Halloween Fun

Emily came home from preschool on Monday with this witch broom, and we already had the witch hat, so the kids had to test both out. It was hilarious to watch them run around like witches, cackling and all. You have to click on both pics for a closer look at their crazy facial expressions!

Thursday night, we decorated the trunk of our car and participated in Trunk or Treat in our church parking lot. This was the first year our neighborhood has done it, and it was so much fun! The area we live in is wonderful, but very difficult to go trick-or-treating in, I think. There are so many college students and older folks who don't have their lights on, that there will only be 1 in 10 houses wanting you to stop by their home on Halloween night. So I was grateful we had Trunk or Treat. Some of our neighbors were quite creative with how spooky they decorated their trunks. And the best part was that we got the whole neighborhood involved, not just those who are LDS.

the Cowardly Lion, Glynda, the Good Witch of the North, and Dorothy

Emily acted shy most of the time there, but not Jon. He picked up quickly how this Trick-or- Treating thing works, and he was eager to get that candy.

Because Wade had a night class, Austin and Ruthanne came to help me with the kids at the Trunk or Treat. Aren't they awesome? Here they are watching Emily and Jon check out their stash of candy. Thanks again, you guys!

Friday morning, we went to the Mommy and Me Music Class. Wade came with us since he didn't have to work til 1pm, and he wanted to spend time with the family. We were happy to have him with us.

If you can't tell, Wade is supposed to be the Tin Man. ;) And Jon is just being silly putting the maracas against his cheeks.

Regan Joy, Salote Lauti, Emily, Jon, and Adam Hunsaker all shaking the parachute, trying to get the spider to fly off of it. (Cute idea, Traci) The next pic is the whole group eating lunch at the Halloween Party we had after class. beautiful girls...Salote, Emily, and Etta
Emily happily taking the top off the pumpkin as we carved Jack-O-Lanterns
Mommy laughing at Emily's expression after she had just touched the guts of the pumpkin

Scooping out the gooey part and carving a face
Emily imitating her favorite Jack-O-Lantern, the scary one.
Our finished Jack-O-Lanterns

After naptime, we went to visit Wade at work. He was happy to show off his cute kids. Emily insisted on being Belle, rather than Dorothy. (Don't you love how 3 year-olds change their mind all the time?!) Luckily, the change worked nicely for Jon because he instantly became the Beast rather than the Cowardly Lion. He's just unhappy that no one will help him open his Recess Peanut Butter Cup.

The Zions Bank branch Wade works at is located at Foothill Village, and every Halloween, they have trick-or-treating at each of the stores. Wade took a quick break, and we all went together for 15 minutes. It's not like our kids needed more candy, but it's so fun to walk past all the other kids and see the most creative costumes. My favorites were a little girl as Strawberry Shortcake and a boy as a Lego. Overall, it was a great Halloween for us.

Anniversary Trip

To celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary, Wade and I stayed at the Homestead Resort in Midway, Utah for the weekend. We dropped the kids off Friday afternoon at their Grandma and Grandpa Stoney's and then headed up the mountain. Driving up Parleys Canyon and up to Midway was a real treat with all the vibrant fall colors. It is so beautiful this time of year!

Here a few photos of the resort.

Our room was in a little cottage just like the one below.

That night we ate dinner at Fanny's Grill and then went swimming.

It was nice that the hot tub was so big, so you don't feel so crowded around other guests.

We were impressed with the ambiance of our room. It was cute and comfortable, and we didn't have to pay full price, so we couldn't have been happier.

Saturday morning, we visited the Homestead Crater, which is a 55-foot tall, beehive-shaped limestone rock that nature has hollowed out and filled with 90° to 96° water. It was pretty cool.

Wade wanted to make me feel like a princess, so he took me to get acrylic nails. I love them! I don't do stuff like this very often, and it felt nice.

Later, we visited the Utah Olympic Park in Park City, where some of the events were held for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. We had been there just once before, with my family, in 2003, but we were able to see a lot more this time. The museum was incredible with blown up photos of the athletes, some film clips of the games, the original costumes for the opening ceremonies and more.

I especially liked the exhibit about the Paralympic Athletes. If any of you know me, you know I have a great love for individuals with special needs. I was amazed that by these individuals who didn't let their disabilities stop them from accomplishing such amazing things.

Our favorite part of the Olympic Park was the bobsled race course. We were even lucky enough to watch some time trials for Men's Skelton. Those guys were flying! We had a good laugh attempting to take pictures of them...not a chance. They were all going over 80 miles an hour, headfirst, on these tiny sleds! Wade was like, "Sign me up, baby!"

At the top of the ski jumps, there is the starting point for a huge Zip Line. Wade thought we should go for it, so we did.

Wade (Mr. Extreme Sports) was excited to ride down the Zip Line.

I, on the other hand, was scared out of my mind!!!

Are you kidding me? Are we really going to do this? Sorry there's no sound on this film clip. Just imagine me screaming like a little girl and Wade shouting "Yeah Baby! Wahooooooo!" the whole way down.

Wade posing as a ski-jumper. Someday, he'll really get a chance to do this.

He has no fear, I swear.

That night, we ate at the Mountain Grill Restaurant in Midway. It was so romantic, just the two of us, eating delicious food, and trying really hard not to talk about the kids because we were missing them. We talked about our goals for the future and why we don't do this more often. We've always gone on weekly dates, but now that we have children, we decided we really need to get away more often, so that we're nicer to them and to each other. :)
Being with my best friend all weekend, constantly laughing and flirting with each other, was so fun and so refreshing! Sunday morning, we headed back down the mountain, attended church in our own ward at 1pm (I couldn't afford to miss a day with the primary program so close), and actually enjoyed every minute of Sacrament Meeting. It was so nice to just sit there and listen to the speakers and the beautiful musical number and think about our Savior. After church, we were anxious to pick up Emily and Jon from their grandparent's house. We missed them, and we think they missed us, too. ;)

Weekend with Grandma & Grandpa Stoney

While Wade and I were away for our 5-year anniversary trip, Emily and Jonathan stayed with their Grandma and Grandpa Stoney

(Wade's mom and step-dad).

Here's Emily in her Dorothy costume before she went to the Halloween Party with Grandma. And here's Jon playing with horses (his favorite-he held one in each hand all weekend, we hear). Wade's mom is such a sweetheart for letting the kids mess up her house like this. Her home is so organized and clean, unless the grandkids are playing!

Emily helping Grandma make dinner

Can you tell it's bedtime? Very sleepy grandkids...and look how happy their grandparents are to be holding them. I love that they geniunely love our kids. I think Mom looks so pretty in this picture. And it's neat that I can see some of Wade in her.

Waking up Grandpa, probably a little earlier than he wanted to be woken up!

Just playing and being silly

cheesy Emily

and extra cheesy Jonny

After picking up the children that evening, Mom invited us for Sunday dinner and dessert. When we asked them how the weekend went, Mom said, "I was completely exhausted at the end of each day, but I enjoyed every minute of it." We could tell it was a special experience for all four of them. Wade and I are so grateful that they were willing to watch our children and that Emily and Jon could get to know their grandparents a little bit better. It's really cute that Emily keeps asking me if she can go play with her friend, Grandma Stoney. :)