Halloween Miscellaneous

A few weeks ago we made a trip out to Gardner Village  on a nice warm day.

I fell in love with this cute idea...

and tried to copy it for my front porch.   I really like the way it turned out.

Have I ever shown you my cute hutch?  

It was sold to me years ago from a dear friend for nearly nothing.

See my $80 skeleton hanging up?  When Cole was 4, he pulled off one of the legs while we were in my favorite store. And like a good customer, I paid for the darn thing.  Brought it home and fixed it.  You can't even tell.
We remind Cole every year why I have it.  I didn't like it at first but I really like it now.  It's grown on me.  But that hefty price tag never will.

It is SO fun to decorate my hutch for the holidays!

My favorite thing about it...

 is when its all lit up at night.  Cozy.

Pictures from our day.

Love frankie checking out MaryJane's shoe.

 Hope you all have a Happy Halloween!

Blessed

On 10.10.10, Frankie was blessed.  

I'm so grateful to Kevin who gave him such a beautiful blessing.  

 It is so cute to see how he's got eyes for his mama.  I love it!  He is always staring at me with such a peaceful calm.

 Frankie is now 4 months old.  Growing, but not too fast.  

Weighing 10 lbs 14 oz at his 4 month appointment.

I wouldn't have it any.other.way.  

The best thing about Frankie having Down syndrome is his slow growth.  Allowing me to enjoy my baby a little longer.  Words can not express how much I adore him!

He is the best baby!  Sleeping through the night already.  

And learning to suck his thumb.  It is so cute. 

Frankie has a birth defect on his right hand called Syndactyly.  His three fingers are fused together.  The plan is to have them sepereated.  He has an appointment in December that will determine his timeline for that.  This birth defect has bothered me zero.  It's quite endearing actually.

I am so grateful for Heavenly Father to send this little boy to our home.  The Lord knew I needed him in my life and I am constantly filled with emotion thinking how true this is.  He sent him here for me.  I know that frankie will teach me many lessons.  And although this road may have rough times, I'm so excited to embark on this journey with him.  I have so much love to give.  

Smiles

Don't let Mr. serious fool you.  I waited a very long time to see this little boy smile.  

 He's tough to crack.  But when he does...

 I can't get enough! 

Oh, I LOVE this little munchkin!

Little Leopards

Sadie had so much fun at a week of Cheer camp at East high,  where they filmed High School Musical.

We later went back for a photo shoot after I refashioned her very large shirt they gave her.
I used this easy tutorial.

Up until now, my kids have never seen High School Musical.

Now, they can't get enough of it!  Everyday is a HSM sing along!

After Sadie had watched it, she made sure to thank the cheerleaders for the movie they had made.

Too many cute pictures.

Sadly, they had to wear jeans.  This skirt would have been much cuter!

MaryJane was thrilled to wear it on her behalf.

 

Sadie had so much fun!

They got to dance to Miley Cyrus, Party In The U.S.A on the field.
She loved every minute of it.  Can't wait for next year!

Snack Plate

Snack Plate

I was on Kami's blog a few weeks ago and stumbled upon this great idea.  I can't find the link for the life of me.  It was linked somewhere through her Bento post.

 It seems from the time my kids walk in the door from school to dinner time, they are starving and graze on everything in the snack cupboard.  Granola bar after granola bar until they are all gone.  Then, when I'm cooking dinner I'm all stressed because they are chomping at the bit to be fed.  Ahhhhh!

So the snack plate has saved me.  I use a section tray plate for each kid and put a bunch of little snacks on there.  I use a toothpick at any chance.  This is an easy way to make sure I offer some healthy choices to the kids.  Ham, cheese squares, grapes, apples, crackers, a cookie, even Ritz crackers with PB & J (yum).  The kids DEVOUR everything on that plate and are very satisfied til dinner. :) They beg for the snack plate when they get home.  They love it!  On days when we are on the go after school and I make them grab an apple or so, they whine for the snack plate.  I can throw it together really fast or even make it before they get home. 

Thank you to all the bloggers out there!  You have really helped make my life simpler with all your great ideas!

Park City

 The first weekend of October we went to Park City and stayed in my MIL's timeshare.  It was so nice to get away as a little family and watch General Conference.  The condo had just been remodeled and had two big flat screen T.V's.     

It was so nice to be taken away from our normal weekend duties.  We were able to focus on each other and spend great quality time together.  

While grocery shopping there I found Pick- UP Sticks. It brought back so many memories from my childhood.  I love finding things like this to introduce to my kids.   

They loved it and so did I!  It was the weekend favorite game.

Growing up, my mom used to make these yummy Carmel Pull Aparts for General Conference weekend.  This was the first time I've made them for my family.   They LOVED it! 

(I halved the recipe and only put nuts on half)  

Caramel Pull-Aparts

48 frozen Rhodes rolls

2 cups chopped pecans

1 cup butter, divided

1 1/2 cup brown sugar, divided 

1 package butterscotch pudding

Cinnamon

Grease two bundt pans. Sprinkle 1 cup chopped pecans in bottom of each pan. Add 24 frozen Rhodes rolls to each pan, laying the rolls in a circle. Divide 1 package of butterscotch pudding between pans and sprinkle over rolls. Melt 1/2 cup butter and mix in 3/4 cups brown sugar. Pour butter mixture over pudding; repeat step with second pan. Sprinkle each pan with cinnamon.

Cover pans with a damp paper towel and allow to rise overnight. Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Invert pans onto plate and serve.  

 I printed off these cute packets for the kids to color during conference.  I found them at Sugardoodle.net.  (Love that website!)

It kept them entertained and quiet for a good hour, possibly more!  My kids love to color and create!

After conference we went for a little nature walk.

Sadie kills me with this headband.  She is way into them.  This one is from her Halloween costume that she wants to wear daily!

 Gotta copy my big sister at everything!

 Sadie is into a piece of hair hanging out.  She must think it is a bang.  Ha Ha Ha.  You have got to see her school pic.  I'll have to scan it in.  

I had a great idea to put MaryJane in the Bjorn since frankie was in the stroller. She did not want to get in it.  But once we got her in, she didn't want to get out. 

 Kevin learned quickly that the Bjorn is not so comfortable on the back.  So we reversed it and Sadie wanted on too.  This whole combo didn't last long though.  I was afraid MaryJane would fall out.  

She was not happy to end her ride.  

Nap time feeding time.

This was just after my frazzled 2 hour shopping experience at the outlets.   Kevin was nice to take all the kids while I got a little 'me' time on our family weekend.  I needed a few clothing items and a black skirt.   I'll spare you the long story but it ended with me having a decision making melt down at the sales counter.  The sales girl listened to me rattle about having to make decisions in such little time with my family in the car (ready to go swimming) while trying to decide if I really wanted this cute black skirt.  Pressure, pressure, pressure!  She talked me into it.  I know she thought I was nuts! 

 I grabbed my purchases and ran.  

One problem,  I had just bought a black skirt at the previous store and was now on my way to the pool.  

Thankfully, after taking them both home to decide,  my friend who lives in Park City returned one for me.  Thanks JuJu! 

See what I mean?  I'm frazzled.  

Need less to say, it was a great weekend!  We all had such a good time together!