We had a fun but busy October! It seemed like there was just one event after another.
The month started off with my monthly hosting of book club here at my home. Everyone is such a good sport to come and enjoy the evening, even if I do not own living room furniture- ha ha ha! We just put the camping and kitchen chairs in a big circle and I guess it works. I just had to mention book club, because it is such a blessing to have this again in my life. I attended this same book club for years before I moved to Denver, and it was one of the things I missed most sorely when I moved. I'm glad it continued while I was gone and that I now get to be a part of it again. I love these gals; they are such amazing women!
We also had Katelee's first Parent Teacher Conferences of the year the first week of October. We are so proud of her and the smart, sweet girl that she is!
General Conference was the first weekend of October. We traveled to Mesquite to spend it with my mom, who was also watching my niece and nephews. We had such an enjoyable weekend together!
Saturday evening we drained my mom's pool for the winter.
The cousins had a great time getting in one last swim!
Blake and Trey played in the draining water and had so much fun!
The next week, Katelee had Fall Break. It happened to coincide nicely with a visit from the Rowe's, who were in town for a wedding! For those who may not know, these are Blake's birthgrandparents and birth aunt. It is always SO wonderful to see them!
They came and visited our home for awhile and then we went to the new City Creek mall to enjoy dinner. It was such a fun evening, and we feel so blessed to have these amazing people in our lives!
Over Fall Break, we also invited Katelee's cousins over for a sleepover. We've done this once before since moving back into town, and it is so fun for the girls to have these cousin bonding times! They love it, and I love it, too! The night of the sleepover they enjoyed treats and a movie, and slept in a tent they made themselves.
There was a lot of silliness, as there should be at a slumber party!
The next morning we had a yummy breakfast of rolly-up pancakes:
And at their request, I gave the girls make-overs. They LOVED it and posed for these cute 'after' photos.
I love these girls, and enjoy having them over and getting to be the 'fun aunt' every now and then. :)
Katelee had some friends over for a play date the following week, which resulted in a sweet tea party in the backyard.
Speaking of the backyard, we have enjoyed some of the most gorgeous weather this month! We have tried to take full advantage of it by getting outside to play everyday. I love going out to play with friends, but I love even more when we go in our own little yard and watch my kids play with each other. Katelee and Blake love each other so much, and it warms my heart to see them play and enjoy one another.
Here are some more playing pictures from this month:
Katelee learned to rollerblade! She loves it!
Handsome boy!
First puzzles!
Katelee decided it was a good idea to decorate HERSELF with stickers.
And her brother, too.
Katelee had Crazy Hair Day at school!
And we gave Blake his first faux hawk!
A
Blake is at the age where he changes and grows so much month to month.
He is so grown-up with his eating now! He eats whatever we are eating for most meals, and just loves it. Though sometimes he gets a little creative in HOW he eats it:
He has also become a pro at playing patty-cake, waving hi or bye bye, and giving five. He LOVES to give five! You should see the way his whole face lights up when he gives me five - love it!
Blake says "Hi" quite clearly now, loves to tease and giggle, is becoming more ticklish, loves to play chase and pull books off the shelves, and can free stand in the middle of the room for at least a minute. He loves to be outside and enjoys our daily walks. He loves to eat graham crackers and peas and yogurt, and it simply a joy to our entire family.
Katelee had her primary program on October 28. She did a great job speaking her part and singing the songs. Here is a video of her rehearsing her lines.
I had a nasty case of strep throat in the middle of the month, which wiped me out for a week or so, but thankfully no one else came down with it and I recovered in time for Halloween festivities!
We took the wagon to pick out pumpkins!
And had our friends the Shills over for a pumpkin carving party!
Blake wanted to watch the pumpkin carving!
The Monday before Halloween this year I had a mini piano recital. All the students dressed up and played a Halloween song at the recital. It was a lot of fun, and everyone did a great job! Katelee played Costume Party, and is really excelling at the piano!
For Halloween this year, Katelee was goldilocks, Blake was baby bear, and we were Mama and Papa Bear. We were thankful that our sisters could help us out - Melissa lent us the baby bear costume and LeRita the mama and papa bear ears. That only left Katelee's costume to figure out, and we made it completely from things we had around the house - AWESOME!
Goldilocks
Her basket.
Complete with three bears and a box of porridge. I loved how Gerald changed this box of porridge from a box of Gerber rice cereal to a box of GrrBear Porridge. Get it? Ha ha!
Baby bear
Grrrrr!
On Saturday,we attended our ward Trunk-or-Treat, where we had a chili cook-off and . . . well, trunk-or-treating.
We had a great time on Halloween! In the morning, Katelee had her costume parade at school, which Blake and I attended. She also had a fun party at school. After school, we all took a nap before heading over to trick-or-treat at Aunt Darla's. When Gerald got home, we enjoyed a delicious dinner of eyeballs and worms in bloody sauce (spaghetti and meatballs) before heading out for some fun trick-or-treating ourselves! Blake enjoyed being pulled around in the wagon after dark, and Katelee had a blast running from door to door with neighborhood friends.
Halloween 2012
After trick-or-treating, we came home to inspect and enjoy the loot before bed.
What a fun and eventful month! Phew, I'm kinda glad it's over!
