Is it over yet?

I am Halloweened OUT! I am all witched out!

Over the course of the last week...I have helped dress my girls as 4 witches, a cheerleader, a Greek Goddess, and a Punk Pirate.

Thrown a blow out bash for our littlest witch, take kids to Halloween dance party, been homeroom Mom for 2 parties, had to attend 2 Halloween costume parades, and attend 2 nieces dress up Halloween birthday parties.

This is the 4th and FINAL time I will dress them up this year. Oppps! I forgot they actually will have to get dressed one more time in their witchy costumes so I can get the coven taken together...How could I have missed that shot.

So by the time Halloween rolled around I let them dress themselves in whatever they wanted. Didn't even do hair and makeup for the actual event. Oh the shame!

WITCH COSTUME DID SHE WEAR BEST???

*
*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*
*

*

*

"WITCHY WOMAN"

A gothic witch

OR

A proud Texas Cheerleader

We're #1.

"WITCH WAY DO I GO??"

A sassy pink diva witch

(complements of the sewing mama)

She wears it too well.

OR

A Greek Goddess (just call her Helen of Troy)

She couldn't figure out why her uncles were all yelling TOGA! TOGA! at her.

"0 to WITCH in 5.2 seconds"

a fufu tutu witch princess

(another costume put together by Mom)

OR

Punk Pirate Princess

(all names must have princess in the title)

"WITCHY POO"
The cutest dang witch who stole the show each time she would ham it up for anyone giving her attention. Quite the flirty witch.

"HELTER SKELTER"

Even hubby got in on the Halloween action.

HOOK EM' HORNS!

KILL TEXAS TECH!

Enough Said

Even the trick or treaters are at risk. Looks like this is how it will be for the next 4 years. Heaven help us.

Witchy POO

Little Witchy-Poo turned 1 this weekend. With 4 other witches living in the house...we thought a witch party would be the most fitting.
She dolled it up for the guests...28 kids and 17 adults. Grinning from ear to ear at all the attention.

Our Haunted House
My little witches lost their hats by this point.

We had a haunted gingerbread house decorating party. Each family really got into it. We had a judge come give prizes...and ours won the best yard. No one else thought to put the house on a larger board and decorate with a fence and yard...but I knew I couldn't concentrate on the details of the house...so I had to go for what would be quick and give big impact. Lime green coconut grass.

I pulled off decorating the cake myself. Boy thank goodness for a cute doll to start with and edible glitter to hide a multitude of mishaps. That was my biggest stresser of the party was trying to pull that off...I had to laugh as I stuck the doll into the cake and realized the cake was 3 inches too short. The skirt was hitting her at her thighs...so I had to think quick...cut a hole in the bottom of the cake board ...stick the Barbie into the cake with her feet dangling 3 inches below...and then prop the cake on a glass dish that would allow for the feet to dangle.
YUM!!! YUM!!!

Her first taste of cake.

HAPPY 1ST Birthday our

LITTLE WITCHY POO

Call me crazy

So we are having a big blow our birthday party for my littlest witch. I have already started setting up. It may be 4 days away but its never to early. Hubby just shakes his head.

My fav part was the hairy looking chandelier. I hate this orbital thing that hangs ever so big in my breakfast nook...looks a lot better with plastic black hair stuff and big orange bows. I just saw almost the exact same chandelier in Matt's aunts blog. It was painted black with some nice black shades. I think I can bring a new prettier life to this space ship thing. Living by the pioneer moto...eat it up, wear it out, fix it up or do without....quit laughing Matt. I see a project in your near future.

My garage door never looked so festive. I totally copied my talented sister "out-law" (so affectionately named by the baby sis of the family when she was only 10...she called the in-laws...out-laws). Is it okay to steal family members ideas??? Well I did ask her first to make one...but she didn't have time so I infringed on her creative properity. But I will say mine is not a fabulous as she makes. Mine is merely scrapbook paper, chipboard letters, and a hand cut picture....Nothing fancy..just spooky.

Ever have one of those projects you think will look great...only to figure out it was better left in your mind...well here is my most recent flub. My wild child picked out this lovely pink skelton fabric a year ago and begged for a skirt...so after trying to put her off for a year I found a cute tee at my fav Target and thought okay...this won't be so frightful. Bought a cute skirt pattern on youcanmakethis.com and off to my serger and sewing machine. I worked until 2 in the morning...only to dislike strongly(we can't say hate in this house) the results.. What was I thinking???? But she loves it and wants to wear it for picture day....I have got to go hide that thing quick before she finds it and I can't tear it off her body. I think I wil let her wash the dog in it...maybe she can do some yard work in it...oh no definitely not she can't wear it out of the house...she may tell someone proudly that her mama made it. Imagine the horror.

Sometimes you win...sometimes you lose.

Fall Weekend

Since the kids have been working sooooo...hard at school...Utah gives them 2 days off for "fall recess". We had a pumpkiny weekend full of all kind of good memories.

I found this baby at Thanksgiving Point. Who could pass this hunk of squash up for $5. Had to leave the baby behind to haul it to the car...but all in the name of home decor.

We met my brothers fam the next day at this cute little pumpkin patch here in our little town. It was quite fun...Even grouchy hubby had fun..he usually grumbles through most of my outings but he was getting into it. By the end he was the one who was grabbing each perfect pumpkin he could find.

Avery even had a pumpkin ride.

Yep...she's a year this week and look at all that hair. I am serious..if you saw my 4 other baldies she looks like I invested in baby extensions compared to them.

Special Weekend

I know this is my 3rd post about the happenings of the weekend...but this one was the most special. At the beginning of the year, hubby and I were asked to teach the CTR 7 kids in our childrens primary at church. Those are the kids that are 7 who will turn 8 within the year. In my church, this is a VERY important year. At age 8 the children can be baptized. We believe that at this age they are able to make that important decision and that they are capable of knowing right from wrong. Sometimes I can talk in my church lingo...if you ever have a question what I am talking about...ask me or go to this website that tells you our basic beliefs.

When we were 1st called to teach, I had to swallow hard and fight back my emotions as the it immediately registered that this is the same age as Mason would be. This would be the year that he too would have been baptized. I said yes with my mouth but fought hard internally on if I could really do this. It was to tender....to close to the surface. I went home and prayed that we could be able to do this and that it would be a blessing to us.

And now 10 months later as we watched 2 out of the 5 kids we teach get baptized this weekend...I realized that being their teacher has been a tender mercy sent from the Lord. Yes, I cried as I saw those 2 adorable kids up there ready to make sacred promises and recieve tremendous blessings. I thought of how handsome my own little Mason would be up there. But I am grateful and feel blessed to be able to be part of these children's lives in such a pivotal year. This will be something that they remember for the rest of their lives and I hope hubby and I have helped prepare them. I know that they have forever touched our lives and hearts.

First was Katrina. She is a child full of bounldless energy. She has a true zest for life. She is always smiling and upbeat. She can be a little hard to wrangle in sometimes...but that is also what makes her so endearing. She truly makes me smile. Maybe Mason would have been like her???

Next was David. He is a very thoughtful child. He puts much thought and pondering into what he says. He truly wears his heart on his sleeve. He is never afraid to answer a question or try to jump off the high dive (even after spending 5 minutes up there with every eye on him and he decides he doesn't want to dive and backs down. But still goes up there to try again...only to realize he was right the first time and back on the ground is where he belongs). He has a HUGE spirit in that tiny body. Maybe Mason would have been like him???

Just as I was writing this...I glanced up to see my own angelic child smiling at me with his big toothless grin. I am so blessed to have been given that precious time with him so I can have his picture still take my breath away. I am also blessed to know that he had no need for baptism since he died before he was 8. He was not capable of sin in the least degree and thus died perfectly in Christ. Satan had no power over my son. What a great thought.

OCTOBURRRRR!!

Can you believe this is what we woke up to...5" of snow. The kids were sooo excited. We heard all this commotion and excitement this morning while we were still snoozing. I had to get up to see what was going on. 2 of the girls were trying to find snow boots and coats so they could go outside. Madison must have eaten 5 cup fulls of snow by 10am.

I can't believe it is mid October and we already have snow. Reminds me that I need a 4 wheel drive soon. Hubby is dragging his feet swearing that the new tires he put on my front wheel drive SUV will work this year. I just have anxitiety attacks thinking of the times I was stuck and couldn't get up our hill to get home...I couldn't get out of a parking lot...I slid down the hill numerous times...and being stuck in an embankment. I will not live like that again this year...if only the market would pick back up so Matt wouldn't be so paranoid about spending $$$.

Last 48 hours

Before hubby goes to work on Thursday morning he decides he would like to accept an invitation from Bruce Hough (Dad to Julianne and Derek Hough the Dancing with the Stars dancers) to go to the Governor's Gala on Friday night. Supportive but overwhelmed...I went into crazy lady looking for a cocktail dress mode. I haven't wore one of those since I earned my motherhood degree 10 years ago.

• Where do I go besides the normal department stores??? Come to find out there isn't much else.
• Short or Long???
• Black or color??? It was a black tie affair.
• Shoes: How high is too high. Need to make up for my height deficit/
• Jewelry: Simple or ornate. Hoops or dangles
• Make-up: Don't even know where to begin there since I usually only master lipgloss and mascara each day.
• Handbag: clutch or over the shoulder
• Hair: AGGGHH!!! I was way overdue for a cut but no time for that. So up or down??? Curled or Straight??? Fussy or simple????
• Wrap or coat??? It was going to be in the 30's.
• Nails: I was in desperate need of a pedi and mani. But I forgot I have no fingernails. Would tips look like I was trying to hard???

So with baby in tow I hit Fashion Place mall like a mad woman...I only had 2.5 hours to pull the entire wardrobe together before I had to pick kids up from school. Thank goodness for Nordstroms. I found the dress immediately. I found the shoes and bag on the 2nd stop. The big problem was the dress was a little low cut and needed a cami under it. That is hard to pull off and not look dumpy...so I spent the next hour hunting for that and never came up with a great solution....but something that would do.

Race home pick up the girls...and go try to get a mani and pedi...after 1.5 hours only left with a pedicure. Rush home throw some food on the stove...Hubby arrives home...say Hi and BYE and head out to yet another mall for jewelry, wrap and a new tie and cuff links for hubby. Finally get all of that as the mall is closing it doors. Go home try it all on together and then collapse for the night.

Friday AM: Go back to the nail place with 2 kids in tow and get the fingernails done. Leave hating how they look. Rush home to meet the other 2 girls being dropped off from school on their early out Fridays. Get everyone a snack...get the baby to bed and rush out the door with 2 girls to the hair place to get hair and makeup done. Not a great idea since I had never been there...but decided it would be better than what I could do. The gal convinced me that curls were the way to go. So I did and left looking like a flapper girl. Called Matt to prepare him for the unique look. Threw dinner in the oven...hopped in the bath...and started the huge process of getting all dressed.

After it was all said in done...it was a huge amount of effort for a fun night. It was great people watching to see how the other side lives. We felt like fish out of water but enjoyed hob nobbing with the elites. It made me realize how mommyfied I have become...I didn't even have the "little black dress" hanging in my closet for that spur of the moment moment. I had to start from scratch...and it wasn't a lovely place to start from. Maybe I should take a little better care of myself so next time I have less than 48 hour notice...I won't need the complete overhaul. But thanks hubby for a fun and exciting night out...it all made it worth it to be on the arm of a fine dressed man.

I am becoming Digital

Finally 5 months later after getting an awesome new computer and photo printer that can print 12x12 pages for Mother's Day (thanks hubby...you're the best)....I made my first digital layout. Since I can talk and chew gum at the same time...my multi talents let me chat on the phone with my sis in Dallas and create this.

So mentioned hubby was even impressed and that is hard to do being the computer nerd he is. Actually he says he hates computers...it just pays well.

I remind him my job doesn't pay that well unless you count the endless compliments I get all day...thanks for waking me up on time Mom so I won't miss school...thanks for this delicious dinner of liver and broccoli, thanks for making sure I have clean clothes to wear everyday, thanks for putting my favorite chips in my lunch, thanks for always being home for me, thanks for giving up things you really want to do(like blog and create) to spend time with me.

Hope the party goes as well as my first digital layout. Thanks Shabby Princess for the cute digital kit.

PS...what is a group of witches called???? A coven. Just thought I would share that with you since I have been looking for all things witches for this party.

No Cook Friday Nights

It's a little hard to post on your blog when complete chaos is going on around you.

• Baby is crawling out of her high chair with food all over her face and hair.
  
• Other 3 girls are busy scarfing down their delicious meal of Dino nuggets and minute rice.
• Preschooler is screaming how much she hates broccoli and doesn't want to eat.
  
• Eldest offspring is begging for everyone else's food they don't want to eat.
• Middle child is precociously nibbling around her broccoli as to make us think she ate it.
  

And this is pure bliss. I can say that because I am counting the minutes until the babysitter arrives and hubby and I can escape for a few hours. I think we have only done that a handful of times since moving here a year ago. We have very few connections here and haven't gotten out much. Maybe tonight will be different as we are going out with a few couples from our ward.

My hopes are to make some deeper friends rather than "Hi see you in the hallway on Sundays"....to eat as many carbs as I possibly can...to come home to a quiet and clean house...to find something else to laugh at besides the usual shenanigans of kiddos.

Speaking of laughs...here is a conversation with the little cowgirl in the last post.
Cowgirl: Mom why do you always have to put that thing on (pointing to my bra)
Mom: To pick up what you helped fall and droop.
Cowgirl: Oh.
Later the next evening while I was lounging in my favorite PJ's....
Cowgirl: (completely exasperated) OH NO MOM...THEY FELL DOWN AGAIN...you better put on that thing that picks them up.

Does anyone know a good plastic surgeon??? The middle child once asked if she was going to have long boobs like Mom someday. I don't know if I can take such honesty anymore.
Gotta run go pick up my "ladies" and head out for dinner. Lets hope they don't fall during our night out.