My Blue Men

I cannot take credit for this. The idea was not mine. I didn't buy the paint or apply the paint. It was all them and they do look...well...like Blue Men. This was Nate's Idea. Really, it was. I dragged him down several costume aisles pointing out the cute Cars outfits and my sweet sis even mailed me a puppy costume, but Nate would have none of it. Every time we asked what he wanted to be the answer was the same.

Pretty Tink

Pretty Tink performed well at her school parade. Pretty Tink did not want her picture taken.Pretty Tink sprayed her mom's hair with a ton of purple and glitter paint.Pretty Tink ate A LOT of candy.Happy Halloween!

Cute Family

If I were a stranger looking at these pictures I would think "what a cute family!"

I truly think these photos turned out well. There are some very sweet ones and Lacey did a fabulous job. Trust me, Photographing Nathan is not easy. Emma, however, is a natural.

I especially love the words she put over the last photo, "By choice we have become family, first in our hearts and finally by breath and being." Lacey has an adorable little boy through adoption which makes her feel like a kindred spirit. Check out her blog to see a few more pictures.

Pumpkin Patch Honesty

With no shortage of elaborate pumpkin patches around here complete with hayrides, blow up toys, corn mazes, carnival games, and crowds of people I felt happiness when we drove past Pappa's Pumpkin Patch earlier today. I drove the kids back there after lunch.

It was endearing and lovely and reminiscent of days when people just trusted each other and earned trust in return. We were the only ones in sight. I can't remember the last time I went somewhere to buy something and instead of a person making sure I paid there was simply a box. This box was clear plastic with a handle. Emma acted surprised that we didn't have to pay a person. We were just trusted - complete strangers - to pick our pumpkins and pay $.50 each. It brought warmth to my heart.

These hand-picked pumpkins now adorn our front porch.

Preserving Fall

Vibrant Red and Golden Yellow hues dot the landscape right now. It is breath-taking.

Even on a cold, rainy Sunday Drive up the Canyon.

We picked a few fallen leaves. To Dip in wax and turn into decor, preserving their beauty just a little longer.

Thing One and Thing Two

I'm pretty sure when Dr. Seuss penned his famous characters Thing One and Thing Two in his book Cat in the Hat he was imagining something A LOT like these two.

I really have no idea what they do when they are visiting Thing 2's house, but at my house they jump on beds, climb on furniture, consume goldfish crackers by the pound and have conversations like this one...

Flush
Giggles
"Uh, oh. I think it's stuck."
"I'll get it out."
"The yellow one won't come out."
Flush

It wouldn't take that big of a stretch to imagine them running from one room to another with a kite flying behind their backs. They must be destined for greatness since they already have a likeness in a well-loved story book.

Do you have a Thing One or Thing Two living at your house? What is your funniest story?

Has it been a year already?

Emma and I turn one year older just a week apart. I love how Emma tries to make my birthday so special. Today she was asking me what I want her to do for me tomorrow (on my birthday). She told me that I can have anything I want since it is my day. I told her, I want another Barbie Doll since the Barbie Doll she gave me last year got mixed up with her dolls (Crazy, I know!).

Musical Preferences

I've had a few meetings lately and Nathan gets to come along. Last week I packed a bag full of snacks, plastic balls and little cars in preparation for a meeting that I hoped would be short. I knew these items would only last for about 3 1/2 minutes, so I also packed a mini-dvd player and two Signing Time videos. The meeting location was 15 minutes away and we had about 20 minutes to get there.

"We're in good shape," I thought as I leisurely fastened Nathan's seat belt and climbed into the driver's seat.

I leaned over and tuned the radio to a station that seemed pleasant. I'm not really a big radio listener other than in the car, so I let Dave choose the preset stations and stick with those.

"I don't like it!" I heard from the backseat. Again, "I don't like it!", he was getting progressively louder.

"You don't like the music?" I asked

"Yeah, don't like it."

"What would you like instead."

"Blue Man Group." He pronounced it with such clarity that there is no doubting what he just said.

"I didn't bring the Blue Man Group CD." I informed my cultured child.

Tears and wails issued from the backseat. The Blue Man Group CD that his daddy bought him was at home in the garage-sale find Karoake machine currently residing in Nathan's bedroom. The CD has become Nathan's nap music.

"Here, I'll try a different station." I started flipping through channels, now ignoring the preset stations. The noise in the backseat increased. I finally landed on a station playing Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. I smiled at my lucky find because I genuinely like this song.

"Don't like it! Don't like it!"

I ignored him for a minute and then the wailing became so loud that it was not ignorable. While we discussed our musical preferences I missed my exit. I took the next exit and headed down to the slightly further North entrance to the road I needed to be on. Wouldn't you know it, this end of the road is not a through road. I make a u-turn and noticed the time. Our time cushion was no longer there. So I backtracked a bit and took the next road that looked promising. I dead-ended into a middle class neighborhood.

I turned the radio off and could feel my face starting to get red. Being late used to be a pet peeve of mine, but now I have kids.

I knew I should have stuck with State Street. We made another U-turn and then hit every red light possible along State Street. Oh, did I mention the construction?

We were 20 minutes late and if I hadn't been in charge of the meeting they probably would have been further into the meeting than they were. They gave me a 10 minute courtesy window before beginning.

I made a mental note to put the Blue Man Group CD into my car and sat down just a tiny bit flustered.

Conference Watching Styles

We all watched General Conference just a little bit differently, but no matter how we watched the messages inspired us. Really, it was just a nice weekend.

For me it was copious note taking.

For Dave it was Twittering (about conference).

For Nathan it was eating candy and throwing toys.

For Emma it was playing Skittle Bingo.

For Jeff (my youngest brother) it was cuddling on the couch with Gabi.

6 Lovely Years with Emma

Six years, wonderful years, have come and gone since this lovely lady joined our family.
We celebrated with a party on Friday.

Pizza - Barbie and The Three Musketeers Movie - Cupcakes and Ice Cream - Presents - Friends.

She was happy.

On her actual birthday, we celebrated again.

Presents (New bedspread for her bed, a movie, Heelies, A Klutz dress design book) - a Trip to the Splash Park - Dinner at IHOP

The Splash Park turned into a visit to Instacare when Emma cut her toe. It was deep and bleeding heavily. Emma refused to get out of the car, so by the time we got into see the doctor she was hysterical. The doctor decided not to stitch the toe. Emma came home with a purple bandage. She milked her injury for special privileges for three days.