More Fall Fun

And now we've come to Halloween. I know you are starting this where I ended, so it is a little backwards, but it all comes together. And Halloween is just so much fun, it doesn't matter where you start. For Halloween, we went to the ward's trunk-or-treat and magic show. The kids were amazed when the magician turned a duck puppet into a real duck. Too sweet. They talked about it for some time afterwards. Then we went to our old neighborhood, no hills, and trick-or-treated a couple of streets. Brother Bear was such a doll, knocking on the doors, then opening them because the people were just not fast enough. Not to mention the way he screamed "Trick-or-Treat," at everyone. He meant business, the girls at this age wouldn't even go to the door, even after they were offered the candy. It was a goodnight, but it was the end of the month, which meant all my hopes of avoiding a third November baby were dashed.

Some of the school fun the kids have had. Carley had her first red ribbon week, which also meant we had our first talk with her about drugs. Now she thinks all bad guys do poisonous things because good people make good choices. We'll give it another try. Anyway, she got to wear all red and do her hair crazy, so we put a lot of barrettes in. She was pleased and had a good time. then they had their Halloween parties. Keeley's and Brother's was with their playgroup and Carley's with her kindergarten. I made their costumes again this year. Keeley was excited to be Ariel until she saw the modest spin I put on the top. After all that, she decided she would rather buy one!! Good thing she's so darn cute... Carley didn't say anything but thank you, good thing too, hers was a toughie. I met another mother at the party who made the same costume for her little girl and had all the same problems. Glad to know it wasn't the operator this time. Brother was Tigger. His was easy, and he was so excited to hold it, but when it came time to put it on, boy did he fight. And cry. And scream. I thought for sure he would love it, he was so excited when he saw what I was making. He kept saying, "My Tigger, Yay!" All that hard work. They do look darling though, don't they.

On Tuesdays we meet for a playgroup. A couple of weeks ago, we took a trip to the local pumpkin patch/ corn maze we have in town. It isn't much to look at if you are an adult, what with the corn maze being 3 ft tall and pretty sparse in some areas, but the kids always have a good time. They really enjoy feeding the animals and climbing on the equipment.

Here we are, harvesting all those pumpkins we grew this year. It was exciting to get so many, it makes me want to give the bigger breeds a shot again. And, as always, we have some of the most stylish helpers.

Getting caught up on blogging takes a long time, plus everything is coming up backwards and I don't want to fix it, I just want to get frustrated. We went potatoe picking with Grandpa Ray again this year. It isn't easy work, especially when one is almost 8 months pregnant, but the kids really enjoy it, and I think it teaches them a lot of good lessons about hard work, plus they get to play in all that loose dirt and find funny potatoes. This may just have to be one of those things they get when they're older. Their cousins came this time which made it a little more hectic, but at least it didn't rain. The important thing is they had fun.

Harvest Time

Tanner, Kate, Brother, Keeley Paige and Carley. Witchy Poo, very appropriate. The girls wondered why she didn't close the door.

Some pics of the fun we've been having this beautiful fall.

We went to Gardner's Village in Utah for their witch fun. The Kids really enjoyed it, as long as the real witches kept their distance. Mama didn't think it was that funny when the real witch started saying they were missing a pumpkin and I must have stuffed it up my shirt. Har, har.

Brother really wanted to ride the carousel with the witches, but Daddy stopped him. Darn. There were a lot of fun and clever witch displays, some that really made the kids laugh.




Brother really wanted this gal to see that he had a broom too, so he tugged on her cape and visited with her for a minute.

This one was funny with the witch lifting her dress so the rat and cat could have a game of chase underneath.

Papa and Brother looking at the witch throwing bombs in the water. There was one giant gold fish hanging around that the kids all thought was neat.

Another fun witch.



The boys hanging out while the girls check out some of the shops. They had a sucker so they were ok.

Brother really likes dressing up like a ghost and scaring everyone. He is really getting into the spirit of things, I think he may like Halloween as much as I do. Yea!!

Momma' Bunco group. I hosted this month, so, of course it was a dress up party.


"I messy, Mama, I messy." Yes he is. That's desitin, for those who can't tell. It doesn't wash off so well, especially when it's in the carpet. I remember when the girls did this and we had greasy hand prints on the window for a long time.

Carving the pumpkins we grew ourselves. We got 18 pumpkins this year, but I think it may be because we grew a smaller breed this time. They're still fun, and it's better than the none we have been getting the last couple of years.

Brother loved coloring his red, and he did such a good job.

Carley did not want to dig in to get the seeds out, not surprising, she has never liked it.

"That's ok, Sister, I'll do it." Brother and Keeley, on the other hand, love it.

Sissy has never had a problem getting dirty, despite the little girly-girl she is.

'Yuck, Mama'. He said it every now and then, but it didn't slow him down any.

Carley loves her Casper pumpkins, but she wanted Mommy to carve it.

"Alright, if you really want a picture, I'll do it." She washed her hands as soon as I got the pics.

The kids all designed the faces and they turned out great. Pretty spooky.

Posing with their masterpieces. The big one is the punch bowl I made for my Bunco night, it didn't last too long, but I worked hard on it. Everyone loved it, so it was worth the work.

Don't they look positively frightful!!

Halloween is almost here!!!

My son, the Charmer

Today in Sacrament, we were watching our little ones in their Primary Program, when Brother Bear snuck to the pew behind us to sit with our friends and their little Girl. They were fine, but their girly started getting a little fussy, so Brother Bear leaned into her and gave her a kiss, smack dab on the lips!!! Then he handed her his cookie and leaned in for another one, to which she leaned in herself!! They kissed again!! Right on the lips!! So cute and yet so sad. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he has his first crush... I am not sure what to make of this at this point, but their little girl was sure fine after that. I may need to start carrying a picture of him picking his nose with me already.

A little debate

Amber and I are trying to decide what name to choose for our fourth child that is due late October early November. We would appreciate any comments on the following names.

First Name:

Ethan

Tucker

Middle Name:

Ansil

Raymond

Last Name:

Lackey; sorry this can not be changed.

Let us know what you think. Thanks.

First Day of school.

Well it finally has happened, our oldest started kindergraten. What's so sad is how excited she was about going while her brave mom put on a happy face and fought back the tears. Her dad was very excited for her as well as her little sister and brother, who in the end missed her being around.

When sister bear came home she informed us parents that she had made some new friends and that the ginger bread man came to their classroom, but they never saw him because he was too fast for them. The ginger bread man left behind some ginger cookise for the kids and turned the lights off to the classroom.

Her daddy, papa bear, also started school again. He is currently attending ISU and if all goes to plan will only have three semesters left before he graduates. If, only, he would have listened to mamma bear and gone back sooner.

The younger ones wanted to give their big sister a proper send off and a big hug.

Some friends.

SO IT BEGINS-CHECK THIS OUT

A new proposed bill is being put forth in front of congress that will grant Obama emergency control over the internet. Here is the website www.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10320096-38.html. Can you say Marxism People!!!

Sorry, it has been a long time since I've had a chance to sit at the computer, our's having over 200 viruses and all. Hopefully we will have it back soon, I would like to blog in the evening when the kids are asleep rather than at my in-laws when we stop by for a minute.

Anyhow, I guess you know now the reason I was not blogging before the computer became ill, since my hubby announced it in his last post. We are expecting number 4!!!! Yea!!!! this is so exciting and not at all EEEEEK!!! Now some of you know why your April Fool's joke was not so funny, ;). Misery would have really enjoyed the company. I'm still not quite over the shock yet, 17 weeks into it, but the sickness is starting to subside, so that's good. It didn't help when one of the gals at the dr.'s office asked if we planned this, I said no and she said something to the effect of, 'do you even know how to prevent.' I guess she wasn't paying attention to all of my highs and lows when I tried out a few different birth controls. Quentin wont forget, poor guy.
We just finished up with the Pocatello Time Out For Women this afternoon and I was so touched by the event that I wanted to share some of my favorite moments while I had a chance.
As most of you know, I am a convert and I didn't grow up listening to the spiritual music, it was more of the Bee Gee's, Fleetwood Mac and Chicago. And anyone who knows me knows how much I love the 80's, so going from that to Micheal McClain has been a difficult change for me. I usually listen to the Hymns and such when the kids are learning new songs for Primary and on Sundays, that's it. Well, over the last two days, I was able to find a couple new favorites at this event, and they are LDS!! Abe Mills (Jericho Road) was so much fun to listen to along with Jenny Jordan Frogley and Hillary Weeks!! They are all spectacular. They all came up with some fun songs to the music of New Kids on the Block (Abe Mills and it was hilarious), Seal?, The Temptations and more. I really liked Hillary Weeks song about the way parents sound when talking to their teens, but I would say it is great for the youngsters as well. It goes something like this 'Sala Cadoo and menta ladoo and bipity bopity boo, I am a teenager so all that I hear is bipity bopity boo', which I know from experience is so true. The Wilcoxs' said you have to have humor to get through life and I thought that would be a great song for us all to have in mind the next time we are telling our kids to clean up or put the wii away and they willingly agree and still do nothing about it. I know I didn't get it right, but if you want perfection, pop in Cinderella and figure it out yourself.
The song that really touched me was by Jenny Jordan Frogley. She wrote it for her daughter who is in those trying early teen years, the ones I truly fear for my sweet little girlies. I think it's called Never Be Another and it's about being proud of who you are because you were made by God who gave you all the talents and intelligence you need to be your perfect self. It tells our little girls not to worry about comparing themselves to others and conforming to anyone elses' ideas because they are special the way they are, God doesn't make mistakes, and there will never be another like them. It's sung to a Reggae beat so everyone was clapping and dancing, but I couldn't help crying, which is silly, it's Reggae, but it touched me so much that I wanted the evening to be over already so I could go home and tell my girls how special they are and how lucky I am that God loves me so much to send me these blessed and beautiful Daughters of our Father in Heaven. I know that these young years are so crucial to letting them know how special they are, developing a strong relationship with them and helping them build the confidence, strength and trust they need to be happy, well rounded teens able to resist and fight off the wickedness that is waiting for them.
As scary as it is to have daughters in today's world, it is also a blessing and one I would not give up for anything. I tried to make a deal with God to only have one daughter because I know what a challenge they are, but I think he loves laughter at my expense so I ended up with two 11 months apart. I would not go back and change one thing, I just hope and pray every day that I can be the mother they deserve. Of course my little Brother Bear has brought such a joy to my life that I could never begin to put into words, but this was an event for women.
Chris Stewert also spoke about trusting in the Lord, this is a choice nation and he has worked many miracles here, we need to have faith that he will continue to do so. I loved what he had to say, but truthfully, you need to attend the Time Out for Women event to get the full impact of his words. It was so reassuring to hear him talk because I think a lot of people will agree now is a dark time, but this country has seen worse and by the grace of God, we survived, we are still strong and will continue to be so. I love our country, I love our brave Soldiers serving, including my little Cousin Jason, who just enlisted in the Navy at the tender age of 18 and my cousin Bubba, who missed the birth of his first baby and first year of her sweet life to serve us in Iraq. I am so proud of you both and I love you.
I'm sorry I haven't been in touch for sometime now, but soon things will be normal again and I will have a computer of my own. I hope you are all doing well and looking forward to pictures all the way back to Easter when we do get our computer back.