October

It was stake girls camp this year at Camp Lomia. Bishops and their wives were invited on the last night for dinner and games. They organized a cute game altogether where they put up a picture of a bishop as a baby and everyone had to vote which bishop it was. If the crowd guessed right, that bishop got a pie in the face by one of the YW. Then we split into wards and Travis and I played games with the girls then had a devotional and testimony meeting. We brought Twisted Sugar cookies as the treat. I guess it had been rough going because the camp was infested with bees and the girls had been crying and terrified the whole time. By the time we got there, emotions were high and a lot of expectation had been put on bishop's night. Hopefully we delivered!

Olive still comforted by the parent pillow.

Millie was a champ and took these girls to the lake two different days during fall break.

Collin started driving school with NControl Driving School. It is the scariest thing in the world to drive with a new driver. I have not been good about practicing with him. Travis is MUCH better to do it. The first time on the freeway I had an actual panic attack. 

Reviewing Tanner's school work, I noticed a sweet little note on the back for his teacher. He wanted her to circle her reaction to seeing it.

It's that time of year... pumpkin bar time!! Everyone is a fan!

Isn't it the most beautiful dinner you ever saw?! My kids HATE when I do these types of dinners... buddha bowls.

Bored swimmers entertain themselves by drawing on each other.

Morrison Ranch Halloween Festival is always a hit. Tanner was thrilled when he saw real police officers there.

I CAN.NOT.

UGHHHHHHH. We discovered mouse droppings after getting home from our cruise. Like, in our bed!!! I was dying. Literally dying. So so sooo freaking gross. I set out traps and cleaned everything. Killing it wasn't even satisfaction enough. 

Collin placed 3rd at the Phoenix Country Day meet!

Tanner loved playing flag football! He was on a team with Tyde, Tuck, Drew and Luke. Rowdy boys made for a barely tolerable carpool ride home but he had a blast.

For our family Halloween dinner I attempted homemade witch's hats. The picture online looked better haha.

Instead of a Halloween movie they opted for Halloween episodes of The Middle.

First time our ward has had a Trunk or Treat. I went all out for ours. We put up a canopy over the bed of Travis's truck and rigged it with a mister system. Then I put up blue plastic table cloths over the tailgate and set out a paddleboard for the kids to walk down in order to "fish". I had my boys lay in the back of the truck to hook a piece of candy onto the pole. Beach chairs and inflatable tubes were decoration. It was a hit and we always had a line of kids waiting. I made sure to have good candy. Full size baby bottle pops and other coveted candy. We won first place... which was awkward because the bishopric was in charge of awarding it. 

Della got baptized! The primary kids sang a special musical number. It was really fun taking her baptism pictures. Shelley had her all done up like a doll and she is so photogenic!

Cleaning out Olive's room. She has loads and loads of medals. Bu-bye!

Camilla spoke in her stake conference and it was BEAUTIFUL! I love her so much.

We had our first tithing settlement (declaration) with dad. It was such a special experience. The Spirit was overwhelming and I felt so lucky to have him as our bishop and set this example for our kids.

We finally did it! We bought the ice cream machine! We will invite the youth over on Sunday evenings for Sundae-Funday with bishop! But for this first time, there was a world-wide youth broadcast and testimony meeting. I loved having everyone over!

Time to clip those wings!!

Much better.

Carving pumpkins for family night and I attempted caramel apple "nachos". No bueno. The caramel hardened as was like chewing tar. Lesson learned.. don't use the microwavable caramel... use caramel dip!

Olive wore her costume to dance one day.

He lost a tooth!! His first tooth! 

I love my weekly appointments at the temple. And now I get to be a temple worker!!! Ahhh!!! I've wanted to for awhile but didn't see any way to fit it in. I was talking to my friend, Alisa, who works there and she was saying how if there is anyway possible to work in the temple to do it. I felt the Spirit wash over me so strongly I was in tears. The most undeniable prompting. Travis adjusted his work schedule so I could do the first shift and he would cover getting the kids ready for school. When I applied, every single shift had a waitlist. I was disappointed for a second but then figured, God told me to do this, so if He would provide a way. That very week I got a text from a lady in our ward, Tammy Larson, who is a shift coordinator for the Tuesday morning shift. She said she had heard I applied and was able to get me onto her shift!! I was so thrilled!! I met with Pres. Pugmire and was in tears for our whole conversation. I felt so humbled and grateful. He set me apart right then and there and his wife gave me a tour around the temple. My start date was set for Nov. 5! 

Dress up day at dive!

I took Tanner to my parent's ward's fall festival. So fun to see all the familiar faces from growing up. Jane was a hit!

The Greenfield Elementary costume parade!

The most darling Lugi and Mario! Olive had fun pairing up with Emily Ngygen. 

On actual Halloween, Tanner was sick of his police costume that he'd worn for 4 other parties and opted for a football player. I walked with him down our street until he was off with friends, running the neighborhood. I felt a little sad that my youngest was already done with me! Olive was off with Emily and the boys were grounded for getting into trouble with the police (its a whole story). So I joined Travis on the driveway, handing out candy... and potatoes, haha! They were a big hit again. CJ Cottrell and Allison Law won for most creative costumes!