Halloween Ward Party

Our ward had its annual Halloween party at the park across the street from our house.  It was so nice to just walk on over.  Lovely.  But they boys were so excited for the party and to wear their costumes.  There were lots of little games for them to play, and they made out with a load of candy.  Too much sugar...waaaaay too much sugar.

Halloween prep

We carved pumpkins for family home evening one night.  The boys were super excited, but we carved them way too early.  We do this every year.  Somehow, we always forget that pumpkins get super moldy and mushy after only a few days.  

But they boys loved their pumpkins.  Mason's pumpkin was Lightening McQueen.  Matt helped him, if you can't tell.  They did an awesome job, didn't they?

Graham wanted a scary face.  This (below) was my best attempt.  Clearly, I need some pumpkin carving lessons from Matt.

We made bats and pumpkins out of construction paper.  The bats were to cute.  The boys glued the eyes on all by themselves.  Mason's ended up with three eyes.  Graham's little bats had mouths.  Too funny.

pics from October

And now for a collection of pictures from October...

The boys at story time.  They are too cute sitting by each other.

Graham made a robot at the library.

Hi Elsie.

This is how much sand I dumped out of Graham's shoes after school one day.  I can't imagine how uncomfortable he was.

These boys are such good friends.

And Mason loves Elsie.

bee stings and bonked heads

There was a two- week stretch in October where Graham really had a rough go.  One night, when we were out playing in the back yard, Graham stepped on a bee.  Matt took good care of him, but about a week later, his foot swelled up.  I took him to the pediatrician and they seemed to think it had gotten infected.  We got him on some antibiotics and his foot was much better.  A few weeks later, at the pumpkin patch, Graham got stung again.  A bee landed on his hand and he closed his fingers on it.  Poor kid.  That same night, I ran to the store and while I was gone, Graham jumped off the couch and landed on a little metal car.  He cut the back of his head open.  It wasn't bad, but it bled.  I'm glad I wasn't here for it.  Matt got him all taken care of again.  So poor Graham, the picture above is the morning after the pumpkin patch.  He was quite the sight.  The picture below is of his poor swollen foot.  We haven't had any incidents since, though, so we're keeping our fingers crossed.

bates nut farm

Before Halloween we ventured over to Bates Nut Farm.  It's a local favorite.  It was really cute and clean.  There was a pumpkin patch, a hayride, lots of animals.  The boys had a blast.  Elsie slept most of the time.  : )

There is a large candy store on the farm, and the boys just wanted to play there.  They threw a royal fit (especially Mason) when we dragged them out kicking a screaming.

But once they remembered that it was pumpkin day they were just fine. 

Everything was peachy keen until the last five minutes of the patch.  Elsie was a mess, and Graham.  Poor Graham.  He got stung by a bee.  The second time in two weeks.  So here's our final attempt at getting a picture with Elsie in it.

Oh boy.

beach camping

Ever since we left Utah and Idaho, we haven't really found a place that resembles camping like we knew growing up.  There is, however, beach camping!  We went a few weekends ago, and the boys loved every minute of it.  Sand, hot dogs, marshmallows, and a tent.  What more could they ask for?  I'm pretty sure Mason ate at least a dozen marshmallows.  I tried to keep track but he kept sneaking them.

Elsie was a pretty good camper, too.

Everybody slept quite soundly.

The boys were excited to sleep in the tent.

Good morning, miss Elsie. 

pics from September

cookie jammies

sometimes they share....

beach baby Elsie

Oh, book.  Mason tore this library book to shreds.  I nearly died.  Lightening, as you see, was terrified.

It's hot in San Diego in September.

We have a pomegranate tree.  Who knew?  We had no idea until one day we noticed there was a pomegranate on it. It was pretty good.  The boys were anxious to cut it open.

One day the cheese looked like this.  Who did this?  Why didn't I see this happen?

I made a chalkboard for the boys with magnetic primer and chalkboard paint.  The boys love it.  Those little faces at the top of the board are Graham's drawings.  There's a "happy face," a "sad face," and a "medium face."

This is what happens when Graham chooses his own outfit.  He loves that train shirt.  At least he's a super hero!

Boys in tents.