Swimming in October

 

 I love California!

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Halloween Cupcake Par-tay!

We had a few of T's buddies over for a Halloween cupcake party and it was a smashing success! The kids, of course, were in heaven over cupcakes, frosting and candy for decoration...not to mention a house full of toys and friends. I can guarantee you that our house was louder than any home ever has been, but it was all worth it to see T feel so happy and loved.

One of Talmage's friends can't eat Red-40 food coloring, so I had to be creative with my cupcake coloring. I ended up using beet powder in the cupcakes and pureed strawberries in the frosting. The colors were no where near as vivid as the food coloring options, but it did the job and let her know that we cared!

We did dessert first, and then I let the kids each decorate a mummy pizza for lunch. Added a couple grapes and carrots to their plates and we were set for a mostly balanced lunch (which hopefully offset the gobs of frosting they were licking off their fingers!)

All of the kids with their cupcake creations:

PS--Someday my kid's going to learn how to smile for the camera like Frankie! How cute is that picture!!!

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There's something about a toddler in a hoody...

...that is just WAY too adorable.

 

Proof provided:

 

Evie and his toddle-run. He's still not totally coordinated and has lots of bumps and bruises on his head to prove it...but boy does he feel like one big kid running around!

The only thing Evie loves more than playing in the sand is spotting an airplane. He LOVES planes.

He's mastered our courtyard's big boy slide and does it all by himself...sometimes he has a crew down below to catch him though ;)

I don't know if there is anything I love more than that cute smile of his! Especially lately when his toddl-tude is starting to show it's ugly head more often ;)

These three cuties were also on the playground, looking sweet-as-can-be in their fall weather gear! It just happens that Everett was the poor soul who had Momarazzi following after him!

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I think he wants to be like Felix

T and I were completely captivated by Felix Baumgartner's recent jump from outer space. I thought he was crazy (in a respectful and maybe slightly enviable sort of way) and Talmage thought he was plain awesome. T grabbed his Space Roger and watched almost all 3 hours of Felix's "special mission." I'm just so glad he was safe--I was having sympathy claustrophobia watching him sit in that teeny tiny capsule. 

I think T wants to be like Felix, and I'm still trying to feel OK about that!

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In its trail

The minutes and weeks are flying by like those military jets we saw shoot across the dusky sky last night. It was an awe-inspiring scene when the two sleek, gray planes broke the sound barrier in a display seemingly meant just for our little family. It was a precious moment, and within seconds it was gone with only the smallest trace of white ash in its trail. And so it is with my life lately; the most beautiful, cherished moments of my children's Stanford childhood are coming and going as quick as can be and this is my somewhat sad attempt at white ash.   

 

For family night we talked about putting on the full armor of God. I think Talmage was more mesmerized with the new play clothes than with my biblical lesson...but it was a good start! T is a very spiritual person and loves learning from the scriptures. I am so grateful for his Sunday nursery leaders because he comes home and tells me scripture stories about Jesus' ressurection, healing the blind man and the priesthood almost as if he memorized the lesson! He has been having nighmares lately and we taught him that he can say a prayer and Heavenly Father will give him peace. He tells me, "Jesus is always with me, isn't He Mom." So sweet. 

This most mellow of babies is turning into a typical toddler full of trouble! He loves climbing on almost anything, emptying cupboards and making messes. He also is a very scrappy little fellow and gives T a piece of his mind (or nails) when Talmage tries to boss him around--we're still working on hitting and scratching! But of course, they fight one second and they love each other the next--hugging, kissing and their new favorite, wrestling.

My delivery-boys helping Mom pass out fliers for a courtyard event. They are such good, super-cute helpers (but don't use the c-word near Talmage!)

James and I snuck out for a little date night. We drove around a ridiculously long time just trying to figure out what we wanted to do. We ended up at LuLu's for the most incredible shrimp fajita burrito I've ever had and a bottled root beer.

I've been looking for perfect frames for months. Searching thrift stores tirelessly. And last week when I saw these three sitting together at our local Goodwill I could have cried, or shouted for joy. I love them so much, especially together and filled with pictures of our fam.

I am SUPER loving everything braid right now. I wear some sort of braid most days. This one was for Jordan and Maddie's California reception.

Uncle Chase is well-loved by all of us and was missed at the reception. Ash and I both felt a little home-sicky for him but we are so proud of him and everything he is doing.

Round 2 of wedding festivities was beautiful. The California reception was delightful--the flowers were stunning, the music was great and the pumpkin cupcakes with salted caramel frosting...oh man! My mom did a great job planning the event, and Jordan and Maddie looked beautiful and so in love. We are so happy for them!

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Some Ketchup

We slipped out after the kids were in bed for a double date. We were kind of giddy about being kid-less for an evening and may have acted like teenagers. I can almost guarantee that no one in that restaurant would have believed that we left four kids at home ;) It was SO much fun! 

 

Ashleigh always looks cute in pictures, even in the silly shots. Where's the justice when I always look like a goof?

 Me and my man!

I think I laughed so hard I cried multiple times during this evening. Like when our waiter called his manager over to Ash so that she could complain and her face went beet red. Fun-ny!

Captured in this picture is Everett's first ever steps in a state that is NOT California, as well as a mad amount of drool! We were pretty happy for him--and as you can see he was thrilled (but maybe mostly just because he was out of the car!)

The two little besties. I can't even describe to you how much they love each other. I wish we could be neighbors and they could hang out everyday.

When we were in Utah of course we stopped by BYU. We wanted the boys to taste chocolate covered cinnamon bears and Talmage wanted a BYU shirt "wif a cougar on it!" I got my bears, he got his cougar and we were all happy!

We had lunch with Kate at the creamery on 9th. I just love that place! And when T found out that ice cream was included with the kids meal he loved it too!

After I left to put the kiddies down for a nap, James and Kate were able to walk around campus a little more, see her apartment and try to track down some of Jim's former professors. We loved seeing you Katie!

All I wanted was a picture of our two future BYU roommates wearing their BYU gear in front of BYU...this is what I got! They are adorable together, have I mentioned that before?

Jordan and Madelyne before their family dinner--do you see that rainbow in the background? Yep, that's pretty special.

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The One and Only Mr. Horsefeather

Two pictures of the incredibly hilarious and entertaining Mr. Horsefeather, back again at our Stanford family welcome event by popular demand!

 

Two pictures of Mr. Horsefeather's number one fan! He somehow slithered his little body to the very front row and smiled the whole show away. He hysterically laughed everytime Mr. H dropped something or had a balloon smack in his face after blowing it up. Such three-year-old humor very fitting for my little man!  

 

Two pictures of my scaredy-baby who started out near the front row, but quickly retreated to the back row when Mr. Horsefeather started running through the crowd. He sobbed until we moved...and then he very, VERY cautiously watched the show. He might have enjoyed it, but he didn't let on to it.

Two pictures of famous friends from our courtyard on stage with Mr. Horsefeather. We only hang out with celebrities ;)

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