Trick or Treat

We got back from our vacation just in time to celebrate all of our fun Halloween traditions. We carved pumpkins. 

It was so cold outside, so we had to move the pumpkin carving inside. 

We had our traditional mummy dogs, chili, and pumpkin oranges for dinner. 

We even had monster donuts and spider oreo cupcakes for dessert. 

Sunday we went to Tammy's house for our halloween party/ birthday party for Karly and Ryan. Tyler and I dressed up as the Brawny man and Mr. Clean, Makayla was a cute cowgirl, Caden was a pacman ghost, and Brynnli was a baby. 

We had the pickleball club presidents

The Jones family was all about the Jazz. Tracy was a ref, Cam was a player, Colton was the coach, Jerm was the concession man, and Carson was the Jazz bear. 

Mason and Rico as the superheros

And the rest of the group dressed up from 101 Dalmations. 

Tuesday was actual Halloween day. Makayla dressed up with all her friends. They were all cowgirls, but had different color hats and glasses

Caden's 6th grade class performed the Thriller dance before the parade. This is such a fun tradition the kids all look forward to. 

Caden's costume makes more sense when he is with his friends Tanner and Logan who dressed up as pacman and the ghost. 

Brynnli looked so cute as a baby. 

Trick or treating was so different this year because our kids just think that they can grow up and hang out with their friends instead of going trick or treating with their mom and dad? Rude. We took this picture before the kids headed their separate ways. 

Makayla went with her friends. They did a little bit of trick or treating, then watched a movie. Caden and his friends went hard and hit as many houses until they were exhausted. 

Cute Brynnli ended up going with me around our neighborhood. I was hoping she could go with some friends, but our neighborhood is lame and there are no kids her age. 

Luckily her costume worked perfectly with a stroller, so I was able to take her around to the houses in the next neighborhood for more candy. 

We can't forget cute Bella who was forced to wear her pirate costume again.

 Happy Halloween!

October

October started out with one of my girls' least favorite weekends, and one of my favorites... Epic weekend. The girls have to go to a 2 day dance camp in Layton where they learn dances from different teachers. It's just a really long and exhausting weekend for them, and if it weren't for the catered pasta dinner and chicken nugget lunch, they would really hate it. At least they got to drive up there with their dance friends... from left to right: Brynnli, Gracie, Makayla, and Kaylen

So why is it my favorite weekend? Well I get to spend the day shopping! I like to go to Target and to the mall for all day shopping fun. And since I am about half way to Brigham City at that point, I always go to lunch at one of my favorite restaurants from my college days: Firehouse Pizzeria. I love their bread, chicken cordon bleu pasta, and pizza cookie. I am so proud of myself too because I sit at the restaurant alone and I love it. 

Poor Bella is always freezing. She is content snuggling up with my blanket. 

Some of us can't hang for the late night movie. 

Bellis is my favorite. She loves to come for car rides with me when I take the kids to school. This morning I decided to stop and get her a pup cup from Starbucks because she is just the best. Is it just me, or does it look like Bella is smiling in the picture?

We have been trying to explore new places in Utah and we decide to hike Ensign Peak. Had I known what this hike would be like I may have changed my mind. It was a steep climb for the entire mile. We were trying to make it up to the top before the sunset, so we couldn't stop for breaks. The kids finally ran past me because I had to keep stopping for breaks. The kids just basically ran up the whole thing. We made it to the top with seconds to spare. The view from the top was totally worth it. 

On the way home we stopped for a picture in front of the capitol building and then for dessert at Chonuts

Saturday, October 14 was a pretty cool annular solar eclipse. The moon passed between the sun and the earth which obscures the sun. We almost drove down to Richfield because that was the place with the best and complete view, but our view in South Jordan was about 90%. Makayla just got out of dance and the other kids were at home. It was pretty cool!

Later that day the boys in the family went fishing. Carson and Caden were the only ones who caught a fish, but I think they all had a great time

While the boys went fishing, the girls went to lunch and Brynn found another Rosie the Riveter

The fun continued for Caden and Tyler because they got to go to the Jazz game! We decided to buy the weekend pass for Jazz games where we get to go to about 14 games throughout the season. We are so excited to cheer on our Jazz this year

Makayla was at a friends house, so Brynnli and I had a fun girls night at home with panookies and painting nails. 

These two had their primary program and they both did so great! This is Caden's last primary program as he is going into young men's next year. Caden is seriously the best. He was confident and clear as he spoke and multiple people in our ward told us how impressed they were with Caden's talk. 

Makayla is trying to earn money so she mowed the lawn, and she did such a good job! She is hired.

One of Makayla's classes this year is choir and although she will probably deny it, we think it is one of her favorite classes. We got to attend her fall concert and it was so good! 

Makayla and Layla are in 4 classes together this year including choir. 

I was shopping at Walmart as I walked past this Halloween display and had to do a double take. This dog looks exactly like Bella!

Check out this huge pumpkin that my dad grew in his garden. He is really going out with a bang since this is his last year doing a garden. 

When we got back from our vacation, Tyler and I got to go the Jazz game on a little date night. I was one of the best games to watch and I had so much fun with my favorite person. 

Bella got a hair cut. She looks so cute. 

Brynnli took all of our crafting sticks and made a huge tower. 

October has been so busy and so fun.