Halloween Part II

I don't know how to put than just 5 pics up per post, so Iam going to just do another posting, or two!

So halloween Part II...... After the trick-or-Treating was over we went to Matt's brother's house for the Borget family Halloween party. We were asked to bring along treat, so I made marshmallow bones!!! I was so proud of myself... see how they kinda look like bones? Okay Martha Stewart's looked better, but none the less, I was pleased with the Jackie Borget version!! My mother-in-law made pretzels that looked like fingers with red fingernails, those were impressive too!

So we ate and hung out, well mostly the kids ate. They had enough sugar that night to last until Christmas, at least. I was okay with it cause I figured they would crash on the way home and go to sleep easily, which they did. Anyways, we ate, hung out and then the games began! First one was to blow the "eyeball", ping pong ball across the line first using a straw. Matt being super cometative challanged me to do it! Of course this was suppose to be for the kids, but we go first. I whoop his tale of course!!! It is all my hot air.. Next Matt challenges his newphew, Jamie, to do it. Mind you these guys, Matt and Jamie, are no little whispy things and so squeezing them into the door way was just funny to watch and then they were off. It was hysterical! The kids get into challenging everyone! Poor Carter finally beat Ella and Lexie, his 3 year-old cousin. But he was happy with that. The funniest was Lincoln who wanted to particpate in the game and so he would crawl around on the floor on his belly with the straw in his hand!!! He didn't care if he was blewing the eye or not. It was soo funny and he was quite proud of his self! So cute!

After another game of pass the ghost, or something like that we headed home- it was late about 10:30, which is way past our bedtimes. It was one of the best Halloweens we have ever had and I now look forward to the holiday much more. Again, we live in a wonderful neighborhood!!

Halloween... finally posting!

Finally uploading my pics from Halloween. I am getting at bad at blogging as I am at journal writing. I don't know how to change my pics to get them in the correct order- I am still working on this blogging thing... hmmmmm.........

Because we had such a busy week prior to Halloween we didn't get to carve or in our case paint pumpkins untill the day of. I kept thinking we would do it one evening that week, but it seemed every night we had a meeting, or something. And to be honest we didn't get to a pumpkin patch until Thursday. I finally found a patch that a local farmer was doing, which I was thrilled about cause I would rather support a local farmer, than Walmart or Smith's. Plus, I think it is good for the kids. So I painted a pumpkin and so did Carter and Ella. Lincoln was sleeping and Matt was at work. It was fun! I think the kids really enjoyed it. I know my kidsa re naked- it is cause I don't let them paint with clothes on becuase we use acrylic paint, which totally stains clothes, but washed off skin easily! And lucky for Ella too, cause she looked like she was painting herself, as well as the pumpkin! Carter's face was painted by the way cause he came from school about 2 hours prior and they had to dress up!

So as you see from the pics above, which isn't the greatest picture, but we couldn't get Lincoln to be still, surprisingly!!!! So it is what it is! But obviously Carter is a ghost, Lincoln a dog and Ella is a cow. Man, the costumes were hard this year- not because I put all this effort into making them, but because you have never heard so many opinions regarding what the kids were going to be. Luckily Lincoln doesn't talk, not a word, yet, so he was easy! And he loved his costume and was so cute in it! So now Carter, every time I asked him what he wanted to be he said something different. Somethings were just too difficult, or required to much effort for me to make, and it just wasn't going to happen. He actually initially wanted to be what he was the 2 prior years, a dragon, but the costume doesn't fit anymore. A ghost was the only thing he said twice and it is luckily easy enough. And Ella, when I bought Lincoln's costume at Costco, like 6 weeks before Halloween Ella was with me and insisted on wanting the cow costume. It was cheap, so I bought it for her. Well, I think for those 5 minutes in the store looking at it was the only time she ever wanted to be a cow... I should have known better. Yet, it was wonderful the I had the costume for her cause it would have not been easy finding one for her in the middle of nowhere Iowa, sorry mom and dad. Ella wanted to be a Princess, like she was last year, which she tons of photos of. And last year she was a super cute princess, but here in Utah, you never know what the weather is going to be on Halloween and so I wanted something warm and not just cute! Unfortunately the costume was too small, which is why she isn't wearing the "hood" of it on her head. When we did try and do that, I was picking a wedgie out for her!!! Charming, I know. The size was 2T-4T and she is a 3T, but lesson learned- try the costume on before the night it is needed!

Halloween in our neighborhood was straight out of 1950's tv!!!! The weather was warm, although it did sprinkle some. The night was perfect because everyone was outside. I am not sure one doorbell was rung all evening. My neighbors sat on their front porch and gave out hot chocolate and doughnuts to the adults and big candy bars to the kids. Two doors down from them were sitting in their driveway with chips, bean dip and doughnuts! The neighborhood kids, which there are million, well, like over 50 10 and under were running all around. It was so fun to see every one's costumes. Several neighbors had haunted houses done up in their basements and all the outsides of houses were totally done up, well except for ours! It was soo fun! We have never lived in a neighborhood like that. Most of our houses had like 10 kids visit on Halloween- doesn't feel very halloweeny when that happens! But Halloween night was one of the best, maybe ever!!! I LOVED it!!!

My Super Cute Son!

This evening we had our family pictures taken by my fabulous sister-in-law. We have hardly had any pictures taken of us, ever! And since we have the perfect place to hang a big 'ol picture in my foyer I wanted to get a family picture taken before the yucky weather set in so I could get it on my wall in good time. Everyone did super, except for Lincoln, who was enjoying the fallen leaves way too much! He was so cute... too bad we wanted him to sit still and smile! So far I have only this one photo which my sister-in-law, Bunni sent me via email titled, "Your son that is such a character!" Carter is such a cutie and a wonderful example for his little sister and brother. Like his mustache- he raked the front of his face against his handle bars while riding his bike earlier this week! Hopefully it can be photoshopped out! But if not, I suppose that is what being 5 is all about!

Montrose: Part 3

The first few days we were in Montrose it was about 80 degrees! It was heaven! Especially after driving through snow, well just in Rock Springs, Wy- but still, to get there! We spent about 90% of the first two days outside. We walked through some of the corn field and the kids (and my mom) played on the hammock! Carter and I went bike riding down to the end of the street where there are some horses who we pet. We looked at what was left of my mom's garden. We walked down to the end of their long driveway to show Carter where he could ride his bike to. It was just wonderful, truly!

Matt promised Carter they could do something with just the two of them, so they went bowling and my dad went too. Matt, I think, got 97 the first game with the bumpers up! Carter got a close 85- I think! They had a lot of fun! Carter had been bowling before, but not in a really long time- I am not even sure he could really bowl last time we went. Anyways, so they did that guy thing and then got ice cream after it I am sure. Every time my dad went anywhere with the kids they got ice cream if it was just him, or if it was everyone we had to stop by the gas station to load the kids up with soda and candy! and he took them out almost everyday to either go to the dump, or get gravel for their driveway, which they were regraveling, or something! It seriously took 3 days after leaving their house to have Carter stop asking for ice cream every time we got into the car!!! Thanks Baba!!!!!!

As I mentioned before my parents live in between a corn field(this year- but often is soybean) and a dairy farm. The dairy farm is a little bit away, and I think one house separate them, although that house is related to the dairy farmer. anyways, this summer my sister who lived with my parents, worked at that dairy farm, so my mom asked if she could bring her grandkids by to see the cows being milked! So we went. the milking part wasn't that exciting, but was was fun to see were all the little cows! We saw one that was born just the night before getting bottled feed. We also got to go look at all the new calf's that had been born in the last few weeks! They were cute, relatively speaking. Raymond Dresser, the dairy farmer spent a while talking with us and was so nice! The kids enjoyed looking at the cows, seeing the roosters who were roosting in the tops of the barn and playing on an old tractor. Lincoln even enjoyed it! How can you not enjoy good farm living? Honestly!

Another day we went to a pumpkin patch that has some fun stuff to do there. There was this giant corn "box", like a sand box, but with kernals of corn. The kids loved that! They also had a big playhouse and store which Lincoln and Ella really liked. They also had these bean bag toss games, which I schooled Matt in repeatedly. He tried, but just doesn't have my bean bag throwing ability!

One of the big trips we always make while at my parents is to the John Deere museum in Moline, IL! It is about 2 hours away and it is a long 2 hours cause you go through nothing the whole way there- just farm land! There are so few bathroom stops along the way that Matt actually took Ella into a Bar in some little town cause she had to go and there was NOTHING else for miles!!! Anyways... the kids always love the museum. Lincoln loved being about to sit and "steer"! And Ella was heard to say when asked where she was driving to, "I am going to Kate's house!" Carter's favorite part of the museum is probably the gift shop where we get roped buying lots of stuff! Ella made out like a princess with a Pink John Deere Hat and a blue John Deere "bucket" (she calls it that) with beads for the handle! What could be better? After the museum we went to a Italian steakhouse for dinner and then on back to my parents. But we couldn't get all the way home without stopping for ice cream! Of course!!!

One of my personal highlights of the trip is going to the Mennonite Walmart! It isn't a Walmart, but it is the place to go for anything a Mennonite might ever need- felt hats included! It is a fun place to go, because first you get to gawk at all the Mennonites and Amish and you can buy good food, in bulk, for cheap!!!! So I bought spice for my food storage and candy and some other stuff I didn't need. It is an hour away from where my parents live, but fun to go and see where some of the locals shop. The county next to my parents is actually the poorest county in the state and doesn't have one stop light in the whole county. The majority of the residents are either Amish or Mennonite! the are "poor" because they are all small farmers, but rich in spirit and culture! So interesting. They actually have Amish stores that are lit by kerosene lamps and skylights! We did see some Amish at the true Walmart there closer to my parents and Matt about tripped over himself staring at them. He obviously didn't go to the Mennonite Walmart with my mom and I.

Matt and I were able to go to the temple twice while we were there which was nice. It has been a long time since we were able to go and so nice to go and not worry about getting home to the baby sitters. Both times we ate at the Ivy, either coming or going. Matt is now wanting to open an Ivy here in Utah somewhere. I wouldn't be opposed to it, course I would gain a ton of weight cause they have the best desserts EVER!!! Anyways, ever in Nauvoo go to Fort Madison and eat at the Ivy!!!

So that about wraps up our trip. It was a good one. A little long maybe. A good solid week would be good for next time, but we will see. It has been a year and a half since we had been there last, but not too much had changed. It really is a great grandma and grandpa place, or in our family a Nana and Baba place!

Oh, I just remembered the funniest part of the whole 2 weeks! Let's see if I can write it so that it is funny! We were all eating at a place called Culver's, I think. Anyways.... I had just opened a new straw for Lincoln and after taking the paper off blew through the straw into his face to make him laugh. Well, Carter saw this and thought it would be funny to do to Matt. So Carter took his straw out of his chocolate milk and blew a ton of chocolate milk onto the side of Matt's face. Matt immediately, without thinking, pulled his straw out of his cup and chucked it over my parents head, out of the booth and into the booth in front of us where it hit a girl in the head and then fell on the floor! I looked at the younger girl and mouthed sorry and she was nice about it because I think she thought it had come from one of the children. Matt in the mean time is wiping his face off of chocolate milk and not in the least bit embarrassed for his actions. Following that we gave home the hardest time about what he did. I couldn't believe he did it!

Random Musings....

I know I need to do a least one more post from our trip. I have actually not spent a ton of time on the computer since arriving home! But I will do it! We have some great pics!
I LOVE being home though. It has been great! I have missed my bed terribly and am so glad to be sleeping in it again. It is nice to be back in the routine of things and just be home! I think the kids have been glad too. While I know Carter missed his friends, he has been hanging around the house more now than he was before we left. And one great thing about being home is that since Iowa is an hour ahead we have been getting to bed early and getting up early. Well, I should say earlier, than usual at least. That has been nice. I haven't been as tired and I have been able to get lots of things done during the last few days. It was nice to be back at church too. Everyone was so kind to us and said how much they missed us! Which I don't know how true that is, just it sure was nice to hear!
But since being home we have been busy! We, well the kids, got to get dressed up in our Halloween costumes on Sat. night for our ward's trunk-or-treat. That was a lot of fun! It was the cutest to see Lincoln, who quickly understood that people gave you candy, you put it into your bucket and then you go on to the next guy. Lincoln is a dog, Ella is a cow and Carter is a ghost! Carter's costume is the cutest! I, honestly, didn't take pictures, but will on Halloween night and I will post them then. Matt keeps saying, Ella is going to kill us when she gets older for having her wear a cow outfit, but she picked it out!
Sunday was ward conference and so Matt was super busy with all his stuff. But it was a really good church day. I enjoyed all our meetings and really got stuff out of Sunday School and Relief Society. Sunday night we had family birthdays at Jim and Bunni's! It was a lot of fun to see everyone after so long being away. I also spent a lot of time talking to my sister-in-laws, which I always enjoy doing.
Monday was back to the daily grind, but again it was nice to be back after the hiatus. This afternoon the kids and I went to a local pumpkin patch and picked out three pumpkins! It was just a farmer and the pumpkins couldn't be much cheaper! I was so glad I found someone who wasn't a "business" but just a "little man". I love supporting local farmers! I wanted to try and carve pumpkins for Family Home Evening, but it just wasn't going to happen. But we got them today and hopefully will carve them tomorrow, although, I think I will end up carving them with the kids by myself because Matt has his meetings tomorrow night- I had mine tonight. but that is okay- will be fun! You have to carve a pumpkins at Halloween time!
Although, I have no pics to post, I thought I would share what is going on in Jackie's wonderful life!

Montrose:Part 2

my dad going through the obstacle course!!! so funny! Matt going through the box! What a good sport, eh?
Carter on the zip line!
Carter getting ready to make the leap!

I did get to take a nap after church today, which was fabulous! Matt slept in the kids room and I slept out on the couch in the living room. The house was quiet because my mom took the kids outside to play- for like 2 hours! So when Matt and I, and my dad, came to we headed outside, with some prompting from Carter. Once outside we realized what Carter, Ella and my mother had been doing for a while. When we first went outside they were swinging on the swing, which was hung from a tree in the back yard.

And then we went to the front of the yard and discovered the kids obstacle course which constisted of jumping over the bluberry "patch", crawling through a long box, circling a tree twice, climbing over the hammock and then running to a different tree and either kicking the soccer ball or throwing the frisbee. Carter demonstrated it for us first and he did a pretty good job. With some of my mother's encouragement, I was convinced to try it. I have to say it was pretty funny trying to get through the box, but I did make it with Carter "helping", or should I say pushing from behind. But the hysterical part came when my dad did it! It was the funniest thing I have seen to see my dad go through the box! And by the time dad went over the hammock, which he basically fell over, I was crying it was so funny. Matt did it too, and basically got stuck in the box, that was super funny too!

After each of us had a turn at the obstacle course, we headed over to the zip line. It is really just for kids cause it sags too much when adults get on it, but Carter had a lot of zooming down it.

After about an hour outside most headed inside. But it was then that Carter and I went out for a bike ride. We brought Carter's bike and I use my moms. While my parents do live off a dirt road- the main road, there is about maybe .5 of their road that is paved, so we do that a couple of times. This time when we did it we brought carrots and fed the super friendly horse, mule and mini donkey which live at the end of their street. They really enjoyed the carrots and we had fun petting them. So after our 25 minutes out we came home and then did the very exciting thing of figuring out dinner. It was a nice afternoon, and why I enjoy hanging out at my parents!!!

Montrose- Part 1 of Many

I haven't written in forever, despite my recommitted post, but that is because we are on vacation! Well, sorta vacation, not to like Disneyland or anywhere truly "exciting", but to Montrose, Iowa- where my parents live. Their 3, or so, acres are sandwiched between a corn field and a dairy farm, off a gravel road. From parts of their property you can see the Mississippi River. Its a little remote to say the least. But fun and homey- like a step back in time truly! So we have been here, and they do have internet connection- faster than ours actually, so I don't have truly a reason for not writing, although we forgot our camera cord, so I can't post any pictures, but still again, not a reason not to write.
But, it is late at night and so I shouldn't be writing, but putting out bed together for the night. I will try and write tomorrow about all our exciting adventures in the land of the corn, if that isn't Iowa's state motto, it should be.