Halloween 2013

So, Claire wanted to be a bunny this year for Halloween. I think she is the cutest little cottontail bunny ever! This is Claire all dressed up to go to the Ward Halloween Party. Kate unfortunately came down with strep throat the night before, so she had to stay home. It broke my heart to watch her watch her sister run out the door in her costume, but Claire is such a good sister she shared all her candy with her when she got home!

Hopefully all will be well by Halloween.

This weekend we made a trip to the pumpkin patch. This is the last year that this pumpkin patch will be running. Claire is so sad because she loves this cow train! She rode it 5 times!

Sam does not like to be stuck in anything. He wants to be on the go...or at least have the option of going if he wants to. He was not happy in the stroller so I sat him down in the grass amidst cow manure and pumpkins and he was happy as a lark!

Kate and her best friend, Izzy.

Claire and her good friend, Aiden.

Blackbeard the Pirate!

Claire was in a school play called "Blackbeard the Pirate." She was a parrot. I was so proud of her. She did something that would scare me to death! She said she had so much fun. I don't know where she gets it because being in plays is not Dallin or my thing.

She had a small speaking part. After someone asked the line of parrots, "Polly want a cracker?" All the parrots said, "I'll have a cracker!" Claire was the last parrot and she said, "I'll have an english muffin!" She did so good.

Her and the other parrots sang a bunch of songs and danced. Cutest thing ever!

Grandma Judy came up to watch. Thanks Grandma!

Claire is already excited to be in another play.

I was so impressed with all the kids. They learned the whole play start to finish in just 6 days!

Sam

 We are so happy that this little guy is in our lives!

God's Tender Mercies

 I recently read a talk by Henry B. Eyring where he said that at the end of each day he took some time and thought, "Did I see the hand of the Lord in my life today?" My children are one of those tender mercies that the Lord has blessed me with.

 I have the blessing of waking up each day to my three children. They are healthy. They are happy. They are each so different from each other, and each so similar. I get to see everyday the blessing that they are in each other's life, the lifelong relationships that they are developing with each other. I get the tremendous opportunity of teaching them and loving them.

 I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father of sending them to me. My children are one evidence of Heavenly Father's love for me. Do they drive me crazy? Yes. Do the days seem long? Yes. Do I make mistakes? Always. Do I often feel like pulling my hair out? Most definitely, but I cannot imagine life with out them.

 I am so lucky that I have the chance to stay home most days to mold them into the people that I have hope they will become.

How grateful I am for the overwhelming task of raising these little people. I worry about their future, the choices they will make, and their safety everyday. How I need my Heavenly Father to help me raise these wonderful children.

Makin' Laundry

 Dallin titled this picture "Sam Helping with Laundry," but I like the way my friend Kortne put it: "Sam is making laundry." I think that is more accurate. :)

Garden Party

 The kids went to a Garden Party at the Sacajawea this fall. They picked produce from the kids' garden and got to take them home. They made these hats. They made mint tea and played games.

 Just some pics of the kids in the stroller.

Kate's First Day of Preschool

So, I felt that Kate wasn't quite ready to attend Preschool this year, but I wanted to start teaching her some things so a group of friends with kids the same age decided to all take turns teaching preschool out of our homes. It has been so much fun for Kate! However, she can't wait until she can attend Miss Shanda's, but she loves getting together once a week with her friends...especially Izzy Oliverson. Those two are the best of friends. The kids in her class are Izzy, Dallin Hobbs, Isaac Linger, and Byron Davidson.

Each week we do a letter, shape and color. We also do extra fun parties on holidays.