Christmas Portraits

A couple weeks ago, Jermie and I got the kids all ready to go get Christmas portraits taken but Jacob threw up in the garage on his way to get in the car. (He knows how to get out of having pictures taken!) Luckily a friend of ours just got a new camera and offered to come experiment with his new toy. I think they turned out cute and I loved doing it in my house- much easier!

Jermie's mom made Bethany's cute Christmas dress. Thanks Mom!

Grandma's Girl

This morning I round-brushed Bethany's hair. I think it makes her look like my Mom. (Definitely a better look than the "Dwight hair")

And a view from the back...

Deck the Halls

Jermie set up this train on top of our piano along with our Bundletown Village.

Friday we trimmed the tree. Notice the lack of ornaments on the bottom branch (toddler-proof)

Flour Spelling

A couple weeks ago I decided to do a little project with the boys. I filled a cookie sheet with flour and let them practice writing letters in it. What a mess! But it was really fun.

Bethany thought trick-or-treating was okay, but here's what she really loved doing:

Halloween

This year, we (and when I say "we" I actually mean "me" since Jermie was away at a band competition all day) hosted the pre-trick-or-treating meal at our house. Here are a few pics of the festivities:

My sad little Tinkerbell. She did get happier later and loved handing out candy.

The traditional cauldron of root beer.

The mummy hot dogs:

Kyle and the ladies (Emma and Ali)

Our pumpkin had angry eyes.

Bethany checking out her loot.

"Trick or Treat!"

Oops

So, I was at my Mom's house the other day and she pointed out to me that Bethany is making an inappropriate gesture with her hand in this picture. She covers it up with a magnet on her fridge. Oops!

Halloween Preview

Jacob decided this year that he wanted to be Ash Ketchum for Halloween- Yikes! I didn't even know who he was (he's a character from Pokemon) much less what he looked like. It's not really a costume you can run down to Wal-Mart and buy. Luckily, Grandma Arnold bailed us out and came up with a really cute costume made from D.I. finds and sewn on felt (hand sewn since I don't own a sewing machine). She did a great job don't you think??

Dance, Dance, Dance

One of our favorite things to do is to have "Dance Parties" in the kitchen. Here are a couple clips of our latest moves. Unfortunately I was holding the camera, so you can't check out my sweet moves.

Heart Attack

Yesterday, Jermie and I celebrated our 8 year wedding anniversary. After a somewhat disappointing birthday in July, I had a "discussion" with Jermie about why doing something thoughtful on special occasions is a must for me. I emphasized the fact that it is not about the money spent but rather the thought and planning ahead required. The lesson was apparantly well-received.
I woke up Tuesday to see a few hearts going down the stairs- I thought, "oh, cute." At first I thought that was it (3 or 4 hearts). When Jacob went downstairs, he yelled, "Man, you have got to see this!" There were hearts all over the table. Each one had a little message stating different reasons that he loves and appreciates me. It was so sweet and didn't really cost anything. I knew that he had planned ahead and made it happen.
(By the way, brown valentine hearts are kind of an inside joke from our first Valentine's Day when we started dating)

Wii Boxing Gone Wrong

I already posted this on Facebook, but here it is again.

More, Please!

Bethany is mastering her baby sign language (actually this is really the only one she knows). It comes in handy and eliminates a lot of screaming in our house! (In the video, I'm feeding her peaches)

Fall is Coming!

And Bethany's got a new outfit just in time for the cooler weather. I made the bows with flowers I found at Robert's to match. Oh, and I love her new boots which I found at Ross.

The Big 6-0

This is a shout out to my Dad who is turning 60 today. He is such a great Dad and Grandpa and we love him so much! He doesn't look a day over 59 does he?

Hungry Man (or not)

Jacob came home from school today with his lunch box pretty much still full. I asked him why he didn't eat and he said it was because he just wasn't very hungry. I thought it was weird so later I probed him some more. It turns out that he's been buying school breakfast every morning (french toast sticks) without me knowing. (He has a prepaid account for his school lunch so he just puts it on his account). I won't be giving him a credit card anytime soon!

Welcome to Hogwarts!

Jacob's Harry Potter Birthday Party was a big hit. A sign on the door welcomed all the little wizards to Hogwarts (I worked very hard coloring and cutting the crest, so I had to get a good pic).

He had a "Monster Book of Monsters" cake made by my amazingly talented friend.

Professor Dumbledore set up all of his potions at the house.

Oh no! The Monster Book ate a book and shredded it on the table!

"Polyjuice Potion"

Professor Dumbledore showed up to the party (I have connections, people!)

"Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans" (watch out for the booger flavored ones!)

Professor Dumbledore trained the young wizards in potion making.

And last, but not least, the cake had a little surprise in store for us. Cool, right??

Surprise Visit from Grandma

Jermie's Mom decided to fly out and surprise Jacob for his birthday. I caught his reaction on video.

Harry Potter Invites

Here's a little preview for Jacob's Harry Potter birthday party. The invitations turned out so cool. Jacob (with some help from Dad) burned all the edges himself.

Here's what they looked like when we delivered them.

Pre-K

Kyle was so excited to go back to Preschool this year. He is loving his teachers, Miss Holly and Miss Kathy ("Kaa-fee"). Here are a few pics from his first day.

I Am Special

Kyle learned this poem yesterday for Preschool. Adorable!

Confessions of a (Bargain) Shopaholic

I picked up these clothes for Bethany for next summer at Target this morning. Each item was $1.74 except the outfit on the right which was $3.98. Love it!

Hiking the Y

11 years ago, I hiked the "Y" for the first time as a freshman at BYU. Until yesterday, that was the last time I'd done the hike. Jermie and I have always wanted to do it, so we went last night for our date night. It was so much fun.

(This picture turned out really bad because the sun was so bright behind us.)