One holiday down, two to go

I know Halloween is tomorrow but I have to say I am over it! It has been two days of Halloween fun and I am all "funned" out! I love the idea of Halloween but for me the execution of Halloween is far less fun when you have little kids, sugar highs, school parties, church parties, pumpkin carving, cookie decorating and costume making. My kids had a great time and they looked fabulous in their costumes though so I guess it was all worth it.
Mark gets 100% credit for Rex's amazing costume. Rex wanted not just to be Batman, but Lego Batman. Like this:

Mark worked hard, stayed up late and made him an amazing Lego Batman costume. My camera battery was dead yesterday during all our fun at the Kindergarten parade, City of Boise work trick or treat and the Scentsy trick or treat. I have to say though, it was very entertaining watching Rex maneuver around these situations. He couldn't really bend over, nor could he put candy from one hand into his bucket. At school as the kids were parading through the classroom, he even got stuck between a desk and the wall!! It was hilarious but he felt awesome because he had a neverending chorus of "cool costume" and "wow, that's a great costume", to which he replied, "I am a Lego Batman minifigure." It was a success so good job Mark!
Sam was a clone trooper yesterday and a pirate today. He was adorable and cute in either and was more than thrilled when Rex's teacher Mrs. Bott let him march in the Kindergarten parade. He had a grin plastered on his face the whole 30 minutes!
Bottom line: My kids had a blast which makes me happy, but if you are looking for me tomorrow I will be locked in a room with the lights off escaping Halloween!




Today this was the girl Rex was smitten with. Right before this picture I heard him say, "Let's just sit down over here for a little bit" instead of running around with his friends. I think I am in trouble.

Halloween Party

Some friends of ours in the ward put on an adults only Halloween party and it was so much fun! We even got to watch a magic show with a real live dove! I am pretty sure that dove hates his life but it was interesting to watch.
I have always wanted to be a pregnant nun and so since I am pregnant this year I knew that is what we had to be! It was pretty fun! I have to say we have some amazingly creative friends. Here are some of the fun costumes we saw.

Rex's first public school field trip

Sam and I tagged along for Rex's first field trip. It was back to Linder Farms for us and let me tell you, keeping track of 21 kids when there are probably 5 other classes of 20+ kids there, is quite a feat! I was exhausted afterward! Kudos to Mrs. Bott for keeping up with these kids every day. It was a fun time though.

Sam was almost as tall as many of the kids so he fit right in! I liked this sweet brother moment, they don't happen very often.

The hay ride and trying to get a picture of all of us. It made me totally nauseous by the the way.

They bloomed!

In early Spring, my great aunt Lona sent me some Dahlia tubers from her beautiful garden in Seattle. I planted them inside and helped them grow until it was time to put them outside. They had grown really tall, but really skinny inside and so when I transported them outside, they basically keeled over and looked dead. I tried supporting them with a metal rod, but after a few days it seemed that all was lost. Then I ignored them. A funny thing happened, slowly they started growing. Before long it was a bushy green plant, however there was no sign of any flowers.
Fast forward to now... October. I have long since let my other flowers die in anticipation of cold weather (and because I am tired of watering them). I am checking the side gate one day and notice something. Could it be? Yes a dahlia, just about to bloom, with another one close by getting ready as well. I watched that flower for days. Finally it bloomed and the reward is beautiful! I guess dahlia's like to be ignored. (I am sure there is some real world analogy that would fit beautifully here, but I am too tired and pregnant to think of one right now)

1 year ago

A year ago this week, I conceived Jacob. This week I have reflected a lot. On how hard this year has been. On how blessed I am. On how I have been pregnant for almost a year. On hope for the future.
One thing I do know is that our family is stronger. My boys better understand eternal family and talk of their brother Jacob as if he is a part of our family. And he is. I also understand eternal families better and although I am so far from perfect in many areas, I know I have a little angel boy in heaven cheering me on and waiting to be reunited.
I have felt a little bit of guilt throughout this new pregnancy because it has helped me focus on the future and the new life inside me. That is a good thing but it is hard to think you may be forgetting a child. I am not though. I think of him often. But I am so grateful for his brother who is coming, who wouldn't be in my belly right now if we hadn't have lost Jacob and I know he wants me to move on a focus on our lives in the present.
It has been a rough year, but one I am extremely grateful for. Thanks to Jacob.

Linder Farms!

Got to start Fall off right with a trip to Linder Farms!! The best corn maze around, this year featuring the Boise State Broncos, as well as carnival type rides, pony rides, a petting zoo and plenty of carni folk to go around. My kind of place.

Party at the zoo!

Mark's work does a huge party at the zoo every year. It's always in September so it isn't scorching and it is always in the evening after the zoo has closed for regular customers so the animals are always active. We love it! What's better than free food and entertainment that involves animals? Nothing, I say.
Yummy ice cream sandwiches

Rex dancing onstage... it was awesome. Half robot, half breakdancing.

My 3 boys!

Sloth bear. A pretty disgusting creature that we watched pee and then proceed to lick it. My boys thought it was awesome.

I am so glad I only have them one at a time!

Pretending they are in jail. So sweet that Rex actually cares enough to protect his brother. Shortly after this picture, he pushed him out of the way to get to the Indiana Jonesesqe car first.