PRE-HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES

We did our normal traditions: Kids decorated their own little pumpkins they got at the pumpkin patch and then we turned off all the lights and lit candles while I did my best witch impression and read Halloween stories. I know you can't tell it's dark in the house because of the obnoxious flash on the camera, but it was. And guess what? Gage was scared, but only at first. Then he was excited and they took turns being the witch. We carved the most awesome pumpkin (I know we did it with the pattern, but still, it's awesome) and set it up outside. It was only on display for two nights because of the gnarly heat.

The next day was Gage's Halloween Party at preschool, which they invited families to attend for the last 30 minutes (smart lady). Gage was Indiana Jones (the hat that came with his costume was horrible and he kept saying, "This isn't an Indiana Jones hat...it's a sun hat! He was totally right but I had to do my best to convince him otherwise) and Bella was a zebra - at least for Gage's preschool party she was. He immediately took her under his sun hat and held her hand almost the whole time. So sweet....

DOWN ON THE FARMS

It was time for our annual trips to the farms. First, to the local farm for animals, pumpkins, and a hayride. It was easy, fun, and quick, but a little pricey. Those stinky animals love the attention from the kids. The hayride was really bumpy which caused an upchuck from Paisley all over me. (That reminds me of a time I vividly remember when Rob paid me a really heartfelt compliment. We were supposed to get on an airplane headed for San Diego - Bells was 14mos and I was 20mos pregnant. We were in our seats, Bella hadn't been feeling well and I could tell it was going downhill. I told Rob we better make a mad dash off the plane because I just knew the vomit was imminent. We made our way from the back of the plane, with a crying, disappointed Gage, a sick child whose feet were knocking everyone in the face as I carried her, evil glares from jerky passengers who obviously have never had children, off the plane. Poor little Belly was white as a ghost and limp. We made it out to the car and I was holding her in the back seat when she just let loose all over me. I didn't flinch and didn't try to push her off of me - I just held her as she continued to let it go. I just tried to comfort this poor baby who didn't know what was happening. Rob turned around and he ALMOST got teary-eyed as he told me what a great mom I am. This was literally days after his own mother's funeral, so that explains his exaggeration. It was sweet, nonetheless.)

A few days later we went to Schnepf Farms with Courtney, Alyssa, Nathan and Mary Kay and kids. The picture of the two babies are Eden (held by my sister Courtney-Eden's aunt) and Paisley (cousins) who were born 3 days apart. Paisley is a GIANT!!!

HOT FALL DAYS

Since fall is still refusing to show up around here, we made up a game to play in Gage's room in the A/C. We all tried on every hat in the house and acted as silly as possible. Can't remember why Bella was crying so much...it was fun! The pictures are a good sampling.

Here are some random things and quotes from the kids. I realize after reading through these again that they won't be nearly as cute and interesting anyone else as they are to us. My apologies for the torture. I have officially become one of THOSE moms I used to make fun of.

Bella was playing with my makeup compact today and shut it and said, "The End."

When asked how she is doing, Bella responds, "Goog". Yum.

Bella L-O-V-E-S makeup and shoes. She is obsessed. She is always walking around in my mismatched shoes that she's tripping over with lip gloss in one hand and lotion in the other. She loves to stand at the sink and play in the water. She is also obsessed with brushing her teeth. If she doesn't have makeup in her hand, she likely has a toothbrush and toothpaste (whoever's she can reach). She does not easily relinquish these items. She is soooo independent and strong-willed. (Isn't it funny how a mother uses the word 'strong-willed' while the rest of the world uses 'spoiled brat'? But she sure is a cute spoiled brat.) She does not give in easily to ANYTHING. Gage was much easier to manipulate (for lack of a better word) at that age. Bella makes me appreciate that Gage really wasn't so strong-willed as a toddler after all.

Gage had a friend over to play and I was helping him put his shoes on and I said, "Come here, buddy." Gage said, "Hey, you can't call him Buddy, only I'm your buddy."

I was tucking Gage in and having our nightly talk about the day and making up stories. He asked me if Daddy loved him (he wasn't sure because Daddy made him go to bed early for being disobedient). I explained that Daddy had him go to bed early BECAUSE he loves him so much and wants to teach him to choose the right. I started to tell him stories about when he was a baby, that Daddy would hold him for hours and sing to him and make him laugh. I told him that when he grows up and is a Daddy that he will have to teach his son how to choose the right, too. He said, "Daddies don't have babies!" I agreed and explained that he will be married and he and his wife will have babies. He said, "Oh, well when I grow up I want to marry you and we can have a son and we'll name him Gage." Precious.

Gage was outside playing while Bella and Paisley were napping. Bella woke up and immediately went outside to play with Gage. As soon as Gage saw her, he ran over to her and gave her a big hug and said, "Bella! I'm so happy you're awake! How was your nap?" Bella said, "Goog" and they waddled off together holding hands.

At the library getting out of the car, Bella spotted a woman walking away from us with white hair that was similarly styled to Grandma LaDuke's. She said, "Bye, Grandma!"

Paisley is becoming so much more aware and is trying to scoot her cute fat behind to reach toys out in front of her. She also likes to put her hand on my face, which I love. She started to have a little trouble napping (staying awake longer than half hour without waking up crying) and I remembered reading in one of the many books I read when Gage was a baby to try giving the baby an article of clothing of yours to hold on to so they can smell you. I thought, "What the heck?" and I gave Paisley a blue-and-white striped shirt I had worn to bed the previous night. Worked like a charm and she's been sleeping with it since, naps and bedtime.

Gage wants desperately for Bella to play with him, so much so that he's literally dragging her by the arm across the hard grass and pool deck to force her to play. She has the scratched up legs and shoulder to prove it.

Gage's fear and emotions took over preventing him from giving his part, "I love our prophet, President Monson" in the Primary Program. And he didn't sing either. He stared at me the whole time and fought back tears until he didn't have any fight left. Poor little guy. He was so disappointed (he had been SO exicted to give his part) and so were we.

Bella is so expressive in her voice and she gets so happy when you tell her thank you for doing something. She just beams, "You're welcome!" And you have GOT to hear her say, "I don't know".

ROCKY POINT

We had a great weekend in Rocky Point with our friends the Johnsons x 2, Schmitts, and Rybergs. The weather was awesome, the kids did great and we got some nice, peaceful down time. Our condo was right on the beach with a beautiful ocean view. Gage and Bella had fun playing in the sand and getting their feet wet in the ocean. Bella ran out to the balcony shouting, "Hi Ocean! Hi Ocean!" excitedly (nevermind that she's never seen the ocean before.) Then she ran back to get her beloved doll and took her out to the balcony and said, "Look, dolly! Ocean!"

Bella and Paisley had to take their naps daily in order to make it bearable for all of us. That meant that one of us had to stay in the room while slept. I happily volunteered because it meant sitting on the balcony listening to the oceans waves and feeling the ocean air while catching up on some reading. All of this with complete silence. Silence is golden!! That's what I call a vacation. Meanwhile, Rob would take Gage down to the beach or to the pool with everyone else.

A friend of mine was there whom I haven't seen in a long time, not since I was pregnant with Bella. We were out at this restaurant where they have a dance floor and the kids were dancing their cute little fannies off. She asked me how I was doing now that I have three kids so close together. I had a very positive response which she didn't believe. I thought, "Do I give the impression that I don't enjoy this?" I sure hope not. I found myself having to convince her that I really do enjoy it, even though there are hard days. Actually, there aren't hard days....just hard moments. But the times of joy DEFINITELY outweigh the times I want to pull my hair out, or theirs'.

MESSY...WHO ME?

A friend of mine recently told me that Bella is the messiest girl eater she has ever seen. I have no idea what she's talking about....

ZOO DAYS

We went to the zoo with Karla, Natalie and some of Karla's family and friends. This is the first of what will probably me many fall and winter visits. Their favorite was the petting zoo. And here's Paisley again in her standard pose from her car seat. Poor girl. She's dang cute...of course that's her mama's opinion.

We followed it up with a visit to Papa Powers. Those kids have him wrapped around their chubby little fingers. He loves to hold Paisley, but can only take small doses (she's a heavy sucker).

ONE OF THE MANY REASONS WE LOVE DADDY.....

Rob had to leave at 5:30am for a business trip and left a note on the kitchen table next to the camera that read, "Play Me". It carried us through 'til he came home three days later. The kids asked to see it again and again. I didn't mind.