All Hallow's Eve Fun

This year was the first year the whole family didn't do the same costume theme. Jocelyn didn't want to participate in our Ghostbusters theme. Sad day. Maybe Emma didn't want to either but seeing as she's still a baby, she didn't have much of a choice. Oh well. I knew this day would come.

Our first Halloween festivity was our ward Trunk or Treat. There were carnival booths for the kids, good food, and of course, trunks for treating.

 I'm the Ghostbuster's receptionist Janine, Dave is the wanna-be Ghostbuster, Louis, and Emma is a ghost.  Jocelyn is Rapunzel.

Our next festivity, as is tradition, was pumpkin carving. We used to do this every year with our friends the Hudsons but they moved. So we replaced them. No offense is meant, but the tradition must live on. We had the Haueters over and we made some good looking pumpkins.

And then last was actual Halloween day. The girls wore their cute shirts and then that night Grandma and Grandpa Ricks came to take the girls trick or treating with Dave while I stayed home to pass out the goods. As you can see one of the costumes changed.

 I talked Dave into wearing this to work too. He makes one good looking Clark Kent/Superman.

Emma's 1st Birthday!

My baby turned 1 on October 17th! Say what?! We celebrated a few days early since Dave's dad was getting married the day after her birthday and we figured things were going to be pretty busy. So the Sunday before her birthday we partied with family. But of course, first is the decoration I made. Yes, I saw it on Pinterest, where else? And I love the way it came out. I made a picture garland.

 Here's a close up of the pictures I used.

And here's the finished product.

Anyway, for her party we did dinner, cake, opened presents, and played games.

Emma's cupcake.

The cupcake cake. I have yet to figure out how to nicely frost this kind of cake.

 She liked the cake but I don't think she liked being messy.

The wonderful family who came to celebrate with us.

Her presents.

The morning of her actual birthday we had a special breakfast of cinnamon rolls and put her in her birthday outfit...I was very tempted to write birthday suit. :)

And then the rest of the day was spent at my father-in-law's house prepping for the wedding the next day and just spending time with all the family that came into town.

 There was flower prepping and food prepping.

And Jocelyn and Uncle Mike had fun with a "face" game.  This picture cracks me up.  And I love that Ben photobombed it.

Preschool Pumpkin Patch

In the beginning of October the girls and I went to Fog Willows Farm with Jocelyn's preschool group. It's a pumpkin patch and absolutely perfect for 3 year olds. We started with a picnic lunch.

Then the fun began. There were pumpkins everywhere. The girls loved the hay ride, playing on the hay bails, seeing all the animals, watching the bees, petting the goats, and then picking a pumpkin to take home.

 

I was so proud of Jocelyn.  She was the only one brave enough to get in with the goats and pet them.

Girls Getaway!

It's time to finish up last September. My friend Kae and I got away from it all. We have the best husbands! They stayed behind and watched the girls while Kae and I went to southern California for a GIRLS GETAWAY!! And we had some fun. Before we left, we prepped. We planned on going to Disneyland so we made our own shirts. I think they turned out fantabulously!

After the prep was done, a couple days later we left. We stayed with Dave's Uncle Ron and Aunt Billie. They are the awesomest!

Our first full day was our Disneyland day. We hit all the major rides, watched the light show and fireworks, tried some tasty goodness, and of course got some awesome pics.

 Who doesn't love Mickey!?

 Kae made fun of me for closing my eyes.

We naturally had to get the Dole Whip Floats.

It wouldn't be a Disneyland trip without the iconic castle picture.

I beat Kae!  That's all that needs to be said about the Buzz Lightyear ride.

Ha!  Now whose eyes are closed.

The next day we took it easy. We went to the beach and soaked up some much needed sun. I mean seriously, look at my legs, especially standing next to Kae. Note to self: get a tan.

Not far from the beach is the Newport Beach Temple. So we stopped to check it out.

Then we surprised my brother-in-law and his wife and baby by dropping by. I knew they lived nearby but I didn't realize just how close they were. It was fun to see them and to meet my nephew, Sammy, for the first time. He's the happiest baby ever!

That night we hung out with Ron and Billie. We watched a movie and they took us to get some shaved ice. It was delicious! And we just enjoyed chatting away.

The next day we went to church briefly and then headed home. We had a blast but were excited to get back home to our families who are the best!