Pumpkin Carving

Yipee, let's make a mess, get stinky and get our hands in pumpkin goo!

But yet, still so fun!

The kids dug in, but weren't too sure about it. Raegan did not like how it made her hands feel, but when we reassured her that we could clean them after she went for it.
(again, I am a little embarassed to post this pic bc her hair is out of control...what do you expect from a 2 year old after a long day of running around and playing?)

Here they are...our 2008 Jack-O-Lanterns!

Buckelew Farms

Oh I love this place, it is so much fun. Brig's preschool class had a fieldtrip today to the Pumpkin Patch!

I love this picture of my kids.

Okay we tried to take this picture right when we got to the pumpkin patch, but the kids were so excited to get on the wagon and head out to pick their pumpkins that we weren't too succesful, oh well.

The Moms

Raegan's pick, she wanted a "yittle one"...and that is just what she got!

Brig's pick...he wanted one he could carry all by himself. I didnt get a picture of mine, but it is a big, bright round one, I love it...just perfect for a jack-o-lantern.

We got to ride a horse-drawn wagon to and from the pumpkin patch.

Brig and his pal showing off their pumpkins.

Okay, so Raegan and her little friend Dallas were so cute together. As soon as we got to the pumpkin patch Raegan ran right over to him and he said "I Love You," it was so cute! And the rest of the morning was more of the same. Here are some cute pics of Raegan and her squeeze:

I am already looking forward to our trip next year to Buckelew Farms!

(Make sure to check the post below, 2 posts in one day)

Halloween Family Night

Since we didn't get to go to the Pumpkin Patch until today (next post), we decided to decorate Halloween Cupcakes for family night this week. The kids had fun decorating them, but what they REALLY wanted was to eat them!

Paul wanted the kids to hear "The Monster Mash", so we downloaded it onto the iPod and rocked out to it all night. Here are their Monster Impressions (please excuse Raegan's ridiculously messy hair, it was the end of the day...what do you expect from a crazy 2 year old)

Alas, they got their cupcakes and they LOVED them!

I love this time of year...stay tuned for the rest of our Halloween Fun!

Our Ward Halloween Party

Our ward had a hAlLoWeEn PaRtY this weekend and the kids were so excited to get their costumes on and head over for the fun. They got to bob for baggies of candy, throw balls at the dunk tank with the Bishopric in it, jump in a jumping castle, eat yummy treats, play with their buddies and so much more.

It was a hit!

Raegan won "cutest costume" at the party

Raegan really REALLY really wanted to be batgirl this year, since her brother was being Batman. I was a little hesitant, but when I found this cute little costume I was sold on the idea.

Our friends Mary & Dallas, I wish I got a picture of their whole family, they were all dressed up as Dallas Cowboys and Referees.

Fun Night, I am even MORE excited now for the rest of the Halloween Festivities this week.

Getting All Cleaned Up...

This morning Paul was in the laundry room and Raegan came in pointing at the dryer saying

"I want to get in that...."

So she did, and she wasn't even cramped!

Day out with Dad

Saturday, I had to do some church stuff so Paul was on kid duty!

He took them to he zoo and then to get ice cream.

They love the polar bear, they could watch him all day long...and I got to hear all about how he was swimming, diving and playing the whole time. FUN!


They had a great time on their outing with Dad!

It's been a long time since I have seen this....

...but I saw it today

Enough Said!!

Giveaway...

This website is giving away free handbags in a drawing to celebrate their launch on October 15th. So make sure to signup for a chance to win...

http://www.handbagplanet.com/

Sweet Talker

(there are 2 post from today, so make sure to scroll down)

So Raegan has it all figured out! When our kids are getting crazy hyper, or just need a minute to take a break and a deep breath we put them in "Quiet Time". They just sit on their beds, and they aren't in trouble so they can read a book or play with a toy, but they just take a little break from running around playing for a few minutes. So the other day, Paul put them on "Quiet Time" so that they could calm down a little bit. A few minutes later, this is what we hear:

(Okay, imagine this in the sweetest little voice)

Raegan:

"Daddy, I am your Little Princess. Daddy, your little princess is being such a good giwl. Your little princess wants out Daddy! Your little Princess is so sorry! Dad, your little Princess wiwl be so good. Your little Princess loves you Daddy......"

**

And it went on and on! Oh man, Paul and I just looked at eachother with the biggest smiles on our faces, but also rolling our eyes, you have got to be kidding me...

she knew exactly what she was doing, sweet talking him to get her way!

Isn't she a little young for this??

We are in for it!

In Memory...

My Dear, Sweet Bedstemor passed away this afternoon.

I couldn't let this pass without expressing my feelings for this wonderful woman. She was such a great example of what it means to be a strong, faithful woman. She had many hardships in her life, but only dwelt on the many positive things in her life. She truly took the hard things in life with great stride and honor.

She is my Great-Great Grandmother and my children's Great-Great-Great Grandmother, she lived to be almost 103. She was truly a sweet spirit!

She came to my wedding 7 years ago the spunkiest, most energetic 95 (at the time) year old woman. She was always so full of life!

The last few years she has definitely slowed down, but each time I would visit her, even if it took her a few minutes to remember who I was, I always left feeling uplifted by the same woman that I had always loved. She loved seing the "babies" and everytime we would visit that would be the first thing that she would ask for, and her eyes would light up when she saw them.

2004: Bedstemor with Brig

6 Generations

(only missing my Nana, my Great Grandma)

2006: Bedstemor with Luke, Raegan and Brig

I regret not being able to spend more time with her, but the memories that I have of her are sweet and I will always remember her by those.

I Have A Crush On The Most...

gUy iN tHe WoRlD!!

The Life Of A Mom....

So, I have been thinking lately why it is that at night when we are all winding down and are laying around on the couch the kids always want to snugger (translation: snuggle) DAD! I have been wondering why when mom is the one home all day doing their laundry, cleaning up their messes, making them meals and kissing their owies, they run to Dad when he is home when they scrape their knee. I have been wondering how when Dad scolds them they promptly obey and that makes them love him even more, and when Mom scolds she either gets ignored or when they listen it is still often accompanied by a look of death.

**

Here is a recent conversation, that is probably what got me to thinking about this:

Dad: "Hey Princess"
Raegan: "I am your princess, and Brig-gum is your Prince"

Dad: "That's right"

Raegan: "No, Brig-gum is your Knight"

Dad: "Yeah, what am I?"

Raegan: "The King"

Dad: "Yep, what's mom?"

***Now I have to interject, you would be expecting by the theme of the conversation that she would reply "The Queen," right??....Nope***

Raegan: "The Wicked Witch"

**

Yep, thats right. Thank you Wizard of Oz!! As Paul was hysterically laughing, I was even trying to hold my giggles in. But that is when I started thinking...you know I know my kids love me. Lately Raegan is constantly and randomly saying, "Mommy I love you" and Brig is sweet to me too, but isn't it true that when Daddy is home Mom's ranks are dropped, and Daddy becomes the favorite!

But the more I thought about it, the more I came to accept it. I get to be with them all the time, and they don't get to see their Dad as much as me, so it's okay when he is home if I am 2nd pick. I wouldn't change anything for the world. I am so lucky to have these 2 kids, and I KNOW that they love me. I love cleaning up their messes, mediating bickering, getting them lunch, taking them to the bathroom, hauling them around with me to run errands, dealing with cuts and bruises and all the other joys of being a mom. I love those things because without them I wouldn't be a Mom.

Yesterday, during our church's General Conference our dear Prophet, President Monson spoke on enjoying life and he talked about enjoying our children when they are young and while we still have them in our home. He said one day we will miss the handprints on the glass that we are constantly wiping up. So much truth to that! It made me think how important it is to enjoy them, they grow up so quickly.

**

Here are some of my favorite things about being a mom:

Hearing Brig tell me all that he learned in preschool that day

Teaching them right and wrong

Raegan following me around with a cleaning wipe, saying "I wanna cwean too"

Brig being so excited to shake out the tablecloth for his chore, and Raegan to "cwean the dishes" for hers

Brig's amazing imagination

Raegan's little girl voice

Brig wanting to me just like his Dad, and being Dad's helper

When they say "Mom, snugger me"

Hearing Brig teaching Raegan something

Brig and Raegan saying "eeew, they are getting married" whenever Paul kisses me

Raegan mimicking EVERYTHING that Brig does

Brig playing the word game with us (learning about rhymes)

The times my kids say "thank you for dinner, it was delicious, may I be excused?" without being reminded (especially when I can tell Brig did not enjoy what we had, picky little stink)

Raegans crazy little laugh she does sometimes, it can be a little scary but so funny

Brig and Raegan dancing and singing when Paul plays them the guitar

When I whisper a special secret in Raegans ear and she whispers one back

Hearing my kids say something and realizing they DO LISTEN to me sometimes

**

Those are just a few of the things that make all the hard or unpleasant stuff SO WORTH IT!

As an end to the WiCkEd WiTcH story, a few minutes later Raegan said

"Mommy is the nice witch".

Hey I'll take it, that's a little bit of an improvement!

Looking Back...

Being October 1st and all...it is time (or I should say past the time) to put fall and Halloween decorations out and to gear up for Halloween!
I love Halloween, I love getting the kids all dressed up and seeing them so excited!
It got me reminiscing about the Halloweens we have had, so I thought I would post some pictures of the kids from the past years...

2007:
Tinkerbell and Captain Hook

2006:

My Little Bugs

2005:
Tiger
(he was being a stink though and wouldn't wear the cute matching hat)

2004:
Fireman Brig

Now I am all ready and excited for Halloween to come...

just 30 more days!