Halloween and Fire Station

Fall! What a fun time of year.  At the pumpkin patch choosing our pumpkins with Grandma Sannie!

Halloween! Kasey and Shelby got to sport 2 costumes this year, thanks to cousin hand-me-downs. The first night was a trunk-or-treat – Shelby as a bunny and Kasey a monkey.

Then we dressed up as family – Luigi, Peach, Toad, and Mario! Kasey kept saying, “It’s a-me! Mario!” Kris and Kasey’s costumes were pretty simple. I made Shelby’s vest and hat (I was just so glad she wore her hat the whole night!). Luckily enough, someone in our ward was Peach the year before. She had done a fabulous job with a costume, and I was so grateful to borrow it from her!

Shelby snuggling up with her cousin Braiden.

Our little Toad! I just couldn’t get over how cute she was in her hat!

More Halloween fun…our homemade decor. Kris made One-Eyed Willie the Spider (although Kasey kept calling him Kris) with the kids.  Then, he strapped a construction harness on Kasey and they both went out our attic window and put Willie on top of the porch. (I believe there’s a video of this somewhere…)

Kasey hung some bats and ghosts on a branch and we stuck it in a bottle of chestnuts. (The kids had so much fun gathering them!)

Kasey helped me make some pumpkins – he painted plates and designed the faces.  Honestly, who needs Pier 1 or Hobby Lobby anyway, right? All you need is a 4-year old!

Kasey and Shelby had the best time painting their pumpkins.

Our pumpkins in all their glory…one looks a little confused…

Fire Station Field Trip with Kasey’s preschool!  Only 10 or 15 minutes in they had to rush off to the rescue, but we still had a good time.

Did you say fire?

Kasey’s Birthday

4 Years Old! (Um…6 months ago… )

Yum!  Cake!  Kasey requested chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. Must be his mother’s child.

New baseball gear, clothes, and toys from fam!

Kris having fun with his Grandma Glenna. :)

And…from mom and dad? (Mostly dad….) A go cart!

Kasey is ready to ride!

Kris bought it needing a few repairs, but he and Kasey got it all fixed up before Christmas –  just in time for a test run! What a fun father-son project.

New Port Beach

The sad news – Lake Powell was closed for our October trip (due to our government shut down).  The good news – we ended up going to the beach! It was one of the best vacations with kids I’ve ever had. Truthfully – I really felt that we could relax and enjoy ourselves!  Lake Powell is wonderful, but you have to be quite vigilant with the kids when you are around the water 100% of the time. Our trip to the beach was just what we needed!

When we arrived, we changed into swimsuits and went straight for the beach!

Hurray!  We’re finally here! It was a long long drive, but armed with suckers, donuts, and movies, the kids did great!

The kids loved the sand. Shelby kept poking her head in it like an ostrich.

So, Kris and Kasey decided to join her.

We stayed at a house just one street away from the beach.  It was incredible. We also rode our bikes along the beach front – we loved looking at the original, charming, and new houses along the beach.

On one of our biking adventures, we bound a park – Dad took both Kasey and Shelby on a little climb. We also found a little spot to long board – Kasey had the best time on his bike and Jenny’s penny board.

 

Kasey looking smooth in his aviator glasses.

One the nights, we rode our bikes at sunset to eat dinner on the Pier. It was just beautiful.

The kids with dad at dinner (I believe it was Ruby’s.  We sat on the upper deck – beautiful view).

Kasey and Shelby playing in the sand. They were in heaven.

Playing with dad. The kids didn’t venture into the water too much – just to let the waves tickle their toes. Mom and dad went body-boarding and had a blast.

Our family at the beach.

Back at the boat house – Shelby found a comfortable way to eat her dinner.

We went on a little family bike ride one morning and ate some of the most delicious donuts I’ve ever had (even better than Hurricane Lin’s donuts, if you can believe it.) Then we took a little walk on the beach collecting sea shells. Loving Shelby’s footprints and piggy tails…

Kasey and Shelby jumping to dad! (A sad side story: Shelby was climbing up the ladder onto the platform, and I was filming saying how we’d had such a wonderful time, then half-way up the ladder Shelby fell off! It was a sad and ironic moment.)

Shelby fell asleep with Papa Payne on a bike ride.

Kris holding our darling child by one leg – Sheesh!

We went on another biking adventure through some charming neighborhoods to find ourselves at the harbor.

Beautiful view!

Shelby – I just can’t reach the sand!

On the way home, kids tuckered out from an amazing vacation!