Maren's Ninth Birthday Party

Why is it that when ever you plan a birthday party at your house, something has to go wrong? It really isn't true. Just this time. It hadn't rained here since February, but the first drops of the deluge began on Saturday morning and didn't end until Sunday. Just in time for the outdoor party. And did I mention that we had 25 kids? Why do I do these things?

At least the food turned out well. I think the brains were the favorite menu item.




The other menu items were purple and orange kettle corn, salty bones, severed monster toes, witches fingers, cheesy witches slop with bat wings and boogers on a stick. (I am pretty sure these were the least favorite). We followed this feast up making our own dessert. The kids decorated in such creative and spooky ways to make their creepcakes. I loved them.





The after dinner activities included a visit to the Dr. Callaway's Scientific Laboratory where they got to feel bat wings, skin, brains, human eyeballs and witches eyeballs. The finale was a trip to the Haunted Garage. We planned to have this spook alley outside in the backyard, but the rain forced a morph. It turned out fabulously creepy and with the help of uncle Josh and Papa, we really scared those partygoers.

Then we (meaning all the grownups at the party) were ready for some peace and quiet, and started the Hocus Pocus movie, hoping and praying for them to sit and watch the through the entire length. And they did. Yahoo!

We sang happy birthday and cut the cake. It was deliciously creeptacular.



Yeah. It took a lot of time to make this cake. Yeah, I know. I could have done something much more productive. But I love it. This may be my favorite cake ever, even though it was structurally unsound.

All in all it was a good, but crazy and noisy party. I can't believe it has been 9 years since my firstborn joined our family. She is turning out to be a pretty amazing little girl. Happy Birthday, MG.

High on a Mountaintop

Clay today. Britt wanted to post a few photos of the recent dirt bike trip to Tahoe that I was invited on. This is most of the group.



View from a fire tower we rode up to.






The good news is that I won the contest to not have to share a bunk the night we spent in John's camper in a Wal-mart parking lot. The bad news is that I had a crash on the second day. I have an MRI today to determine the extent of the damage to the posterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament in my right knee.

Update: The PCL is badly damaged. No surgery though, since surgery to reconstruct the PCL is usually not successful. So 4-6 weeks of rehab and a brace for all activities will get me back in action at 90-95% of what my knee was. I asked the doctor if we could get that a little higher since my knee wasn't that good at 100%. He just laughed a laugh that said, "Cha-ching, this guy is gonna be a repeat customer."

Going Voting

Yea, I voted. It was SO nice to be able to walk in, get my ballot, and vote in under 10 minutes. They sure know how to do at least one thing right in California. No 3 hour wait with Kiera in the stroller for me. No siree!

Kiera and I went right after her gymnastics class. We were driving in the car and she asked if we were going straight home (we usually run errands). I said that we were going to go vote. Then she said that she needed to go home and get her live jacket. I thought and thought and couldn't figure out what she meant...

Me: You need your LIVE JACKET?
Kiera: Yup, my LIVE jacket.
Me: What do you need a Live jacket for?
Kiera: Well when the boat goes fast, you HAVE to wear your LIVE jacket.
Me: Oh, Oh, Oh! You thought we were going to go boating, not voting. Oh dear, this won't be nearly as fun.

If you haven't voted or boated please try to do so today, the latter might be a bit chilly. Don't forget your live jacket.

Getting Spooky

I am getting so excited for Halloween+Maren's birthday party this weekend.






The kids have been helping me get the house spookified and loving it. I think the consensus on the funnest project this year was the glittered bones featured above. You wouldn't believe the amount of glitter it takes to cover a small skeleton!



We are almost ready to boo!

Roasted Creamy Tomato Soup

At a friend's house last week, I was greeted by the most amazing smell. She was roasting tomatos, onions, garlic and basil in olive oil for dinner. Swoon. I had to be a follower and try it myself the very next night. Roast. Blend. Add heavy cream. Enjoy.

ma-reese

Happy birthday. Sorry about your birthday shout out being a couple of days late, please see below (Being the Primary Pres really gets in the way of your social life).

From the day I met you, I thought you were such a coolchick. (Now, as for you being 17 when our first semester started...sneaking you into the Edge for the next 2 months was really a pain). Jeez, I have known you almost half your life!



We had so much fun in the dorms. What did we do with our time?



Seriously, how did those skinny legs of yours hold you up?

Without you, I never could have learned to "shoot the duck". Man, if only we had started a business with all the time we spent at Classic Skate, the three of us would all be rich (or be able to buy a late model used car.)



And don't forget that time we tried to turn you into a Rude Girl. Never stuck, did it?



Utah Lake, oh the things that water could tell us...



Even after almost 3 kids for us both, I still think you are such a coolchick.

Happy Birthday, Holmes.

Truth Tee Shirt

Really. It does.

The Program today was fantastic. The kids were amazing. The spirit they brought was so cool. I hope they felt it too. I am lucky to work with such great children. They truly hold the spirit of our Savior in them. If only we could all be little children...Primary makes them happy.

Crying

Bawling, really. Still. Can't. Get. Over. The. Tragic-ness of it all.

Halloween Howls

Halloween time is when we all get to be young again. Masquerading as someone or something else brings such excitement to our otherwise mundane grown up lives. I love the creativity in the air, or is that just the smell of the 4th batch of pumpkin bread of the season? I really have no self control.



Kiera, predictable as ever, wanted to be a fancy mermaid. Never could have guessed that one, although on our way to the big party last night she announced that next year she wanted to be a baby vampire (I am pretty sure she means that in the sense of one who is not grown and not the Meyers-esque broodthirsty murderous type.)



Neve decided about a month ago that she wanted to be a robot. I thought, sweet, that is an easy one. A box for the body, a box for the head, a can of silver spraypaint. Done. The next day I got an email from school giving the rules for costumes at school. Only two caused me some pause.

1. Must be able to do PE in their costume.
2. No props, masks, etc.

Hmmmm. She drew me a picture of what she wanted her Nevebot to look like and we both got busy. We had a lot of fun figuring it all out. 



She is able to do something (I am not sure what) with:
1. a hose
2. fire
3. leaves
4. lightening


Anyone have any use for an adorable Nevebot with that specific skill set?

I tried to talk Maren into all sorts of awesome costumes. My personal favorite was a tulle covered ghost. I was politely declined. Ah, well, there is always next year. She makes a fabulously spooky, creepy she-vamp.



And since we were all either fancied up, microchip inserted, or creepified we headed up to the annual Trunk-or-treat at church. We were so lucky to be joined by our friends from school for the party. Aren't they darling.



Did you know the Primary Program was today and is now done? Last night's candy booty is almost gone already. I said they could have it for lunch.

Field Trip

So according to the title you are thinking...we have been on some amazing, exotic trip. Alas, it is not true. I did, however go on a very informa-cational 3rd grade field trip to the San Ramon City Hall. I know, I know...you wish you could have accompanied me. The travelogue will have to suffice. We'll just start out with the most exciting part...touring the facility. The kids loved this part.



It really did get better after that. The Mock Council meeting was the real highlight of the trip. Maren got to be the Mayor proxy and the rest of her classmates stood in for the council, the city attorney, even faux community members, etc. It was fun to watch them sitting in those big chairs with the microphones, looking so official. Maren rocked her character.



Maren's favorite part was banging the gavel. She said at first she thought she was going to go gentle with it, but once she got it in her hand she said she liked the feeling, and really whacked that thing.



After the mockmeeting they got thrown into the clink (more like a small office with handcuffs minus those all important scene setting bars).



They did get to touch the Officer Tom's handcuffs. After all those thrills would you believe that the highlight of the trip was the wild turkey who shuffled by in the parking lot while we were waiting for all the groups to be clinkified. Whonu?