October

I wanted to move our TV upstairs and make that area the "tv watching" room and keep the downstairs tv for just special occasions. I was just tired of the tv always being on and everyone eating and making messes downstairs while they watched. But I wanted a frame TV downstairs so artwork could be displayed and it wouldn't feel like a massive TV was on the wall. I LOVE the frame tv. We get so many comments on it when people come over. They can't believe it's a tv and not a picture on the wall!

Conference time! I think we've finally "made it". This was the most peaceful conference weekend we've ever had. I told the kids that if they took notes, I would do a quiz afterward and they could earn points by getting questions right. Then with those points they could buy activities for us to do over October break. We aren't going on a vacation so I figured this was a good way for them to earn some fun outings. It worked beautifully. They all paid attention and took notes (Collin really carried the group but I guess that's what being the oldest is about, haha) and they got enough right to buy most of the activities they wanted. Not all... they had to compromise on a few things, but it turned out better than I expected! And I paid much better attention too! Win/win.

I text the Udall girls to see if any wanted to go out for dinner after the Saturday evening session (they got rid of Priesthood/Womens sessions and made it for everyone) and this is who came! It turned out really fun. We always end up talking about our parents of course. There really is something unique about cousins and sharing familial relationships with our parents. It bonds you!

Mmmmm, my all time favorite cinnamon rolls makes conference go down so much yummier!! 

First up on activities.. Uptown Jungle with friends then Jeremiahs!

The next day we saw Adams Family 2  at Fat Cats then went bowling!

But do you want to know their FAVORITE day? Getting the lunch buffet at Peter Piper Pizza then having an hour of nonstop arcade games. 7th Heaven. And they even took care of Tanner so I just sat at the booth on my phone munching on breadsticks. Like I said before, I think I've made it! Hahaaa! *heel click*

On Friday, when Trav wasn't working, we went ice skating! We paid for two hours and after 20 minutes I was looking at the clock like, uhhhh this is going to feel like an eternity! We ended up renting the red walker thing for Tanner to hold onto and had to give Collin pep talks because he was bored, but overall we had a good time! The boys played tag and we all froze. Definitely don't need to come back anytime soon, but it was a fun thing to try. Neds for lunch hit the spot!

Then we got to visit the new, Mesa Temple visitor center. I'm sad they got rid of the Christus statue but it was two levels of fun, interactive exhibits for the kids. 

Anddd I found out that my husband is my 4th cousin, twice removed. Thanks, Family Search.

Of course we had to get the BYU Creamery ice cream next door!

Our old stake president, who is now an area authority was in town for a stake conference and asked if we wanted to go to dinner. We love getting to spend time with Elder Haws and Eileen.

It is the worst possible time to be putting in a pool but of course the economy has to be crap when we're finally in a financial position to afford a pool! It has felt like a part time job getting appointments and quotes from a few different companies. We thought it might be a fun surprise for the kids for Christmas. We went as far as picking out tile and features but ultimately I didn't feel good about it. Ah well... maybe a pool will be in our future some other day.

If you give a mouse a cookie...

I wanted some art work to go above this desk but it didn't match. So I decided to repaint the desk. Sanding it was a joke. Then I painted it white. It looked like a marshmallow nightmare. So then I painted it black. Not much better but I was at a loss. So much time down the drain and I'm left with funeral furniture. This is why I'll never be a designer!

Mary Poppins was showing at Hale Theater and I thought Olive would like to go with me. We got dinner first at her favorite... Joe's Farm Grill! She loves the Caesar salad... I love the farm salad. And if it wasn't for the purse full of candy we ate during the play, I'd call us healthy. ;)

Travis planned a date for us! I was thrilled. We went to a Van Gogh exhibit in Scottsdale. I was left a little wanting for more info about his life, but the big room at the end that displayed a video of his artwork to music was cool. Just make sure your mask is above your nose! Zero tolerance Scottsdale. Then we got dinner at the iconic.. Mi Amigos. Sketch city. We were marveling at how when we were growing up, this was the place. Makes me feel old.

I tried to get the kids to watch The Sound of Music one Sunday afternoon. We only got to intermission and they were done. When they started singing the song "My Favorite Things" Collin exclaimed, "Hey! Ariana Grande was around back then?!" Trav and I died laughing.

FHE treat we all enjoyed!

I made homemade French bread in the shape of a pumpkin! So faun-cy. Paired with Trader Joe's Harvest soup, we had the most "fall" meal of the season!

I was just getting into the groove of homeschooling and had bought a new curriculum when Weston said he wanted to go back to school. He was lonely and wanted friends. I couldn't blame him. I was disappointed at first, but when we went to Greenfield to take a tour and meet his teacher, he was so excited and it felt right. He didn't seem to have any nerves on his first day. I dropped him off and he went right in and within days he had made friends. He's such a social kid and makes friends easily. He is in Mrs. Fiore's class and has several kids from our ward in his class. He has loved it and felt so happy!

Weather is finally good for park days! I got a laugh out of Tanner and Winnie digging side by side.

We always plan on our annual Vertuccio Farms night in October. We go on a Friday after they get home from school to beat the crowds. It felt easier this time. More just "being" with the kids instead of "taking care" of them. Which got me thinking about what it will be like when they're too old for stuff like this. It's always been so much work in the past. Strollers and crying and messes and being pulled in several different directions when the kids want to do different things. And I half hate it and half love it. But I think I always focused too much on the stress part of it all. And now suddenly I'm realizing it will be over so fast. And my heart ached and I wanted to stop time. How sad it will be when no kids want to go in the corn maze with us and we're spending the night at home alone while the kids are off with their friends. So I am REALLY soaking it in right now. And trying to be grateful for every memory. 

This was the first year they had pony rides. It cost extra of course, but I was feeling generous. Probably all the nostalgia running through me.

Some of my favorite date nights are just us running over to Tia Rosas for dinner then getting blizzards to eat in bed while watching The Office. Or whatever show we're currently watching. Simple. But it's with him and I wouldn't be anywhere else. 

I need more of these words in my life! Brouhaha. Hehe.

Brinn had a hair appointment and needed somewhere for her kids to go for a few hours. We were so happy to have them over! I made pumpkin bars for everyone for an afternoon snack, then went to the park for a couple hours. We had taco soup for dinner before Brinn came to get them. My kids wished they could have stayed longer. 

Guitar lessons are not going so hot! It's hard! And I feel like I don't understand it. Our teacher moves pretty fast. So with Weston going back to school I canceled our lessons and am having Weston take from McGuire instead. Maybe I'll pick it back up next year when all the kids are in school.

I kind of hate our clear shower wall. And since I'm always needed by the kids when I'm in the shower and we don't have a locking bathroom door, I put up vinyl flowers for some added privacy. Travis isn't the biggest fan... but I think he understands. It feels a little garden of Eden-ish but it works, haha. 

It was some sort of spirit week at school and one day you were supposed to dress up like an old person. Another day was "white out" day.  Collin understood the assignment. Apparently not very many kids dressed up... I mean, it is junior high after all... gotta protect that image... so he got a lot of comments and compliments from the teachers. He has always loved dressing up. I love him.

The Morrison Ranch Fall Festival is always a crowd pleaser. So many people come, even our street is lined with cars. Olive had dance so we had to go a little late. Long lines but they were just happy to be there! Tanner kept getting nailed by the inflatable, rotating arm game and we were cracking up. 

Leah posted this on Instagram and I'm still laughing. I can hear both their voices in their words and it's hysterical! Their relationship is just like in sitcoms. 

Still scouting out house colors and I am obsessed with this one. I love the grey/black/white combos.

Our painters came in the middle of the month and it took over a week to finish the job. I used a company called Ipaint Houses and I felt like they did a really good job. I was SO nervous it wouldn't turn out the way I pictured but it looks AMAZING! All the neighbors keep commenting on how much they love it. I couldn't be happier! Hooray... all the stress and work to make it happen paid off!

McGuire and Collin are on the same flag football team and it's been nice for the kids to have friends to hang out with during games. Livy always comes prepared! Their organization was cute.

Making caramel apples and I gave the kids all the leftovers. They were scavengers but it was a much easier way for them to get their fill than to make them caramel apples!

Sweet Leah is always coming up with service opportunities so we signed up to help one Saturday morning with several crafts/activities/donations for nursing homes/homeless shelters/etc.

The Mesa temple construction is finally done!! Hallelujah! I think it's been 3 years. Collin and Travis got to go first with the mutual group. Collin was so cute. When he got home he excitedly told me that he loved the tour and when they entered the baptismal font area the Spirit was so strong it hit him like a spiritual bazooka! Haha, I love him.

We planned a date night with the Lindblom adults to go to the temple open house. First, dinner at Charlestons, then to tour the temple. The interior looked old fashioned in a way. I guess their idea was to take it back to the original time period when it was first built. It was really special being able to be altogether with my family in the temple for the first time. My dad took the reins on explaining things to Katie. I'm grateful everyone made the time to make this night work!  

Just a regular Sunday night at Grandmas house with the cousins. So glad they all have each other.

So fed up with my bathtub. The faucet doesn't have a high flow rate so it takes forever to fill up. Plus, it barely makes it past the edge of the tub so unless its on full blast, the water spills over the edge and makes a mess. I spent SO much time researching faucets, going to several different plumbing supply stores, talking to different plumbers and trying to do it myself. Holy heck faucets are expensive. I finally found one with a long neck that wasn't $500 but it didn't match the hardware underneath. Talked to more plumbers. Ordered more hardware. Then Trav stepped in and saved us hundreds of dollars by taking the paneling off the tub and doing it all himself! Woohoo!! The left handle may go the opposite way but I don't care! It reaches farther into the tub and fills up way faster than before! Now I'm all set for baths this winter!

Annie is leaving on a mission over the holidays so she did a fall recital instead of a Christmas one. Collin and Olive did great! 

This is how I eat my meals or type at my computer. With Winnie laying on my feet or at least touching me in some way. She didn't get the memo that I'm not a snuggler. I don't know why I'm her favorite. 

We love our brain spaghetti dinner! The mint oreo shakes are actually all I want. We watched Beetlejuice this year and completely freaked out our kids.

We love it when Grandpa comes to cheer!

Tanner has a new swim instructor! Sarah Merkley Troutman. Sarah and I grew up next door to each other. She is so fun and a great teacher. Tanner is a lucky guy!

Olive and Liv were thrilled to get in the car one day for school and discover they were matching! Right down to the type of bow in their hair. 

Shelly got out and someone returned her, but when Weston was walking her back to the backyard, she peed EVERYWHERE. Like seriously, buckets! It was the weirdest thing! Who knew a little tortoise could hold that much fluid! Also, super grody.

Greenfield had a school fall festival that I took Weston and Tanner to. Olive was at dance. We got corn dogs and Tia Rosas from the food trucks for dinner and played lots of games. Weston got lots of jabs about his costume what with the Packers beating the Cardinals recently! He still wore it proud!

This is what you get after a playdate with 4 year olds. Just smash every toy you can find into your fort.

I got to go to Olive's class party, which she LOVED. We ate and played BINGO. She is having the best year with Ms. Wakefield.

Also, it was funny to figure out that Olive's school crush happens to be Abbey's nephew on the Osborn side of her family! 

3 Cheers for Marcie's Halloween party!! Travis and I became one with the spandex as aerobics instructors. I love that my husband is willing to do stuff like this! I made cupcakes with yummy frosting and candy glass to stick in the top with fake blood. Jefferson gave the most memorable karaoke performance to Sir Mixalot "I like big butts"! It was awesome! Almost everyone jumping in for the drunk Mexican dance was also a highlight.

Olive hasn't had very many activity days but when they do have them, it is a par-tay and she looks forward to nothing more!

We got royally yelled at by an unstable dad at this soccer game. He was a part of the team that played on the field before our game and he was none too happy that we didn't offer to help take down his canopy. It was the strangest experience. Luckily, Grandma hadn't gotten there yet so she didn't have to witness the spectacle. 

Our ward put on a really nice Halloween party at the park! The kids got their faces painted, played games and ate snow cones and cotton candy. There was also smoked pork sandwiches for dinner. Relief Society was in charge of water so I hauled down ice chests and water bottles. It was hot and we had more people than we expected so I had to run home at one point and gather up more water bottles and jugs from our house, but it all worked out!

Actual Halloween was on a Sunday so there was quite the controversy over whether or not people would trick or treat on Saturday or Sunday. I would have preferred not to trick or treat on Sunday but I was in the extreme minority. Go figure. I wanted to take the kids to a few houses on Saturday but with the ward party and Collin inviting friends over that night and me needing to run to Walmart to feed these boys' bellies, I didn't have time. Travis tried to take them to a few houses in the ward who said they'd be handing out candy but the whole thing sort of fell flat. Collin's friends couldn't decide on a movie so Travis suggested The Burbs. They LOVED it. 

I made green "monster" pancakes for brunch on Halloween with spinach instead of food coloring. I'm trying here!

For David Bowman's Come Follow Me lesson, he was rocking out and Tanner and Olive couldn't help themselves. I'm glad the Doctrine and Covenants is so entertaining.

My least favorite tradition... yuck! It's always Trav and I stepping in to do the youngest kids' pumpkins. They turned out pretty cool though! Collin did a Sundevil logo, Olive did a smile missing a tooth... like her, Tanner did a skeleton face and Weston did a pumpkin eating a smaller pumpkin!

We invited Marcie's family, Craig and Camille and my parents over for dinner, then the adults sat on the driveway while Marcie and I took the kids up and down the street trick or treating. We also walked down to Rawhide to check out the spooky houses. We've been doing this all month, but there was even more to see this time. They had set up a haunted house and the street was teeming with kids and strollers. It really is an impressive set up. Several houses next to each other have gone all out with creepy decorations, moving statues, things that jump out at you, holograms and lights. It finally felt like a normal Halloween after two years of weirdness from Covid. Hooray! 

I'm so disappointed in myself for not taking any individual pictures of the kids in their Halloween costumes!!! Life is so freaking BUSY. And with it being on a Sunday, everything just got away from me. Collin just got a scary mask this year, Weston was a Packers football player, Olive was a cheerleader in my old Pommie uniform and Tanner was Chase from the cartoon, Paw Patrol. I was kind of sad he chose that because I thought the costume was kind of lame but the second he put it on I changed my mind completely!! How ADORABLE is he?! With those sticky up ears and his sweetest smile! *SWOON* I wanted to munch on his puppy cheeks all day! I kept his costume hanging on the rocking chair in his room for months, thinking one day I'd finally take his picture. Well, that day came 6 months later. So here he is in March, modeling his Halloween costume. Hey, at least it wasn't the next October. Olive was pretty cute in my cheerleading uniform. It was way too big on her but I pinned the top and we rolled the skirt and it sort of worked, haha. She also wore my old cheerleading costume from when I was a little girl, to her school party. Weston put a lot of thought into his costume. It was expensive so he paid for half. And the metallic paint on Collin's mask flaked off so that was kind of a bust, but it worked for the first few times he needed it. 

Happy Halloween!!