BOO!

We had a nice Halloween. Last Friday we celebrated with our ward at the traditional Carnival/Trunk-or-Treat.

Steve went as a mad scientist and I let the girls paint a jack-o-lantern on an old orange T-shirt of mine although Lila kept saying it was the baby's costume and I still needed to be something and the girls were My Little Ponies, Ellie was Rainbow Dash and Lila was Pinkie Pie.

 

The girls during the costume parade. They are so big to look out for one another now--I love it!!

We enjoyed soup, salad, and rolls then went around to the carnival activities. As a Primary Presidency we usually do a cupcake walk, but this year was a little crazier because Steve also volunteered at the Cub Scout bean bag toss. So I took the girls around to the booths with some neighbor friends and then dropped them off where they finished off the night helping Steve while I worked the cupcake booth. Then I passed out candy while Steve walked them around Trunk-or-Treat. The girls and I stayed and helped gather/take-out the garbage while Steve vacuumed the whole church. Let's just say I was tired when we got home. ;) I love that my husband just quietly does his part and we specifically asked the girls why we all stay and help and they both said at the same time, "because the more people that help the easier it is." I am grateful for opportunities to teach my children such important life lessons and of course they had a fun evening and came home with candy they spent the next day sorting and trading with each other.

Here they are showing off the face painting. They were so sad to wash it off before bed. There favorite babysitter Sarah did it and they wanted it to last forever. :)

The girls both got to wear their costumes to school and have a little class party today. Then my family decided to come see the girls in their costumes so we all hung out for a few hours and enjoyed after school snacks that included monster mouths (apples, cream cheese, and marshmallows), banana ghosts, jack-o-lantern jellos, and they each got to make a mummy dog like last year. I did make a salad for the adults. Super simple, but it was nice to enjoy each others' company (and of course I didn't get any pictures--can I blame it on the fact that I'm 9 months pregnant!). Then the kiddos watched Toy Story of Terror and Steve took them trick-or-treating with the Olenlsagers while I passed out candy.

Tomorrow we celebrate Steve's birthday, HOORAY! I met him for lunch today since both of the girls were in school and we enjoyed a nice Mongolian BBQ lunch and then tomorrow I'm taking him to see Ender's Game at the theater, pretty low key, but we want him to  know that we love and appreciate him!

It's a Contagious Bug

So I took a nap this afternoon and when I woke up Steve was painting the outside of the french doors and the posts on the new deck (remember that project I thought would wait until spring). I asked if he had caught my nesting bug because yesterday he was also found organizing his computer equipment in the basement. He even went on to paint the front door this evening. He said he was just enjoying what could be our last really nice day of fall. He also got to go on a bike ride with Matt so I think he really did enjoy a good productive day and the finished project looks GREAT!!

Nesting

Well, I spent the day Wednesday grinding wheat, making pancake mix, cream of wheat, and canning applesauce (such a good thing to have on hand for a baby). Then Thursday I had a doctor's appointment, Ellie had piano lessons, and the girls had their dental cleanings. After the dentist I drove to Snowville where I met my Mom and she took the girls for the weekend since they didn't have school on Thursday or Friday. I have to admit it is awfully quiet around here, but it was nice to sleep in and relax. Friday I went to the spa and got my hair done. Saturday Steve and I worked on some projects around the house in preparation for winter and the baby. We went to the temple and enjoyed a dinner out without stressing out about being back for the babysitter. It has been a good weekend and I know the girls have had fun with Mimi and Grandpa, but I'm ready to go get my girls so I guess we're off to Snowville to meet them. :)

Field Trip Day

Ellie's class went to the Treehouse Museum today. I have been volunteering on Tuesdays until the baby comes and thought that I would go on the field trip with them (especially because it will most likely be the only one I can go on since the baby is due soon). It was fun. I had a good group of kids and they were able to do some fun activities. Ellie was being shy and didn't want to participate in the play the class put on and was finally convinced to be "Jimmy" in this story they learned from Argentina.

Then as it turns out Lila also had a field trip today and she was able to go with her friend Sophie and her Dad. They went to the pumpkin patch and had donuts and apple juice. She loves school and all of the big kid activities she is doing!

While Daddy's Away the Girls Will Play

Steve went to California this past weekend to do some work for his brother, Doug. Lila was so cute on the drive to the airport. We talked about how the trees are changing colors because eventually the leaves will fall to prepare for the snowy winter. Then she asked if palm trees lose their leaves and I explained that palm trees usually grow in tropical areas where it doesn't snow and she said, "That's borrowing! No snow." Steve was in his Audi because we were dropping it off to get the timing belt done and I told her it was getting some work done on it and she said, "to make it go faster?" I guess she knows Daddy was a race driver in a previous life (he actually wrote that on a name tag at one of the first events we went to together as a couple). I told her she was silly and she said, "Yeah, I think everyone should call me Lila Jane Moore Funny."


Then the girls and I had a fun girls' weekend together. Thursday night we painted our nails and watched a movie snuggled close to the fireplace.  Friday I took the girls to the pumpkin patch to pick out their pumpkins and then to Paces for dinner and ice cream.  

My attempt at a "selfie". I couldn't figure out how to turn my phone camera so I could see what the picture was going to be. Then the girls and their pumpkins.  Good thing Lila wanted a small one because then Ellie could carry it so I could carry Ellie's pumpkin.

              Right: Their finished decorated pumpkins. I have to say they are so creative--I didn't help them at all.

Saturday, Ellie had an early soccer game so we packed hot cocoa to help keep us warm. She has being playing the forward position quite a bit this season and happened to be in the right place in front of the goal when the ball came her way and kicked it in to score her first goal of the season. Then she dribbled the ball from mid-field all the way to the goal, it was one-on-one and she kicked it hard, but barely missed the net. She was pretty non-chalant about it that I had to ask if she actually kicked the ball in and she said, "Yes, but did you see me almost score that other goal. The girl on the red team was pushing and pushing me and I just kicked it as hard as I could." Then we spent the afternoon just chilling until we picked up Steve late that night.

Today we got to visit with Steve's sister Jessica as she travels through. It was nice and she was so thoughtful and brought us some of her delicious berry jam and a cheesecake. Now every time the girls make anything with the jelly all I hear is, "MMMMM. MMMM. It's because Aunt Jessica made it."