Happy Halloween!

If you know me, AT ALL, you would know that Halloween is my most favorite holiday of the year. No presents to buy, pretending to be someone different entirely AND you get candy. What is not to like about Halloween. Oh, I forgot, you also get to scare people! Hello - who wouldn't love halloween?

Yesterday we picked out pumpkins to carve at Dabb's produce stand......

Yes, that is Lyle (the owner), dressed up as a Punkin Head.....

Then we visited Aunt Becky

And then, Linny - photog extraordinaire - took some pics of the girls in the corn maze in their costumes (big props to the artistic genius - you rock!)

Hope everyone has an absolutely AwEsOmE Halloween!

Nightmare of a Movie

Wednesday night, Kristen invited us to see The Nightmare Before Christmas 3-D. I thought it was absolutely painful to sit through and would not recommend it - but hey - to each his own huh?!?!? Dad loved it, he thought the animation was great. Here's Bradee and Kaycee in their 3-D glasses - Marlee went on a date with Dad because we thought it would be a little intense for her (good decision)

After, we all went to Mc D's for our gourmet dinner - or not!

Kristen and me...

Me and my padre!

Crappy movie - but good company - that's all that matters, right?!!?!?

Trunk Or Treat

Last night was the Trunk or Treat at the Church. They had fun games (thanks to the awesome primary presidency - ya I'm one of them - hee hee hee), good food and the kids got tons of candy courtesy of our friends and neighbors!

Here's Marlee as Tinkerbell

Kaycee as Hermione Granger from Harry Potter

Bradee as the Grim Reaper (her idea!)

And then Bradee made a guess as to how many gum drops were in this jar and only missed by a couple, so she won the whole jar! Way to go Bradee! She's not as scary with her eyes open and a big smile :)

Hey -- Let's do this again tomorrow for school and then - what do ya say - Friday again for the actual day of Halloween?!?!? What a blast!

Dance Halloween Party

Monday was our 5th Annual Halloween Party for dance. We had a blast playing Halloween BINGO and musical Halloween pictures. The girls left with enough candy and prizes that they shouldn't have to go trick or treating - but i'm sure they will anyway :)

Here's my KinderKicks and Small Kicks Classes

And here's the Small Kicks (minus a few) and Junior Kicks

Sending Love to Heaven

Yesterday would have been Grandma Dille's 79th birthday. Seeing as this was her first birthday since we lost her to cancer in April, Grandma Elsa wanted to do something special to honor her. Everyone gathered at the cemetery and Grandma Elsa provided white balloons for all of us to send our love and thoughts and birthday wishes to Grandma.

Kaycee wrote a very cute birthday message to our "little" Grandma Dille and Marlee went to town drawing a picture of "grandma who's in heaven".

Here's Bradee's balloon with a picture of her and Grandma holding hands. That is one thing Grandma was really good at....always getting a hold of your hand and squeezing ya so you knew how much she loved you. The other side of her balloon said "I miss you Grandma - Love, Bradee"

Here's me taking a minute to write down my thoughts. There is no way I could fit everything on one balloon. I am so proud of the person my Grandma was and the example and legacy she left behind. I am a better person because of her and I miss her terribly!

Then, we all gathered in an open spot and said a prayer of thanks for Grandma.

Next, we released our balloons and all stood silently watching them make their way up to the skies

I hope Grandma was watching and could feel the enormous amount of love being sent her way

We Love and Miss you Grandma!

Mad Science....

Last Thursday, Kristen was so nice to invite us down to her work for a tour of their lab. Shane and Bradee are science nuts and Kristen thought this would be really fun. She was right! All the other kids enjoyed it too!

We started out with lunch at Noodles and Company.

Marlee and Kaycee

Savannah & Bradee

Shane and Allyson

Then we headed over to Axial Biotech - Kristen's work

Got the kids all suited up in lab coats

Here's Marlee's best impression of Dr. Evil :)

Here's the kids and Marc the scientist who is explaining about DNA - how interesting....

Bradee holding a real science tool - that i totally forgot the name of (she could tell you though!)

The kids got to put on latex gloves and feel this gel that they use in their DNA testing

Here Marc is explaining how the strains filter out and show up on the computer....you can sort of see it on the screen in the background

For the Grand Finale Marc threw some dry ice in the sink and let the kids watch it bubble and smoke. They had a blast!

Thanks Kristen & Marc!!!

'Cause this is THRILLER!!!

Last night was me and my Mom's 2nd Annual trip to see Odyssey Dance Theater's......

If you've ever been, you'll know that when you walk up to the building and head inside to get your seat there are zombies lurking around all over waiting to scare you! Mom hates horror movies and all things scary. I thought it was hilarious and asked some of the undead to help us with some pictures.....

I'll keep this handy in case I ever feel ugly.....

This is a BIG step for Mom!

Zombies doing Thriller

And one of my most favorite numbers - The Jason Jams

Can't wait til next year! If anyone wants to join us.....we can make a night of it!

My Brave Brave Girls

I just wanted to tell everyone how brave my sweet little girls are. First, Kaycee mentioned that she felt something funny in her chest. Well 2 years ago we had to have a cyst removed from the right side of her chest, so I was a little concerned and wanted the Dr. to check it out. The Doctor wanted us to have an ultrasound to make sure it wasn't something of concern.

Before the ultrasound, Kaycee got really cuddly and I could tell she was a little nervous, but she did an awesome job holding still. Here's Kaycee waiting for her ultrasound.

Here's the ultrasound of her chest. The radiologist came in and read the results and said it was hardened tissue - no cyst, no tumors, no SURGERY!!! - so we were very grateful!

Well if that wasn't enough stress on a Mom's heart for one day.......

I went to pick Marlee up from Preschool and she was excited and in a happy mood. When we were walking out, she pushed the gate (chain link) open to head out to the car. Well, the gate doesn't swing all the way open - a fact Marlee didn't know, and it bounced back. With Marlee still moving forward and the gate coming at her, she ended up with a pretty nasty gash on her eyebrow. Can I just say I never realized how bad a head wound can bleed! She ended up with it all down her face, on her shirt, in her hair and on both of her hands. A quick trip to the instacare and some super duper super glue and she was all fixed up. She was quite a little trooper! I'm so proud of her!

And a big huge thanks to Teacher Kristina for scooping us up and getting us home so Mom could hold Miss Marlee and dad could drive to Instacare.

Oh and speaking of bravery - check me out on this tall, tall ladder hanging pictures at my work.....

Meanwhile.....Lindsays NOT BRAVE feet stayed firmly on the ground.

Homecoming Parade

Marlee's preschool class was in the parade for the High School last week. She had a blast because she got to throw 4 bags worth of taffy. Cute Kiddo!

She's the one in the black shirt - ya know - the cutest kid on the float! :)

Out with the old.....

Well after a year of complaining that my back hurts and I need a new mattress, I FiNaLlY bought a new one. It is being delivered today with a new bedroom set - Stay tuned for pictures of my new "sanctuary". I let the girls go crazy and jump on my mattress this morning since it's outta here! They had a blast!

Way To Go Garrett!!

Last night was Garrett's Eagle Scout Court of Honor. It was a nice program and we're super proud of Garrett's accomplishment! Way to Go! Oh, and Gare Bare - you did a wonderful job speaking! Here's Garrett with Bart, Jen and James

Grandma Elsa and Grandpa Dale (Eagle Scout too!)

Grandma Z & Grandpa D

Receiving his award.

GOOD JOB!!!