Halloween

I decorated my Christmas tree today so I thought it was probably time to post my Halloween pictures. Nate was able to come to the parade at school this year and then he stayed home with Josh and Megan so I could go to Lia and Laura's class parties.

We had a good time, in spite of the rain. Nate is such a great sport to take the kids every year. I wouldn't mind going with him, but someone needs to hand out the candy and when the weather is bad, I'm happy to volunteer. I might regret this down the road but my philosophy on Halloween candy is get it gone as soon as possible. So, I let the kids go crazy when they get home and the next day, and then we toss all the leftovers (which normally means the candy no one cared to eat the first two days). I love Halloween...I love the cooler weather and the leaves changing and the smell of candles burning in jack-o-lanterns (which is weird, I know), and I love how excited my kids get. But I really love what follows Halloween. We had a great Thanksgiving, which I'll post about next time. Maybe sometime around New Years.

Pumpkin Carving

October

We took Megan on her first bike ride.

It was also Josh's first time around our neighborhood on his two-wheeler. He did great! He kept up with everyone and didn't complain once. Josh needs a nap just about everyday, but I don't always let him take one so he'll go to bed at a decent time. But, he just couldn't hold out any longer on this day. I'm not sure why he crawled under the picnic table, but it made for a cute picture.

This is one of Josh and Laura's favorite places in the house.

Megan loves this hat, not any other hats... just this one.

New Pictures

First Days of School

Everyone but Megan and me started school this fall. Josh started preschool, Laura started kindergarten, Lia started second grade, and Nate started the MBA program at BYU.

I love this picture of Josh. He's smiling kind of silly, but he looks so cute and grown up!

I was a little hesitant to do preschool for Josh, but when the girls got their letters in the mail saying who their teachers are and he asked who his teacher was going to be, I was really glad I decided to do it. It doesn't cost me a dime and I love the other moms and kids he's doing it with. I miss Josh though while he's gone. He may be a big kid but he seems too little to be going to school already!

And then we have cute Laura...

Her teacher is Mrs. Burk and she is great! Laura likes school and things are going well. I love to hear her say she made a new friend and to hear the new songs she's learning.

Laura and a few of her friends from our ward.

I'm not sure where Nate stood to take this picture, but it's totally Lia. She loves school and couldn't wait to start this year. She also loves her new shoes. Luann, do you recognize the hands like last year's first day of school picture?

And finally we have Nate. (Just pretend I'm not in the picture--I don't think I'll ever wear that shirt again!) After an eight year break, Nate is back in school. He quit his job and is a full time student. We couldn't be more excited! He loves his program and I love the fact he's at BYU. He's taken a lot of razzing for that since we are after all "U" fans, but we know it's where he's supposed to be. The last few weeks have been really kind of crazy, but it will get better...or maybe we'll just get more used to it. Either way, I'm really proud of Nate, I'm grateful for the opportunity, and I'm excited to see where this new adventure will take us.

Fishing Trip

Nate, his dad and his brothers borrowed a raft and went fishing on the Green River right before school started for Nate. The fishing wasn't as good as they had hoped, but they had a great time. I wish they could do things like this more often.

Megan's Bed

So I mentioned we took the crib down and Megan has been sleeping--if you can call a few hours a night sleeping--in a bed. Well, the other night I put her to bed and she actually slept in there by herself for a couple hours. She woke up once and cried for a few minutes, but I decided to wait and see if she'd go back to sleep, which she did. When I went to check on her and Josh before Nate and I went to bed, I found her snuggled up in Josh's bed. I was pretty sure I hadn't moved her and Nate hadn't either. She must have crawled up there in her half asleep state when I heard her cry. It was so cute I had to take a picture, which woke her up so I moved her back to her own bed.