Tates Class Presentation

On Wed Tate's pre-school class did a bunch of fun Halloween festivities. He had to take a pumpkin that he helped create, they did a little song for all the parents and then had some dessert. Tate saw this Mr P kit and asked me if that's how he could do his pumpkin. It was pretty dang simple and no mess to clean up either. He got the award for the toughest pumpkin. Tate is loving school this year. He never complains about going and is always very eager to come home and tell me what he has learned that day. I am so glad that Rondalee is his teacher. She does a great job with him and he truly loves her. The other day as we started to leave he rolled down his window and yelled " I love you Sis Jones ". He is constantly giving her hugs . The kid is defiantly a love bug. He loves to be hugged and kissed and is always so sweet to me. I am so glad that I have Tate. He is hilarious and rough and tough but sweet as can be. He is a perfect mix, definitely all boy but a sweetheart to. I could't ask for anything better in a son. I love you buddy and like you always say " I love you bigger than a city and as much as the moon."

Trunk or Treat

For some reason I really wasn't feeling the Halloween spirit this year. I have never been to huge on Halloween anyways, but I think this year I may have been more of a grinch. We did enjoy our ward party though and our kids had fun dressing up. Kim Crumb called and asked me if I would be wiling to bring chili. With the lack of skill in the cooking dept. I enlisted my sweet mother in law to make it for me. Ya i know I am lame and its not difficult to make but my name was attached to it and hers chili is fantastic. It was a hit and I appreciated her doing that. She even wrote down the ingredients in case people asked so I could act like I made it:) At the last minute Tate decided that he wanted to be a fire man like his uncle Ricky. I thought it was a dang cute costume and he had fun with the axe as you can imagine.

Brooks and Larken wanted to be the same thing so they decided on this cute witch costume. And well Ty didn't have much of a choice. I have saved all of Brooklyn's costumes so at least for now why Ty doesn't care she gets the hand downs. Chad and I didn't dress up but we had fun seeing all the others who did. This is Christa and Phil. I don't think I would have even recognized her had she not look the same as her husband. The funniest part about their characters was thy were passing out chicklets and the nasty suckers that can only be bought at select stores or south of the border.

This is Eric and Jen. He dressed as the love guru and her obviously a nun. I would have to say Jen looks pretty good in that outfit.

Wayne and Chea came as Troy Bolton and Gabriella. They set up a basketball hoop and had the HSM music blaring. Maybe next year Chad and I can not be so boring.

Randa looking like the angel that she is!

B had a blister about 5 minutes into the party and so she sat in the car and handed out candy. I think she had just as much fun doing that as she did the trick or treating part.

B was at her other house over Halloween so we decided not to go trick or treat on the actual day. We already had so much candy and Chad wanted to go to the QC football game. It was such a good game. Its fun when you sit with all the parents who are way enthused. They at least got to wear their costumes to the game and we took them to a couple of houses that didn't mind that it was 10 when we got there. Now the trick is trying to keep myself and the kids from eating the candy all day long. Now its on to the good holidays. I cant even believe its November and already time to get shopping and I cant wait!!!!!!!!

Brooks Field Trip

B asked me if I would be one of the chaperone's on her 3rd grade field trip last week. I try to go on all of them with her. Its fun to go and be with her and the kids that she associates with at school. It helps me put faces to the names I hear throughout the school year. Plus its just more time I get to be one on one with Brooklyn. Julie was kind enough to keep T and T for me. I was happy to go and even happier that B wanted me there but man, it was a bit boring. They cant do field trips any more unless they are educational. We went to the Riparian Reserve which is right there on Guadalupe and Greenfield. I have driven past it a million times and never knew what it was. At least now I can quit wondering what it is. B and ToniAnn Bluth

Basically the purpose of the reserve is to recycle water in Gilbert. We learned that there are 25 of the reservoirs in Gilbert alone. They process the water with chemicals and then release it into these basins which then allow the water to seep back into the earth. The action further purifies the water and then they suck it back up and fill up ponds at parks and use it for sprinklers and what not in Gilbert. Seriously, that was the entire point of the trip. We learned a few other things but that was it. School these days is not the same as when I was in elementary school. Everything they teach and do is strictly to prepare these kids to pass the Aims test. I kinda feel bad for B sometimes but I'm sure that she will be a ton smarter than I am because of how far they are pushed as students. I have nothing wrong with her learning at a higher level but I also want her to enjoy it and have fun. Heck there are days that I cant even figure out her homework. I assumed I would still be able to do 3rd grade math but I have been stumped a few times already. I am lucky that she is such a good kid and student. She for the most part doesn't need my help and does great. She works so hard and it is paying off.

8 Things

Chea tagged like 3 weeks ago and since I cant sleep, I will finally participate.

8 TV shows-
1. 24
2. Amazing Race
3. American Idol
4. Trauma Life in the ER
5. Ghost Whisper
6. Any ball game
7. Ya I cant even come up with 8. I don't watch all that much TV. Please my kids don't allow for that!

8 Things I did Yesterday
1. Cut my dad and Ricky's hair
2. visited with my grandma while picking up a big bowl of chicken soup she made me :)
3. Got my nails done
4. Did Jessica's hair
5. Frantically tried to finish buying clothes for the kids pics today.
6. Called Chea every 10 min because I am apparently not capable of making a decision.
7. Fed, bathed, played, flicked, laughed, prayed and swaddled my kids up all in my room for bed.
8. Read Extreme Measures, thanks to Chad surprising me and getting it for me!

8 Favorite things to Eat
1. Candy
2. Mexican Food
3. Bubble gum
4. Otter pops
5. Pumpkin Pie, thanks goodness it not always in season.
6. Soda
7. Chick-fil-a
8. beef jerky

8 Things I look Forward to
1. Chad getting back from Texas
2. Date Nights
3. My kids giving me loves
4. Softball
5. Finally laying down and being able to relax every night with my bedroom window open.
6. Moms home cooked meals
7. Spending time with family and friends
8. A clean house

8 Things I wish for
1. I wish i could get my 2 youngest kids to sleep in their own rooms
2. I wish my kids wouldn't argue with me or each other
3. I wish I could sleep at night
4. I wish I had more will power and less of a sweet tooth.
5. I wish I was more patient and positive. I tend to be a realist which at times can seem pessimistic
6. I wish I was a better cook and housekeeper
7. I wish Chad was here so I could go to sleep
8. Lastly I wish and hope that my kids will know how much I love them.

Pumpkin Party

The Lambs invited us over on Sun. to carve pumpkins. This was a first for Chad and I. Thanks to the always informative Larson's we learned how the pros carve the amazing designs onto the pumpkin. We had a blast as always and the kids loved every minute of it. We ended with some karaoke and laughs on the front porch. How blessed we are! Thanks for the good times and showing us one of the many things we have been missing out on. This picture is scary! Tate with a knife and grinning from ear to ear.

Ty was getting into the singing. She loves to think she is a big kid.

Jared bringing us all to that hysterical point of laughing! Troy Bolton has nothing on Jared.

Foxes

This past weekend the Foxes came into town for a father and son baseball tournament. We were lucky enough to see a few of their games. My kids are always up for ball games as am I so we were excited. Dave used to come out a ton for base ball tournaments and I can remember enjoying his games when I was a kid as well. He was an excellent ball player and I have to say I was so impressed with his skills to date. Trevor and Adam also did really well. I miss the Foxes and wish that we got to see them more often. After his game on Fri. we all got together at Applebees and visited. I missed not having Desiree with them.

I didn't get to many good pics but the one standing is Dave. He played 1st base and did awesome. I think its been about 8 years ago that Dave had his stroke. He is such a fighter and is an amazing example to me. I have so many great memories that involve him. He is down right funny and good at everything he does. I guess I was thinking that it would be hard for him to hit the ball and well, do most of whats required. You have to react so quickly to make contact and he looked like a pro. Its pretty awesome to me that some one can go through all he has and continue to exceed at things. He truly amazes me and I am a better person for knowing their entire family!

That is Trevor out in center field. The pic I took of Adam was blurry. I don't think that I had seen Trevor for at least 7 years. He just got back from serving his mission and isn't the skinny little boy I remembered. I am sure before to long he will be making some girl very lucky. Heather was here for work so it worked out really well. Its always good to see her smiling face. She and Adam are expecting in June. She and Desiree will have a ton of fun having the babies that close together. Desi is due in April. They will be exactly how Trey and B are. I'm rambling on but it was great to see them and to see Dave playing ball like the good ole days.

The Great Outdoors

Happy Fall from Tylee!! She is to busy outside to get dressed and or get her hair combed. This is her idea of combing her hair! I had to laugh when she came outside with her nice sweat band.

I have not posted for such a long time and am now going to attempt to play catch up. This week we have finally started to enjoy the outdoors again. I feel like we have just been in between seasons and because of that we have gotten stir crazy. We haven't swam in months but it was still so warm out that the park was not quite enjoyable. Well thank heavens for the temp being in the eighties during the day and fifties at night. There is nothing better than the cool nights when the windows are open and the fresh air can be smelt throughout the house. Theres something about the smells of fall that get me in a happier mood. All I have to do is smell the pumpkin candle or the Christmas presence from GC and I am instantly feeling warmer already. If the kids had their way they would be outside from morning till night. I think I will be feeling that when we reach the 70's. So thank heaven literally for the amazing weather that we wait all year long for. Its here and the Cummards are surely enjoying!!

TTate finds great happiness in digging for worms and what not. He has spent many hours with his miniature shovel digging to " China." Ty and Ridge encouraged Brecken and Tate as they worked for a couple hours. With Tates determination , some day we may have a tunnel to China!