Trick or Treat!

Anyone who knows me understands my lack of enthusiasm when it comes to Halloween costumes. I just really have a hard time investing too much time/money in something that is only worn a couple times. So the boys had coon skin caps already (thanks G&G Young) and I figured what could go better with a couple hunters than a deer? And there you have it...

If you were wondering, that is the best photo we could get of the three of them. Our littlest hunter just wasn't in the mood for a photo shoot and since I was helping with the Halloween party I didn't have the time to insist on quality. And yes, we gave Cuties instead of candy. But they did have Jack O'lanterns drawn on them. One kid said to Tanner, "This is more like a trick than a treat." Ha! I appreciated his honesty. Mariah and Chet loved the trunk or treat. Chet kept calling it the "elephant trunk party". Tanner and I enjoyed sampling all the different chili and Austin enjoyed trying to dump bowls of chili in our laps; it kept things exciting. Which is how we like it. 

 Austin's impish grin as he strains to pull his hand out and rip his hat off...And Tanner's face basically embodies parenthood. Happy but bewildered... 

 This boy and his faces. I mean really...just melt my heart. Right before Halloween he started thinking he wanted to be Superman. But because that would require more work from me we just had him watch Davy Crockett and he was back on board with the original costume. 

What really sold Mariah on the deer costume (because what little girl really wants to be a deer for Halloween?) was when I told her she could get her face painted. And those antlers were the easiest thing, obviously, because I wouldn't have done it if it wasn't simple. This is probably the last year where I can pick out my kids costumes...I don't know how I feel about that. 

We went trick or treating around our neighborhood Monday night. Mariah was so excited, running ahead to houses. I was afraid I was going to lose her among the other trick or treaters. Chet stuck close to me and kept quiet unless we were the only ones at a door, then he would say, "I I I'm Davy Cockett." And the people at the door would just love it. 

Even if this isn't my favorite holiday it was really enjoyable watching my children have fun. 

Hello Fall!

Throughout our marriage Tanner has really talked up the falls here. Though I have been out to the East quite a bit I have never experienced Autumn in the East until now. And I have loved it. I'm used to freezing nights and usually a snowstorm by now where I grew up. But here, The temperatures have cooled down just enough to still be enjoyable. And the changing leaves are just gorgeous. 

Tanner had a pretty busy month in October but we still tried to squeeze in some fun times.

We went to Simmons Farm with some families in the Ward and our Co-op Preschool. Because it was just minutes from the Tanner's parents' house they came too! 

The driver of the tractor helped everyone down off the trailer and afterwards Mariah said, "That was nice of that farmer to help us down.". I loved how she noticed his service. She's a keeper. 

Grandma and Grandpa were so wonderful! They each took a kid and even helped some of my friends with their children. They are so selfless and such an example to my children. 

Ta-a (Stella) and Chet. Each child got an apple and Chet was pretty stoked about his. Just like his mom, nothing gets us as excited as food does, especially when it's free. 

Mariah just lately has started doing the hand on the hip pose. Who told her she could grow up?! She got a little scrape on her hand from going down the slide. When we got to Grandma and Grandpa's I told her she needed to go wash her hands. After coming out of the bathroom she said, "I washed my owie and I didn't even cry. I just like screamed. I was very brave." 

Grandpa took them to pet the animals, 

and helped them pick out pumpkins (we went for a smaller option).

They also got to pick out an ear of corn each. Mariah insisted on "decorating" the corn. I couldn't figure out where she got that idea but she said that Grandma Crossley said that was what you did. It wasn't until later that I found out that Grandma said you can use the corn to decorate with, and Mariah just interpreted it her own way. But they had fun with it. 

One saturday that Tanner had off we went to the Washington D.C. Temple. We met up with Tanner's cousin and her family. They spoiled us; taking us out to dinner, watching our kids while we did a session and making us pancakes in the morning. 

I can't think of a better way to teach my children about the Savior than taking them to the temple .

While there we went to Trader Joe's for the first time ever to get some food for the next day. Mariah and Chet each got their own cart which seemed like a good idea until I saw how packed the store was. Apparently it is the place to be on a Saturday. So we were a bit of a spectacle but they had fun and we only got a few dirty looks. 

The Wunderli girls are just...wonderful. Hardy har! But really, they are such sweet girls and were so good with our kids. We are so happy to be living by these guys. While their parents were in the temple we were taught some parkour moves and fitted with our very own wands. I think mine had a unicorn hair in it. I'm special like that. 

I got Mariah and Chet rain boots and jackets. One morning it was raining when we first woke up so they were so excited to wear their new gear. By the time we got to the store it was clear and sunny but they insisted on wearing their jackets all through the store. Once again we got a lot of looks, but they were happy and prepared. 

Grandpa Crossley came down for a pumpkin carvin' party. 

They weren't afraid to dig right in. Even Austin went to work. 

I love the Crossley men's faces in this one...classic. 

Austin ate his share of pumpkin innards. He kept trying to eat the seeds too but every time he bit down they would shoot right out of his mouth. 

That hand on the hip. And I think that was the only night the poor Jack O'Lantern was lit. We really need to up our Halloween game.