Halloween Fun

This year, we seemed to have many dramatic and problematic issues come up with Halloween costumes. 

Sigh. 

Jack's three-year-old brain was having a very difficult time picking a costume. His costume requests included a pumpkin, a bat, Captain America, a dinosaur, a shark, and my personal favorite, a walrus. However, at one point I became aware he had requested to be a pink dragon almost four days in a row. I put all my creative juices together (which when it comes to costuming are very few) and pulled together this pink dragon costume out of a hoodie, a pair of girls tights, some pink foam triangles, and some crazy glue.

Cole didn't have troubles knowing what he wanted to be, which was this:

The package said "Phantom," but it looked more like "Death that awaits you under your bed" to me.

The problem was what the school would allow. This did not include masks, long flowing robes, or weapons.  I'm pretty sure a scythe is a weapon of the underworld. So, Cole settled on being The Flash at school. However, The Flash also wears a mask, which meant I had to apply his mask via face paint. Jack then insisted I apply "blue crystal wings" to his face.

It was a busy morning.

However, the boys had a great time that day, and we had fun trick-or-treating in our new neighborhood. Wasatch Dr. was the place to be, complete with full size candy bars and roasting s'mores in one generous couple's driveway. 

My favorite part was when Cole freaked out a bunch of high school kids driving by. His costume was really quite scary - especially in the dark. And the buckets of candy? Totally worth it.

Out and About

The weather this fall has been gorgeous, and we've been trying to fit in as many of our favorites before it turns.

We made a last warm weather trip to the zoo, and enjoyed seeing the new African Savannah exhibit.

My favorite comment from that trip was when Jack pointed out that, "That elephant has cutie marks!" (A remark that only those familiar with My Little Pony will get.)

The boys and I also joined Nana at Cornbelly's. We had a great time in the corn maze and playing on all of the slides. I really liked the slightly bigger slides they added this year, and may have indulged in a ride or two myself. 

  It was great to get in a few outings before the cold (and my wallet!) keeps us indoors.

Princess Parties

Cole was recently invited to his first party for a kid from his class at Indian Hills. It was for a little girl, and it was a princess party. It quickly became apparent when we arrived that he was one of the only boys invited. Luckily, there was a bounce house to keep his mind off of it, but every so often, he'd wander over to me and hiss, "Where are all the other boys?!" Add this to a little girl who trailed him everywhere and wanted to take dozens of pictures with him, and his patience was tested.

Not so for Jack. At one point, Princess Anna showed up, and he was completely enamored. He sang and danced with the other girls, and kept running up to the princess to hug her and show her the sharks on his shirt.

I think she may have been a little smitten with him too.  

Silver Lake Time

I don't really know what more I can say.  Annual Silver Lake walk - beautiful leaves, bright blue sky.  It's a tradition for us that really ushers in fall.  Lovely.

On Turning 6

In some ways, I cannot believe that Cole turned 6 this year (time flies!) - in other ways, I can't imagine life without him and somehow think he's always been with Bryce and I. He's had a big year, and has matured in some pretty amazing ways. Cole is a VERY patient and loving big brother. He loves to read to Jack, and explains all manner of interesting facts to him. Cole has been working on not giving up on things when he gets frustrated, and I've been so impressed how much he's improved. One of my favorite things about Cole is how he wakes up every morning happy and gives me a big hug. I love his big blue eyes and his broad smiles. This is one great kid.

We celebrated this year with, what felt like, a week of birthday fun. On his birthday, he opened gifts, and had chocolate chip pancakes for dinner (his special request). He also was very proud of the birthday crown he wore at school.

Friday night, we went to Pa and Nana's where we celebrated with more delicious treats, and he received the coveted nano bug he had asked for. Jack was enthralled...

Sunday, we had a few friends over for a double party with Isak. A family in our neighborhood loaned us their bounce house (crazy story: they rented it for an event, and the company never came to pick it up - default bounce house ownership!).  This thing was HUGE and took up our whole backyard.  Needless to say, it was a big hit, and the boys loved it. 

It was not so much fun to roll the bounce house back up the hill and get it in the truck. Luckily, Bill was a true superman and helped Bryce.

Finally, that night, we went to Uncle D's and Aunt Cindy's, and opened some more presents.

Happy Birthday, Cole! We all love you and are so glad to have you part of our family!

My Kitchen Helper

Jack is always the first to volunteer when it comes to helping me cook or bake. And, while I'm working on the patience that goes with having a three-year-old "help" cook, I always find it adorable.  

Here he is helping me make biscuits...which of course, is best done crouching on the kitchen counter.

He also helped me make cherry pie bars. I left the kitchen for a moment and came back to him eating the cherries out of the can with a teaspoon. Ahhh...a man after my own heart.

Oh, and don't worry, I always sanitize.  :)

Missoula What?!

When I found out that Cassie was expecting her first baby, I immediately started making plans in my head about when I could go visit. Once adorable little Theo was born, I was so excited to get up to Missoula. Finally, I got to visit the first weekend in October.

It was a fantastic weekend of baby-holding, eating of delicious food, and enjoying the beautiful city. Cassie is one of my most favorite people to hang out with, and she put up with my constant need to be moving, cleaning, sorting, or otherwise being busily engaged (a story for a later time) so well.  Oh, and Jonathan was fun too.  :)

Now I just need to figure out when I can go back!  

 I want to smush him so much!  (But only in the absolute best way!)