October Happenings

October was a busy month for our family. And a very important one.

One of the first things we celebrated was Grandpa Byron's birthday. Braxton and I made him a cake which ended up looking weird but tasting great. It was carrot cake (his favorite) so we made a smiley face out of raisins on it to try to disguise the fact that is looks like an exploded volcano. Haha.

We went to a reception for some friends of ours where they had a cupcake/candy table set up. Braxton rushed right over and grabbed the biggest thing he could see - a big lollipop. He sure loves candy. We got him to spread out the actual eating of it over a few days so he didn't get too much of a sugar rush, although I'm beginning to think by this point he may be immune to it. We try not to let him eat too much sugar, but I'm not sure how well we do. We don't buy it, but it seems everywhere we go he gets it. Especially this time of year.

Jason finally got a much needed vacation, though it may not have been the most relaxing. My sister and her family came to town for a visit while her husband is in between deployments in the Navy. We had a barbecue at the park where the kids could play on the toys. Good thing for uncles and grandpas to give parents a break every once in a while. Plus the kids like them better anyway. Haha.

On Saturday the 22nd our family was able to go to the St. George LDS Temple and be sealed together for all eternity. It was a beautiful, sacred occasion. We dropped the kids off in the nursery while we got ready and changed into our white clothes. When they brought the kids into the room where we were, Braxton looked at us, looked down at his white outfit and said "I look like Daddy!" Then he came and sat on my lap and looked at me and said "You look cute!" It was so precious. Easton, the sweet little thing, slept the whole time, which worked out great. We had a friend of ours who is a professional photographer take pictures outside the temple, but we haven't gotten them from her yet. I will post some when we do. Here is a picture from our camera in the mean time.

That evening we had a very nice potluck dinner with our friends and family. It was fun to be able to see each other and talk and enjoy everyone's company. And the food was great, too. ;)

I am so very thankful to have my family sealed together and to know that we can always be together as a family. I love these boys. All three of them. And am so fortunate to have them. I know that families are the center of the gospel and what this life is all about. How thankful I am for mine.

We had a great time together as a big family while Holly was here. One night we went to dinner with our family, Holly's family, Elmer and his girlfriend, Jenny. We invited my dad, but he couldn't come. Having my brother and sister together with me and not having a parent there felt like we didn't have adult supervision. I know we are the adults now, but sometimes it feels like we are still the kids. We just happen to have kids, too. Haha.

Another night we carved pumpkins all together. Not sure how I didn't end up with any pictures of all of us carving away at our pumpkins on my living room floor. Here's our pumpkin, though. Another night my dad's girlfriend, Diane, invited us over to her house for a really great dinner she made. Her and Grandpa had made the kids Halloween goodies (stickers, candy, toys) in a big soda bottle. Again, no pictures, but it was a really cool thing. They cut the side of the bottle open to get the goodies in it, then taped it up and put cute paper as a "label" of sorts so you couldn't tell it had been cut open. So Ailey unscrews the lid of her soda bottle to "pour" the things out then realizes there's no way to get them out. It was cute.

Jason and I and the boys went to Circleville for a few days at the end of Jason's vacation. It was super cold (at least to us St. George folks) and Braxton had to stay inside most of the time. We did, however, discover that he will spend hours sitting in one spot if he has Grandma's homemade playdough and the "playdough toys" (cookie cutters, rolling pins, and of course, a car to drive through it). I finally decided that we should put the playdough away for a while so that his legs wouldn't atrophy. Haha. Plus it was afternoon and he was still in his jammies. (Not that that's so unusual for us.)

Of course, October wouldn't be complete without the much anticipated last day - Halloween. In looking for costumes online for Braxton he decided he wanted to be Thomas the Train. I found a whole bunch of great homemade costumes like this one, and was going to try my hand at making him one, but Jason said there was a very simple one at Walmart for $10. So I decided that would be easier (and probably smarter for a 2 year old who may or may not feel like cooperating when Halloween night comes). Braxton was so excited to put on his "Thomas Train" outfit all month. He was a pretty cute little train, if I do say so. Not that I'm prejudice or anything.

Easton was going to be the lobster that Braxton was for his first Halloween, but it's a very warm costume and it wasn't particularly cool when we were getting dressed up. So I decided to go with our backup "adorable pumpkin" costume instead. Again, he slept through a lot of the trick or treating, but he was a cute sleeping pumpkin.

Our ward had a trick or treat block party of sorts in a cul de sac which turned out pretty well. It's more of a homey feel than our trunk or treat's of past years since we are actually in the neighborhood instead of in the church parking lot. There were some fun costumes, including this couple from "Nightmare Before Christmas". We also went to visit some friends of ours who wanted to see the kids' costumes. I told Braxton to say "Trick or Treat" when they opened the door. He got a little confused and said "Hi! Happy Halloween!" and gave them some candy out of his bucket. It was adorable.

It's been a great October, but alas, it is over. Now it's time to take down our ghouls and ghosts and put up some more subdued Thanksgiving-y decor. Jason is over the grocery and fresh areas at the store, so November will no doubt be a busy time for him. Oh, and did I mention they also gave him a "special project" of being in charge of all of the planning and execution of things having to do with "Black Friday" (which they are calling "The Event")? Ya, so we probably won't see him much at all.

All well, at least he has a job. Even if it is a crazy one sometimes. And I don't mean to make light of the fact that we are very thankful for it. I found out that a friend of mine may be moving to North Dakota because her husband (an accountant) lost his job here in town. What a nice surprise right before the holidays, huh? Not to mention that she's about 8 months pregnant. Oh, yes, we are very fortunate and thankful this November.