Halloween Fun Part 1

Matthew had a Halloween party for preschool yesterday.  His teacher went all out for this party. She had a fishing booth, donuts on strings, face painting, hay rides, bowling, pumpkin painting, and so much more.  The kids had a ball.

Up first was a fun little program full of cute Halloween songs.

They got little prizes at each booth.  Matthew's favorite was the glow-in-the-dark vampire fangs.  He wore them for almost the whole day.  Even when we went to Target.

My little multi-tasker, eating while cleaning.  He must watch me a lot more than I thought...

Then for reasons unknown to me, he threw himself on the ground and threw a little tantrum.

The kids made a pinata and then got to reap the rewards.

Matthew's loot. He's very particular about candy and it shows.  He had 1/3 the amount as everyone else.  Only the best for my boy.

Matthew with his best bud, Cooper.  They have such a great time together.

Hello? Anybody there?

-Matthew: "Mom, who is going to take care of us when you are little?"  

-Me: "I was already little before you were born.  So I am always going to take care of you."

-Matthew:  "Are your ears working?"

-Me:  "Yes, my ears are working."

-Matthew:  "Well, did you not understand me then?"

-Me:  "That must be it."

Grandpa Huff

We visited my Grandma and Grandpa Huff a few times while we were in Utah.  I realized that I do not have any pictures of my boys with my grandpa, so I had to snap a few.  

My grandpa had a heart attack about two weeks ago.  I am so grateful that he is feeling better.  He's a little worn out, but he's my same old grandpa with his infectious smile.  I love that guy!

Logan

My cousin Jason got married while we were in Utah.  So we packed the boys up and drove up to Logan.  Sometimes I wonder why anyone would get married in any other temple than the Salt Lake temple.  I mean, it is the only true temple, right?  But when you are on the grounds of the Logan temple, you understand why.  Such a pretty temple.  And I guess all temples are true.

Tubular!

In the Fall my Grandma Levinthal throws a pumpkin picking party.  This year, we got to attend.  It was so much fun!  We ate witch fingers, mummy dogs, spiced wassail, and yummy pizza.  The kids got to go into her garden and each pick out a pumpkin.  

Well, that's a surprise!  Matthew picked a small, green pumpkin.  Huh, I would have never guessed that.

James wasn't all that interested in picking a pumpkin.  He was just looking for a good one to throw.  

I just thought this picture was so Tessa.  The little princess among a bunch of boys.

This was one of at least 100 pictures we tried to take of all the little kids.  We're missing Tessa.  I think she may have had an accident and was being changed inside.  

James sat here for a good 10 minutes after our failed groups shots.  He repeatedly said, "Cheeeeeeeeeeese!"

I hadn't finished my boys' costumes yet, so my mom bought Matthew a Ninja Turtle costume so he could be like Cooper and Peyton.  Matthew and Cooper had lots of fun battling it out.  I though Ninja Turtles were on the same team, but whatever.

I think Jace is more of a loner or maybe he just doesn't care for James.  But James didn't care, he loved following Jace around.

And to top off a successful night of spooky fun, the kids all circled round the fire and roasted s'mores.  There you are, Grandma! (in the back row)

Mmm...perfect.

While we were up in Utah, we made a trip down to Gateway for a day of shopping, food, and water fun.  It was a beautiful day and the whole center was bleeding red (the U had a game that day).  We met my mom's family for some dinner.  I didn't realize until now that my grandma isn't in this picture, she must be taking it.  Sorry Grandma!

My little family has a problem with looking at the camera apparently.  

(Grandpa Levinthal, David, Lindsey (Joe's girlfriend), Joe, Cynthia, my mom, Matthew, Julianne, James, Moi

We spent at least 45 minutes at the fountain.  The boys could not get enough.  James never really got in the water, but I think he thought he did.

Matthew loved the steam.  He would come running out of it with a huge grin on his face.

Wet surfaces + Slippery shoes = Ouchies

James just squatted and watched the water for a few minutes.  It was so funny.  He must have amazing thigh strength.

Finally, Matthew was worn out and wet and ready to go.  

Everyone and their dog was there...

Once when I was younger, my dad got off of work a little bit late.  When my mom asked him why he was running late he said, "Everyone and their dog stopped me on my way out."  Confused as to why everyone would have their dog at work, I asked, "Was it take your dog to work day?"  Cute little Monica.

While we were in Utah we made a trip to Gardner Village (my great-great-great-grandpa's place) for some ancestral fun.  Little did we know, every other person (and their dogs) in Utah thought it was a great place to spend a perfect Friday afternoon.  That place was packed!

Here are the two proud grandmas with their cuties. 

(Jean with Gracie and Ava, my mom with Matthew and James)

We took tons of pictures and I never got a single one where all the kids are looking at the camera at the same time.  

I think my boys' favorite part was the petting zoo.  James did get a little carried away pulling on this goat's horn.  I'm surprised it didn't head-butt him.

Matthew loved the little pigs and the huge rabbit.  

Cheese!

Here are the cousins with our kids.  Lisa and her girls, Ava and Gracie, Michelle with her little bundle, Macey, and me with my boys and my sister, Julianne.

Why does my text get underlined?  Does anyone know how to fix this?  It is so annoying.

The Great Pumpkin

We made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch last weekend.  This time the Justman family came along for the fun.  We had a great time.

James was a little shy at the beginning.

Tim and Rob took the kids on all the rides.  What great guys.  Jill and I sat back and enjoyed the action from afar.  Cute little Charlotte kept us company.

My handsome men...

These two are like two peas in a pod.  They are so similar and have such a great time together.  They get along so well, they don't even have to talk.  I can hear Alison Krauss now...

Matthew says he loved the roller coaster, Tim said otherwise.  Check them out in the back row.  Even Elaine went along for the ride.

Matthew found his favorite pumpkin, unfortunately the farm didn't have any green ones.  But it was small.

James didn't want a good carving pumpkin, he wanted to find the best one for throwing.  He just walked around and threw pumpkins.

And finally, our traditional pumpkin patch photo.  And they actually cooperated!

Thanks Justman family for a great trip!

The Birds and the Bees

Warning: This includes some anatomically correct language.  Read on at your own risk.

Matthew: "Mom, how do babies come?"

Me:  "From their mommies' tummies."

Matthew:  "No, I mean like how does a mommy and daddy get a baby to come here?"

Me:  (Still recovering from our "No, Heavenly Father didn't forget to give girls penises" conversation from this morning)  "Uhhhhh... Did you have punch at preschool today?  You have a punch mustache."

Matthew:  "Yes and we had Halloween pretzels and fruit roll-ups.  And at preschool we talked about...."

Phew, dodged that one for another 24 hours.

Keep Out

The other day while I was unloading the dishwasher, James grabbed a butter knife.  Well, we all know what happens when my boys get a hold of sharp objects.  So Matthew, understandably did not want James to be able to grab another knife.  He gave him a stern talking to and then requested his crayons and a piece of paper.  He drew a picture of James and then drew a circle around him and a line through it.  He asked me to post it on the dishwasher so that James would know to not get into the dishwasher again.  So far it's worked.  Good thinking, Matthew!

The mess on the counter is the result of a really cute Halloween countdown that I made on a cookie sheet.