Halloween Celebrations

We had our ward halloween party tonight which is pretty much sickening amounts of candy for the kids as they run the hallways. They love it! We almost didn't go because Grey woke up throwing up in the night but luckily seemed fine today. So I had to pull out a costume out of the basement.

Cole the Tiger

(he loved the costume and walked around yelling ROAR!!!)

 Grey's Captain America

 The cousins after lots of candy

(Elise, Grey, Addie, Ryan, Colin and Cole trying to get away)

Captain America, Tiger, Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella

(Jared refuses to dress up)

Pumpkins

A visit to a local pumpkin patch

Collecting a family of 2 big and 3 mini pumpkins--just like our little family

Carving our pumpkins and listening to the last presidential debate

A sleepy girl

Finished pumpkins!

First {real} Snow

So technically it snowed the first weekend in October, but I was out of town, so it is doesn't count. We woke up to our world covered in white. I love snow!!! Grey was out of school today so we took full advantage. Grey, Elise & I bundled up, built a snowman, made snow angels and had snowball fights while hot chocolate warmed up inside. Cole watched us out the window--maybe he can join us next time...

SIX

Last night I sent home seven 4-7 year olds after Grey's sixth birthday party--in the requested "army man" theme. My boy is SIX! So hard to believe. He will always have a special place in my heart as the one that changed my world and expanded my heart in ways I never thought possible. He is THE most sensitive, sweet spirit yet balanced by the energy and excitement for life of a fun-loving, energetic boy.

The traditional birthday boy quiz:

What is your favorite food?

pizza and cereal (same as last year)

What is your favorite vegetable?

cauliflower (same again)

What is your favorite fruit?

pears, apples, pineapple, watermelon and kiwi

What is your favorite thing to do?

go swimming

What are your favorite things to play with?

all of my toys

What is your favorite color?

green, red and blue

Who are your best friends?

Justino and Andrew from school

What do you like to wear?

t-shirts and shorts

What is your favorite sport?

tennis and baseball (he loves "playing tennis" with us)

What do you want to be when you grow up?

scuba diver, firefighter, ambulance driver and cop

What are you really good at doing?

running

What is something that is hard for you to do?

butterfly strokes in swimming

What makes you sad?

when you [that would be me] yell at me and when you [me again] break my heart. (going for mother of the year here)

What makes you happy?

you [me--redeeming myself] hugging and kissing me

What makes you mad?

Elise

What is your favorite TV show?

all of them--Avengers especially

What is your favorite book?

all of them that we have--Spooky Stories

What is your favorite game?

uno

What is your favorite animal?

cheetah and leopard

What is your favorite song?

A Child's Prayer, Rock-a-bye-baby, I love to see the Temple, Twinkle twinkle little star

What is your favorite thing about mommy?

you being around me

What is your favorite things about daddy?

going on his motorcycle

What do you want for your birthday?

a watch

What is the best part about being 6?

I like being 6 because I like being older

He woke up and we hurried and opened gifts before going off to school. Yes, it is pitch dark outside. Ugh. Elise was as excited as Grey to open presents as you can see.

And on to the party--absolute insanity--I had various missions for the boys to complete such as an army boot camp, popping balloon bombs, pin the medal on the soldier, etc. It started raining as soon as the kids arrived so we weren't able to set up the bounce house and had to improvise.

Mommy G Date

I love getting one-on-one time with my kids. Grey earned a ticket to Elitch's through our library's summer reading program. We finally got our chance to go and I think October is the time to go. Short lines and no summer heat. Although the bloody clown with a chainsaw freaked G out a little bit.

We rode the light rail to up the fun!

(practicing our scared roller coaster faces)

He started out on a couple kiddie rides until I talked him into moving on to bigger & better things. He was so brave and went on everything that he was tall enough for. The only one he didn't love is the Twister 2--the wooden roller coasters are so bumpy.

He loved the fog machines. Can you find G?

We finished our evening on the ferris wheel looking out over Elitch's and Denver. Such a stunning view.

I really enjoy having a little friend--it is fun to have them grow up and enjoy things I enjoy as well. He was so grateful and hugged me saying "thank you" all night long. Those are the best moments in life. Ever.

Tooth Fairy

Grey came home from his first day of kindergarten showing us his first loose tooth. Jared finally yanked it almost two months later. He thought the tooth fairy would bring him a toothbrush. I surprised him with two quarters and a lollipop. He hoped the tooth fairy would leave the tooth under his pillow so he could take it to school for Show & Teach. I was happy to oblige.

A proud, happy boy with a gapped smile

Very unexciting video of the tooth pull

The Elise Saga...

We have been going through some drama with Elise lately which has been pretty terrifying. I worried myself sick--literally--as I sit here with a 101.6 degree temp and the humidifier running next to my bed.

For about a month (maybe more), Elise has been vomiting most everything from the day randomly in the middle of the night and having constant diarrhea. I went to our primary care who told us she probably has a food allergy and to cut out gluten and dairy. Um-okay-that is near impossible with a 3 year old. And little did I know gluten is not just in wheat--it is in barley, rye and triticale. So I dutifully went about learning & preparing gluten and dairy free meals for our family. It was completely exhausting and not helping her at all.

So we went to a Ped GI specialist who sent us for three tests - one of them after a big scare and a liquid diet for an entire weekend. We had a family fast and went back on Monday not finding the problem anymore. The dr did find that her intestines are blocked up with poop--lovely. We have been cleaning her out with lots of medications hoping that will relieve it. She is unfortunately still vomiting though. So we are waiting for the next appointment and to see how things go in the next couple of weeks. They haven't ruled out a food allergy or intolerance yet.

Oh and did I mention that she had croup during this ordeal. Watching your three year old crying, screaming and vomiting as she is trying to breathe is absolutely terrifying. My heart was pounding and I  admit I got my phone ready to call 911 thinking she would stop breathing. Oh and then trying to keep her from vomiting long enough to keep the steroid down to help her breathe. It is no wonder I am sick now. But the story continues and hopefully we will have good news in the next few weeks.

Excitedly waiting for her GF/DF lunch to cook

(so sorry to disappoint!)

 She was much better on the third go around. I didn't have to hold her down screaming this time.

 Waiting. Again. at the hospital

Fall at the Zoo

Now that Grey is in school (tears, so sad), it is time to do things for Elise. Before all her sickness (I will get to that in another post), I let her pick a place once a week that she would like to go. Grey was beside himself when he found out we went to the zoo without him--I had to remind him that he gets to do different things. Cole was a perfect participant and fell asleep in the car on the way, transferred to his stroller and slept half the time waking up happy. So I really got some good Elise time. And fall at the zoo is my favorite thing ever!

We caught the elephant show in the new exhibit--quite impressive

 I caved and bought her a huge bag of nasty popcorn--I can't resist that cute dimple when she smiles

 Loving all the things to point at and say, "Ooooooh." That is the extent of his language skills

 I think he may have wanted to eat Elise--or her popcorn--not sure which one

Sissies Reunited

Thanks to my wonderful husband for taking over for 4 days (with a sick Elise I might add) so I could spend time in Portland with my sister, adorable niece and awesome cop brother-in-law. Minus a few meltdowns from worry/panic over Elise, it was WONDERFUL! I am thinking a road trip next summer with the kids is in order...

Friday started with a jog on a beautiful yet windy morning then peeking in the windows of Heather & Jason's first home they will close on in the next few weeks

My first Trader Joe's shopping trip (and learning brussel sprouts come on a stalk)

Dinner at Cartlandia -- a land of food carts -- I got the reuben crepe and Heather got a spaghetti & meatball sub

Lastly the absolutely best night of my life!! My ride-along with Cop Joey--I wore my gold cop badge and I made him laugh when I showed up at the station. Before we even shut the doors on the cop car to leave, we heard a couple insanely loud booms. We slammed the doors and he took off-crazy fast-as I was trying to buckle up and ended up buckling into his seatbelt. There was a bad car accident at a large intersection nearby and we pulled up as a man was crawling out the window of one of the smashed cars. Some guy had been high or drunk and ran a red light going almost double the speed limit--ran into multiple cars and was unconscious. It was AWESOME! And I only say that because no one innocent got hurt. :) After that we went searching for a 15 yr old drunk girl who wandered off from a party with an older guy then a few traffic stops and a noise complaint. We then saw a guy driving drunk and I got to see the entire process from the traffic stop through his booking and put in a cell then taken off to the station downtown. The booking room was very interesting and very busy on a Friday night--unfortunately a lot of drunk drivers including a 16 year old boy. Lastly we picked up a suicidal woman at her home and took her to the hospital. It was an extremely eventful night. I have even more respect and gratitude for police officers and the things they do to protect us from this other world. They truly keep us safe and protected as they put their own lives and safety on the line. Oh and I am afraid to go anywhere at night now with everyone drunk...

Even though I was going on 5 hours of sleep, we headed out first thing to see the gorgeous Portland temple

Wandered the PSU Farmer's Market then the Portland Market downtown

Finally a little salted caramel chocolate ice cream that I may have fed to Allie

Oh and a stop at Voodoo Donuts before heading back for naps

Why yes, that is a Maple Bacon Bar

Sunday we drove out to the coast to spend the day and oh was it stunning! We went to Seaside first where we ate lunch and then I accidentally fell asleep. We then walked a bit at Cannon Beach. Must return next summer for sure!

Monday before my flight we went to Multnomah Falls. It was freezing so we made it super fast. I think the beautiful pictures speak for themselves.

Missing you already P, Joey & Allie.