What do you get when you cross a fish, a ballerina, a chicken, and Edward Cullen?

A Very Fun Halloween!

Nathan was Edward Cullen for Halloween. Just kidding. He would not be happy if I let you believe that. He actually made these fangs in the sim clinic at school.

Here are the kiddos. Megan is a ballerina, Jeremy is a fish, and Emma a chicken.
It was too cold for Emma to go as a ballerina like Megan,
so we brought out the old chicken costume to keep her warm.

We went to a fun Halloween party some friends from the dental school were having and then went trick or treating around their neighborhood. Here's a picture of the kids when they were still going strong. Emma was practically running from house to house saying, "Candy! Candy!" She was very excited.

Here's just a good back shot of his fishy costume.

Megan was actually the first to admit being tired
and said, "Mom, I think I have enough candy. Let's go home."
What a funny kid. I don't think I ever would have said that when I was her age. Or now.

Motherhood = Hurling

Motherhood is like a wild, wicked roller coaster . . . and right now, I want to hurl.

Today was a good day.

We chased leaves at the school for half and hour before Megan's class started.
We watched for them, waiting for the leaves to fall and then ran after them, trying to catch them before they hit the ground.
Well, Megan and Jeremy did. Emma mostly just picked them up in handfuls from the ground.

Emma found a garden area that she was really interested in. Unfortunately it was very muddy and so now her pants and shoes are as well. Here she is trying to figure out how to get into it.


At home I was actually pretty productive and one of the things I did was rake the leaves in the front yard. Megan and Emma helped me, as you can see. Jeremy opted to stay inside, feigning lost shoes, so he could sneak into the Halloween candy. Smart boy.

Chili Cook Off!

Our ward had a Halloween party tonight and there was a chili cook off. There were three judges and each judge picked their favorite batch. Mine was one of the winners! I was so excited and it really made my night, which had been horrid before that. I got a fun apron that said I won. Here it is----->

The only other food related contest I've won was a brownie baking contest in college between me and one of my roomies who thought homemade brownies were better than box brownies. Please! There was no way she'd win that. So obviously I won that. But at the Church cook off there were 14 different chilies that were contesting.

So my absolutely horrible day full of frustration and tears ended on a great note. It helped that another Texan was the judge that picked mine:)


***ok, I just realized that you can't see where it says I won, but it is at the bottom of the apron, written on the edge.***

Carved Out

I forgot to post these pictures the other day when Nathan and the kids carved our pumpkin. So here they are! You're welcome grandparents! Sorry everyone else for the picture overload.

I saw pumpkins at Aldi for only $1.99, so I figured I'd go ahead and get it. They were good sized and in good shape, so I was surprised they were so cheap.


Megan quickly decided she wasn't as keen on taking the guts out as she has been in years past.



Emma was really excited to hold the scraper . . .
. . . until she tasted what was on it.

Everyone Needs A Samwise

"I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you."

This one line is Samwise Gamgee. He carries Frodo through the entire journey. He lifts him up, encouraging positive thoughts and urging Frodo to banish any fear about their situation or future. He goes without so Frodo can be strengthened. He watches out for Frodo when there is danger. He risks his own life to protect Frodo's. Helping Frodo overcome his trial, keeping him as comfortable and happy as possible is all that matters to Samwise.



I have a Samwise. My own personal Samwise Gamgee. He takes care of me everyday. He helps me be positive. He helps me be happy. He helps me remember the good things in life and keeps me from dwelling on the heavy load I carry. My Samwise does things he doesn't want to do and doesn't complain. Without my Samwise this world would be so much more difficult for me. My Samwise carries me everyday, from one moment to the next, often without any thought for himself.

"But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. . . . Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something. . . . That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo... and it's worth fighting for."



Nathan, I love you. Thank you. You are my Samwise. You are my good in this world that is worth fighting for.

Motherhood Movie

Simon Says

In the car on the way home . . .

Jeremy: Simon Says touch the window.
Me: Ok!
Jeremy: Simon Says touch your mirror.
Me: (I touch the mirror)
Jeremy: Simon Says touch the wall.
Me: (I touch the door of the car) Alright!
Jeremy: Simon Says touch your seat.
Me: Well, I'm sitting in it, does that count?
Jeremy: Simon Says go to Cheesecake Factory!

It has begun . . .

It's gotten to the point in the year where I don't want to go outside. It is officially too cold for this Texas girl.

I know, I know. Many of you are saying, Um, Kellie? Didn't you, like, live in Rexburg where boogers freeze? And British Columbia where it was so cold your eyeballs froze in their sockets?

And the answer is yes, I did. What's your point? I also lived in Texas for 18 years where winter consisted of lows of 45 degrees during the day and plenty of sunshine. Even winters in Logan, Utah were filled with sunshine where it at least melted the snow so it could re-freeze during the night creating black ice! I mean, come on! At least I had that! Here in Cleve-land there is no such thing as "Sun" during the months of October through April.

Today it took me a good two hours later than normal to get out of the house. I also made Jeremy keep his pajama bottoms on under his pants.

It's only going to get worse from here, people. On Sunday I didn't take my coat off the entire time we were at Church. A good hour into our first Church meeting a friend saw me walking into the foyer with Emma and she asked me if we'd just arrived. Nope. I just wasn't willing to take off my coat. I'm willing to bet that no one will see my church clothes from the waist up until the end of May.

A Couple Sneak Peaks

Here are a couple projects I've been working on.

And

Nathan made me a pattern for Jeremy's hood.

I had one, but it was too small. Jeremy has gone through about five ideas for what he wants to be for Halloween. With his latest idea I told him I'd buy the stuff and make it, but then he couldn't change his mind anymore. Can you tell what he's going to be?

Life as Labeled

Book Worm

Mischievous

Sweet

Festive

Big Girl

Curious
(This label requires a bit of explanation. Megan's preschool talked about jobs a couple weeks ago and ever since she's talked about going to a florist and asking a florist questions. Today I took her and the florist was awesome. He answered her questions, showed her his favorite flower and gave all the kids a free carnation.)

Happy

Enjoying nature (even Jeremy, not sure what was up when I took this one.)