Candy...Candy...Candy...

It's totally like my cousins to step up the standard Halloween treats for kids...Yes, they rented a cotton candy machine and passed that out. On the other side of the table they had homemade fresh donuts being made...Really this was the BEST stop all night long. I knew I was in trouble when I saw Jake and he said, "Mom, I came back here again...so yummy mom!" He was on to his SECOND cotton candy! So much sugar...ahhh

Since we were out WAY TOO late on Halloween night the kids were too exhausted to dump out their candy to see their stash. So we waited until the next day. Here is Alayna showing off her favorite treat of the night a long laffy taffy treat...mother like daughter...I just love laffy taffy.

Here is Jake showing off his favorite treat a "casserole" or also known as a tootsie roll.

Here is a new trait of Alayna...little Miss Organization. I remember doing this with all my Halloween candy too, sorting them to see what I received. Jared and I learned something about Alayna though. She picked suckers and candy instead of CHOCOLATE CANDY BARS!!! Because Jake had more candy bars than she did...she had all sugar candy. We had such a limited selection to choose from her pumpkin for us...I wonder if she knew exactly what she did. But she was so sweet because she remembered from last year my favorite candy bars...Almond Joys and Laffy Taffy and she gave all the Reese's peanut butter cups to Jared. What a good girl!

Visiting Great-Grandparents!

We have been carrying on a new tradition before Halloween to dress the kids up and go visit all the Great-Grandparents. So this was a fun stop to see Grandma Denny and Grandpa Ludd. These are Jared's mothers parents. They just adore the kids and anticipate our visit for days! The kids were in luck this year they got the best cookies ever...Lofthouse cookies...Thankfully they were given two cookies each so we could have one! Plus Caleb really didn't need his right?

I think you can tell from their faces that they approved very highly of their first Halloween treat. When we were visiting Grandma and Grandpa Suker they were given each a flashlight. Now, they know kids well because they gave them a bag of extra batteries knowing full well that those flashlights would be on day and night! Grandma Suker you would be proud because on Halloween night Alayna was trick-or-treating and the kids said, "It's so dark I can't see..." Alayna said, "Don't worry guys I have a flashlight!" She pulled it out and used it all night long to shine on the sidewalk! And yes, we have used some of the extra batteries all ready!

Great Grandkid Halloween Party

What a fun party! My Aunt Kath and my grandparents had planned a very fun party for all these great-grandkids. They were able to frost and decorate pumpkin cookies.

This is Jake's pride and joy...He was in heaven!!

Olivia and Alayna were matching witches! Just so you know I sewed those caps!

This game was the highlight for all of us. We had to eat donuts by a string...with no hands. Well, after the kids tried for several minutes we said okay use them! They loved it!

More Pictures...Great Grandkid Halloween Party

Conner = a hunter and Alayna = a witch

Kierra = a giesha (I think) Jake= himself in a random pajama shirt and basketball shorts. They were waiting in line to have a turn playing a game.

And I was able to get a cute picture of my Grandpa Perry with Alayna. He is 88 years old and still loves to watch all the grandkids have fun. He was teasing Alayna as she was sitting next to him, so I wanted to catch a cute picture of the two of them together.

Here's to my Aunt Kathleen who hosted such a GREAT party for all these kids. She had games, prizes, treats and pumpkins for everyone! It was such a success. This was Jake winning a game because he tossed his necklace over the witch hat! Way to go Jake.

Preschool Halloween Parade

Here is to a simple Halloween Parade. All the mom's and dad's waiting outside and the kids paraded around and then when they found their parents they threw candy at us. It was cute to see this group of kids.

Here is Alayna singing a few Halloween songs and reciting a few poems.

What a cute little witch! Then after the parents were there for a few short minutes we were kicked out so they could have a SUPER fun Halloween party!

A few pictures...of Caleb...

My adorable CHUBBY baby! Why is it so cute when they have all those rolls around their tummy? He ended up with Suker feet...look how crooked all of his toes are!

He was starting to get tired and we happened to put in on his tummy with his hands by his mouth and he instantly stuck his thumb in his mouth...we had to take a picture to say yes you sucked your thumb!! (AHH - I have yet to think it's cute yet!)

I went to JCPenney and had a few photos taken of Caleb. He was such a trooper...this was actually when he was 3 months old. I can't believe that two months have already gone by. In a few more weeks I'll have to get picture taken again...

Is it just me or did it snow today?

Seriously, is it that time of year again that I have to pull out the next season of clothes! Well, I did do just that and Jake would have non of that. He insisted on still wearing his, "My...BYU Cougar Football shirt and basket-ball shorts, MOM" so this is how I found him out "vacuuming" the snow all up! I must admit that he didn't have shoes on at first...but I did insist he put shoes on...after I snapped the photo then he ran back inside FREEZING...so the kids warmed up with some hot chocolate. I must admit I miss the sunshine already...but thankfully my kitchen walls are still as yellow as they were before so I feel like I might have sunshine all year round in the kitchen! What are these three kids going to do all winter? Where will they play? Sadly, they love the garage?? It was warm in there and they rode their bikes and scooters around...This just might have to work for a few long days this winter!

5 Months Old!

I can't believe that my little 6 lb baby is now pushing almost 17 lbs...Seriously, he's one chubby dude.

I just wanted to show off his naked chubby rolls and that adorable smile.

I just love this picture! He's super chubby and giggling so hard his eyes are shut. He has been a good baby. I have no complaints...other than Jared and I are still fighting over who gets him...he is one loved little guy!

Jake's First Movie...

So Jake is 2 1/2 Years old and he has yet to sit still during any cartoon, television show or movie. At times it would be nice to know that he is glued to the couch...but that day has yet to come...UNTIL my mom checked out a few movies from the library. Last Friday night we had a little movie date in with the kids. So the movie that Jake sat down in this same spot for over an hour was LASSIE. Yes, we have decided that he is a closet dog lover. He may run and scream and cry at any sight of a dog, but he must LOVE them because he was glued to the couch. I was so shocked at his interest in the movie I of coarse had to take a picture!

A great ending to a VERY Busy day!

Thank heavens for little babies that save the day. Yes, it was a BUSY day which generally turns to a bad day...I think mothering is catching up with me...but it ended great because my super chubby baby Caleb gave me kisses.

Enjoy!

The Pumpkin Patch

Preschool field trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Loving the farm...pumpkin patch...tractors...they were in heaven!

Today was Alayna's field trap with her preschool class to the Pumpkin Patch. They were adorable performing a few songs and a poem. What a cute age!
We were lucky to have a few of the cousins join us in on our fun. (Isaac & Kennady)

Jake was loving the Corn Maze. He thought that the corn was corn you could eat...I think I should have fed him lunch before we left! Oops.

We were lucky to have Jared come with us! It really was a BEAUTIFUL day and what is really more adorable then hundreds of bright orange pumpkins? Really nothing other than my kiddos.

Leaves are falling on the ground...

Well , we were about one week late from seeing all the beautiful leaves on the TREES. But nonetheless we were able to see a few...but they were all on the GROUND. For what it was worth the children had a great time. I say kids had a good time because I was doing great until I started reading a recipe book on the way down the canyon and I got MAJOR car sick! UGH...I was quickly reminded why I don't READ in the car...Anyways...We just went up Butterfield Canyon just up from our house. Next year we need to go a little sooner! We were able to spot TONS of deer and that is ALWAYS fun for the kiddos.

We happened to pull off the side of the road and Jared found a swing hanging from the tree. So Alayna was in heaven!

Jake didn't want anything to do with hanging from a tree.

This was one happy kid waiting patiently for us in the car.

A favorite sewing project!

Okay, so I went out shopping to Wal-Mart late one night and had this great thought...I think I should make TWO quilts for my dear friends for their baby shower in TWO days. So, the semi-crazy person that I am I decided to do it. Yes, I assumed because I love sewing so much that my "normal" mom life would be put on hold. I had TWO LATE nights and a few hours during the day and I was able to get one finished. But it was only possible because Ashley helped sew one and Jared went to work late one day and took over the kids and house duty! Either way it was a blast!

This is Emily's quilt! Or should I say soon to be baby Annie!!!

This is Camille's quilt! or should I say....Baby Girl?

They are a rag quilt but not. All the edges are left raw so when you wash it they are soft and frayed. I love the addition of the JUMBO rick-rack. They really were super easy and so adorable once you wash them. I just made it out of flannel so it is extra soft and BIG...it will make a great camping quilt!! (The one on the left has been washed twice and the one on the right hasn't been washed yet.)

Here are the lucky friends who ended up with everything PINK for their baby GIRL shower (Emily, me, Camille)...but not a real shower just a lunch of some friends, but of coarse we had to surprise them with TONS of girl presents!. It is so fun celebrating the arrivals of these two new little babies! Come soon....

Hobby vs. Obsession

Yeah, so I must admit sewing has taken on a little more interest than I would have ever expected! After I finished sewing all my pillows and packed away my sewing machine I was SAD...so I had to come back with another project. I sewed a bag...then I have gone crazy with aprons, blankets and more! It really has been so much fun. I will post some pictures of my recent projects but until I upload them here is a shot of some cute fabric...I must admit I LOVE FABRIC SHOPPING!!!

What's going on...

Let me introduce you to my life...Yes, these children have become my life. It's strange to think about that Jared and I are responsible for these three little miracles. Miracles yes because they truly are gifts that we have been given. I also normally refer to them as monkeys because that's what they are...jumping, running, rolling, squealing from here to there. There are very little quiet moments in the house or in the car, but somehow I am still taken back by the joy I have for them. Each one holds a special place in my heart. This post might be a tad...weepy for me, but I've had a few thoughts on my mind. I love my kids. I love my husband and I have much to be grateful for. Am I the only one that has to remind myself that doing laundry is a blessing...Really? I am trying to remember those moments when it literally takes hour after hour to fold, hang, wash, smell, so many different clothes. AH...it doesn't make me look forward to tomorrow, because another batch is coming my way.

Along with the laundry there are the diapers...Yes, those fabulous smelly diapers. But how can you resist changing all these diapers when they are accompanied with the giggles and smiles that come from such a cute chubby baby? It's pretty impossible to not enjoy such an activity.

Then in addition to all these struggles your messy house, loads of laundry, dirty car, smelly bathrooms, tantrums, time-outs, crying, yelling, etc. Is always smothered with smiles like this. It's impossible for me to not look at my kids in those quiet moments and just sit back and truly enjoy them.

Here is a "vinyl" lettering saying that I have come to appreciate...My cute grandma neighbor from my old ward gave it to me. "Cleaning the house while children are growing Is like shoveling snow while it is still snowing!" I decided that this cute saying had to go in the laundry room. Because that is where I spend a lot of time! But I decided that I had to put three adorable pictures of my kiddos in the laundry room with this saying so I can remember WHY I am doing all this cleaning.

Okay, and to answer WHY I do all of this, it is to do service for my family. If there is one thing in life I have come to realize its that through service you have joy. So here is the scripture that I have been trying to remember Mosiah 2:17 "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."

So I am grateful to have a loving family and children to give of my time and service too and through this that we can serve the Lord. This does fill my life with JOY!