Halloween 2011

We carved pumpkins last night. It was fun. The girls each designed their Jack-o-Lanterns with marker then Dave and I cut them out. They all turned out really cute! I made roasted pumpkin seeds for the first time out of the seeds... they turned out yummy! We will have to do that every year!
Saturday evening was the Trunk or Treat at the church. We got there just after 6:30 (which is when I thought it started), and almost everyone was out of candy! Apparently it started at 6:00. I am in Young Women each Sunday, so I didn't hear the time announced. When I asked people, they also didn't know. I guess it wasn't announced that well. That's okay, the girls each got some candy, and they got to wear their costumes!
Tonight we will go Trick or Treating around our neighborhood, and should get a good stash of candy!! We love Halloween!

Dave's Birthday and more Halloween fun!

I have been posting a lot of things we have been doing this month... we have been very busy! The other night we made ghosts to hang in our front yard. The girls and I mostly made the ghosts (Dave did make one!), and then Dave hung them in the trees out front (with a little help from us!). It is something we have been doing for a few years now, and the girls really look forward to it!
For Dave's birthday, I made three pies. I made a pumpkin, a pecan and an apple. Not to toot my own horn, but I make darn good pies. I love to bake pies... I love the crust, and I love just about every filling! Since moving to Texas, my pie making ability has gone downhill. My crust never turns out right. This time was no exception. My crust would not work right, even after three attempts. Which made the pies not turn out right. They were satisfactory pies... some would even say they were good pies. But they were not my top-quality pies. (Which was a big bummer.) But... they were for Dave, and I did put a lot of time and effort into them... which made them A-OK.I also made Dave a special dinner. I made jambalaya. I had never made it before, so I was a little nervous. It actually was really easy, and it tasted good. It was a little spicy, so the little girls didn't really love it... and I had one shrimp (I promised Dave I would make him a dish with shrimp and that I would try it...), and then I gave my other shrimps to Ciera and Chloe.Dave opened his presents after work, and the girls were so excited!
All in all, it has been a fun month, and Dave's birthday was a great day too!!

Happy Birthday Dave!!

Happy Birthday to the most amazing man I know. Dave is such a great husband and father. He is so thoughtful and kind, loving and fun. He is my best friend, and I am so glad he is my husband forever! I love you Dave... happy birthday.
I can see that I need to take more pictures of Dave... this is the most recent one I have of him (doing our service project in September), and there weren't many before this one either!

More October fun!

I downloaded more pictures of things we have been up to this month. We made mummy, ghost, and skeleton cookies. They were chocolate sugar cookies, and were gone within two days! Some of them turned out a little on the "heavy on the frosting" side... Autumn loves her frosting!! We also went on a trip to the Heard Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary, which we have a family membership to. We really enjoy taking trips out there (it is about 1/2 hour from our house), and try to do it as often as we can! They have an annual dinosaur exhibit out on one of their trails each fall. It was fun to be out in the nice fall weather (that we FINALLY are having)! The girls had fun looking at all the dinosaurs (that moved and made noises), and climbing on the few dinosaurs that were for climbing on! Also, one of the ladies in our ward had a craft night at her house. There were a couple of different crafts (all fall themed) to choose from... I chose the Thanksgiving/Fall one. It turned out pretty cute, and was really fun to make. I am still working on the Halloween costumes. Two and 1/2 girls are ready for Halloween now! Once I finish, I will post pictures of them all!!

October Happenings

We have been keeping busy lately, and having fun too. As a Family Home Evening treat one night, we made caramel apples. Each one of us got to dip our apple, and then after they set, we all gobbled them up! They were SO yummy!
The little girls like us to take them into bed in crazy ways sometimes. Sometimes we carry them upside down, on our backs, on our shoulders... or any other fun way. Once in a while they get Dave to do "sack of potatoes" with them. It is fun to hear them laugh their way to bed!
Autumn likes to take "morning baths" during the day. She just likes to play in the bath... but when it is real bath time, there is only enough time for a little bit of play. She loves to put her goggles on and pretend all kinds of things.
That is all I have now... I will be sure to take pictures of the girls in their costumes. (Once I finish them!)

Race for the Cure- Dallas

Today, Ciera, Chloe and I ran in the Komen Race for the Cure in Dallas. This was my first time running in Dallas, and their first time running in it ever! We had to leave our house at 6:15 this morning, which was WAY too early! We arrived a little after 7:00, and waited until 8:00 when the race actually began. Dave, Brooke and Autumn came out to watch and cheer us on! There were so many people there! The first mile of the race took us 18 minutes, because we had to walk for at least 1/2 of it just to get going... it was super crowded!We ran most of the way, only taking a few "speed-walking" breaks. It was really a nice course, mostly flat with only a few mild hills. The weather was really great... in fact it was a little chilly waiting for the race to begin. It sure did feel good as we were running though! We crossed the finish line at 45:02 minutes! The girls did really awesome! I am so proud of them!After we finished, we got some water and treats and rested for just a few minutes before hopping back in our car to head home. While we were eating our snacks, Ronald McDonald walked by. Autumn wanted to get a picture with him, so we did!All in all, it was a great morning, done in the hope that someday soon we will find a cure for breast cancer!

The Little Funny-Girl

Autumn is always saying things that crack me up. I think it is partly her age, but I also think it is just a part of who she is. She is so spunky, and a fun girl to be around. Two conversations I have had with her lately were too funny...

First:

As we were leaving PetsMart (Which we like to walk around to look at all the animals):
There was a woman leaning into her back car door, obviously (to me) wrestling with her child to get him into a car seat. As we walked by her car, the child let out some wails... Autumn jumped, practically climbing up my leg in fright.
Me (Kind of laughing, but knowing she is afraid of dogs): What happened Autumn? Did you think there was a dog coming after you?
Autumn: No. A turkey.


Second:

In the car this morning:
Autumn: Mommy, I need a knife.
Me: A knife? Why do you need a knife?
Autumn: To cut the ham.
Me: Well, we don't have ham, so I guess you don't need a knife.
Autumn: Umm... you know... I have a ham tree.