Happy Birthday, Joshua!

I did do a party last year for Josh, but this was my first full blown out party. We played picture charades, hot gingerbread man, pin the carrot on the snowman, and the keep-the-balloon-up-in-the-air-as-you-run-between-two-lines game.

I was thinking about doing a candy train on top of the cake, but this looked more interesting...http://www.bettycrocker.com/videos/videolibrary/birthday-cakes/how-to-make-a-train-cake. (Sorry, my Internet link button isn't working.) An interesting thing that the video doesn't show is one bread pan equals one cake mix. I was glad I had another cake mix in the pantry.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/videos/videolibrary/birthday-cakes/how-to-make-a-train-cakehttp://www.bettycrocker.com/videos/videolibrary/birthday-cakes/how-to-make-a-train-cake

With all the work and stress, would I do it again? Yes. Joshua loved playing games with his friends, cousins, and aunt. Even though he didn't like the actual cake (none of my boys grown and small like cake), he loved eating the candy and frosting with ice cream.

Happy Halloween!!

This Halloween, to me, was the perfect combination of homemade, store bought, and borrowed. I made Josh's costume from a pajama pattern and a enlarged bib pattern for the cape. Josh wasn't too sure if he'd like the costume I was making for him (The shirt was too big for him.), but once he put on the mask, he loved it. I bought Caleb's tiger costume from a second hand store. He didn't like it too much at first, but was willing to wear it for the possiblity of getting treats later.

I borrowed the flower costume from my visiting teaching companion, who has two girls who wore it already in years past. Too cute to be kept in the closet on Halloween.

The street just south of ours is Halloween City on "Begger's Night." Three houses get together and serve hotdogs and chips. Folks sit on their front porch and give out candy. The side walks are loaded with families, friends, and their dogs. Caleb stayed away from anyone with masks or dogs. This is all a second hand account. I was at home with Esther giving out candy to the few who came to our door. Appearently, everyone in the neighborhood (plus some) go down this one street during the two hours the city alots trick or treaters. One guy mentioned to Nate that he bought over 150 pieces of candy and was almost out. Crazy. I think I gave out 20, and I'm just one street over.

Anyway...it was a fun night. Happy Halloween!!

Scarecrow Tostadas, Coats, and Carnaval

Neither boy was thrilled about eating scarecrow tostadas. Neither of them wanted to finish it even after trying it. Nate and I thought they tasted good. I was the only one who ate the black olives, though, which are much better than those salty green ones by the way.

Esther didn't like trying on the coat for the first time. Boy, was she mad! She didn't mind it so much when I held her, though.

We went to a small farm carnival out in the boondocks with some friends.

Kirtland and more

Originally, we were planning on going to Palmyra and the Niagara Falls, but when the time came neither of us were really up for it. So...

We went to Kirtland instead, only 2.5 hrs away as opposed to 8-10, and we all enjoyed the trip. Learned more than I expected. It's not that I thought myself a church expired. I just didn't expect the tours to be so long and thorough. I'm grateful there weren't very many tourists and our tour guides were quite patient. Josh and Caleb could be Josh and Caleb without stressing out anyone else, but me (the good don't-touch-that-it's-180-years-old type of stress).
School of the Prophets room above the Whitney store

A very sacred room when you think about it

Johnson's house front step when the Prophet Joseph Smith preached from

Where the Vision in D&C 76 happened

I'm glad we went. The boys and Esther travels really well. Josh even told his Grandpa, "Guess what, Grandpa! We saw the first temple that was built. The Kirtland temple." I love how Josh gets so excited about things. You should have heard him when he first saw our continental breakfast at our hotel. Brightened up more than just my mood.

Something We Hadn't Experienced Before

Fall.

Caleb asked me later that afternoon, if he could "splash in the leaves," I could not say no. I had almost as much fun watching them as they had playing in the leaves. I guess it's because I liked doing it, too, when I was little. Oh, the memories!


Here's a picture of her royal cuteness. Almost six months. Fussy when alone, nervous, and hungry. Smiley to family, friends, and most strangers.

Happy Halloween!

For this Halloween season, I'm trying to be a little more festive...
Monster Tacos

Yes, after admiring them briefly, everyone took out what they don't like and put in what they do, but it was still worth it...except for the pimento stuffed olives. They really are salty. 5 of them are 14% of your daily sodium intake. Next time, I'm doing something else for the eyes.

Typo Problems

For some reason, blogger's not letting me save changes after I've first published.

Sorry about the typos and awkward phrasing that I haven't been able to fix. I'm not sure what to do about it.

Trip to Kentucky

Ohio River

Camping. First time we did it since before Caleb was born. Caleb wasn't so sure what he thought about, but all-n-all it was a good experience.

Caleb's favorite part was eating marshmallows while Josh liked it all.

Abraham Lincoln's birthplace

Fort Knox

Fort Duffield: Union Civil War Fort over looking the Ohio River, never engaged

Patton Museum near Fort Knox

Kind of Random. Vacation in Kentucky. It was fun, though, even with two crazy boys and a 5-month-old girl. The drive along the Ohio River is beautiful.

Beds, Rolling over, and Table Cloths

Caleb's been have difficulty sleeping in our new house in a new bed.

His solution...

After we say goodnight, turn off the light, and leave the room, Caleb hops out of his own bed and goes into Josh's. Josh doesn't mind. Nate or I often move Caleb back to his own bed, but it's not uncommon for me to find Caleb back in Josh's bed the next morning.

I took this picture of Esther right after she rolled over for the first time from back to stomach. Unfortunately, she hasn't done it since.

I made a skirt out of a round table cloth. I used the directions found in the book, Sew What! Skirts: 16 Simple Styles You Can Make with Fabulous Fabrics. The author is all about sewing without patterns. I highly recommend checking it out from the library to anyone who's interested. I'm sure glad my library had it. Once I can't renew it again, I'm definitely putting it on hold again later if I still haven't bought it yet.

First you fold the table cloth twice. Next, you cut out a wedge with a radius equal to your hip measurement divided by 6. Then, you put on store bought or homemade double-fold bias tape as a waistband, making sure the bias tape is ultimately 1/4 in larger than your elastic band of choice. Finally, you put in the elastic band and Voila! A Skirt! (Yes, the book explains it A LOT better)


I spent roughly under 3 dollars for this skirt. Maybe that's all it's really worth, even less, but it was fun and a good learning experience. Something I can do for my girl.

Green Day

Nate worked all night last night and is working tonight as well. We miss him, but we still try to have some fun. Can you tell that the boys don't get to sit with Esther often?

Never to late to post

Since I've last posted, we've...

moved into a 1950's house



With a backyard (Yippee!!)



Vacationed in Utah

Went to "This is the Place"

With cousins
watched Esther learn to smile.

Life is good.

Introducing Esther

Esther Hadley

6 lb. 4 oz.

19.25 inches

She was due May 5. She had her two week appointment last Thursday.

Crazy.

She's growing really well.

For some reason, the above picture came in vertical. I have no idea why.

I don't have any "good" pictures of her awake yet.

Josh and Caleb love her very much.

Sometimes I wish they'd show their love in a slightly different manner, but it's still precious to watch.

Short, Impromptu Texas History Tour

Two days, 500 miles, 7 months pregnant.

Don't recommend it to everyone.

I really would do anything to bring a smile to my favorite Texas History Fanatic.

Goliad-site of the Battle of Goliad, the signing of the first Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Texas, the Goliad Massacre (330 Texans killed)

Gonzales (sorry no picture) - "Lexington of Texas," first skirmish in the first skirmish of the Texas Revolution. The settlers in the area were given a cannon by the Mexican government. When hostilities grew, Mexican troops were sent to retrieve it. A flag was made with a cannon on it and the caption "Come and Take It."

We have a replica of that flag hanging in our bedroom.




Austin- the capital, but not necessarily part of our Texas history tour. It was actually the main purpose of our trip.

Visiting the Wrights of Austin

Flying kites



Playing in sand

WE LOVE THE WRIGHTS OF AUSTIN!!!

Thank you!

Washington-on-the-Brazos, TX- not to be confused with the Washington on the Potomac; the site of the Convention of 1836 and the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence; the "birthplace of Texas"

We're in front of the Brazos River. Josh is wearing his Lightening McQueen shorts.

Why does nobody know about Washington-on-the-Brazos outside of Texas? Because leaders of the Republic of Texas preferred Waterloo (renamed Austin) over Washington as the capital.