Trim the Wild Tree

Every year at Thanksgiving, our family goes up into the Idaho mountains to wrangle a wild Christmas Tree.  This was Jacee's first year to go and I must say they brought home a beauty!  We tie it to the top of our van and then we decorate the Monday after Thanksgiving.  Props to my husband who did a great job on lights - it looks, in a word, magical.

 This year, John and I just let the kids put the ornaments on wherever they wanted.  My plan it to eventually get to it and balance it out.  We'll see if that happens or not.  

 This picture just seems so full of innocence to me.  My little Maddie having a quiet moment because this is the first year she gets to help put on the glass ornaments.  Before she was too young because she would break them.  She couldn't believe she is one of the big kids now.  It was a special moment for her to put on her first glass ornament.

 John was in charge of ornament dispersal.  

 Jacee had the honor of putting on our last ornament this year.  Quite a few years ago my friend Quinnette (thanks Q!) gave us a nail with a small red ribbon tied around it.  It symbolizes the Savior and His sacrifice for us.  It is always given a place of honor on the tree and the kids always want to be the lucky one to put it on.  Maddie is so darling, she calls it "the nail of Jesus Christ". It is her turn next year and she can hardly wait.

This was totally an impromptu moment.  I LOVE IT!  Check out that expression.  It is probably because of the season, or that I am just a cry baby naturally, but I just seem to be overcome with emotion when I look at this picture.  I am pretty lucky to have these three precious children.  They complete my wonderful life with my wonderful husband.  I am blessed.

Let the holidays begin!

The Day After

Yep, you know it's the morning after Halloween when each kid gets a bucket o' candy for breakfast!

Halloween - oh what a night!

 Here are my little spooks before leaving for school.  Jacee is Cleo d'Nile from Monster High.  Maddie is Dorothy, and Jackson is a Samuri Power Ranger.

 Jacee in the school parade.  She held a sign so people would know what she was.  What a smartie!

 This is right before they left Trick-or-Treating.  I have no idea what the peace signs are all about...but we just went with it.

 Somtimes I can't believe how grown up she is.  She went with Jackson and Maddie for a half hour and then  went with Kimble and Carter because they are the Kings of Trick-or-Treating.  She said she had fun and the boys took such great care of her, but she missed being with her family in our neighborhood (ahhhh) so she thinks next year she will stay with us...we'll see.

 Jackson, my sweet boy, he went for about an hour and then just hung out with us in the garage eating scones and corn chowder.  He likes candy but just likes hanging out.  Love him!

 Grama wanted to be a witch so we ran and got her a hat at Wal-mart.  I couldn't believe they were putting things away already and getting out Christmas stuff...it was hard to find Halloween stuff on Halloween!  She opted out of hanging out in the garage for the scone fest but enjoyed seeing our kids count their candy in the family room.

 Jacee's haul...

This is one of the first years we have had the Sunrise Petersen's over because they are usually in Mapleton.  We are so glad they came!  We loved having them over.

We our on our second annual Scone Fest.  We gave out everyone of our 204 scones and could have given more.  We need to remember when the weather is warmer, alot more people come out.  We ran out of honey butter and butter and napkins, but still had a good time.  We made corn chowder in bread bowls and had some friends over the entire time.  It was great!  We had so much fun I forgot to get the camera out during the actual festivities.  It is great to have people come in and hang out and chat instead of just a quick hey at the door.  WE LOVE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD!

Overall, it was one of the best Halloweens ever!  Great weather, fun costumes, fun company and a yummy night.  

 It is raining and snowing (a little) right now but that's ok...let the Holiday Season begin!

Another Great Pumpkin Carving Party

Corn Belly's

 I have to say, since living in Utah, we have been pretty loyal to HeeHaws Pumpkin Patch.  This year, we got some coupons for Cornbelly's so we decided to give it a chance - and we LOVED it.  With the coupons, it was cheaper than Hee Haws and everything was included in the admission price - so the kids could do everything instead of us saying, "No, you can't do that because it costs extra."  Hooray for Cornbelly's!  John got three shots out of the corn cob cannon for helping with the pig races - Jack loved it.

 Maddie was in heaven at the Pumpkin Princess Playground.  She had to have one serious shot and one silly shot in the carriage.

 This  might have been one of my favorites of the evening - the hippity-hop horses.  John was awesome!  I tried to get some action shots of his hair bouncing around - it was great!

 The castle changed our entire design for our backyard playset - we will now have a two-story castle instead of a boring old fort.  It's going to be awesome - someday!

 Duck races were Jacee's favorite.

 The corn snake was more fun to take a picture by than to actually walk through.

 These peddle cars were Jack's favorite thing of the evening.  We were pretty lucky and came when it wasn't too busy so not a lot of lines.  They got to ride the peddle cars a few times.

 The BEAST!  Jacee and Jack made it with dad while Maddie stayed out with Grama and me.

 Getting ready to watch the pig races.  Both Jacee and John got picked to help cheer for the pigs - 

good times!

 Maddie consulting the map while munching on a cracker.  She is a crack up!

We also went on two hay-rides.  One Grama loved and the other was way too bumpy and she couldn't wait to get off.  I think Grama's favorite part was sitting by a huge fire pit.

I must say, we had a wonderful time and will make Cornbelly's our new go-to place in October.

(PS - only six days until Halloween!!)