Halloween Happenings

Didn't it stink having Halloween on a Sunday this year? Luckily for Cory and I, the kids had just as much fun handing out candy in their costumes than Trick-Or-Treating. Of course we had the ward Trunk-Or-Treat 2 days before so that cured their candy craving. It's so funny to hear what the kids want to be for Halloween. We have a big bin of costumes that we've been collectin over the years. So pretty much everyone except Ashley and Spencer has a costume each year. We do give them a choice to be something else- but they always choose from the bin. Hey- it works for us!

Ashley decided to be a witch this year. Here's her best witchy face.

Ainslee wanted to be SuperGirl this year. I think it's just because she could wear red lipstick.

Andi was a queen. For years she's been waiting to be the queen and it was finally her chance.

Mr. Spencer was a knight in shining armor. He did wear shoes, I promise. And he had a nice looking helmet- it's just not on. About 5 minutes after we got dressed in costumes, he pounded the sword into the ground and it broke. Seriously? The story of our lives. ANYTHING can be broken. That I know.



Okay. I know you can't tell, but Avery is a blackbird. I saw a cute and easy tutorial on Little Birdie Secrets.com for how to make a little chickadee but Avery has these awesome black biker boots I wanted her to wear. So she became a blackbird. I actually made the costume although it didn't include the sewing machine. And there are feathers on the wings and skirt but you can't see them. So if you ever want to do a blackbird- don't. Go for the chickadee.

And this little guy was a pirate- duh. Nothing more to say about that except that I could eat him he's so dang cute.

The circus:

And there were parties at school. No- not costume parties. Those aren't allowed in our school. DO NOT GET ME STARTED. They're called Harvest Parties so technically the kids are allowed to dress as harvesters (what the?).

And it was the end of red ribbon week so they could "Reach for your dreams when you don't take drugs" and wear their PJ's to school. Seriously? That is so gross! PeePee smelling jammies? That idea won over costumes? Whatever...

And we took the traditional Apple Hill trip. Nothing like breathing fresh air once in a while.

And for a surprise, Cory's Grandma came to visit her daughter Karen for a few weeks. Since we only live 5 miles from Karen we go to visit with Grams fora little while. She came over to see our house and kids. That was fun for the kids and it makes a great generational picture (almost).

She survived another year...

That's right- someone in our family just turned...

Well, it was actually like 3 weeks ago but hey- I'm in a little late in posting. We had such a nice low key birthday. A homemade cake with my awesome cake decorating skills (as apparent from the picture above).

And an awesome not wrapped trike-bike for her to ride. Excuse her nakedness. In fact I took plenty of pictures but none of them actually had all the kids dressed. Hmm...interesting...

I just have to write about this little turkey. She:

*loves to copy the girls, even imitating them with her hands on hips

*likes to wrestle with "Bencer." It just recently changed from "Buddy" to "Bencer"

*Will not eat meals. She'd much rather raid the pantry for "tweets." In total desperation she'll climb up to the cough drops and swipe one for a sugar rush. What in the world???

*has such a sense of humor. How does she know how to be so funny already? She definitely takes after Cory in that regard.

*gives the best hugs. She even cups her hands around your neck.

*She likes to kiss my biceps- I mean where a normal person has a bicep. Mine is just extra skin and fat and bone. But that area of your arm she loves to kiss-a. lot.

*She puckers out her lips when you tell her to smile for pictures (as evident in the picture below)!

We just love this girl!!

A continuous drip

In these few days since Cory's been gone I've passed the one can of Cherry Coke a day to this:






Oh yeah- a continual IV drip of the stuff. Sweet!

Anyone want them?

Argh- these kids! Tonight was one of those nights. Cory is out of town for 5 nights. It's just me... and these kids. Seriously, if I could have hired a nanny I would have done it in a heartbeat!!! Isn't it funny how you could be so in love with your kids one second and literally the next you are so stinkin' mad?!?! How do you describe that emotion to someone? What would you call that emotion? mave (mad-love mix)? Luckily I got the 2 feet long royal blue marker off the carpet and the scribbles off the bookshelf. I guess Avery decided she wanted to "do homework" too. I also successfully scrubbed the glue off our stainless steel refrigerator while at the same time scratching it (nice). Spencer did that one. Ashley led the kids in a craft while I fed Trevor. Spencer wanted to put his pumpkin picture on the fridge so he used glue. So I guess in a way it was really innocent and cute... And terrible for the fridge! Needless to say- I stocked up on my "get through it" drug- Cherry Coke!

2 weeks old!

Yep, Mr. Go-With-The-Flow is 2 weeks old already! He is a great baby (honest!). As for bedtime, he sleeps from about 9:30pm-2:30am and then again from 3:30am-about 7:00am. Please notice that he's awake for an hour in the night. That's how long it takes him to eat. What the heck! We've gotta work on that. There's only so many entertaining shows on TV during that time. I usually default to CNN news or something like that. I think he's figured out that he doesn't like to be held by the younger kids for more than a few minutes at a time- it couldn't be the constant screaming or poking they do...

It's school time again!

Thank goodness that summer is over! We had a rough one since I've been so stinkin' pregnant! Maybe I should say lazy. And hot. But we've made it out alive! Yesterday was the kids' first day of school and they were sure excited for it. I bought each of he girls a chapstick that hooks onto their backpacks and I made up a little tag to go with it. The tag said, "Pretty lips say pretty things." I really want them to be nice to EVERYONE- that, to me, is just as important as being smart!




Andi started PM kindergarten this year 11:40-3:00. Her teacher is Ms. Jordan.

She looks so nervous in this picture. I think she was a little bit but handled it like a pro. And yes, I cried after I dropped her off. You'd think I'd be over that by now!

Ainsle started 2nd grade this year. When I asked her what she was most excited for, she said "Seeing Mrs. Jennings." That's her teacher.

Ashley is starting 3rd grade this year. When I asked her what she was most excited for she said, "Seeing my friends." That works, too!

Here are the kids on their 2nd day of school. They chose to all be matchy-matchy in the latest fads (for them)-Paul Frank. Even Spencer got in on the action even though he doesn't start preschool for another 2 weeks.

Happy 11th!

Yes, today is our anniversary. Our 11th!!! For obvious reasons (giving birth 8 days ago!) we're not doing anything special. As for being married for 11 years- it sounds like a long time but it doesn't really feel like that long. That's a good thing, right?!?!!!! 11 years and 6 kids later- life is wonderful and I'm so happy.

Andi's Birthday

This little girl just turned 5. I can't believe it. Really, I can't. I remember so clearly the day she was born. It was on a hot Sunday afternoon while my mom had the 2 big girls at church. We almost named her Kinsey Paige but we just couldn't let her feel left out. Good choice because she's so totally an "Andi." And she's so dang loud! I think the most common phrase you'll hear in our house is, "Andi, you don't need to be so loud!" Her talking voice is like a normal person's yelling voice! And forget whispering in church- I think she physically cannot do it. She's decided to take after Ainslee and be totally into fashion and makeup (oh geez). And she loves, LOVES to dance. She is very outgoing and can make friends with anyone. She is a really, really happy girl. And she has a great sense of humor. I am so lucky to be her mom (bring on the cheese, but it's true).

Just hours old...

2 months old- In her blessing outfit

Her new trick when she was 1.

Easter- 18 months old

Up at the ranch- 2 yrs. old

1st day of preschool- 3 yrs. old

1st Sunday as a Sunbeam- 3 yrs. old

Her birthday- 4 yrs. old

Trevor Aaron Rice

Here are some pics of little Trevor. He was born Aug 10, 2010 at 11:56 AM. He weighed 8 lbs 13 oz. Our largest baby to date was 7 lbs 5 oz. So much bigger. He measured 20 inches.

It was clockwork delivery like all 6 kids. Drip of Pitocin and baby 3-4 hrs later. Mom and baby are doing fine.

Funny Spencer

Spencer said something so funny a few minutes ago that I just had to write it down.

I was drinking some herbal tea with some black cohosh in it (remember I'm due in a few days?!). Let me tell you- it's pretty rancid and almost as bad as castor oil (not that I'd know... or anything...). So when I finished chugging it all down I made a terrible face and horrible gagging sounds. Spencer said to me, "Mom- now you are going to turn into a werewolf. Or a giraffe." Goodness! I guess I'm okay with that if it means I have this baby soon!

A Letter to Avery

Dear Sweet Avery,

You are not yet 2 yrs old but in a couple of weeks you won't be the baby anymore- not that you ever acted like one! You've really blessed our lives in so many ways and we're grateful for the joy you bring us. If your new baby brother is anything like you- we will be so lucky (and skinny from chasing after you both)!