Farewell October

Drove home one day and had to stop and take a picture I was so happy with our yellow and orange trees!

Time is speeding up and we are now saying farewell to the days of October. It was as lovely month weather wise and we hate to see it go. Stephen and Mason have enjoyed riding their bikes out on the jumps out in our backyard and Lexi still has found time to play some soccer amidst her other activities. JT and Olivia have loved playing on the playground out back as well and racing around the driveway circle on their bikes. I was pretty obsessed with plans for the Primary Program, sharing time,  and restaffing the sixth ward primary. I have also enjoyed my small involvement with the parent advisory committee in Sugar City. I get fed a Subway sandwich for lunch once a month and get to talk with other ladies in the district about the needs and concerns of our schools. 

Lily spent a good 3 weeks of the month talking about how excited she was for the upcoming mom and daughter Halloween dress up Party for Activity Days a few days before Halloween. We stewed and wondered what we should dress up as and finally decided on a cupcake and baker. After deciding this, I had to come up with the cupcake costume. I did some homework on the internet and came up with what is pictured. Meanwhile a dream of Smurfette was being born inside of Olivia and I decided to jimmy rig a costume up for her. My favorite part is her hat! the blue part of her costume is from a cut up man's sweatshirt. I couldn't find a royal blue shirt and leggings/tights anywhere in Rexburg – which would have been my first choice. I have to admit, it was fun getting to sew on my sewing machine once again refashioning something. I had fun going to Olivia's classroom and helping with the Halloween Party.  We made skeletons from q-tips and I took my touch and feel box of creepy things (the one I used at Lily's party last year). JT loved playing with the blocks in her classroom. 

Halloween night we went to our ward trunk or treat. Mason and Stephen scarfed down the doughnuts like no other! I think Mason ate 3. He later became very sick to his stomach – I wonder why? We went past the assisted living center to go visit Uncle Everett – Stephen had been earlier that day during his lunch hour and was concerned about him as he had fallen out of bed and fractured his back. When we got there he was sleeping and hurting pretty bad. It was very hard for all of us to see him in such pain. We left some treats for him on his dresser and went to visit with the other old folks at the center. They were so fun to talk to and I think really enjoyed seeing our kids in costume wishing them a Happy Halloween. *Post edit: Found out the next morning that Uncle Everett passed away. 🙁

Wishing the people at the assisted living center a Happy Halloween and the caramel popcorn ball that my mom, Grandma Baldwin, was passing out at her door were my favorite parts of Halloween night. My mom invited us out to come trick or treating and really made it worth the trip! I had avoided eating all other candy this day so I could sink my teeth into the luscious caramel ball. It was worth it. Delish!!

On that happy note – here we come November.

love the yoga instructors face! Smurfette had a few itches on her chin too!	This lion loves his electrical tape claws on his gloves – he kept trying to eat them.	Olivia is doing so well with her piano – we love to hear her tickling the ivories.
Brother and Sister Hillman from our ward helped Stephen and crew press some apples into cider.	This man is a hoot!	Lily is lovin this party!
Came in last place! I don’t have very good mummy making skills.
The cupcake and baker with their newly decorated pumpkin. Wasn’t Lily a clever little decorator?	Smurfette without her blue face. She sure did love her outfit and it made my heart smile to see her so happy.	Mason and I decorated his bedroom wall during Potato Harvest. He really likes it.
LIly with her solar system project at the 4th grade Solar System Expo.	LIly and her friend had a paper and pen next to their projects to see how many signatures they could get. Silly Lily!	Date Night with Lily and Olivia topped off at Jamba.
Before this we went to the Choir fest up at BYUI. I loved this date!
This is what Stephen and I find 75% of the time when we wake up. Same two KIDS IN OUR BED crowding us out!!! Good0bye now. 🙂	Lexi and her adopted grandma – Mable Sakota. Sweet memories that these two share from the last few years.	Mason and his friend dared each other to wear a tie to school. I loved it! He is such a stud. He also bet the same friend that he could dance with more girls at the JHS dance last week. He danced every song but one! Way to go Mason!!!