Halloween & Grandma

Here's a couple of Halloween pictures. I got such a kick out of seeing my boys in their costumes! They do trick or treating a little differently here than we are used to but we actually really like it. They have a set time for one hour in the evening where everyone trick or treats. No one rings doorbells because all the people passing out candy sit on lawn chairs in their yard to hand them out to the masses of people that come at once. It is really a MASS of people!! Bryce and Dallin spent most of the time mesmerized by everything that was going on around them. It was a fun evening.
Our Alligator - You should have seen this guy waddle around!

Our "Fighter Fighter" - as he called himself

Bryce was afraid to trick or treat at first, but thanks to help of our neighbor, Tiny, he got the hang of it.



GRANDMA PETE
We were so lucky to have Grandma Petersen come visit for a few days! We met her up in Cleveland where we attended Kjirsti's Master's Recital at the Cleveland Institute of Music. I wish we had a few pictures of her performance - it was beautiful! We felt so privileged to be able to feel the power and stunning quality of her voice. She has such a special gift for not only singing, but sharing her spirit and conviction. It was a treat to be there. We sure love having Kjirsti and Tom semi-close by!
On the way home from Cleveland we took a round about way home to go through some of Amish country. It was so neat to see the horse drawn carriages, the people, and to get a feel for their amazing culture. We went to a cheese chalet (factory) where they made 60+ kinds of cheese from hand-milked cows from local Amish farms. The best part was they let you sample ALL of them for free. Ahh, cheese heaven...


We loved having Ruth in Athens for a few days. She was so great to play play play with the boys while still managing to help a TON around the house. I always learn so much from her and really enjoyed spending time with her.
Here's a few pics with her and the boys as well as our visit to the not-so-in-season-anymore pumpkin patch!

Mr. President

I promise the Halloween pictures are coming soon! I just had to put this picture up in the meantime because we have gotten such a kick out of it. Little Mr. President. )ne thing is for certain - this boy loves to be IN CHARGE and the center of attention! Bryce for President 2050...

Beautiful Fall

The weather here has been beautiful! I have always loved fall, but since moving here I love it even more. It is just spectacular with all its color. I hope that it can hang on here for at least a couple of more weeks! Bryce and Dallin have particularly enjoyed the leaves in our front yard, they just can't seem to get enough of them. They have reminded me of some of life's very simple pleasure's - running through leaves and hearing them crunch, throwing them in the air, burying yourself (and others) in them, raking up a pile and jumping in, collecting all colors, shapes and sizes...did I mention that I love fall?!

Fun, Fun, Fun

It seems like we have had one big party after another around here. Here's a few highlights of a fun filled few weeks:


Last weekend four of my dear friends and old roommates came here for a visit. I absolutely loved it. I just cherish these gals of mine and felt so uplifted and strengthened by the time we were able to spend together. That in addition to lots of laughs made for a very fun and memorable weekend! It was fun to get our kiddos together too. I thought about some things I learned from our little extravaganza:
1.) A good dose of laughter is healthy – I need to do that more often.
2.) Stories are always so much funnier many years later –especially when told from another’s perspective
3.) You can never have too many cooks in the kitchen
4.) There’s something about food and happiness that go together really well
5.) It doesn’t matter if you buy matching clothes if you all live in different states
6.) All kids LOVE and need their mommies
7.) 6 adults + 5 kids in one small house w/one bathroom (and one bathroom plug) works out just fine
8.) 1:00 am talks can be very enlightening
9.) I'm not sure if personality tests are all that accurate:)
10.) I need my girlfriends




HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR BRYCE!
After months of anticipation, Bryce finally turned 3! He has been talking daily (hourly, it seems like) about his ‘happy birday’ for a few months now. I was happy for the day to finally arrive to see how delighted he was about it all. We had a couple little celebrations and he could not have been a happier boy. We love Bryce so much and enjoy his inquisitive, curious nature. He is so expressive that sometimes it is hard not to chuckle even when he is trying to be serious.
Brooke and Bryce bonded over cake

Martha Stewart obviously didn’t bake this cake, and whoever did really needs some help!


Witch Party
My friend Emily should definitely be a professional party planner. She planned an amazing witch party this last weekend. I forgot how fun it was to get all dressed up for Halloween – I haven’t done that in awhile and have decided that I should really make an effort to do it every year because it is so FUN! Trevor got into it too and really seemed to enjoy helping me put together a costume. Here are a few pictures from the night. If you’d like to see more pictures from it and some fabulous decorating and party ideas here is her blog.
I've been told that I look like a true witch in this picture!

Tiny Tim

Arachnophobia

Who knew a little spider could catch a grasshopper this big?! I love this picture that Trevor took even though I cannot handle the sight of a spider. The grasshopper demolished the entire web and was hanging by one strand. Since this happened to be on our front porch we got to witness this tiny spider quadruple in size after a few days of feeding.

Here's a picture from the father and son camp out a couple of weeks ago. You might notice the tired look in Bryce's (and Trevor's) eyes. Bryce's excitement to sleep in a tent with a flashlight kept them up until the wee hours of the morning. But they had a lovely time nonetheless!

So today I was peeling some potatoes and Dallin got into the garbage can. Next thing I knew he was taking apart the lid and trying to climb in. When he successfully got in he stood up and proudly began walking around with the lid secured around his little hips. It looked like he was sporting a new skirt reminiscent of the black skirt I wore to church today.

OK - here's one more, I just can't resist. Dallin has been learning how to eat with a spoon as well as drink from a cup. Here is the result....

Family Pictures

Thanks to Kjirsti for taking some fabulous family pictures for us! She is so talented and we are grateful that she was willing to do that for us. It was so great to spend time with her and Tom. Not only are they great photographers, but great cooks, gamers, conversationalists, and kid-entertainers! Our boys love them so much!
Here are a few of our favorites: