Trick or Treat...Mario, Luigi and the Princess

Introducing: The Princess, our Kitty, and Mario & Luigi
(note: it turns out that the pumpkin we got with the wart looking things on it, is solid as a rock and totally uncarvable.
Weird...who knew?

Trick or Treat...guess who?

And yes... we're still dealing with the "pants" issue. For those of who haven't been witness to the predicament- For Lincoln, since summer when he wore his Cars swimsuit like every day, he has been ruined for long pants. He will not wear them, and when he does, he pulls them up. Still! To walk anywhere with him is excruciatingly slow and I've gotten two comments now (both in Costco, and both from grandpa-men, oddly enough) about 'getting this boy some shorts'.
I foolishly thought that sleeper pajamas would start to cure him...no, oh no. This is, of course, something we're going to expound to his prom dates and his wife.

So, about the costume... 'Luigi' from Mario Brothers video game. We learned very quickly, because of the many headaches, that we needed to drastically reduce Lincoln's access to Christian's D.S. game unit and the Mario Bros. games. At least now, not every sentence out of his mouth is, "I play Christian's D.S. now?". Oh... and he tells complete strangers, and everyone in ear-shot, for that matter, "I'm Luigi!", while jumping up and down.

You can probably guess, but yes... he does sleep in the hat.
He's the cutest dang Luigi we've ever seen!

If the Pumpkin Patch is the Icing...Fall Leaves are the Decorations!

My FAVORITE thing about fall...have to be the leaves in all their color majesty! A few pics from, practically next door, Butterfield Canyon with my dying point and shoot. (Hey Santa, guess what Mommy wants for Christmas?)

More Pumpkin Fun

Pumpkin Patch Time Again...Yeah!!!

I know...I know I haven't posted in forever! Well, here's some "picks" that should turn that frown upside down!

I absolutely love fall! No really... I ABSOLUTELY LOVVVVVVVVVVV FALL! The Pumpkin Patch is just icing on a delicious Halloween cookie! This super cute farm is practically down the road. It even had a miniature corn maze Matt took the other kids through while Calle and I scouted for out perfect pumpkin. (Note: You'll see Lincoln is holding a baby watermelon... yeah, we had to bring that home as well.)

First Day of School...2nd Grade already!!!

Home Sweet Home...at last!

It's a Wet, Wet, Wet Summer

Our new house is nearing completion- they say when your cement is poured you're on your way... your drive way. ha ha.































Here are three of the kids enjoying a very wet time at the splash pad and park right next to our new house. Calle felt it was more of a lounge-in-the-shade-with-mom-and-read-a-book time, more than making a wet and crazy fool of herself like her younger siblings.
(Note: We're thinking Lincoln is the real Percy Jackson. Evidence: we have to literally pull him away, kicking and screaming, from any water fountain, full bathtub, and yes, the splash pad. I don't even take him to the older kids' swim lessons, whoa... that would be epic disaster.)





































Our pit stop at the Maverick the other day afforded us something icy cold and wet to drink. This is a new Maverick to us, just down the road a half mile from our new house. I have to say it only confirmed for us that we're moving to exactly the right spot- they have Wild Cherry Pepsi ON TAP! Ahhhhhhh!
(Note: Notice on the cup what it says.... Adventures First Stop.)

We Have an Address!

Well...we had an address all along, but now we REALLY have a snazzy address!

Moving- The DOs and DO NOTs

DO...list your home with the right agent, for the right price and at the right time for you. Note: No time is ever a good time to move your entire life!

DO...pick the right moving/storing company for your budget and your sanity level.

DO NOT...get the false impression that you have ENOUGH boxes. You will never, never have enough boxes/containers for all your crap. In our case, 12-15 years of crap to be semi-exact.














DO...stock up on some of your favorite treats. When your sanity is gone...and it will, unfortunately, vacate the house LONG before you do, it will be the only thing left to get you through the: "Not another box! Can't I just go to sleep now!", or "What! I thought I packed that closet!". (note: the pictured treat/product does include a disclaimer about eating it unbaked, oh well)













DO...find a new house that you absolutely love, is in your budget and preferred area.

DO NOT...be fooled into thinking your new house would be an existing home.

As you can see, our new house is not exactly finished, and technically down the road and around the corner from our preferred area, but we are very excited!

DO NOT...underestimate the help and support of family and friends who will be there for you during this long, long, long, long, long process.
We love you all!

All Signs Point to Yes!

Here are the numbers:

5 days on the market
1 great agent
Hours upon hours, and even more hours of cleaning

This equals... SOLD!

(many prayers of gratitude!)

How Big is Your Bed?

It really started with Daylight Savings weekend (are we still doing that???). Larkin started not wanting to go to bed at her appointed time because the sun was still "awake". She wanted to go to sleep when the sun went to sleep. This idea of hers is actually in direct conflict with "I need a night light". There has been several discussions/whining sessions about the night light suggestion.

Anyway, this morning at ohhhhh 3:30 AM!!! she woke up crying/screaming as she sometimes does. I got her some warm milk and put her back to bed. She was looking longingly at the window and asked: "Is the sun awake yet?".
Lia's thoughts: I was like...you only wish.
Lia said: "No, the sun is not awake yet. He's still sleeping".
Then she made a statement only a small child would make that almost made getting up worth it (I said almost).
Larkin said: "He has a big bed doesn't he, Mom?".
Lia said: "Yes", I said, "he has a very big bed".

(Me walking back to my room, smiling and shaking my head, thinking I've got to remind her of that when she grows up)

A Sign of the Times

So, we're feeling like it's time to sell. Our first home, our 'starter' home of almost 12 years is now very cramped with all six of us. It seems like the kids' toys and paraphernalia is like a whole other person or two.
So it became official today and we've got the 'sign' to show it.
Very weird though...thinking about moving your whole life somewhere else.
If it happens- GREAT! If it doesn't... well, let's just say we wouldn't be grossly disappointed to have to stay on our street with the best neighbors and in the best ward a family could have!

Easter/Spring kid pics

THE Coolest Seat Belt Video! Ever!!!

Check out my "Favorite Links" for this great one!

Lincoln's 2nd Birthday!