Happy Halloween

So I know that I am a little slow on posting this but don't they look adorable? What would the holidays be without children!
We had such a great time making Spencer's Wall-e Costume, and it turned out better than I could have hoped for. Spencer had the costume on at least once a day. We did have some costume problems later on, Trick-or-Treating, when we discovered it was very difficult for him to walk up stairs with a box on, but it was still very exciting! This was probably the first year he really caught on to the idea of it all. Of course, it is the first year he has really been interested in candy (only Chocolate) so that does help.
Rachel was originally going to be Tinker Bell. We had borrowed a costume from my sister that was a size 12mo Disney Tinkerbell. Unfortunately, we were unable to get it on or off her without tears. It is hard to believe how quickly these little ones grow. Fortunately they still had some adorable costumes left the Saturday before Halloween. I hate cutting things that close, but the position of "Mother" is never without surprises!

What a great stay - cation!

Derek and I both took off work for a weekend to spend some time as a family and to get some things done around the house. We had such a great time! (although Derek's opinion may be different) First we moved the furniture so we cold try out my brand new, very own carpet cleaner! I had so much fun watching the carpets change color. I used to think my mother was crazy for getting excited over silly things like this (her favorite day was garbage day!) but I have inherited this same trait. I think Spencer is catching on too....whenever he uses the swivel sweeper he is always so anxious to see how much dirt he caught. What a funny boy.
We had some fun as a family too. We took daddy to see the aquarium in Sandy, and had a great time. Derek had never been before (I get to have all the fun) so Spencer got to show him the ropes. It was really fun to watch him get his nerve up to touch the Mana Ray, mostly because it reminded me of how nerve racking it was for me the first time too. Have you ever touched one? They feel squishy and slimy and not at all like I would have expected.

Addictions

Which one, which one?

Some people have drugs, others have alcohol, I have frozen yogurt!
There is a new frozen yogurt parlor in American fork called Frozen Yogurt Junction that is fabulous! As many of you know I have been keeping them in business single handed. If it has been a while since you had frozen yogurt you should give it a try. It is different, no, better than ice cream (especially because it doesn't bother my lactose intolerance) I especially like the tart flavors. I have had a thing frozen yogurt since I was a little kid. My Mom would take us to "Paradise Yogurt", a little parlor that is now long gone, for family night. I wonder if my mother had an addiction too. I don't really like to put toppings on top, it ruins the texture for me, but every once in a while I put a few gummy bears on top just for nostalgia.

My Future Missionary

Spencer and I do homeschooling for pre-school. This years theme is "The Legend of Road Atlas". My friend Amber and I got together during the summer to write the curriculum which includes a Family Home Evening lesson, at least one activity, and a field trip each week. Each week has it's own concept to learn that we tie into maps and the world around us. We also emphasize in a three year old sort of way the impact that missionaries have all around the world. So this is my future missionary. He loves his little missionary pin and he is so excited to bring his brand new, very own Book of Mormon to church.
We had so much fun writing the curriculum that it is even more fun to live it. I will post some more pictures, hopefully sooner than later, about the activities we have been involved with so far. You know your having a good time when your three year old constantly asked if it is time for school yet.

My Little Munchkins

Though you all know me and my family I thought I would say a little bit about us.
These are my two angels. (If you have ever heard me call them anything else it was only in a moment of weakness.) They really are the best children anyone could hope for. And I am not even bias.
Spencer is a strong young man with smarts beyond his years. He is obsessed with trains and can't get enough of the computer.
Rachel is a Princess through and through. She also enjoys anything she can't or should not have. She has a very strong willed personality that I know will keep me on my toes for the rest of her years. Something I am looking forward to, I am sure.
I try to keep an open mind but two kids is a lot of work and if you asked me right now I would say that we were never to have anymore children.
As for My Husband and I, besides being parents: I keep my "spare time" occupied with photography; I work for a photographer, Glen Ricks, on the weekends. I honestly can't think of anything else I do in my spare time for fun, luckily taking photos can use up most of it. Derek says that his work is his play, but he also enjoys BYU football and RSL soccer and if he is allowed some time, computer or PlayStation games. He is also caught reading almost all of the time. In fact, just the other day he found some "spare time" to read while walking down the stairs.