October Wrap-Up

Where people died in a graveyard here...

Early in October, Quinn brought me this old stake he found out in the garage/yard? and gave me very specific instructions as to what I needed to write on it.  It was a sliver-fest waiting to happen so I wasn't thrilled by his persistence but he wanted to "decorate" our yard...like our festive neighbors.

Sunday dinners just aren't the same without G-pa LaVerne around.  The kids said their 6-month good-byes on Sunday, October 12.  Aaron and I were able to squeeze in one final dinner date with LaVerne (along with Chris & Julia) just hours before he headed to St. George for the winter.

He will be missed!

Brinley was our lone participant in the Bobcat Dash this year.  It wasn't that the other kids weren't interested in racing, but the Saturday schedule was already booked out with soccer games and a zillion other activities.  And I didn't want to pay their entry fees...

Tanner is now an official member of the National Honor Society.  I don't remember going to a formal induction ceremony for this when I was in high school but it was well done and I really enjoyed listening to the Bel Cantos perform (premier choir at MHS).  They are awesome!

The ward changed the scheduled evening for Brinley's
"Young Women in Excellence" night (last minute).  The change was a disappointment because it meant Aaron would not be able to attend.  October has been a crazy-busy travel month for him. 
Knowing the significance of a few of our children's activities and not wanting to miss out, he jumped through a few hoops (paid the fees) and flew home a day earlier than expected to attend Tanner's final race of the season and Brinley's YW program.  I just love that guy:).


Each of the girls brought something to represent a project/goal they have been working on.

Brinley re-purposed this old frame into a 'chalkboard' which reads "Look for the sunlight in the clouds."

Brinley took on the task of organizing and decorating her bedroom on a budget.  It has been in the works for a while but she was patient with her parents and finally finished up this robust project.  She has been so dedicated to working through the Personal Progress program and is developing into such a beautiful young lady.  She has now completed everything required to earn her Young Womanhood Recognition Award.  This is the equivalent of the Eagle Scout Award/Duty to God Award the young men can receive.

Although we have a few odds and ends to finish up around the yard, we did fit in a few hours one Saturday in October to tackle clean-up duty.  We took the trampoline down (earlier than the kids wanted) so we could retrieve a few missing objects down below before the snow falls.  Quinn spent hours observing all the frogs living under the trampoline this past summer.  They were very entertaining.

Jantzen on his final mow of the season.

Tanner completes his edging duty.

Cheap entertainment. Pringles.

These two can be the best of friends...and love being silly together.

Elsie's 2nd grade class earned a "pajama day" at school.  Her anticipation of this event was honestly the best part.  She reported the actual experience to be rather lack-luster.

It's always fun when G-ma and G-pa come to town.

They keep a hectic travel schedule of their own so we were glad they squeezed in a weekend trip.

Quinn and Elsie enjoyed having G-ma come along to their elementary school carnival.

Cutest little Indian Princess around!

We arrived early and hit all the games/face-painting before the lines were too long.

Once again, all of our Halloween parties fell on the same day.

Chris & Julia hosted their annual "Halloween Bash - 2014".

We threw a green beret on G-pa P and stuck a few paint brushes in his pocket and called him an artist - voila!  G-ma P made cheetah "ears" and wore her animal print jacket.  Tanner met us at the party and grabbed something from the basement at Chris & Julia's place.  I don't know why we didn't get G-ma and G-pa in this picture?!?

A-hoy Matey's!

After a busy day of games, parties, sharing time preparations, last minute primary program stuff, I got a second win.  Later that evening, Aaron and I attended our neighborhood party and danced the night away.  It was nice to let G-ma and G-pa P put the kids to bed....ahhh!

A few of us were lined up prior to one of the games - getting ready to blow up balloons.

This handsome pirate-husband of mine thought about growing out his pirate scruff but the itch-factor compelled him to bust out the razor sooner than later.

The girls did a fantastic job in the primary program.  

So did Quinn.  He just wasn't in a picture-taking mood.

 Sunday before church. 

 Brinley was also presented with her Young Womanhood Recognition Award in sacrament meeting.  Nice to have the grandparents in attendance.

Halloween Day - 2014

Anna - the one-eyed monster

 Rotating and ever-changing costumes once again as Jantzen and Anna head off to the middle school. Brinley dressed up as a convincing 'nerd' but wouldn't allow for any evidence of the deed.

Jantzen - an old granny

 Haley and Brinley - Two-Eyed Monsters

 This is about all we saw of Brinley on Halloween day. They attended a dance at the school and a party later that evening.

 After school Elsie and Quinn pointed out the fact that we had not yet carved our pumpkins.  We opted to decorate the pumpkins with markers in lieu of carving this year.  

The month just flew by!

Tanner and Annie at our door

 The only picture we have of our 'lumber jack' collecting donations for UNICEF.  Tanner along with other friends from Key Club participated in a service project on Halloween.  This organization collected $1500 in two hours canvasing the area and going door-to-door for needy children.  That's impressive.  Later that evening, he attended a party at the Schmidt's place.

 Jantzen ran around with his friend, Tucker, for the evening after taking a few bits of our "bats and cobwebs" dinner.  Aaron and I took the three youngest first to G-ma and G-pa M's place to trick-or-treat. 

 Then we hit a small trunk-or-treat before meeting up with Matt & Whitney and Bob & Janene at Chris & Julia's place for a small family gathering/party.

 It was the first trunk-or-treat that Quinn and Elsie have been to.  I'm not a huge fan and I think they prefer going door-to-door as well.  So, I took Greta (cousin), Elsie, Quinn, Anna and her friend, Lillian, around the block in Chris & Julia's neighborhood.  With the few homes we knocked, they scored a bag of Cheetos, a capri sun, a rubber ducky and a full-sized candy bar (Aunt Julia) along with a few other goodies.  We also stopped by Matt & Jane's place for homemade donuts.  It was definitely a sugar-fest for one and all!

 Quinn was done wearing his "Spiderman" costume before the night was over.

 A good time was had by all.

Happy Halloween!

Welcome November.