Tonight we went to Jeff's brother Greg's house to have a little dinner and take the kids trick or treating. They live in a cul-de-sac within a circle so it's nice and safe with hardly any traffic. There were a bunch of kids including Lily' and Alison's cousins, Paige, Taylor and Jenna as well as Aunt Stacey and her extended family. When I asked the girls what the best part was Alison said the scary house with the heads and hands hanging around (which she was too afraid to go up to at the time) and Lily said, "Spending time with Paige". It's a nice tradition and once again we had a spooktacular Halloween!

Alison's BOOO-thday party

Today was Alison's 4th birthday party. We had a Halloween theme this year. Alison made some monster artwork for her invitations so I scanned them and used them like clip art on computerized invitations and just printed them out. We invited her whole school class and her primary class plus she verbally invited all her teachers and anyone who has been listening to her during this past month. So we had 16 kids and two of her school teachers plus lots of parents and family members here this morning.

Luckily I persuaded my visiting teacher and a couple of my young women from church to come and help me. We started out with decorating trick or treat bags, next was pin the eye on the monster and a spider ring toss.

Then we did a mummy wrapping race and did a freeze dance to "Purple People Eater". We ended with the Pinata of course and then the eyeball cake and gifts.

The whole party was done in an hour and 15 minutes! Perfect, cause I was exhausted! But Alison said it was the best birthday ever so it was all worth it.

Inside Alison's mind

This story is for all of you who love words, like my mom and Colby. Yesterday in preparation for Alison's birthday, Lily was singing the Happy Birthday song to Alison complete with the alternate ending of...

You live in a zoo, you look like a monkey and you smell like one too. Alison replied with a strait face...

"What does one-two smell like?"

Jack-O-Lantern Teeth

Lily has a perfect Jack-o-lantern smile just in time for Halloween! Tonight she lost tooth #5! I wonder what the tooth fairy will bring tonight....I wonder if the tooth fairy has any quarters in her wallet...

New Pictures of Lily

A couple weeks ago we got Lily's pictures taken. I get the girls picture taken every birthday and then together at Christmas each year. Here are Lily's birthday pictures. She is now a big six year old with missing teeth! We love you Lily!!!

Santa Cruz Weekend

This weekend we took a trip to Santa Cruz. Jeff's parents rented a really nice house near the beach and both of his bothers, Aunt Stacey and the cousins were all there as well. We had some really yummy meals together and the kids all really enjoyed the boardwalk and playing on the beach. Sunday we met up with Geoff & Jenny and thier daughter Abby and we went to the warf for lunch and to look at the sea lions. The sea lions just hand out under the warf and bark at all the people watching them, The girls really had fun "talking" to the sea lions. Thanks to Jeff's parents for a great vacation!