Trunk of Treat

My kids have never been to a trunk or treat before. I like celebrating Halloween in our neighborhood and making the kids work a little to earn their haul! However, Doug Smith Autoplex hosted a special trunk or treat featuring local business owners so I took the kids down this afternoon so they could see their dad and support the company that makes our life possible!

Some cool jack-o-lanterns The younger two posing with what they called "The knock-off Mickey Mouse!" Madeleine said he smelled of "beef and lies" so she wouldn't get in the photo. I think she has seen the movie "Elf" too many times!

I thought it was cute to see Ed walking and talking with the girls. This is typical for us - I trail behind with Harrison while Ed is off ahead with the girls.

School Halloween Parade

It was the annual Halloween Parade at Foothills Elementary. My magician Harrison pulled a rabbit out of his hat and was adorable with his big smiles. My flower fairy Olivia sparkled and shined. She didn't like the make-up and glitter that her mean mom put on her but she looked gorgeous and got lots of oohs and ahhs.

The middle school was out today because it's the last day of the quarter so Maddie came to the parade and was happy to see her friends there.

Halloween Is In the Air

I love autumn ... the scents, the comfort foods, the hint of winter in the air. It all makes me want to curl up at home with a good book in front of a fire. Of course with temps in the 70s, there haven't been any perfect days like that yet! The finished product

L-R: Olivia's Scaredy Face, Harrison's Witch, and Maddie's Ghost. Olivia and Madeleine carved their pumpkins all by themselves. Harrison needed some help from Mom. We finished just in time to get candles in them and set them up on the front porch for Ed to see when he got home from work.

All Hallows Eve

It was the carving of the pumpkins this evening. The kids are old enough now to do all of the dirty work ... I was only allowed to cut the openings for them and supervise. Now if they'd learn to clean up after themselves!

Last Game of the Season

The Rowdies had their last game this morning - a rematch against the team they beat 12 to 3 last month. This one was a nail biter as the other team showed up ready for revenge. They scored first and it was 1-0 in their favor through most of the game. The Rowdies came out more aggressive in the second half but couldn't get the ball in the net - we had 3 different shots on goal that bounced off the side or top posts. Luck was on our side when the Rowdies got a penalty shot and evened the score. Our players loosened up once the pressure was off and scored a disputed goal that the ref didn't call a goal. Ryan kicked the ball and it bounced straight down off the top post. It didn't clear the line so it wasn't a goal yet but then the goalie picked up the ball and stepped into the net so we should have been given the goal but the volunteer ref, who was from the other team, said it didn't count. After the game officially ended at 1-1, there was a calm meeting of minds on the field and the other coach and ref agreed that goal should have counted so we ended with a perfect winning season. Rowdies 2-1.

Tagged Again ... 6 Random Facts

Here are the Rules:
1. Link to the person that tagged you
2. Post the rules on your blog
3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself
4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs
5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.
6. Let your tagged peeps know once your entry is UP.

Random Fact #1: When I was young, my older sisters told me that I had a different father because they all had dark brown hair and dark brown eyes while I had blond hair and bright blue eyes.

Random Fact #2: I love to eat seafood!! I call it a karmic joke that I was born and continue to live in a landlocked state.

Random Fact #3: I hate to shop for shoes. They are usually overpriced and I can never find what I want.

Random Fact #4: I remember random things well. It comes in handy with work because I have great recall. It also helps with popular culture trivia.

Random Fact #5: I have always wanted to go to Europe the year I turn 40.

Random Fact #6: I love having cut flowers in my house.

Your turn...I'm tagging Bindy Glenn, Lisa Bonacci, Megan Smith, Denice Giddings, Cindy Gottschalk, and Sara Evans. (if you feel like it!)

Look What I Got!!!!!

I have waited to buy a kitchen table set for years. Literally more than 10 years - I'm not exaggerating for emphasis. It had become a kind of family joke that I would scan the Craigslist furniture postings daily. I recently started checking the KSL classifieds on-line as well. One night last week, I came across a set that I actually liked and it was priced reasonably. I called the lady, went to see it at her home in Provo the next day, and we picked it up tonight. We got the buffet, bench, dining table and 6 chairs. There is a leaf that can extend the table but we'll probably leave it out for every day use. It looks beautiful. Well worth the 10 year wait ... well, almost!

Since we don't have a formal dining room, we've put the buffet in the entry. It's a nice, substantial piece that will help to hide clutter like the dog leash, mail, and Ed's heli supplies. The bench is the same length as our sofa. It's beautiful.

The family that we bought the furniture from had it set up in a formal dining room and it had only been used a dozen times. It looks brand new. I wouldn't have chosen a table with the grooves with having kids, but we've already talked about how they'll have to eat messy things at the bar. I'm going to get placemats and a tablerunner to help protect the table top. I love how it changes the appearance of the great room. It looks like we have grown up furniture now! My neighbors Lisa and Sandy both came by and raved about it.

Weekend at Snowbird

It's our annual October visit to Snowbird and it was insanely warm this year. I don't remember it ever being that warm for our October stay. I didn't even need my coat at the top of the tram. The downside was that the top of the tram was all muddy, but my kids still managed to find snowfields and made their snowball friends. Maddie stayed behind this year because she had a Halloween party to attend. For some reason, she thought that would be more fun than sharing a single room with her entire family!

Walking from the lodge to the Snowbird Center to ride the tram. Our timeshare always coincides with the Snowbird food drive so you can ride the tram in exchange for a can of food.

Walking back from the Snowbird Center. Ed and Olivia ran ahead to get her snowball in the freezer. Harrison and I enjoyed a leisurely stroll back to the Iron Blosam. Once we got to the lodge, we had the crazy notion of taking the stairs instead of the elevator. We climbed to the 11th floor. My legs are still screaming at me. Harrison didn't even start breathing hard until floor 9.

Olivia had to say goodbye to her snowball before we drove home. She found a good shady spot for it. Parting is such sweet sorrow!
Harrison was entertaining us with his dancing while we waited for Ed to bring the car around.

I tried to capture some of the autumn colors on our drive down the canyon. The canyon walls literally glowed red and orange from the leaves ... it was lovely.

Need Halloween Suggestions

There is a Halloween party one week from today that Ed and I have to dress up for. I have never seen Ed dress up for Halloween in the 17 years that I have been with him. I have no idea what to do for costumes so I'm open to any suggestions. I would personally prefer to wear something feminine - I don't want to be anything gross or cheesy. May as well enjoy my figure while I have it. Help!!!!!

Rowdies Domination Continues

We're down to one soccer game remaining for this season (next Saturday @ 10:40 - Monarch Meadows Park) and our Rowdies are still undefeated. They played a tough game this morning but won by a score of 4-3. Spencer told Maddie that she was "Super Awesome" with her throw-ins today.

Witchapalooza

It has become an annual tradition each October for me to take the kids to Gardner Village to see the witches. We waited for a day when Ed could come with us so we went this morning. We've never gone over UEA weekend and now we know to NEVER do it again! It was so crowded, we spent most of our time dodging strollers and toddlers, trying to get close enough to see our favorite witches, and then couldn't even get in the door of the sweets shop. We took a handful of photos and then we spent 30 minutes trying to get out of the parking lot. Ed went straight to work and I took the kids to Subway for lunch since we didn't get to do our usual lunch at the Gardner Village bakery.

Yet Another Tag ...

Here are the rules: I have to answer the following questions with one word answers and one word only! Then I must pass it on to seven others.
Here are the questions:
1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Where is your significant other? home
3. Your hair color? blonde
4. Your mother? brave
5. Your father? mindful
6. Your favorite thing? connecting
7. Your dream last night? water
8. Your dream/goal? security
9. The room you're in? great
10. Your hobby? creating
11. Your fear? loss
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? happy
13. Where were you last night? home
14. What you're not? insecure
15. One of your wish-list items? mattress
16. Where you grew up? Taylorsville
17. The last thing you did? dishes
18. What are you wearing? cords
19. Your TV? large
20. Your pet? stinky
21. Your computer? laptop
22. Your mood? simpatico
23. Missing someone? daily
24. Your car? messy
25. Something you're not wearing? regret
26. Favorite store? nope
27. Your summer? short
28. Love someone? absolutely
29. Your favorite color? green
30. When is the last time you laughed? tonight
31. Last time you cried? dunno
I am passing this to: anyone who wants to!

Wave of Light October 15