Halloween Week

Actual Halloween hasn't even happened yet, and here I am blogging about it. However, if you can't tell my blog is getting kind of neglected as of late and I really want to document this time of year. We still have construction, which is going good and complicated at the same time. We are starting to frame, but in the same token we are having some issues with plumbing the bathroom, so we will will see how all that turns out. We have had to rent a cement saw twice, but I think we will be done and the plumber can do what he needs to now, but we will see. Cross your fingers, tomorrow we will find out. All the stuff is ordered for the bathroom, so hopefully we can get things moving on the project, so it will finish not too far off schedule. We will see.

Window well complete.

Found the drain pipe.

Dug a hug hole to find it.

Hung out first wall.

Okay, so despite the construction and how crazy our life feels right now, I really wanted to keep up with our Halloween Traditions. I simplified somethings tried some new things, and you know I think for the most part everyone has enjoyed it. The girls are still super excited to dress up and go trick-or-treating tomorrow even though it will be FREEZING! Luckily, I think Gaupo is taking them.

So, as most of you know we make ghoulish food for dinner starting at least one week before Halloween. So here are the picks of the food this year.

We started on Sunday with Ghost and pumpkin shaped pancakes.

On Monday we had Autumn Sausage casserole (not pictured). These were jack-o-lantern pizza rolls. We had them on Tuesday.

Wednesday we had spider burgers and octopus dogs.

Thursday was jack-o-lantern cassadias.

Friday was our ward party. But Saturday we did meatloaf hand and ghost potatoes. We had leftovers of it on Sunday.

Monday we made sorcerer's pasta.

Then the Halloween Dessert that is back by popular demand is dirt cake. This year we did dinosaur gummies instead of worms.

As you can tell some of my sculpting and or decorating needs a little work, and the sorcerer's pasta didn't turn out too wizardly, but you know you try new things and sometimes they work and some times they don't. It is kind  of just how it goes. Plus, my kids actually like most of the food this year, so that is always a plus, and we have been able to do more leftovers, which is nice for me. I have a really hard time sometimes getting homework and dinner made and done every night, so this was a good mix for us. Plus it was fun to try something new.

In new things this year, Tia's class arranged a family "field trip" to a pumpkin patch. Everything except the pumpkins were free, so the girls had a blast playing with their friends in the little straw maze they had there. Then the girls and I went through the corn maze together. Luckily about the time they really started to worry we might not get out we found the exit and got out, so they enjoyed that too. I was actually super pleased with how it turned out. I was worried I would have to tell them no on a bunch of stuff because it would all cost money, but I didn't. They were a little bummed about not getting a pumpkin, but luckily they already had some at home. We had a really good time. We did miss having Gaupo with us, but we are sure glad he provides so well for our family. Here are some pictures of the pumpkin patch.

In the corn maze.

Kylee

Tia

Tia the witch

Kylee.

Also, in  new things. Tia got her first birthday present. Yes, it is almost two months early, but we were going to get it for her birthday, but she kind of needs it now. I am getting to the point I can't really unbuckle her by just turning around anymore, and she hates that she can't get out of her carseat herself, so often begs to sit in a regular seat and I often let her. So, I decided it was just better if we do it now instead of later. she loves and was so please with it.

Opening up the box.

Doesn't she look so pleased and grown up in the picture?

Me running morning carpool--Me, Tia, Kylee, and Emmet.

One other Halloween tradition we have is carving pumpkins. Usually we do it with just us, but this time we had the missionaries and some friends (Little John, Melissa, John, and Alex Lopez/Barajas) over. The girls had a great time playing and carving. Tia still doesn't really like getting the guts out whereas Kylee loves it. They both had definite ideas about how they wanted them carved and their dad did a great job helping them. It was a little crazy in our house with all those people, but it was a great night.

Gaupo and the girls cleaning them out.

Kylee with her pumpkin.

Tia and her pumpkin.

The girls with their pumpkins all lit up.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures. There are kind of a lot in this post. Oh well, they are so cute.

Also, just in other news... Kylee climbed all the way to the top of the rock wall tonight. First time EVER and she totally rocked it!

Kylee almost to the top.

Tia at the top.

General Conference Weekend

Kylee asked me what I was going to be doing tonight and I told her I was blogging. She then said, "Mom, don't forget to blog about my teeth." So, here it is. Kylee has now lost five teeth. She lost two about a year ago. Then she pulled out one on Sept. 30th. Then she pulled out one on Saturday morning (Oct. 6) and one Saturday during the morning session of conference. She lost three teeth in less than a week and couldn't be more please about it. She has a giant front gap and then a little tiny gap on the bottom, but it is so cute. She has been wanting to lose teeth for awhile and they just never got loose enough, but man as soon as I agreed with her that those were loose teeth it sure didn't take her long to pull them out. She has been visited by the tooth-fairy. This last time the tooth-fairy gave her two quarters, a dime, and nickle for each tooth and she was so pleased and felt like she got enough to share some money with her sister. She is such a good big sister. Tia thinks it would be really cool to lose teeth, but so far none are wiggling, so I think we are good on teeth for awhile.

Monday after the first tooth.

Saturday morning. Missing just two teeth.

 In other updates, this last weekend was General Conference. We were able to watch all the session and I attended the Women's meeting. I totally missed my sisters and mom as I went by myself, but its okay, I know they all went, so we were united in spirit. The weekend previous to this one, when we told the kids that General Conference was coming up they said, "Yes, we get to watch tv and have treats." I don't know that food and tv should be motivation for loving conference, but they sure do love those reasons. However, when I heard their enthusiasm I followed up with what they thought would be good treats. Kylee said, sour patch kids. Her dad then convinced her what she really wanted was Swedish Fish (that is his favorite). Gaupo also requested monkey bread. Tia said donuts. We ended up with donuts, sour gummy worms, Swedish Fish, and nuts. Then we made monkey bread on Sunday morning. It was actually a really great combination. The girls were awesome about it. They were so excited for conference and they waited until it started and sat on the couch. They saw me with my notebook, so then we had to find notebooks for them too. They took notes for a bit and then asked for treats. I told them they had to wait for the song in the middle and then we would get treats. I was amazed at how well they could wait and how little I got asked for them. But, boy howdy, when that song came on they were ready. They did wait till after it was finished to get them dished up, but they were ready and loved them. They so much knew that, that is when they could have treats, that during the Sunday afternoon session I went to go wake-up Kylee during the song and I came back down and Tia is helping herself to her treats. She sees me come down and says, "Its over." I couldn't argue with her and she actually did pretty good portions, so it worked out well. I enjoyed conference. I still kind of wish I could have heard more, but sometimes that is how it goes with kids. Saturday the girls did really good with listening, but by Sunday they needed more to do and worked on some puzzles, but needed help with them, but at least they were good and I could hear most of it. I love having the words or prophets and apostles piped directly into my home it is such a great treat.

On Saturday we also worked on our basement. We got the 2nd window installed. It took some work, so good neighborly help, and some lessons learned but we got it in. Then today when we installed its twin it didn't even take us half the time it was so much faster and easier. However, we also had our contractor friend Greg come over and talk about framing with us and that is a bit of an overwhelming thing for me, but I think I will sleep and feel better about figuring everything tomorrow. That is one thing I have truly learned from this project, sometimes you just need to let your brain bake on the information before you act on it and then a lot of times as you sit down to do it with a fresh mind you can figure it out and it isn't as bad as it seemed. The basement is coming along, I really hope it gets done in time, but we will see. We just have to keep working on it and doing our best and we will get there.

Gaupo and our neighbor Brian installing the new window.

The windows on Saturday night.

The window we installed this morning. (3rd and final)

The twins seem to be growing good. I go to the doctor tomorrow to check on them, so we will see for sure. They sure seem heavy. I wear my 'belly band' almost all the time now and it helps a lot. I still have a big belly in the way of just doing things the easy way, or doing lots and lots of things, but really I can't complain it all seems to be going well. I hope that is still true on tomorrow's appointment.

The girls seem to be doing well in school. I had parent teacher conferences and both girls seemed to being doing fine. Kylee is a little behind with reading, but her teacher didn't seem real concerned about it, so we will just keep working at it. She is getting a lot better and I think she will get where she needs to be. Tia is making friends and loving preschool. We had a family swim night on Friday and the girls loved the slides, diving board, and they tried out a new thing called log rolling. Log rolling is just trying to stand-up and roll and tube with your feet. We did barrel walking as kids and its the same kind of thing just in the water, so when you fall it is into the pool, not the hard ground. The girls loved that. They said it was their favorite part and they haven't wanted to go back and do it again. I am very glad the kid that was running it was patient enough to help them.

That is pretty much our life: growing babies, construction, school, and family. I think this is probably the most balanced our life has been with working and playing and you know what it is kind of nice. Sometimes it is really overwhelming and I wish we could just do nothing, but you know it more fulfilling when we do something. Plus Gaupo and I really enjoy working on house together and the kids tolerate it pretty well too. So, all good things all good things.

Just a fun picture of Tia.

Our house is all decorated for Halloween.

Tia wanted to take a picture. I said "of what?" Tia: "Your big fat belly."

Oma and Papa Came For A Visit

This blog seems to be getting neglected lately and I haven't even had the twins yet. Oh boy! Life around here is mainly full of construction, kids, church and work. Even when Oma and Papa came that is a lot of what happened around here. Although, we are managing to try to keep playing, so we can enjoy life not just work all the time.

Oma and Papa came just over a week ago on the 22nd. They arrived around 4pm on Saturday afternoon. We were so excited for them to get here and thought that they were taking forever to get here, but they finally made. The girls started the ball rolling by showing them all of their 'tricks.' They showed them how they can dance to the fox song, attempt to do handstands and cartwheels and a slew of other things. Then they took them outside and showed them how they can ride bikes, scooters, trikes, and even got Papa to pull them in the wagon. The good thing about Papa being stuck in a car all day is that once he is out he game for going just about anywhere especially if he can walk. He doesn't like being cramped in the car. So, he pulled the girls in the wagon to the park and Oma joined them. I didn't go because I was kind of having a rough bit. I was just tired and to be honest Saturdays are a little hard. I mean they are super great it just seems like they are very demanding and this particular Saturday I had the girls all day because Gaupo was at work, we were assigned to clean the church, there was a baby shower (which was a much need social outlet, but I still had to take the kids), and then getting ready for my parents to come. It was all good things and probably normally I would feel like a super mom, but right now isn't normal, so I was just kind of tired of being asked to do things, I just wanted to sit and talk. So, anyway Oma and Papa and the girls went to the park and they had a great time. Oma got some great videos of the girls riding the wagon down the the slanted driveway at the school. They were really funny to watch because they really couldn't stay in the wagon, because they were always wanting to try something new or different, but it was cute. After sitting for a bit and kind of unloading on Gaupo when he came home (Poor guy, but he is a great listener) I started getting dinner all cut up. We had Teriyaki chicken, roasted zucchini and squash, and rice. I thought it tasted great, so it was a good start to the evening. We actually had dinner pretty late, but I think we still let the girls play for a bit, but then we did baths and got them in bed. The girls slept in the blue room, so that Oma and Papa could have their beds. After the girls went to bed, Gaupo and my dad went to work on the basement and my mom and I just talked. I think that is what I miss about living at home most is just being able to talk to my mom face-to-face. I know I can call her and I do and we talk a lot, but its so nice to be together. We visited until the boys called it a night and got cleaned up and then we all called it a night and went to bed.

Oma and Papa getting shown the basement.

Sundays are becoming my favorite day of the week, because we don't do anything by church and our callings. It is nice to let the basement, homework, and housework just sit. Also my girls are getting better at sleeping on Sunday morning and since it is the one morning a week I get up at 6:00AM still I get quite a bit of piece and quiet and it makes a great time to put the final touches on my primary lessons. I read and prepare almost all week, but I don't actually sit down and get things ready till Sunday morning usually. I think it might be because that is when I feel the least rushed, most awake, and have the most energy. Plus, no kids can mess up my bag before church. Anyway, I got up and got ready and helped my girls get ready. We had breakfast and then we all walked to church together. Another thing I love about where I live, walking to church. It such a great way to start the morning. Anyway, we went to church and my co-teacher actually couldn't come, so my mom subbed with me in primary and that was really fun. I kind of missed showing her off in RS, but having her with me in Primary was fun and Kylee thought it was AWESOME! As part of my lesson everyone got to show us one of their talents, and Oma took a turn and showed us how she can take off her thumb. Those kids thought it was the most amazing thing ever. I have to admit she is really good at it. I know the trick and it still looks legit. It is definitely a talent she has. After church we came home and had a lunch of leftovers and then took naps. Then we visited and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon. We introduced Oma and Papa to scrambled pancakes and they both thought they were good. We also served sausage and smoothies. It was so good. Soon after dinner it was time for the girls to go to bed and then we just talked and visited some more.

Monday was a work day. My dad mowed our lawn, weeded our garden (which was super bad), and the worked on cleaning out the basement. He also helped my mom and I with our project. Our project was canning applesauce. Our family loves applesauce and we eat a lot of it. So, my mom graciously offered to help me. Really she ended up doing quite a lot of it. I helped while Tia was at school, but once Tia was home like a thousand things happened. My mom says she lost her momentum a bit and I can totally see why. Tia came back and needed attention, our contractor adviser came over and so Gaupo came home and we both talked with them. Then we need to get lunch and just a lot of stuff, but luckily my mom was here because I would have had to stop and I would have had a giant mess, then I would have had to start back up again and it would have taken forever and I would have been in no condition was so ever to be any kind of mother. We canned 5 quarts and about 38 pints of applesauce and it is so good. After all that work and working with the kids on their homework we got dinner all packed up and we went and had FHE at the temple. Luckily the grounds crew had the gates open and we could walk around for a minute. Then we sat outside and we talked about being together forever and about Derek (it was his 3rd birthday). I brought out my 'Derek' box and let the girls touch and see everything in there and then we went and had dinner and the Twin Silo park. The girls love that park and I thought at 3 Derek probably would have too, so we would celebrate. We played until it was dark and the teenagers were coming out. It was a great way to end the day. Play hard, work hard, and be with those that matter most. I was exhausted because I didn't really get a nap and so I went to bed really early like 8:30. I felt lame, but sometimes it just is the way it is. I am so glad my parents were able to help us and enjoy with us a little bit.

Oma, Kylee, Tia, and Papa

All of us together.

Tuesday morning Oma and Papa went with me to take Kylee to school. Then we came home and played for a bit. Then it was time for Tia and I to go to O.T. and for Oma and Papa to leave. It was way to short of a visit, but I am glad they came anyway. It was great to be with them and have them in our home. They left the girls notes and a couple of fruit snacks each as a thank you for letting them use their beds and the girls thought it was the best thing ever! We loved having them visit. It was so fun to have family around.

*Apparently I need to get more pictures from Oma about this visit.