Things I've Been Too Busy Enjoying To Post About

It seems I could use a few more hours in the day so that I could blog on a more regular basis. Or I might just adopt Bruno Mars "Lazy Song" as my life theme. That being said, we have been having a lot of fun the past couple of months, which is why I haven't posted anything (or could it be laziness?? I'm going to go with busy having fun).

October was a very eventful month for us. We went to a really fun place called Cornbelly's. They had a corn maze (which we got lost in, even if Jason won't admit it), bouncy houses, hay bale mountains, giant slides, jumping pillows, pumpkin patch, treats, bon fire, they even had a pumpkin princess. Despite it being cold and windy, which we're quickly learning happens often here, we had a great time. We stuffed our selves on sweets while warming ourselves by the fire pit, picked out some big o'l pumpkins and laughed a lot. The corn maze was ridiculous. They give you a map that could probably fit on the top of a pin head. Seriously, how is anyone supposed to read a map that small. But never fear we had Daddy with us, or maybe we should have had Mommy lead the way? Either way we ended up calling it quits because the kids were freaked out that we were lost. Note to self, next time get a bigger map and dress warmer. It was a great evening spent as a family and we look forward to doing it again next year.

The girls meeting the pumpkin princess

Sitting in the Princess' coach with their Prince :)

Looking a little too happy for rule breakers

Now Hyrum is looking the part

Everyone follow me! I know where we're going.

Oops wrong way... Now I know where we're going.

Poor little Hyrum just a little too short. So cute though.

Such cuties!

Somebody isn't very happy.

Yup, she's really not happy.

I think this thing weighed almost as much as he did. Nice try bud!

All smiles now!

We then geared up for Faith's big 8th birthday! She had one very busy weekend! Good thing we only do big parties every four years for the kids. The weekends festivities wiped us out (maybe that's because we're not in our 20's anymore). Her birthday was Friday, 28 October. My parents came out to help celebrate. I think we wore them out as well!

We did a small family dinner where Faith picked out the meal (and surprisingly it wasn't pizza) and we had done presents before she left for school.

Yes, Grandma we really put this picture of you and Grandpa on here!

We've got some Bieber fever in our house.

She even got a Just Bieber calendar (thanks Jason)

Now don't worry her big party was the following day, but not only was it a big day because of her party, it was a big day because she was getting baptized! She looked so beautiful dressed in white (and way too grown up if you ask me). She had such a wonderful baptism, filled with a lot of love and the strong presence of the Spirit. Our dear friend Rebecca Halsey gave the talk on baptism, I gave the talk on the Holy Ghost and my father gave the closing prayer. Jason of course got to baptize her. It was so wonderful to watch my husband baptize our oldest child. It brought back the memories from our own baptisms. We are so proud of the choices she is making and the way she is trying to live her life. She is a great example to us of being more Christ like. We love you so much Faith and are so proud to have been a part of your special day.

Her Grandma and Grandpa got her a necklace that reads; "I am a Child of God"

Mommy and Daddy got her her very own set of scriptures with a totally awesome hot pink carrier

When she went into the fount she looked up at Jason and said; "Daddy this is serious, huh?" I love that girl!

Looking so grown up!

Thankfully Faith's baptism was first thing in the morning. We had a small reception back at our house right afterwards. Then it was time to set up for her Halloween themed birthday party. She had a wonderful party! We packed 14 costumed little girls in our house and feed them sugar, soda, cake and then made them dance it off on the wii playing Just Dance 3. They were a great group of girls and Faith had a good time. We made caramel apples, decorated Halloween cookies and ate yummy cupcakes. She got spoiled rotten by her friends with the gifts they gave her. I had fun, but I'm glad we're a ways away from another big party.

In case all of the previous events weren't enough our ward Halloween party was a few hours after Faith's party. We decided to go 'cause we live on the edge here. Heck, the kids were already dressed for it why not, plus it meant I didn't have to cook dinner. We had fun taking my parents to meet our friends in our ward. We had chili and cornbread for dinner, yummmy! The kids did pretty well considering no one napped and they were coming down from their sugar highs, all buy Hyrum, that is. Poor guy couldn't make it. He about fell asleep in his chili.

Don't you just love the goatee we colored on him? He looks like a pirate elf.

On Sunday my parents came to church with us where Faith was introduced as the newest member of the ward. She very much enjoyed being the center of attention and wearing her "princess" dress. Now Emma is impatiently waiting till she's old enough to be baptized. It's going to be a long two years.

Leave it to Jason to be extra "classy". Did I mention he's our 6th child?

Monday of course brought Halloween, which meant more sugar. Our kids made out like bandits! We only did two streets and they brought home more candy than we put out. Their loot filled two giant buckets! They got good candy too, I mean the really good stuff. Us adults had lots of fun "checking" the candy for them. The things you do for the safety of your children, right?

Faith did NOT want to clean out her pumpkin, but we enjoy torturing our children, so we made her do it. Can't you see how much she is enjoying herself?

Emma wasn't as squeamish.

We survived October, YAY! It was pretty low key till Thanksgiving. We went to spend it with family in California, it was the first time we had had Thanksgiving with family in about 6 yrs. It was really nice. We brought our wonderful family friend, Katrina (who is attending BYU), with us. She had never been to California before. We spent Thanksgiving Day with my family at my sister's house (I'm sure they are glad to be back to a quieter house, except for maybe those sing-a-ma-jigs they tried to pawn off on us. Hahahahaha) We had a wonderful time cooking as a family and making mom cry. It was a really great day. We followed it up by playing the wii with my folks, Molly and Tyler. I really wish I had video of that, sooooo funny! We really enjoyed our time spent with my family.

On Friday we went to Jason's family's for our second Thanksgiving. We got to see almost all of his family, including one of his cousins we hadn't seen in years. We enjoyed more wonderful Thanksgiving food. By the end of this trip we ended up feeling like stuffed turkeys ourselves. The kids had fun playing with Nana and Papa's puppies, roasting marshmallows and eating s'mores. It was a wonderful time. We are so thankful we are able to visit so often with family now.

Now it's time to gear up for Christmas! My favorite time of year is finally here. The girls and I are going to go see The Nutcracker Ballet in a couple of weeks. Then Jason's parents arrive to spend Christmas with us, followed by my sister and her family and finally my parents will be our last visitors of the year. Then our schedule will calm down....well at least until June/July. What is happening in June/July you ask? Our family will be expanding by one! That's right we're PREGNANT (I mean is anyone really shocked)! We are 9 wks along and my due date is July 5! Jason is hoping for it to come on July 4th, but I'd be happy with mid to late June :) We won't be finding out the sex until the little one arrives, so we'll all have to wait till then.

We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!