mommy's creation - Yes, it's an angry bird
                                     

Maggie's Jack O Lantern
Roasting Pumpkin Seeds
A little too roasted, but it was still fun.

I guess it was a good night since Maggie's prayer this morning included gratitude that we carved pumpkins and ate candy apples last night. :)  I'll take it.

10.22.2011

Red Barn Pumpkin Patch



We brought a couple of friends with us to the pumpkin patch this year and had a BLAST in the Straw Maze, on the train and running around picking their own pumpkins.

















10.20.2011

Pilot Extraordinaire

Israel agreed to auction off his piloting services for a school fundraiser and they wanted to make a poster about him to highlight his skills.  I was having a hard time finding pictures so I had him pose for me right before he left to work.  He certainly didn't make it easy on me...




Easy?  No.  Entertaining?  Yes. ;)  Love you, babe.

GOOOOOAAAALLL!

Emma played her first season of soccer and really seemed to enjoy it!  She made her 1st goal in the 1st game and struggled to get another, but I tell you what, that girl was in there and paying attention.  Great job, girl!!

I have a video of her goal somewhere and of course now I can't find it.  She was so excited.  I love this kid.

Lilly Ann and Kylie Anne

These 2 little sweethearts are 4 weeks apart in age and about 5 oz apart in size.  Lilly's pretty small for her age.  We're just glad she's on the chart these days.

Kylie kept wacking Lilly in the head.  lol
 Okay, now they're friends.  And I SWEAR I flipped this picture and now it's not so flipped and I just can't bring myself to bother moving it, so please just enjoy as is.

A Beautiful Day

Maggie chose to be baptized and it all happened October 8th, 2011.  Maggie decided early this year that she wanted to read the Book of Mormon before being baptized, so as a family we read each night together...okay we tried and many nights we failed, but we kept picking up where we left off and moving forward.  Well, a few days before her baptism we knew we were going to be cutting it pretty close so she got pretty serious about it.  What amazed Israel and myself was her level of understanding and the relevant and thoughtful questions she would ask as we read.  She truly is a remarkable girl.  All morning on the 8th we read or listened to the scriptures and finished about a 1/2 hour before we needed to leave.

It was such a wonderful day.  It was one of those days when everything goes...right!  We made it to the church on time, Israel gave the Baptism talk to the Stake, Alyssa (my niece and one of Maggie's most favoritest people in the world) was willing to give a talk on the Holy Ghost, the Caleys' came and a few close friends came to show their love and support of her decision.  I'm so glad, too.  I really wanted her to know how much she is loved even though much of her family couldn't be there because of the distance.  We felt so blessed to have so many.  The Bishop did a little spotlight on her before the baptism and he talked about how she loves pink, how she really wanted to sing at her baptism (which she did a capella) and about her enthusiasm.  Which was so true.  She could hardly sit/stand still and was BEAMING, just beaming.  We finished it all with a little luncheon at our home.  Just a great day all around.

I realize this is a LOOOONG post of pictures, but it was so hard to choose which ones to share, so I'm sharing many of our lovely, Maggie Lyn.