The Last of It

Boba and Jenga Fett

Don't judge us, but we let our kids go out and collect candy from the 5 houses in the neighborhood with their lights on. A big part of why we went was because our neighbor Ryan had asked that they go with him, and he has had some pretty hard things to deal with this year. We didn't want him to have to go alone. The kids had fun and for the first time all week Zach was actually excited to go out and get candy. He ran from house to house saying thank you and waving goodbye to everyone. 

End of Soccer Saturday

Today we attended the last of the seasons soccer games. I was glad because I don't want to sit in the rain anymore. Thomas said that he is most excited about being able to sleep in again on Saturday morning. Thomas had a good game and managed to score himself another goal. Sadly, the wolves didn't win, but they put on a good show.

Thomas with John and Adrian who he really enjoyed playing with

After a short trophy presentation we headed over to Olivia's game. I am sad that I have only been able to see her play a few times since Thomas and Olivia have had a few games running at the same time.

The boys stayed under the umbrella to try and avoid

what had turned into some really heavy rain

Olivia was pretty wet out there

Spenser then had a short medal presentation.

Olivia eagerly awaited her award.

Some of the wet and cold Bengal tigers

 A job well done coach Spenser and Miss Olivia

After spending most of the afternoon warming up and drying off we headed over to the Fourtner's for some Halloween fun. Pamela had asked some church families in the neighborhood and other people she knows if they would mind handing out candy to the kids tonight so that they don't have to trick or treat on Sunday. We had a fun pot luck and then headed out for candy. The kids still managed to come home with more than enough. 

Thomas and Connor swapping candy

Two beautiful princesses

(sadly Olivia was trying to fix her crown)

Looking a little funny at one another!

Trunk or Treat

Tonight was our Trunk or Treat event at church. The kids had fun playing a bunch of carnival games in the cultural hall and collecting lots of candy. The night was chilly but dry, which was very fortunate since it has rained here quite a bit recently. 

Thomas attempting to pin the nose on the pumpkin

Ryan came along too in his ostrich riding costume

Jessie and Buzz also put in an appearance this year

Some cute boys we met

Woody helped Buzz to decorate a cookie

A treat in every hand

Tiana made sure to bring her frog

Some other princesses that we met

Trying for a family photo (with something sticky on the lens)

The two older kids didn't want to dress up with us this year.

Unfortunately, the 2nd attempt wasn't any better!

When it was time to hit the trunks Zach decided that he would do a few and then he wanted to go back and sit in the car. He only wanted to stay with me so I was on candy passing duty while Spenser worked the trunks with Olivia. Thomas decided that he was old enough this year to go off and do his own thing with his friends. We all had fun, but came home with a little too much candy in our belly and our baskets. 

Pumpkins

Tonight we carved our pumpkins ready for the ward Trunk or Treat tomorrow night. Pumpkin carving has become quite a serious business in our house over the past few years. We also have to have the theme of everyone's costumes represented. Spenser climbed on the internet as soon as he got home from work to find some stencils for us and as usual he came up trumps. Zach had  fallen asleep early which I am sad to say helped us have a more enjoyable time. Last year all he wanted to do was stab the pumpkins and that made everyone unhappy when we had to stop him.

Thomas looking a little nervous as he starts to cut

Olivia was very specific about just wanting a regular jack o lantern this year. A couple of eyes, nose, and a mouth were within my skill set so we worked together.

I didn't get to see how everything turned out until later that evening, since I left to help set up at church. I was pretty impressed when I saw these beauties on the front porch. 

Can you guess what our costumes might be?

Princess Tiana (from Princess and the Frog)

Olivia's Jack o Lantern

Star Wars Boba Fett

Buzz and Woody were my favorites this year

Baking

And so the cookie making (and treat eating) season begins!

Kindergarten at the Pumpkin Patch

Today I got to enjoy a trip out to the pumpkin patch with Olivia and her class. We got to have Mr Henry in our group with us. They were both super well behaved. 

Petting a baby goat with Mrs Egolf

Making their way out of the maze

The wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch

Olivia's pumpkin

Henry and Olivia with pumpkins in hand

Sister in Law Weekend

This weekend we held our very first sister in law weekend, which Deidre put together for us. When I came home today these were some of the signs that greeted me.

I flew into Salt Lake on Thursday night. I was sad when Spenser dropped me off at the airport. I knew that I would miss them all. I didn't miss having to get everyone through security though and the couple of hours sleep that I got on the plane ride there was a real treat too. Noelene and Amy met me at the airport and then we made the drive up to Midway. We had to turn around a couple of times to find the place, but we finally made it. Things are always much harder to find in the dark. Deidre then kept poor Katrina and I up for the next couple of hours. She's a chatter that one!

On Friday morning we headed down to the Provo temple. It was nice to be there. I suggested that we have Cafe Rio for lunch and since no one protested that was where we ended up. No trip to Provo would be complete without a trip to the old Alma Mater and some bookstore buying. 

I had to head into the library for old times sake. I spent many a happy hour working here and I made poor Katrina pose with me for a shot. I am a little sad to report that the criteria for the hiring of the security guys at the front desk must have changed since I was at school. You could always count on them being the cutest things around!

'Y' mountain

Jorden clearly didn't want to be in this picture!

While Noelene and Deidre shopped for a new cell phone at the nearby Costco we walked the mall for a while. Tired from that adventure we then headed back up to Midway. When we were hungry later we headed into Heber to try out 'Dairy Keen' home of the original train burger. I was a little embarrassed to be the only one in the group ordering a hamburger as well as a shake, but I was hungry and it was good. 

Our Dairy Keen visit

So we didn't spend the entire time eating and shopping Deidre signed us up to go on a tour of the Mt Timpanogos caves on Saturday morning. Since Deidre had kept us all up again with her chatting I was pretty tired for our 8:00 a.m. leaving time, but we made it.

In the visitors area before our hike

It was quite chilly as we started out, but the sun soon came out and we got that blood flowing. It was a really pretty hike and I enjoyed seeing the leaves starting to change color. 

The cave tour was interesting and very informative. I realized that I know very little about cave formations.

I know about your basic stalactite and stalagmite and how they

join together to make columns but...

...cave bacon was a new one to me.

( I actually thought that a lot of the formations looked the

yellow fat that gets sucked out of you when you get liposuction!)

As we made our way back down the mountain it was getting pretty busy and so even though I had given Deidre a hard time about making us get up early I was glad that we did.

We then headed up to Park City where Noelene kindly treated us all to lunch before our trip to the outlets. I had a great time shopping with other people who actually wanted to be shopping too. Deidre and I finally tired everyone out though and they headed back while we checked out a couple more stores on the other side.

Just like the night before I was the only one who was really hungry so Deidre and Amy graciously joined me as I went and picked up a pizza and went to the grocery store for a few snacks. 

There were many late nights. There was lots of chatting. There was lots of eating and it was good to get to know everyone better. San Francisco next time around right?!