We're Off to See the Wizard!

Starring: Logan as The Wicked Witch of the West, Brody as Toto, Nalani as Dorothy, Maika as The Scarecrow, and Bronson as The Tin Man! I guess Kelly and I were the Cowardly Lion, since we're too scared to have more kids to fill up all the roles.

We had a great Halloween this year! Bronson was the hit of the night! One of my favorite comments came from a house-full of big-burly-logger-looking-dudes (not in costume, most likely just home from work!). The guy who answered the door said, "oh! Look at the cute Dorothy! Oh, awesome! Look at the Tin Man! Hey, guys come look at this Tin Man!" At this point two other loggers come to the door and one says, "Awww! That is just adorable! Did you make that (looking at me)?" Um, no. But, did the word "adorable" just come out of a loggers mouth? Too funny! Honestly, people would stop and yell across the road at how awesome his costume was. Although, he wasn't too thrilled by the process of becoming the Tin Man...

My other favorite quote from the night came from Thatcher. We were at our first door of the night, and the people were handing out boxes of Hot Tamales (one of my personal favorites). After Thatcher received his, he ran up to his mom yelling, "Hey mom! They got Hot Molly's over there! I like Hot Molly's!" That just struck me so funny! Hopefully he'll find some Hot Molly in the future:)

Nalani and Bronson were a bit freaked out by the scary costumes some people donned. Nalani loved handing candy out to our "customers". Every time the doorbell rang she'd yell, "Dad, there's another customer!" When she opened the door and someone was dressed scary she'd run away and hide until they were gone. If they were friendly looking, she'd gladly hand them a piece of candy.

I didn't get too many pictures of Maika as the Scarecrow because she kept having "wardrobe malfunctions". That darn straw kept scratching her head and wouldn't stay in place. She looked so cute though! It was a last minute idea that we pulled together out of the dress-up drawer. Logan loved being the Wicked Witch. I finally let her spray paint her hair and we got to do an ugly make-over.

And here's the Table O' Cavities, and Rochelle sampling some of Maika's loot.

Pumpkin Carving

The kids loved carving their pumpkins on Monday night! Kelly found some really cute stencils while the kids were gutting their pumpkins. Nalani loved to put her hands in the goo and pick out all the seeds.

Logan: Frankenstein

Maika: Scary Face

Nalani: Dorothy and Toto

Bronson: polka dots (I was tired of carving so I got the electric drill out and made polka dots all over. I got the idea from Martha. Super fast, easy, and cute. Just right for my lazy bones!)

Afterwards, roast up all the yummy pumpkin seeds! There has been a debate going on around here, so I ask this question: Do you crack the pumpkin seed like a sunflower seed and eat the inside, or do you eat the whole thing? Kelly and I eat them like sunflower seeds and almost every other person we've asked eats the whole thing...

Pumpkin Hunting

We finally made it to the pumpkin patch this year. We actually went on Maika's birthday. Bronson wasn't feeling too well, so Kelly quickly volunteered to stay home and take care of him (cough, cough watch college football, cough, cough). The girls and I headed out to the freezing cold pumpkin patch. We got our quarters out and did some pumpkin bowling, fishing pond, bean bag toss, and the hayride. We also got to pick out our pumpkins and warm our hands up with some really watered down hot chocolate:)

I can tell Logan is getting older, because when I made her stand behind the flower thing to get her picture taken, she looked around, rolled her eyes an said, "This is sooo embarrassing!" That's what mom's are for, embarrassing our kids!

Elmer Fudd and the Fuddettes

This past weekend the girls finally got to do something they've been begging to do for months. Duck hunting. Our friend Spencer is an avid hunter and has been talking to the girls about it forever. Every time they saw him the first question out of their mouths was "when can we go duck hunting?"

Saturday was the day. They got up early, around 5:45 am, without any complaint and got warm clothes on, ate breakfast, and waited to be picked up. I tried to tell them they had to be quiet when they hunted, but knew deep down, it would be a struggle for Maika:) They had a great time with Spencer and his boys. Logan is a self-proclaimed Tom Boy. She was carrying the dead duck around by the neck and waving it in our faces. Nalani was not thrilled. Even Kelly and I thought it was gross, but Logan loved it! I figured it would make my dad proud to know that my kids are hunters like him. I remember loving to go out with my dad. The best part about it was stopping at Gopher's to get soda and candy before the big hunts. I like that my kids get to experience a few of the same things I did as a kid, even if it grosses me out now:)

The Secret to my Success

I love Sunday afternoons! Mostly, because I look forward to taking naps. With four kids running around, it's a little hard sometimes. I'll be laying there ready to fall asleep and I'll hear any one or combination of the following: arguing, doors slamming, or TV programs on way too loud!

When I'm trying to fall asleep and can't I start getting really grumpy! I'll have you know that I found a remedy. Now I don't have to hear the kids and they don't have to see me grumpy and hear me yelling at them to be quiet. This remedy only works when Kelly is home, (can you imagine the mayhem if there wasn't another adult in the house?) but it works like a charm. I highly recommend it!

Ear plugs. The soft squishy kind that form to your ear. I slept like a log. Kelly actually came into the room wondering how I could sleep through all the noise, until he saw these little pieces of genius stuffed into my ears.

Happy Birthday To Maika!

Maikalani Sarah turned seven today! I love this girl and how easy going she is...she thinks the ward party tonight is in honor of her birthday...I've never organized such an easy birthday party...Thanks Jodi:) (Our wonderful ward activity chair)

Maika got to have a couple of friends sleep over last night and they pretty much got to do what ever they want. Movies, junk food, Barbies, games.

Today we are planning a trip to the pumpkin patch, possibly a movie, cake and ice cream, presents, and the ward party, which is for Maika, of course!

I can't believe Maika is already seven! We love you so much and love the goofy, spunky, punky, girl you are. Happy birthday! Here are a few pictures of Maika through the years.

We loved all the thick, black hair she came with. Kelly thought it was a tribute to all the time he spent on the reservations growing up. Maika came out looking like a little Navajo baby.

Our little girls before church.

There's nothing like some good, muddy water and the beautiful red rocks of Southern Utah to make a little girl happy.

This shows her goofy side, coming out at a very early age.

Our little Hula Wahines before the big show during the Rose Festival.

At a field trip to the Children's Museum for her preschool field trip.

A cold, windy day at the beach.

Having fun with her cousins this summer. Maika and Asher were born a few weeks apart.

A Quick Get-a-way

*I'm a big loser and forgot my camera at home*

Last Wednesday I left for a quick trip to Utah. My mom got remarried after being widowed eight years ago. She found a really good guy and is on the move to the Arizona heat:)

I left my kids in the care of my great friends and was off (Kelly was on a work trip). My mom and Gary picked me up from the airport, along with my aunt and Gary's brother who also flew in around the same time. Then, we were off to my grandparent's house to visit and eat and get some sleep. Thursday morning we went to the Timpanogas Temple, where my grandpa is a sealer, for the wedding. Afterwards we ate some so-so Mexican food and decorated the car, then the newlyweds were off to Park City for the beginning of their honeymoon.

I spent the rest of my time at my sister Melanie's house. Thursday night we were able to go to a pre-season Jazz game and had great 5th row seats! They played the Suns and lost, but it was still fun. Shaq is a big guy! It was fun to be able to hang out with Jesse, Mel, and Riley.

Friday we went to SLC for some shopping with my aunt Colleen, and my little sister Rachel. The shopping was so-so, but the company was great! That night Jesse came up to stay at Mel's too and we stayed up late talking about old times and funny memories. Jesse has the best memory I've ever witnessed! But, he also remembers the most random, weird events that I guess, I've tried to block out:)

Saturday we went to Park City to say goodbye to my mom, Gary and Jesse before I had to go to the airport. The place they stayed was amazing! It normally goes for $3,000/night so it better be amazing. Good thing Jesse has the hook-ups! I think it would be fun to stay there during the Sun Dance Film Festival and go star-gazing (hint, hint!).

I had a great time. Not too long, just long enough for everybody to start missing each other again:) Thanks Kelly,for arranging it! It's nice to have a traveling husband and only have to pay $5 for a trip because of all the frequent flier miles. Thanks to Rochelle, Candy and Jodi for watching my brood! I know you got more than you bargained for:)