HaLLoWeeN

 We had a very fun and successful Halloween this year! We started it off on the 27th- Nat was in charge of a Witches' Storytime at the Newton Library. I was on a much needed R&R weekend so the gals had stayed at Paula's. I don't know what we would have done without them because they got the gals all dolled up in their Halloween costumes and took them to the storytime. We had the big Anderson party that night also- since Kami and Kyle wouldn't be able to make it up on Wednesday. The party was awesome and Paula spoiled the kiddos! Ella put Ric's straw hat on from Mexico and wore it a good share of the night- she cracks me up!

Gracie had a Halloween party at her preschool. They sang a cute little song, played some games, and make some cute little crafts. We also attended our Ward Trunk-or-Treat/Halloween Carnival. Sean had to work so I bucked up and took the gals by myself- they had a blast so it was worth it. (Still trying to get used to the new ward- it is hard.)

On Halloween, we had a crazy, busy day. Gracie, Ella, and I met at the BK Lounge as we call it and had lunch. Nat then took the kids to a spook alley and the Mall. Brooklyn had a good day at school. As soon as she got home, we got everyone ready and headed out. We had told the gals that we would take them to Wellsville to Trick-or-Treat at some of their friends homes. It was so fun to see friends, as we were driving around I looked at Sean and said, "this is home." We miss Wellsville. After we were done in Wellsville, we headed to Newton for dinner and some more Trick-or-Treating. By the time we got home, we were all exhausted! We had a great day and the gals looked so cute in their costumes!

Pumpkin Carving

I love all things Fall- I can't get enough of it and darn it- it just doesn't last long enough. If I could think of 1 thing that I could do without in the Fall it would be pumpkin carving. I just don't love it! But we do it every year for the gals. Sean and I thought that painting them this year was an excellent idea. Gracie was game, but Brooklyn still wanted to carve. Sean being the good dad that he is helped her with the carving. It was a fun night and we got some cute pumpkins out of it!

 I just love those dimples (and the juice mustache)

Deer Camp

We look forward to October every year because that means that the Petersen Deer Camp will be held. I loved going up as a little girl. My parents would let me miss part of or sometimes the whole week of school and go hang out with my dad, grandpa, and uncles. I have so many wonderful memories of that. My gals also LOVE going up. Gracie started asking about 2 weeks before if it was time and asked multiple times daily. Our October has been SO crazy with one thing after the other. We had about 1 day that would work for us to come up and that was Tuesday the 23rd. We woke up that morning to snow!! I knew that if we had snow on the ground in the Valley then Deer Camp had to be pounded on. My dad called and sure enough there was over a foot of snow, since this was the only day we could go I rounded up our warm winter clothes, checked Brooklyn our of school early, and headed up. (Thanks to my mom for watching Ella for my so I didn't have to worry about her being cold up there.) The gals couldn't wait to go on a horse ride. Pops took us on a good ride and Gracie was proud that she rode the horse by herself- with my dad leading her. (I had a proud mama moment watching Brooklyn handling a horse all by herself and Gracie on by herself too.) There is never a lack for food- my dad and Bruce prepared us a delicious feast! The gals had so much fun playing in the snow and building a snowman with Pops and throwing things in the fire! I am so glad that we made it up and had so much fun!! I am especially happy that my gals get to have the opportunity to do things like this and make wonderful memories!

Pumpkin Walk

The Pumpkin Walk was held over UEA this year- and it was great weather! We had decided that we would take the kids on Monday- it was not good weather. As we left my house and headed over it was pouring and not just a little pouring, a lot pouring. Nat and I decided that we would decide what to do once we got there. By the time we got there, the rain had stopped. We got a few pictures in the cut-outs- attempted a cousin picture in front of the Pumpkin Walk sign- EPIC fail- and started walking around. We had seen about 3 or 4 of the displays when a huge wind started. We looked up to see pieces of plywood from the displays flying end over end through the air. At that point, we decided our children's safety was probably a little more important and booked it the rest of the way. I would've like to have looked closer at the displays- these people are so talented and put so much work into. Despite the rain, we had fun and were glad that we were able to work it in!

I am not going to lie, but I enjoy me some Bachelor so I thought this display was pretty funny!! (After Emily Maynard and Jef with 1 F not working out, I think I am officially done watching it.)

You can see the pieces of the display laying on the ground- these are what were flying through the air

Brigham City Temple pt.2

We had the chance of going to the Brigham City Temple Open House with my family- Sean and Ella were able to make it this time- it was really special to be in the Temple with my little family! One of the highlights for the kiddos was getting to ride the bus up to the Temple- they loved it! It was the last day of the open house so it was SUPER busy- the line was so long!! By the time we got in they kids loved it, but were ready to be done once they saw the fountain outside. A cool little side note- the 1st Counselor in our Bishopric is an artist- an awesome artist. He works for the church and him and another artist did all the artwork/murals in the Baptistry. It was cool to look at one of the murals and see Gracie's little friend Branson in the picture. I didn't notice it, but our Bishop and his daughter were also models for the mural. What a neat experience!

Sometimes (and by sometimes I mean everytime) I wonder why we try to get a cousin picture!