Halloween 2014

Ward Trunk or Treat.
The Young Men did a funny little show for the kids.
There were a million soups for dinner but I took a pot of macaroni.  It was gone in two seconds.

Noah the Wolverine.

Abbi the Bat.

Fall Weather

Jake built us a fire pit this summer and we love using it!  

Halloween Party

Jake came up with a big idea that we host a Halloween party.  So, we did our best work and had lots of guests.  57 guests.  It wasn't too crowded because we had a fire out back, picnic tables on the patio, and lots of space inside.  Eek, Drink, and Be Scary was our theme, costumes optional.  We ordered super cute cupcakes and cookies from Jake's cousin, Megan,  I think the party turned out well.  We may even try it again.  We were blessed with good weather and lots of good treats!

Jake and I were Carl and Ellie from UP

Trason, Travis, Alleson, and Aubree

Jimmy, Jack, James, Marlie, and Amber

Bryan, Lilia, and Liza

The next door neighbors, the Powell's

Anne, Hurley, and Wendy

Joey, Abbi, Jake, and Noah

Bryan, James, Liza, Noah, Abbi, Jack, and Marlie

Homemade Rootbeer and Witches' Brew

Pumpkin throwing up and pumpkin poo

Yummy apple dip, this table was full after I took the picture.  And, Noah's party poster, "Best Party Ever!"

Our cute treats.  This table filled up, too!

Cody, Elizabeth, and Tiffani (and Watermelon Guy)

Taylor, Hollie, Kambri, Shaun, and Kellie

Jeremy, Conrad, Kaiden, and Eli

My Number Thirty-One

Caramel brownies made by my boss - they were the best ever.

I like the succession of these pictures.  Watch my eyebrows as I try to get all four of those candles blown out.

I did it!

My birthday always reminds me of the many blessings that fill my life.  I was missing Jake and the babies on the actual birthday but they had celebrated with me earlier in the week by going to Black Island Farms.  Noah gave me a naughty cat calendar and Abbi gave me Disney Pictopia game.  We're excited to play it together.  Jake bought a new sofa for my craft room and let me buy a few accents for the room, too.  The night before my birthday, I carried Noah into his room after 11 p.m.  He had been sleeping in the car and barely woke up while I pulled off his costume.  When he crawled under his covers, in a little sleepy voice, he said, "Happy Birfday, Mommy."  I've never had a better happy birthday in my life.

I was glad to have a couple of Face Time conversations with my parents.  They are doing so well in South Africa and have so much to keep them busy.  I love hearing from them and haven't been too homesick for them because I'm too happy for them to have this adventure together.

My siblings text messages during the day made me laugh because they all called me a different nick-name.  And, Jimmy made funny jokes about the sweat pants dress code for anyone coming over to my house that night.  I am blessed with best friend brothers and sisters.  We get in each others' business a lot but I think we must like it because we all do it.  We're grateful to have good relationships.  I like them all.

This year really secures my place in my thirties.  I'm going to figure out how to make this decade just as good as all the rest.  I'm always sure the last ten years were the best, but blessings still pour in making hard times easier to bear as I'm surrounded by my wonderful family and really great friends.  I'm sure being in my thirties will be pretty good.

Thriller

Noah was going without screens on Thursday but it seems like he's capable of finding other ways to amuse himself.  You can see 5 of the 7 weapons he's wearing inside of his clothes.

The bat and Wolverine loved Thriller.  They had funny comments and questions throughout the performance, mostly concerned if the Swan Lake ballerina was shot for real or if the guy missed her on purpose.  Neither of them removed any part of their costume for the entire 3 hours.  I think they felt a little more brave in costume since we were surrounded by zombies.

A grainy download {or "update to facebook," according to Noah} of Tammy, me, Noah, blocked Wendy, Abbi, and Anne.  We had a great night together that started with a delicious dinner at Little America {an old high school, according to Abbi}.

Black Island Farm & Animal Costumes

Sick Baby Noah

I knew he really was sick when Noah crawled on top of me and went straight to sleep.  We stayed like this for hours before I couldn't deal with how hot his little body was anymore, let alone the slobber.  :)  I was so grateful to hold him as I considered that when he gets a little bigger and a little older, he might not want me to hold him anymore.  Plus, he's going to be bigger than me so I'll have to sit on him.

His little virus has lasted several days.  The symptoms are so sporadic.  Noah and I both have cabin fever from our self-imposed quarantine.

Hike Pictures from Crystal