3 lil reasons to smile

October was a tough month for us. We were down and out with the flu. It was not cool. But, we had so much support from friends and family. Our friends brought us meals, groceries, medicine, phone calls, emails and most surely many prayers. Forrest got sick first, then Dan, then Andrew and then Adelaide and I. Of course its always hard to see your kids sick. It made it a very long two week stretch. We also missed Dan's family who came in town for a visit during that time. (worst timing ever!) We were so sad to miss them! Hopefully seeing these pictures will cheer them up! We love and miss you!

We did all get better in time for "Halloween Week!" Did anyone else feel like Halloween was ALL week long?! :) We had something Halloweenish almost everyday of the week leading up to Saturday. By the time Halloween week was over, the boys were so wired from all the excitement, candy and crafting, it took us a couple of very long days to get back into our jive. The boys still ask me every other night or so if tomorrow is Halloween. Ha ha!!! I guess they really did get the impression that Halloween can last as long as you want it too! With five days of non-stop parties, it was beginning to feel that way. It was really fun though :)

Anyway, I am sooo grateful I have some pictures to post!!! Our camera broke the first week of October (that helps to explain our extended absence from the blogging world) but Kate was so thoughtful, and lent us her extra camera!!! I don't have many pictures, but the whole week was a lot of fun!

We went to Dan's work for a trick or treating party on Friday. His company is really into Halloween apparently!!! I mean, really into it. Every department went ALL OUT and decorated their office space to compete for a prize. They gave away lots and lots of candy including a lot of full size candy bars. I was expecting a few bowls of candy here or there but instead the place was decked out! They even had dark tunnels with lights, plastic bats and spider webs. Oh, to say the boys loved it is quite an understatement!!!

Andrew insisted on being Frodo the hobbit again, I thought that was funny! Forrest had two costumes this year...a lion, and a tiger. He had fun choosing everyday of "Halloween Week" which one he wanted to be. Oh, and the tiger costume actually fit him this time ;) Adelaide was a ladybug. Here are some random pics from the week:

The end. :)

More pictures :)

Here are a few more pictures from the first week of October when we went to the Pumpkin Patch with my parents. We had sooo much fun!!!! Glad we got to sneak this trip in before we all got sick!! Thanks to my Dad for the pictures!!Andrew was sooo excited to pick out a pumpkin!! He talked about it the whole time we were there. As we started packing up our stuff, he knew it was time to choose a pumpkin. He was thrilled!! He took my hand and guided me through the pumpkins, up and down the rows, studying each of the pumpkins very carefully. He couldn't decide which one he wanted until Grandpa helped us find one. That is now one of my favorite memories with Andrew.

In Remembrance...

Dan and I have some dear friends from BYU who lost their little boy a couple of days ago. He was only five months old and was lost in a tragic accident. Our hearts are hurting, and aching for our friends. They are both incredible people who have already overcome a lot of personal trials in their lives. They are fearless of doing what's right and are always trying to improve themselves. We greatly admire them for the beautiful life they are creating.

We'd like to pass on our most sincere condolences and offer to everyone our testimonies of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That our stay on this earth is all but a short time and each and every day we live is an opportunity to prepare ourselves to return to our Heavenly Father.

It is times like this that the trivial things that are so easy to get caught up in are washed away and we are left with our testimonies. I do know that the Savior lives. I know that Jesus Christ lives and loves us.

To our friends. We love you!! We are praying for you and we want you to know that you are not alone. May you feel the love of all of your friends and family in this difficult time.

spicing up the weekends

Several months ago Dan and I were getting weary of hearing pleas from the boys to watch movies almost every day. Has anyone else had to deal with that?! It was becoming a huge headache. At times, it really was just easier to put in a movie for them, and give myself a little down time with the baby. One day, after philosophizing at length about our long term parenting plan, Dan and I decided to spin the whole situation positively and initiated Fun Friday (I know the name is totally cheesy, but its simple and the boys have taken to it :)

So, basically Fun Friday means the boys only watch movies on Friday. That way, its a special treat for them. They get out their blankets, we pop popcorn, sometimes we'll make treats or have a special drink. The boys love it! Its been awesome! We choose the movie together the week leading up to it and boys always look forward to what's coming.

We start the premiere after lunch. Its become a great way to kick off the weekend. Seriously, its made such a huge difference. Whenever they ask to watch a movie all we have to say is "Yes! Think about what movie you want to watch on Friday." Their free play has even become more creative since we've started this because they imaginary play for long periods of time, day after day.


{Ok, that was hilarious! I was just about to write that they've come up with some creative little schemes, when Forrest appears wearing this (above) and says, "Look Mom, I'm a robot." Ha Ha!!!}

After a couple months of Fun Friday, we started thinking it would be even better to devote more time and energy into reading. We usually read a few picture books during the day here and there and every night before bed. We decided though, that it would be a neat challenge to venture into the world of chapter books. We decided to start with the children's classic, Charlotte's Web.

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I wasn't sure how the boys would do listening to a book with only a few pictures here and there. Forrest struggled to pay attention for long, (we'll stick with picture books for now) but I could tell Andrew was really listening and imagining the characters. And, he adored it!! He would always beg me to read just a little bit more before we put it away. He was absorbed in the storyline.

As soon as we finished the book, he started playing Charlotte's Web with everything, especially his farm animals. Here's one of the set ups he made. You can see Wilbur on the roof. Wilbur camped up on that roof for days. Then, next to Wilbur you can see a black feather. That's his Charlotte...I thought that was a pretty clever idea. :) The link-a-doo rings are Charlotte's Web. Not to mention, those farm animals had all kinds of interesting conversations. It was pretty funny to eavesdrop on those!


After a good week of this we decided it was time to host our own viewing party of the newest version of Charlotte's Web for Fun Friday. It is an adorable movie!! Have you seen it yet? I was really impressed with the music and voice talent.

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There were some deviations from the book but the differences created great conversation for Andrew and I to compare and contrast the book and the movie. It was also fun watching the movie after already knowing all the characters and the storyline. I think the boys felt more connected with the characters this way too.

Now we are really starting to get excited to do this again. I'd love to hear any more chapter book recommendations you have! Please share away!!!