Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! Today we carved pumpkins and baked pumpkin seeds. The kids are out trick-or-treating and we have a scary movie to watch later. It is definitely a fun day for kids and parents alike. Here's the costumes my kids chose this year:

Jordan-Lego Block

Kaylee-Kitty Cat

Lexi-Pumpkin

Mason-Spongebob
It's been a crazy weather week. On Wednesday and Thursday it snowed all day dumping nearly a foot on us and cancelling school. Then, yesterday and today it's been really warm and most of the snow is melted. I'm glad it turned out warmer for trick-or treating. I hope all of you are enjoying your Halloween!

Fall pictures

Today we went to the park to try and capture some good photos of the kids. I downloaded all of the photos in the slide show...good or bad. Sorry if it is too long. I had a lot of fun taking the pictures.

Pumpkin Patch

Today we let the kids go pick out their pumpkins at a pumpkin patch. They all had a great time. We'll decorate them when it gets closer to Halloween. So exciting!

First Snow

Last Saturday the kids woke up to snow. Living in the desert the past 5 1/2 years has only enhanced their excitement for the upcoming winter season. I, on the other hand, can certainly wait a little longer for winter. The snow has melted and it is feeling much more like fall. The weather is a perfect 70 degrees, the fall colors are beautiful, and the crisp air makes me happy.

Not again!

Okay...so here goes....

Doug and I are expecting our 5th child in April. Our first four were planned, this one is a little bit of a surprise. The emotions that I have felt the last few months have been so incredible. First, it didn't feel real. I thought, NO WAY. I had prayed about it earlier and felt like...yes, we are done. I didn't feel physically, emotionally, spiritually, or financially ready to have another child. Slowly, over the past 3 months, I have been able to change those feelings to acceptance, peace and overwhelming joy. I love being a mom. I love watching my children learn and grow. I love the excitement of holidays that children express. I've just started my 2nd trimester and I know that once this new little spirit comes, I won't remember how our family was without him/her. At one time I even felt guilty for being pregnant. I know so many women who struggle with even getting pregnant. Heavenly Father has a plan for all of us. He knew that there was just one more spirit waiting to come down.

When we told the kids, they were sooooo excited. They had me pull out their scrapbooks so they could see what they looked like as a newborn. They jumped online to look at the most popular baby names. (Which they are convinced we are having a boy named Tyler). I overheard the girls playing dolls and one of the dolls was a baby boy named Tyler. So cute.

Since we were "done", we gave away ALL of our baby clothes, furniture, maternity clothes, etc. So it'll be like starting all over again. Most of the stuff we had was from Jordan 10 years ago and is outdated anyways.

So, here is to another life changing experience!

Mommy Daughter Date

Last night Kaylee and I went on a Mommy/Daughter Date for Activity Days. Now that Kaylee is 8 she is able to enjoy some really fun activities with other girls in the ward. For our date we went to a silly dinner at the church. We had a 4 course dinner which was delicious. The "silly" part was that we didn't know what we were ordering for each course since all of the menu items were disguised. Lucky us.....for one course we ordered the spaghetti and dessert, but without any utensils. I think I managed eating it with my fingers without too much mess. Kaylee, on the other hand, just went at it!

Kaylee and her friend Eden