halloween.

^^^my favorite halloween kids. the movie star, sheriff jonah, jack the magician, and ariel. ^^^

^^^our trick or treating transportation.^^^

^^^run, jack, run.  chasing down the golf cart.^^^

^^^chugging down the m&m's.^^^

well, halloween was a success. barely.  i had school that night and got home just in time to get my kids dressed in costume while jason worked up some pumpkin shaped tuna melt sandwiches in the kitchen.  we had a quick halloween feast due to some very impatient children who couldn't wait to go get some candy.  then, of course, i had to take some pictures which really didn't go over well with the kids.  the whole time they were complaining and kept trying to run out of the picture as i was taking them.  luckily, i was able to get a few.  we then loaded up the golf cart since that is the only way jason will trick or treat.  i prefer the old fashioned way of walking but i seem to lose that battle.  so, we were off.  jonah was the cutest trick or treater of them all.  at each house he would yell "twrick or treat" so loud that he startled half of the neighbors.  i think two is my favorite trick or treating age.  however, eden's mermaid costume stole the show.  people kept commenting on how adorable she looked.  i have to agree :)  although, i think all my kids looked pretty adorable.  after many houses and nearly full candy bags that got to heavy for my kids to carry and some tired faces it was time to head home.  see you next year halloween.

welcome home sister breinholt.

^^^watching all those airplanes.^^^

^^^practicing their sign holding skills for when sister breinholt makes her appearance.^^^

^^^always gaming.^^^

^^^getting close to her arrival.^^^

^^^welcome home sister breinholt!^^^

about two weeks ago, my niece returned home from her 18 month mission in chicago.  all the cousins were so very excited to see her.  it was a crazy breinholt bunch in that airport and i think we overwhelmed her a bit with all of our cheers and hugs.  it has been such a blessing having her on her mission and she has set such a great example of service for my kids and we greatly appreciate her and her sacrifice to serve.  my kids would pray for her in their prayers everyday and i am so happy that they could see the importance of serving a mission and the blessings that come with it.

pumpkins and apples.

***

two days before halloween we had a little pumpkin carving party that started on the back porch and ended in the kitchen.  the kids (mostly ava) had fun digging out the pumpkin seeds and pumpkin guts.  they each took turns designing a part of the face... one did the eyes, one did the nose, one did the mouth and one played on the ipad.  after pumpkin carving, we made some yummy carmel apples.  jonah preferred his with no carmel and eden had already met her sugar quota for the day so they basically ate apples on a stick.  after this night, i think we were officially in the halloween spirit.

an afternoon at the fair.

a few weekends back we checked out one of those local fairs that are only in town for a few days.  they are always a little sketchy and i swear it must be a requirement to have a sleeve of tattoos and cigarette hanging out of our mouth to work there.  however, it's still a good time and whole lot cheaper than heading over to the state fair where it's sketchier times ten.

we rode some rides including the flying pink elephants and the space shuttle that ava midway through the ride asked the guy to stop because she was getting scared even though she said it was eden who really wanted to get off.  we played some games and won a few whoopee cushions and finished off our fair experience with some cotton candy.  it was everything i hoped a sketchy fair would be.