Trick-or-Treat

Each year we've done trick-or-treat with the kids, even though I have mixed feelings about it. While I did pumpkins with the kids, I shared that story that's been going around the internet for awhile, how carving a pumpkin is like how Jesus picked us (like we picked our pumpkins), he cleans all the yucky stuff out of our hearts (like we clean the yucky stuff out of the pumpkin), makes us a new creation (like how we make a new face on our pumpkins), and shines his light in us (like we shine a light in our pumpkins). Not sure I got it exactly right, but that's the general idea.
The boys were really grossed out trying to clean out their pumpkins. I was just being silly here.

We've never put up decorations or anything like that, but this year Eric and I even dressed up with the kids. We went out with them while my parents, who were visiting, passed out candy.

It was nice to walk along and say hello to everyone, and we certainly got a lot of comments on our costumes, especially Eric.

As we went from house to house, once in awhile we came to one that had scary decorations. We also landed on a street that went all out on being scary. The kids didn't like it, and I didn't try to talk them into approaching the scary houses. It really spoke to me. More and more I feel like I want to substitute trick-or-treat with a different fun family activity. I love how many churches have a carnival on trick-or-treat night. Maybe we'll find a church like that when we move.

Even with my mixed feelings, I look at all the candy and can't help but say YAY!!

We'll see what next year brings.

Yeah, I Could Live Here

Well, I must say, I LOVE it here! The view is absolutely beautiful. These aren't the snow-capped Rockies, but still spectacular.

I'm pretty tired right now. We spent the day looking at houses in all kinds of neighborhoods. I loved the developments that were more at the top of the mountains, an incredible view. The tough part was that living on a hill means a sloped yard. Hard to mow.

Another area we visited was not surrounded by mountains but had bigger, flatter lots. More than anything, it was really good to get out here and see some of these places in person after studying them online for the last few weeks.

We aren't ready to buy a house yet, still need to get ours on the market, but we'll be coming back here in another month (without the kids, what a challenge that was!) to look more intensely.

And Away We Go!

I'm so excited!! We're leaving today after lunch for a half-day's drive to check out the area we'll be moving to in February. I've heard it's absolutely beautiful there, and our area is even at the tip of a mountain range. In high school I went on an extended hike through the Rockies and love love loved it. I'm not sure if these mts will even come close to the beauty of the Rockies, but we'll see! We've been warned that they have bears there. Bears?? Bring em' on! At least I know they won't be sneaking into my house or crawling into my bed at night like spiders do!!

I'll take my camera so I can post pictures as we go.

My Jedi Name

Find out What's Your Jedi Name at LiquidGeneration.com

Happy Birthday Grandma!

We love you and we're so happy you're here!

Boy Talk

The boys had this conversation in the van today...



Owen: The first is the worst. The second is the best. Third is the one with the treasure chest. Fourth is the one with the polka dotted dress. Fifth is the one who lives in the West. Sixth is the one with the hairy chest....

(PAUSE)

Owen: Hey Ethan. Do you want a hairy chest or a beard?

Ethan: Oh a hairy chest. No wait. A beard. Can I have both?

Buddies

I love it when the boys play nicely together. Here they are playing Zathura. What's really great is Owen can read the cards.

Well, mostly. Each card starts with a description and at the bottom has a command. For example, the card might read, "Pass Planet Galactagon and encounter less wind resistance" or "Your navigational experience is needed" I found Owen calling out, "Mom!" every time they drew a card, which was about every 30 seconds, so I finally showed Owen to just read the command at the bottom of each card, which would read something like, "Lose a turn" or "Move ahead 1 space." That helped them be able to play more independently, and I was able to get stuff done around the house.

Well, mostly. Emily is getting more demanding every day it seems!