Halloween Overload!

Halloween was non-stop action this year.  We definitely lived it up.  Sit back and enjoy the longest Halloween recap post ever!

We began our festivities with pumpkin carving on Thursday night. Grandpa Griff was on site to assist with the carving, Randy was the official pumpkin cleaner outer, I was also a carving expert, and the kids were busy running wild and wrestling. 

 Hank really wanted the werewolf and Grandpa was happy to oblige.

 He also mustered up the strength and artistic ability to carve this bat.

 I started off my carving with a classic jack-o-lantern face.  It didn't really challenge me too much.

 Max really wanted the spider but Randy and Griff were too scared to attempt it.  I willingly accepted the challenge, although I don't know why! It was much more work than I bargained for.  Max wasn't nearly as impressed as he should have been.

This is the best the pumpkins looked since it was pouring rain on Halloween night and I couldn't light them.

The next day Hank got to wear his costume to school and have his Halloween party.  Then Randy and I dropped the kids off with Kunz and we headed up to Salt Lake for Evil Ball 6!

Let me introduce you to Anita and Waldo, officially the most random couple ever!

Where's Waldo?

I kind of enjoyed my long black locks, not going to lie!

Sarah and Brett as the adorable Coach Taylor and Tami. (Friday Night Lights for those who are out of the loop.)

These two definitely made the most dramatic transformations.  I'm still scared.  Where are my mommy and daddy?  All I see is the joker and the wicked witch of the west.

You could not tell it was my gorgeous mom at all.  She was robbed in the costume contest.

 Ahhhhh! I really hate freaky things, like my daddy turning  into the joker.  Brett did an amazing job on my parents make-up.  Who knew Coach Taylor was such an artist?

 My viking aunt and uncle.  I really think Chris needs to wear this costume to work.  They won best overall costume.  Chris was having a little too much fun with his horns!

Grandma Gaga partied it up all night.  I think it's pretty rare to have an 80 year old grandma who knows of Lady Gaga.  She even requested "Poker Face"!

 The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who aka Larry and Becky

 The evil ball hosts, Devo and his wife Amy Winehouse aka Phil and Jil

 We had two officers on site Riley and Ryan...just a little FYI, Randy rocked this costume 4 years ago!

 Ahhh look these sweet BYU co-eds aka Wyatt and Lindsay

 Tami and Anita had some killer dance moves.

 Where's Waldo?

I can see where I get my dance skills!

 Oh HUN!

 Gaga got her groove on as well.

 "Crack That Whip"

Waldo and Anita danced the night away!  We had such a great time.  Thanks Phil and Jil!

The kids were anxious to see our pictures the next morning and were a bit troubled by how crazy we all looked in our costumes.  Max insisted on taking a picture of mom, a normal picture.

See Max, mom is back to normal.  I remember seeing my parents dress up when I was little and it was a bit unnerving.  Sheesh, it's still a bit unnerving!

I made a quick jaunt to Costco, whipped up some delicious black bean chili and cornbread, and got the kids ready for trick-or-treating.  Grandma Jackie, Grandpa Curt, Grandma Jeri, Scott, Kunz, Lynn, Kate, Dan, Sarah, Brett, Grandma Yvonna, Grandpa Sherm, and all the kids came over.

Mr. Buzz Lightyear

Snake Eyes

The weather was awful.  Rain, wind and cold wasn't going to stop these two from getting their candy.

Colby and Hank were on a trick-or-treating rampage.  They started at 5:30 and didn't quit until 9:00!

That face...I can't stand it!  He needs to wear a tight purple hat all the time.

Hank humored me and held the umbrella for one house and then ditched it since it was really hindering his speed.

Max really loved trick-or-treating this year.  He endured the harsh conditions for over an hour and then proceeded to take a bite out of nearly every piece of his candy in his bag.

Jack-man was the cutest puppy I've ever seen.

Isabel and Lucy really got into character.

Dyson rolled in around 8:30 after hanging out with his friends. This is a great look for him!

CANDY!!!! Oh my sugar overload Mino.  He was so wound up it took him a good hour to fall asleep.  We all crashed last night and didn't wake up until after 9 this morning.  What an exciting, exhausting Halloween.  I'm sort of relieved it's over.  Happy Halloween!

Wet Weekend!

Friday night, Randy and I decided to check our timeshare availability so we could take the kids somewhere overnight.  We found a 2 bedroom condo in Bear Lake open on Saturday night so we booked it and packed our bags Saturday morning.  I love spontaneous road trips.  Before we ventured out of town we went to Hank's last soccer game.

Despite the dark clouds looming overhead, Hank had a big crowd present to cheer him on.  My mom and dad were there as well as Jeri and Scott.  Hank was sprinting extra fast for them!

 Unfortunately the rain ruined their last game and they only got to play one quarter.  They had such a fun season and a great team.  Their coach was very intense to say the least but he made sure all the kids had a great experience.  The assistant coach did a fabulous job subbing players in and out.  He is a master with the stop watch.

After a quick stop to Chick-Fil-A and the Halloween store, we were on our way to Garden City.

 

The drive up Logan Canyon was spectacular.

The kids were overjoyed with our accommodations.  We had 2 huge bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a living room and a kitchen for them to run wild in.  They claimed the master bedroom to be theirs.

 Hank couldn't wait to try out the pool.

 Since it rained nearly the entire time we were there, we hung out at the indoor pool 90% of the trip.

 Vacations RULE!

 Classic father and son photo

 Remember how I spent a fortune on private swimming lessons for the kids this summer?  Remember how well they were both swimming just 2 months ago?  Hmmmmmmm.....

 It appears they completely forgot what they learned.  Hank was scared to death when Randy made him swim to the side and Max wouldn't even get his face wet.  Awesome.  Money well spent.

Post swimming we headed to a nearby pizza joint.  Max fell asleep in approximately 20 seconds and didn't move from this position the entire time we ate. 

 After watching The Boy Who Cried Werewolf, (a classic) the boys crashed and didn't move until 8 the next morning.  They woke Randy and I up with swimming suits in hand.

Of course we agreed, I mean what else are you going to do at 8:30 in the morning?

Hank could swim all day long, his brother on the other hand was ready to go back to the room after an hour.

 He refused to wear his wet swim suit outside so he we just wore a sweatshirt and his running shoes, a look only Mino can pull off.

 Hank and I stayed awhile longer and had to take a picture to prove I was in fact on this trip!

 After we checked out we ate at a classic small town diner.  I  tried desperately to get the boys to walk by the lake with me but the rain and cold wind was enough to deter them.  They preferred the warm car to a frolic on the shore with their mom, oh well, maybe next time.  It was nice to relax and get away even if it was only for a day.  Family time is the greatest.  I love my boys!