What do you do with a ninja and a pirate?

I took my ninja and pirate to a Halloween activity held at our local library.
Noah showing his "crane" move and Nathan giving me a pirate "Arrrrrrr, matey!"

First there was a Halloween story (it was more for younger kids, so I think mine were bored).
Then 2 crafts. You could make lollipop ghosts and pumpkin faces!

There were a couple of games to play...
and a costume parade around the library! Noah said he was too cool to walk in the parade.

Later in the month we went to our ward's trunk or treat. Our church is arranged in wards that are formed with road boundaries. The week before many families found that the boundaries were changing and we'd be attending a different ward. So, we also went to the trunk or treat in our new ward! Here are some cousins all dressed up!
I am lovin their poses!
There was a chili cook-off and pie bake-off, so there was plenty to eat! Games and a haunted house were in different rooms around the building.




Oh, and face painting! Nathan knew instantly what he wanted done - a mustache!

Dylan's getting a Dementor (from Harry Potter)
Xander decided to get a mustache, too!

Later, there were tons of cars with their trunks decorated handing out candy for trunk or treating! I didn't get any pics because I spent to whole time handing out candy! I love the holidays and spending them with family!

Goin' marbles at Marbles!

In mid October Nathan's pre-school class went on a field trip to Marbles! We started the day by playing a game of Connect Four - he totally beat me!

Then onto Chess...
Nathan decided to put on a show and dressed up in an elephant costume!


Soooooo cute!

a little dance...
A few minutes later his friend, Virginia, joined him! She dressed-up as a fairy and they were going to tell us the story of the Fairy and the Elephant.
Neither could decide who would go first, so they just giggled instead.


He worked on an art project...
rode and then won the Tour de France...
and cooked me a yummy, yummy meal!
Nathan loved this section! He cooked and served many different delicacies!


We caught up with Virginia and painted some pictures and then built and raced some cars.


He was so cute in the woodworking section!
This was our secret meeting club.
Oh, if $100 bills were this cute...

Mothing Night

Each fall at Nathan's pre-school they hold a "Mothering Night/Basket Raffle". Moms or grandmas, etc. go with their child to their class and do a craft project together. Later, there is a basket raffle and ice cream. I have wonderful memories of going with Noah when he was in pre-school and the last couple of years with Nathan. This was our last one! :(

Each child decorated a place to work with their mom. Nathan drew a picture of us!

We had 2 Thanksgiving projects. This one involved cut-outs of Nathan's hands and feet. His feet made the body of the turkey and his hands made the feathers.

One down, one to go!
For this one we decorated a wreath Nathan painted. We glued a turkey in the middle and rolled up pieces of colored construction paper on the wreath.
Both projects look great on my refrigerator!
Enjoying an ice cream sundae...I caught Noah mid-bite!
What a memorable evening I got to share with my Nathan!

Rachel's Bridal Shower

We had a super fun bridal shower honoring Scott's sister, Rachel! It started with a Pampered Chef presentation and the food was yummy! In addition to what was prepared during the presentation, we enjoyed a Mexican cheese dip and chocolate fondue, along with all of the things you can dip into each one!

Jamie started things off with a fun candy bar game! We had to guess what each candy bar had to do with something relating to a wedding.



We got to meet Wade's sister, mom, and niece. They had flown in from California a short time before the shower started. They are very warm, likable people and I took an instant liking to them all!
Next, we broke into 3 teams and turned one lucky girl from each team into a bride wearing a gown made from toilet paper!
I think Rachel should return her wedding gown and wear this one instead!
This team won! Her gown had toilet paper roses tucked in throughout the front!
This is our team. We chose to deck Brinley out in a one of a kind couture mermaid gown with a long train and flowing veil.
Here are the contestants! None of us can still figure out what Rachel's group did to her!


For our last game, Jamie blindfolded Rachel and told her that she had to imagine that it was her wedding night, she was in her hotel getting ready for her evening and the power just went out! She had to get ready in the dark!

She was such a great sport!
Time for gifts! This is a treasure chest filled with votive candles.

Rachel's holding a picture that Nathan drew for her of the two of them in a snowstorm. As I was wrapping my gift for her he became sad because he didn't have a gift for her, so he drew her a picture. Such a sweet kid!

This 2 part gift was from me. Rachel had to read, "If you are wearing this while cooking dinner for Wade..." and had to hold up some lingerie....(you can see a bit of it on the left)
Then she read, "...you'll want to be sure to use these". (splatter screens)
I'm sure this is one of her favorite gifts! Rachel LOVES corner brownies and she got a pan that bakes individual ones!
Rachel and her longtime friend, Janna - she hosted the shower!