Happy Halloween 2017

Monday night for family night we carved our pumpkins. I honestly was hoping the kids would forget so we didn't have to carve any. Blake was gone on an overnight camping trip and the thought of carving pumpkins without him seemed more than I could handle alone. I set Grant up with painting his pumpkin and luckily the older two kids were able to clean out the pumpkin guts with very little help from me.

 Brooke was able to carve most of the castle herself, I just helped her with few parts. Porter wanted a witch and it was carved entirely by me. It was kind of a crazy night, but fun and I'm glad we did it.

Tuesday night and all the Halloween Festivities. I love the stages the kids are in. They love the holidays, they love to use their imaginations, and they are getting independent enough that Blake and I walk around with them but they can go  up to the door by themselves. I love to see the look of excitement on their faces as they skip back down to us.

Brooke costume was a $5 garage sale find this summer.

Grant's dragon costume was something we found in grandma's dress up box. I only had to buy Porter's knight costume and I was done! I love when Halloween costumes don't break the bank.

Grant went around the streets near us, but after about an hour wanted to go home. I took him home so I could start passing out candy. Blake stayed out with the older two. I have always loved Halloween and I hope my kids love it too. I just think it's fun and I love that it brings neighborhoods and communities together. Kind of silly, but buying a bunch of candy to give away is the perfect kick off for the other "giving" seasons ahead.

Happy Birthday Grant

Our little guy turned 3 years old on the 29th and we can hardly believe it! Three years went by incredibly fast and it's hard for me not to get all teary-eyed thinking about the day Grant was born.

If we could sum Grant up in one word it would be SWEET. Many people have told us what a sweet disposition Grant has. He is quick to say "please" and "thank you" without being prompted and hates to see anyone upset or hurt. He says "sorry" when he's in trouble and will cry even if you barely use an angry voice at him. It makes it really hard not to get mad at him because one little quiver of his bottom lip and I just gather him into my lap and hug him.

Grant will come find me during the day and ask to sit on my lap and snuggle with him. "Mommy, can I snuggle with you?" If you try to give him a nickname like "buddy" or "buster" he will say, "No! I'm Mommy's sweetheart!"  He'll often come up to me and say "Mom, I'm still your sweetheart!"

He's totally potty-trained and talks non-stop all day long. He asks tons of questions and loves to sing songs. He really wants to be big like the older kids and constantly asks when is it his turn to go to school.

Grant was adamant that it was NOT his birthday when we told him it was coming up. But as soon as he came downstairs and saw the decorations, he changed his tune!

 Over the years I've made a few of my kid's birthday cakes with  mixed results. This one ended up being fine, but the process had me in tears! The first cake I made overflowed the pan resulting in it spilling onto the bottom of the oven and filling the house with smoke and lovely burnt smell. That cake went down the garbage disposal. Attempt #2 went a little better, but as I was frosting the cake huge chunks started crumbling off. Blake even ask me, "Do you want to just throw it away and I'll go buy one?" No, dang it! Grant said he wanted a cake with a monster truck on it and I wanted to give him one if it killed me! I finally had to abandon the picture of perfection I had in my mind and  just go for it.

 It's supposed to be grass (the green frosting) with a muddy trail leading to the top. Use your imagination...

 The kids were so sweet and spent all afternoon while Grant was napping to make homemade presents for him. Brooke made a rocket ship out of paper for him, Porter drew a picture for him and wrapped up several of his own toys to give to Grant.

Happy Birthday my sweet boy!

Pumpkin Festival

Brooke had Red Ribbon week at school. On Friday was "crazy hair day" so we did her hair extra special! It turned out super cute and fun!

Saturday night was our town's pumpkin festival. They have pumpkin displays and lots of booths and fun for the kids. Blake and I haven't been for several years (not since Brooke was our only child) and we had a really good time. The kids were even brave enough to walk through the spook alley! Porter kept laughing and saying how spooky everything was. Brooke held onto the back of my shirt for dear life. She's really sensitive to scary things and didn't like it at all. Blake carried Grant and made him lay his head down on his shoulder  so he wouldn't see anything. The spook alley was pretty mild and all in good fun!

They had to pick Crusty the Clown's nose to get their treat!

 There was a leaf pit to play in

 Pumpkin shooting

We love our community and the many fun, free things they provide for families to do.

Fall Break

At the beginning of October Grant watched an episode of "Cat in the Hat" on PBS about Fall and pumpkin patches. He'd been asking ever since when we were going to go to a pumpkin patch. So he was really excited when we went to one when we visited my mom over Fall Break.

My brother and his wife were visiting from Maine with their two boys and joined us. It was super hot that afternoon (I was sweating so bad in my sweatshirt) and pretty crowded, but we all had a good time.

The next day we went for a drive up American Fork Canyon, had a picnic lunch, and went on a small hike. The fall colors were beautiful and the kids had a blast playing in the leaves.

This was mine and the kids first time meeting the newest member of our Smith family...baby Reid!

 It was fun to let my kids interact with Ben's kids. These cousins don't get to see each other very often (and probably won't as we live across the country from each other). There were a few bumps as they learned to get along with each other and I hope one day they'll be good friends and remember playing together as kids and Nonna's house!

 Every night after the kids went to bed my mom would watch the kids and me, my brothers Ben and Jared and sister-in-law Katie would go out for ice cream!

 I love spending time with my siblings and their families. It's funny how we spent so much time fighting with each other while we all lived at home, but now they're the people I most want to hang out with!