Halloween 2009

Halloween was a lot of fun this year. We just made our costumes or went with stuff we had which I really liked even though it made a bit more work it turned out fun. Ivan was Jack from Jack in the Box, Ammon was Wolverine for the church party but decided to be a Ninja on Halloween, Grace was a beautiful Pumpkin Fairy, Bradford was Mickey Mouse at the church party but a Blue Power Ranger on Halloween(I liked the Mickey Mouse costume better) and Abby was Raggedy Ann. We actually didn't get that much candy which is really nice. In fact I think most of it is gone. I'm not the kind of mom who just gives them one a day, I figure I'd rather get it over with so for a couple of days they go nuts and we try to make sure we brush teeth and then it's over. We also did something this year that I'm sure will become a tradition. We made caramel apples. I volunteered to do it for the boys classes, I have never made them before with making my own caramel, but how hard could it be right? Let's just say I ruined two batches and ended up making over 120 apples which by the way I hand picked from the apple tree here the night before. I was up until 3am which was nuts but I think I can make a pretty decent caramel apple now. I don't think I will volunteer to do it for the kids classes again, probably just some family and friends for Halloween. Growing up our neighbors (the Parades) were bakers and we loved that he gave out doughnuts on halloween night. Sometimes they were still warm and the morning after we always got any leftovers. It is my favorite halloween memory, so I think caramel apples will hopefully become my kids.

What a week.....

This week started with Sunday Stitches for Grace. About a month ago we, okay mostly I, decided that we should stay in our Sunday church clothes all day to help us keep the sabbath day holy. It has been pretty good. I have had some major mud splatters to get out of white shirts but for the most part I thought it was helping. But this Sunday as the kids were outside I all of a sudden heard all kinds of yelling and screaming, which really isn't that unusual but as I went outside there was Grace with blood all over face going down onto her dress. The boys decided to play baseball and Grace walked right into Ammon swinging the bat. So that was our Sunday Stitched, which I'm sure led to a week of everyone having the Flu. All 5 kids got it but are doing much better now. I feel like I'm a week behind and with Halloween coming I have to get really busy. FULL SPEED AHEAD!!!

One day at a time....

I need to catch up on this so I am just going to take it one day at a time, one step in front of the other. This is a picture of Bradford feeding the baby calf that lost it's mother. The kids have named him Yoshi, (from the Dragonball Z movie). They really love going to feed the calf and I must admit it is one of my favorite chores too.

As per request....

I was telling Grandma Pietz about Abby and her love affair with Dixie. Whenever Abby is out side and walking around Dixie is right with her and will lie down to let Abby climb on her back. Dixie just follows Abby around and vice versa. Abby is even saying "Dede" whenever we are out. I have never trusted any animals but Dixie is really a good dog. So, as per request here is a picture of Abby on Dixie for grandma.

"I'm doing it mommy"

I heard, "I'm doing it mommy" probably 30 times the other day when Grace started riding her 2 wheeler bike. She is so proud and wants to show everyone. I know bad mom, she isn't wearing a helmet, I didn't even notice until I went to post these pictures. Good thing there are no cops around here to give tickets for that.

Hair....

This is Bradford just after he cut his own hair. so of course I had to shave it off. This picture of him all dirty is seriously a daily event. There is definitly no skipping baths around here. He looks like such a little red neck with his shorts and boots. I'm also posting a picture of Abby. Her hair amazes me almost daily at how curly it is and red. I love it!

Country Living

So we have been up here in the country at Ian's parents home while they are on a mission for over a week now. We have had a few mishaps, flooding the laundry room, broken sprinklers, wasp stings, fence down and cows getting into the neighbors but we are surviving and actually loving it. The kids have way more room to roam and play and it is nice to not have to worry about traffic. They love to feed the dogs and get the chicken eggs everyday and picking fruit from the trees. Except for the red dirt, which gets everywhere, it is wonderful. I think I can get used to this country living.