Halloween

And so it came. The hurricane Sandy and Halloween! Sandy did some great devastation, but missed us entirely. We only had some hefty winds, but that is it. Thank goodness. And so Halloween continued....we went to the girls' school parade and also their parties in their classes....Nelson and I tag teamed...2 and 2. Then we came home to get ready for our own trick or treating. It was a good night, cold, but no rain and no wind. The kids had fun walking all over the neighborhood and seeing their friends. Kason sat in the stroller most of the time....I thought this would be the year he did some walking and going up to doors...he did a couple, but still didn't get it...next year. Besides, mom was too big and pregnant to walk up to each door....Nelson and I watched from the road....Luckily the kids all grabbed some treats for his bucket/ mom and dad to eat later. :) It was a fun night! Happy Halloween!

I did take pictures at the school parties...and parade, but I will have to add them later...they are on my phone. Check back for those!

Fall Leaves & Trunk or Treat

We have a tons of leaves in our front yard now, since it is long since "officially" fall. The kids had a fun time playing in them this afternoon. I have to say that is one of the things I love about New York. Fall is gorgeous. The colors are beautiful and vibrant and even if our own front yard we can see it! Pictures don't do it justice, but there is a lot of beauty here that Heavenly Father created! Here are a few pics of the kids playing in our leaves!

Today was also our ward Halloween Party at church. I let the kids (girls) all invite a friend to come along, since this will one of few opportunities we can fit four more people with us in our monster van. They were all excited to invite a friend and of course being Halloween, wear their costumes. At church we had a chili dinner, then they had fun games and activities set up for the kids to do. And after all that fun...they get to Trunk or treat....or go from car to car and get candy. :) It was lots of fun and they all had a "giggling" good time! Here are the pictures!

Here are a  few from the Halloween Party....

We were thinking...good thing we had a fun Halloween on Saturday before the coming Hurricane Sandy...just in case we don't get Halloween on Wednesday! :) 

Here is a pic of our decorated trunk....which got rave reviews....good thing I went to the Dollar store for ideas a couple of hours before. :) Last minute inspiration I guess. :) Not too shabby. 

Our lanterns glowed in the dark...it was pretty cool. :) 

On an additional note....they kids were all hyped up on candy....and as usual...even without candy...put up a fuss to go to bed and never stay in their beds. Ryder has become a hellion at night, up and down the stairs, playing in his room....make a rukus. Here is what we found tonight when we went to bed...for one his bedroom light is always on....this time..his mattress was pulled off his bed (no sheets on his bed)...notice the big mess...and don't forget the candy bucket so nicely placed by the bottom of his bed. :) 

good thing he has a mommy and daddy to cover his butt up. :) 

Apple Races

Today was the Elementary Apple Races at school. Well, the girls have been dreading it for over a week. Even asking for an "excuse" slip. I found it funny, because their field day at the end of the year last year was so fun and exciting and they loved it....but not this go round. Maybe because it was just a mass of people running 650 meters....yes, that is far for the little ones. I think Sienna's Kindergarten got to run only 300...but still...I can see the pressure! :) They all did just fine! It was split into grades, and then by gender...yes. The entire grade ran against each other...so not much luck there. None of them are going to be track stars...at least not at long distance. :) But they each did it and I hope they learned that even though sometimes we may not want to do to something, or it may seem hard, the best thing to do it face it head on and it always turns out ok. They all enjoyed it and got an apple for running! :)

 Jayda is the one in the tan sweater on the left.

    

Halle is in the pink on the left. 

Sienna is the short one...that should make it easy, but she is in the turquoise top second from the right.

I just had to put this in there...this is typical Mia personality...I captured it in the picture....enjoy. 

There she is in the stripes....center of pic. 

Jayda is 10!

Jayda is 10! Yesterday, school was out for Columbus Day, so we had her party then....and went to dinner tonight. She invited 5 or 6 friends to go bowling and eat pizza. Then we came home and had cupcakes and ice cream and opened presents. It was a little different than our traditional parties, but it was fun because she got to spend time with her friends by herself. We also tried new cupcakes this time, instead of me slaving over a monster cake. :) We had chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes. They were yum. Cookie dough inside the cupcake and a cookie on top! Big hit.

She got lots of great stuff for her birthday this year. Lots of craft making kits, an American Doll Movie, several gift cards, which she loves! And we gave her an ipod touch....I know I can hardly believe it myself. She has been begging for one for over a year, and I guess she is old enough to be responsible for it...so there we are. One big step for mom and dad. :)

I can't believe she is in double digits. She is turning into a lovely little lady! We love you Jadya!
Happiest 10th Birtday!

PS By the way, she did win one of 3 class reps in her class! :) Woohoo! Congrats!

Jayda for 4th Grade Class Rep!

Jayda is running for her class rep. There are 3 people who get elected and all but about 3 in her class are running! But here are some posters we made for her to put up in her class and down the hallways. She also prepared a speech she has to give this week! The election and speeches are on Thursday! Good Luck Jayda!

Apple Pick'in

Today was a great day for us! We started out by going to a nearby orchard and picking some apples! :) They didn't have my favorite to pick (Honeycrisp) because the freeze in the spring did them in....so we picked Rome Apples, which are pretty good too! It was fun! The kids got to pick a lot...eat alot, and pick some more! We rode a little tractor ride around the orchard and well...picked some more! It was a fun time...even Kason had fun, because he got to eat so many apples...he loves them!!!

We had lots of fun! Then we got to come home and get ready for General Conference! Which living in New York, starts at noon! So advantage...we had all morning to play and prepare. We came home, had some yummy spinach/ artichoke dip and chips and yummy chicken, bacon, and avocado quesadillas for lunch! To top off our day, both sessions of conference were fantastic and edifying. I am so grateful to know of living prophets and apostles on the earth to lead us and guide us in these trouble times! How do people survive without that knowledge and direction? One thing I loved from today...

I am Mormon, 

I Know it.

I Live it. 

I Love it!