Parties and A Parade

 Wednesday night we headed down to the church for trunk-or-treat.  I have to be honest and say that trunk-or-treat is not my favorite Halloween activity.  Being that we combine with another ward for this activity and I don't know many of the people that are there, I get a little nervous.  This is a huge activity for our ward and we get a HUGE turnout for this activity, but it just makes me a little nervous when my kids are surrounded by so many people who are dressed up for Halloween that I don't know.  It's just me, I'm weird like that.

 There were lots of fun games and activities for the kids this year.  The bounce house was a new activity and was a big hit.

 Even sparky played a game or two.

 How cute are these two girls.  Mallorie is so sweet with Berkley.

 Passing out candy was much more fun for Ariel then trunk-or-treating car to car.

 The next day was Halloween which meant class parties.  The morning started off with Berkley's class party.  Being that I help at the school on Thursday's I was able to see all the kiddos in their cute costumes.  Sadie, Jordan and Berkley looked all pretty as princesses.

 Berkley has found a princess pose that she does every time I pull out the camera.  It's so funny!

 How cute are these preschool kids?

 After a fun morning of games and treats, it was time for the parade.

I can't believe my days of preschool parades are coming to an end.  This is a highlight for me!

Berkley and Jordan were both Ariel this year.  Super cute girls!

Cousins are the best.  

Megan, Paisley and Berkley showing off their Halloween cuteness.

Miss Jody and Ariel looking adorable.  Love you both!

Pumpkins

 Last night I took the kiddos to the pumpkin patch.  You know, the one on the corner of Power and McKellips? Ok so it's not officially a pumpkin patch, but it's the best we could do this year. Each kid got to pick the perfect pumpkin for them.  A few times I had to tell them, "NO WAY!" because they were outrageously priced.  In the end, everyone was happy.

 Berkley chose the perfect "little" pumpkin for her.

 Brody went round and fat this year.

 Ledger chose a nearly perfect sized pumpkin.

 An Case went tall and skinny.

 Super cute pumpkins and kids!

 After choosing the perfect pumpkins, we headed home to start carving.  I gave each kid a whiteboard marker and they made a face on their pumpkin.

 Then, I let the kids each carve their own pumpkins.(Jeremy helped Berkley)  I love that they are old enough to do this on their own instead of waiting and watching as Jeremy and I carve them.

 Berkley looooooved the gooey insides of the pumpkin.

 Case had to stand while carving his pumpkin since it was so tall.

 Sugar came over to help us carve.  She was covered in seeds and goo when it was done.

I am so happy with the way each pumpkin turned out.  Each is unique and perfect for their personality. I have no idea why, but all lit up, these little fellows make me smile!

Thank you J.K Rowling

This kid has never been a huge fan of reading.  He is good at reading, but would much rather be playing sports.  To get him to read a book is sometimes like pulling teeth. He is just like me in that the minute he lays down at night, he is OUT. Since wasting daylight to read has never been an option, he waits until night to read his required 20 minutes. Last year, after much begging and pleading, Brody started reading the Harry Potter series.  Much to his surprise, he LOVED the first few books that he read.  This year, for what ever reason, Case picked up the first Harry Potter book and started reading it.  He is OBSESSED!  I cannot get the kid to stop reading.  Just like with Brody, I have to threaten to take the book away if he doesn't turn off his lamp and go to bed.  He is now on the 4th book since school started and I can't get his nose out of it.  He reads in the morning before school.  He reads to and from school and every other time we are in the car.  He reads late into the night and is then grouchy in the morning when it's time to wake up.  These books are all he wants to talk about.  I haven't read them yet so in all honesty, they sound a little weird.  But the boy is crazy obsessed and this mom is THRILLED!! I love this side of Case.  It's so exciting to see him get excited about reading. I'm starting to worry about what series I can start him in after he gets through all 7 of these books.  Any suggestions? 

Unofficial Campout At Usery

 Last night, after Lego Robotics Club and Musical Theatre, we packed up the kids and headed to Usery for the annual Cub Scout "Unofficial" camp out.  Being that Cub's are not allowed to go camping, we do this as a family with 2 other wards.  We arrived a little after 6:00 just in time for an hour of camping classes to pass off some of the requirements.  Jeremy arrived shortly after and he and Case set up our tent.

 Berkley immediately found some friends and was happy to play with them.

 Jackson and Brody wanted to know if they could sleep together in their own tent.  Cory told them if they could set it up on their own, they were more then welcome to do so.  These boys got right to work and set that two man tent up all on their own.

 Of course the minute the tent went up, Ledger, Berkley and Case were ready for bed.  It was pretty cozy in the tent.

 Jefferson slept with Jeremy, Case, Ledger, Berkley and I.  It was so funny listening to these boys before they fell asleep.

 Brody wasn't quite ready for bed so he and Jackson roasted Smores with the rest of the boys.

 Didn't Case and Jeremy do a great job?  Thank goodness they staked the tent down because it got SUPER windy in the middle of the night.

 The kids were all up around 5:00 in the morning.  The Webelos were in charge of breakfast so Brody and Jackson started on the bacon.

 Miss B. did Smores for breakfast.  

Around 7:15, I left with Case, Ledger, Jefferson and Jackson for football games.  We were all so tired I can't even imagine how these boys were able to play.  We had a great time camping at Usery with the Cub Scouts.  Wish we had more time to camp as a family cause once we get there, we have lots of fun.

Fall Swim Championships

 Instead of playing flag football this fall, Brody chose to swim.  Jeremy and I were thrilled with that decision being that our last flag football season did not go over so well. Brody is a really great swimmer  and he proved that tonight.  

 Tonight Brody swam backstroke, butterfly and the 100IM.  His best stroke is backstroke...like his daddy. That's Brody on the top.

 I love the fall swim team because it is small and the meets are fast.  It was good for Brody to have a chance tonight to come out on top.

 Brody showing off his breaststroke in the 100 IM.

Brody, I mean "B-Dog," ended up with 3 medals tonight all in the top 3.  I need to go back and look at his times and places so I can add them to this post.

You go Bro!

 GO MCC!

 Berkley, aka, "Eat My Bubbles, " was hilarious tonight.  She chose to swim backstroke and butterfly.  

 Was this a false start or is she just way ahead of the other girls? :)

 Look at how easy she makes this look?  

 Still working on that dive off the blocks.  You should see how small she looks standing up there.

 Big butter flyer!

 Love this athletic girl!

Can you believe this girl medaled in both of her events?  Jeremy and I couldn't believe it.  

 Ledger chose to swim backstroke, breaststroke and the 50 free tonight.

 His dive is just funny!

 The 50 free was hard for him tonight but he did great.  

Ledger, I mean "Ledger The Legend," ended up with 2 medals tonight. He was so happy!

Ledger and his buddy Alex Otten.  Jeremy and I swam with Alex's dad and sister.  

 Case, aka, "The Tsumani," rocked the house tonight with his butterfly, breaststroke and the 100IM.

 Who knew he was so good in breaststroke?

 Brody and Case swam the 100IM in the dark tonight.  

They were freezing cold by time they got finished. 

Just like Brody, The Tsunami placed in the top 3 in all 3 events.  Way to go Case!

Look at all the bling we took home tonight.  It was so fun watching Brody and the other kids swim this fall season.  Hopefully Brody will move on to MAC swimming until spring swim starts again.  He is such a good little swimmer.