One of my favorite quotes from Anne of Green Gables is "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." I completely agree, October was absolutely lovely. Here is our October in reverse. Seth's work hosted their annual trick-or-treat the office night. This was the first event in their new office. They had a fun activity for the kids on every floor...and our kids walked away with pounds of candy.
We spent the last Sunday of October up in Cache Valley at Mark's mission farewell. Silas happily played outside on their cool swing.
We had fun visiting with family at the luncheon after the farewell.
We went to the annual family Halloween party.
Our kids all loved Aunt Jill's potion station.
Grandma Jo spoiled the kids with play-dough kits.
Uncle Matt set up some ghost races...Seth helped Lou race.
Millie loved playing Don't eat Pete with Grandma Jo and Grandad.
We had a good showing near the end of musical chairs.
We went to the Davis County Sheriff's office Trunk-or-Treat. They gave out Creamies so we hung out on the lawn to eat them.
Millie ate hers with the Vampire teeth that she was given.
Silas had a Dino week at school. He is LOVING Kindergarten.
We went to several other trunk or treats the Thursday before Halloween. This particular one was at a car dealership. Our favorite one was at a dealership where one of the employees was dressed like Aladdin. He had built a "magic" carpet that was remote controlled. The kids also played a few games and one some Hot Wheel cars.
I had a vision for our Halloween photos and my family really came through. We were all Spiderman characters (Seth was Peter B. Parker, I was Doc Oc, Phin was SpiderRex, Millie was Ghost Spider, Silas was Miles Morales and Lou was Mayday Parker aka Baby Spiderman). I decided we should take our pictures on a rooftop garage downtown to match the theme of Spiderman. We loaded up and got to the garage...and then I remembered I had our rooftop carrier on. We found a parking spot at the bottom of the garage where the clearance was still high and then we all climbed the stairs to the top of the garage. My kids gave their best smiles and these pictures will honestly be treasured for years to come.
Phin as SpiderRex. He has wanted an inflatable costume for years...we found this one that matched our theme and he was elated. We ordered the kids size first...which was made for a "kid" Silas' size so we returned it and ordered this Adult size. It was perfect because Phin could just keep his face out and zip up right below his chin. He wore out several sets of batteries before Halloween playing in this costume. My favorite thing was seeing him run/shuffle. I am super proud of him for paying half the cost of this costume with money he has earned mowing lawns.
Millie as Ghost Spider.
Silas as Miles Morales. He really wanted the Miles Morales Jordan shoes. I convinced him his black converse shoes would do.
Our whole ensemble. I made my Doc Oc costume with a backpack, zip ties and dryer vents. My Mom's vintage 1970s leather coat was the perfect finishing touch.
We took Nona down to the Capitol building to see the huge Golden Spike monument that will eventually end up in Brigham City. It was so cool to see this in person and to meet the artist behind this piece.
We went to a neighboring city's Pumpkin Walk. The kids built a pumpkin catapult.
We entered a few pumpkins into the competition and Millie won for this Tinkerbell pumpkin...she picked the design and I did the carving.
We spent our Fall Break down in Escalante. The drive back was LONG. We hit bumper to bumper traffic in Nephi that lasted all the way to Santaquin/Payson. Lou just wanted to be held.
We celebrated Lou's birthday at the cabin.
We invited Seth's parents and his sister Audrey and her family to join us at the cabin. Here Lou is "helping" Aunt Audrey with a puzzle.
I made Lou a Cake by Courtney Twix Cake. It was a bit crumbly (possibly from traveling) but still delicious.
We stopped for lunch near Grosvenor Arch.
We hiked the Cottonwood Narrows.
Lou was happy to wake up to a birthday banner and balloons.
The leaves were GORGEOUS at the cabin. I haven't been to the cabin at peak leaf time and it is breathtaking.
The kids had the best time hanging out with their cousins.
Phin loved shooting the BB gun.
We had an early out day the day before we went to the cabin so I took the kids to Red Butte Garden for their BOOtanical event. The kids LOVED it. It was a Harry Potter themed adventure through the gardens. Behind us in the picture below you can see a STICK MAN.
Here are some magical fairies.
Dragons and Dragon eggs.
A Unicorn.
The kids insisted on a Group shot at our usual spot...and individual photos as well.
We learned how to cast all sorts of SPELLS.
The gardens were filled with some unusually plants... like the eye plant.
A huge Venus fly trap.
We also were put into "HOUSES" at the beginning of our adventure.
While Millie and Phin rolled down the big hill, I got some fun pumpkin shots with Silas.
We also went on a Skeleton Scavenger Hunt at Farmington Station. We went into the Barnes and Nobles and the kids loved this display...and lots and lots of things in the store.
We also visited the Lego store...this little Lego cactus was pretty cute.
One afternoon I decided I should skip Lou's normal nap time and take her up to Mueller Park for a hike. The leaves were at the peak and it was AMAZING!
She did fall asleep in the pack which doesn't look very comfortable.
Here we are soaking in the sun...the weather was perfect for a Fall hike.
We tried to watch the solar eclipse...but the clouds got in the way. We got a few glimpses which were pretty cool.
Seth's work had a night at a local pumpkin patch. It was a super rainy day but we went anyway. The kids were able to get their faces painted, we had some yummy food truck burgers and we each picked out a pumpkin.
Our washer officially died in October. It had been getting louder and louder recently...and one day when I went to check on the load I found this. That cement brick is the inside part of the washer. This was obviously way beyond any reasonable repair. I ended up replacing it with a Speed Queen and am SO HAPPY.
We made one final trip to Lagoon for the season.
Lou was delighted to get the swan on the carousel.
Silas insisted on a picture by Bulgy the Whale..he is holding glow sticks which added to a fun Frightmares experience.
Millie was baptized this month. She was so excited to have many of her cousins come...including cousin Lily who is just about 6 months older than Millie.
Cousin Spencer made Millie this cute "Holy Ghost" cake.
Millie had been looking forward to this day for a LONG time. It was a beautiful day to see our girl make her first covenant.
It has been a little adjustment to have three kiddos with me at school. They have done really great hanging out in my room for the first 45 minutes of the day. Silas found some magnets in my closet and can often be found creating with them.
Here is some of Phin's artwork. Phin also started Jr. Jazz basketball this month. He loves being on a team with several of his friends from school. He also started a Vex IQ robotics club at the end of October.
