Ward Halloween Party

Here are all of the pictures from the Ward Halloween Party. Miss Malia went as a purple butterfly. Here we are getting to leave the house... all smiles..

And here is the do...double pigtail braids with pretty butterfly clips...I "borrowed" the butterflies from one of my mom's planters!

Here we are at the party. Malia and I got to go just us... mom kept Abram...it was nice to have some one on one time with her...

Malia started the party rather grumpy. She opted not to nap that afternoon, fell asleep in the car on the way into town, and then I had to wake her up to go into the store...makes for a rather grumpy girl...refusing to get her picture taken...Not to mention here her wings are upside down and she was refusing to let me switch them...

Here is super cute Marissa (my cousin who helps watch the kids often). She was inspired by Mali's purple butterfly costume...

Here are the two youngest Hayes boys, John and Adam...

Here are the Hanselmann Lawn Gnomes (Britt's kids, Nathan and Nora)...

The kids lined up on the counter in the kitchen. They were growing rather impatient waiting for homemade corn dogs and opted for just the dog on a stick...

Mali's mood improved after grubbing on hot dogs and carrots...This was our first game, a bean bag toss...Here she picked out a box of jawbreakers for her prize...

Dart game...here she got a "My Little Pony" coloring book...she was way excited...

After doing the pumpkin toss, which she got it in the bucket first try! She picked the purple spider ring for her prize. She was very pleased that it was a "match" to her costume!

Here she is "fishing". She won a pumpkin straw. This is one of her frequent faces, I call it her "in your face" look. As you can see her wings are starting to deteriorate. I guess I can't complain since they only cost $5, the only thing I bought for her costume.

This game cracked me up...Musical Chairs...Malia SO did not get the concept. When they were setting the chairs out she started getting upset that there wasn't enough for everyone! Then when the music stopped she refused to sit in the chair! Oh well.

Here she is excitedly showing off her chocolate cupcake from the cake walk and her donut. Yum...chocolate!

All bundled up to go Trunk or Treating in the parking lot. I gathered every purple piece of clothing she had. Not too hard since it is her favorite color. The Hayes were kind enough to lend us the purple pumpkin. Another moment of excitement at the "match".

She loved the trunk or treating! She was very good at saying "Trick or Treat" and "Thank You". It was a great night. I love that she is old enough now to get the whole thing. Not so excited about having so much candy around but it was fun for her. Can't wait for next year when David will be back!

Happy Halloween!

This was right before our church Halloween party on Wednesday. This is only part of her costume since we were doing some shopping before the party. She was pretty excited to get candy and play games. Happy Halloween!

All smiles...

I forgot I had these on the camera, too. Que bonita!

Reading Time!

Brother and Sister Forever...

Happy are We...

What's a little reading time without some hair pulling?

A very animated storyteller she is...

Sealed with a kissy...

Well, there they are. I'm finally caught up! Well except of an edited video clip that I can't seem to load. Now on to Halloween pics...

A Noisy Little Boy

Random Moments with the Kids

Getting closer to getting caught up on blogging. Here are a few random pics of the kids. Some aren't in focus because I had my camera on the wrong setting, but Dan (Britt's husband) fixed it last night so they should be better from now on. Here is one of Malia. Scary! She reminds me of the little girl on "According to Jim". In your face....

Here's Abram again in his camo hat... I couldn't decide which one to post so I did both, just separate postings:)

One of Abram's recent struggles...

One of Mali's recent activities... sort of reminded me of a graveyard....I'm weird...

My Sleeping Beauties....

I woke up this morning sensing it was going to be a grumpy day. Feeling overwhelmed and "funned" out with this deployment thing. However, then the kids got up (in good moods...rare) and I snapped out of it. I realized how truly blessed I am to have these great kids and quickly got out of my funk. Thanks kiddos!

Supporting Our Troop(s)

At least once a month I get together a box to mail to David. We use the flat rate box from the post office ($11.95) and pack it to the hilt! Some of his favorite things are beef jerky, protein powder, canned chunky soups, candy (especially skittles and sour patches), packaged cookies (oreos and wafers), magazines (I collect Chris' sports/outdoor magazines and Mom's Reader's Digest, as well as church magazines), movies, Malia's artwork (every piece produced is accompanied by, "I send this to my papa", including all nursery drawings), seeds (pumpkin and sunflower), and whatever random things he comes up with. Now my ward here is gathering things to send to his entire unit (10 guys)! I know it will be greatly appreciated. His unit doesn't leave the COP, so they love anything they can get. What a great way to show our support for our brave servicemen. Here is Abram supporting the best way he can.... being cute! If you look close you can see his tooth (he has two now!)

Here is Malia helping make some oatmeal raisin cookies to send to papa...

I am so happy my ward is collecting things for his unit. I strongly encourage others to do something for servicemen in your area. The holiday season will be especially tough for them having to be away from family and friends. I am so grateful for all of their sacrifices and service. If anyone would like David's address, just let me know. They crave mail!