Halloween Happenings

This past Halloween was hard for me. I usually make the kids costumes, but with working full time I just didn't have the energy or desire to do it all. Luckily, Berlin wanted to be Little Red Riding Hood and was able to squeeze into her German Dirndl, so all I had to do was come up with a cape. Which I decided to make using some fabric from my stash. It turned out so beautiful and even though I was up late the night before, it was worth it. I am glad I did it. Here she is with her fearsome wolf. She was mad that I gave her the ghost treat bag because it didn't match her outfit theme. So she went back in and got this basket that we found in the barn last Summer. It used to be her Oma's. She lugged that basket around all night long. 

 

Finley wanted to be Finn the Human from Adventure Time. My kids LOVE this cartoon. Me, not so much. So I wasn't super thrilled about his choice. But, I knew it would be easy since I wouldn't have to make much. It was just a matter of piecing things together. We found a shirt and leggings (which I cut into shorts) at Walmart and I made the backpack. Ryan put together the BMO trick-or-treat box (probably the best part). It turned out great and he looked awesome. 

Even though I only had to make the cape and the backpack, I was pooped. The creative energy and desire just hasn't been there since working. I told Ryan that I think this is the last year I sew costumes, even accessories. It just drains me.

We never get trick-or-treaters at our house (just one of many drawbacks living on a busy street). So Ryan and I took the kids and met up with friends for some neighborhood trick or treating. Here they are in all their blurriness. It was fun night in the neighborhood.

  

Loved this little setup at the neighbors house.

Puppets

A few weeks ago Berlin set up a fort with the babysitter. This fort was a Puppet Shop. She has been trying to get us to all make finger puppets with her. This past conference weekend happened to be the perfect time to sit down, under the table, and make puppets with her. It was really fun and I am glad that I made the time do this with her.

Here are the puppets that I made (the kids and their halloween costumes):

Finley in the process of making his Link finger puppet and Berlin making a Pink/Purple princess:

And now, FINALLY, we can clean up this mess :)

Time for Change

For as long as Finley has had hair (since he was 2), we have always kept it on the shaggy side. We love this look and so does Finley. I have always been the one to cut his hair, but lately it seems like that is all I do. It grows so fast and I just felt like it was time to move-on, try something new and let someone else cut it. Finley wasn't happy with the news. He has always owned and rocked the shaggy do, but he was a bit nervous for the change. I asked him why he was nervous and he said he liked the feel of longer hair. So I asked him if I found some styles with shorter sides, but longer bangs would he like that? He said maybe, so I went and found 4 looks online that I liked and showed him the pics. I told him that he could choose whichever one he wanted. Here are the pics he had to choose from:

  

 

  

Finley wanted #3 (the adult). They are really the same cut just styled differently. In the end, I love the way it turned out and so does he. If anyone is looking for a great hairstylist, visit Sheridan over at 27th Street Salon
(2700 S. 1446 East).

  

 

He is so handsome!

I hope they call me on a mission...

Our oldest niece and nephew on Ryan's side recently submitted their mission papers. We had the opportunity to be with them as they opened their mission calls. Such a great experience to see such righteous young people so willing to sacrifice a few years of their life to serve the Lord. Love them!

Brenner B. - Called to serve in the Philippine Angeles Mission.

Renate A. - Called to serve in the Texas Lubbock Mission

Such a great experience to see such righteous young people so willing to sacrifice a few years of their life to serve the Lord. Love them!

Back to School 2013

Summer flew by this year. It probably didn't help that it was indeed 2 weeks shorter than usual. But really, I don't know where the last 2 1/2 months went! It seems like they just got out of school and here we are starting all over again.

Lucky for me, they were super excited to go back to school. Berlin couldn't wait to be in first grade and stay in school all day like the big kids. She has been wanting to bring lunch to school and eat in the cafeteria and finally she can. Here she is all gussied up for the first day of 1st Grade. When she grows up she wants to be a veterinarian, an artist, and a scientist.

Finley was excited because he finally has neighborhood friends in his class - this hasn't been the case the last 2 years. Here he is all decked out for his first day of 3rd Grade. When he grows up he wants to be an explorer.

I bought him some TOMS for his school shoes this year. He wasn't too happy about it because he said they looked like girl shoes. But, after wearing them that first day, he was hooked. He loves them and are now his go-to shoe. So cute. 

The first day was a success. To celebrate, we went out for frozen yogurt at our favorite place ... Menchies! This tradition is one of our favorite. Finley was so excited to come home and give me my homework. Yep, that's right, I had homework on the first day of school. Darn all those school forms!