Halloween Festivities

We did lots of fun things for Halloween this year. Sorry it's taken me a while to blog about it.

We carved a pumpkin. We bought 4 pumpkins, but I could only handle carving 1. It's such a big mess! It was still fun.



Halle didn't help much, but she's still cute...

Caden drew the face on it and Lucas carved it. Caden was very proud of his creation.


We got to go to the Hendrickson Halloween Party. Here's Darth Vader and Strawberry Shortcake. My mom made the Strawberry Shortcake costume like 30 years ago. My sisters and I all wore it. I was very excited that Halle wanted to wear it too!

We played a lot of fun games...


The donut game...
I helped Halle cheat...


Logan and Ella donated their bodies for the mummy game this year...


We decorated some sugar cookies...

Halle enjoyed putting her hands in the frosting more than decorating...

I love Neve's smile in this picture...

Caden chowing down...

Here's Adam's costume...

Heidi and Eric were Ken and Barbie from Toy Story 3. Very cute costumes!

Darth Vader and the Dragon ready to go trick or treating...(We thought the dragon costume would be a warmer choice for Halle)

Lucas made some yummy homemade bread for us on Halloween...

It was a very fun holiday this year!

What we're reading...

We started reading chapter books with Caden and Halle. I was kind of hesitant at first, but they have really enjoyed it! We finished our first book, The BFG.
Here are our favorite parts:

Lucas-Wizpoppers
Liz-Snozcumbers
Caden-When the giants played ball with the BFG
Halle-Little Sophie


We started our 2nd book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.


Does anyone have any other favorite books that we should read? We're open to suggestions!

Norma reminded me that Lucas was a pantless cowboy when he was young too...

Like father, Like daughter

(Yes, I know there is a pause symbol on this picture. I couldn't find the actual picture so I took a picture of the one on our wedding dvd.)

This is our life...

The last couple of weeks I have tried and tried to potty train Halle. She's almost 3 so it's about time that she learned that. I potty trained Caden in 3 days, but Halle has definitely been a struggle. We have our good days and we have our bad days. Luckily the past couple of days have been good. I'm hopeful it will eventually stick with her. She finally completed her first potty chart. She got to pick a prize at the dollar store and she was very excited. She picked the princess wand which she broke in 10 minutes. Thankfully Grandma Eyre was able to fix it.


Caden felt left out so we decided to make a chart for him. Not a potty chart, but an "I can wipe my own bum" chart. I know that's way too much information, but it's been a struggle for him and this has seemed to help. He picked the light saber for his prize. This is his Luke Skywalker pose. He's really been into Star Wars lately.


Onto something else...
Since Caden was so good on our trip to California and he was really brave when we went to Disneyland, we told him we would buy him a fish. Lucas and I thought it would be a really easy pet, but when we went to the pet store we had no idea all the stuff you had to buy for them. We wanted the fish to last longer than 3 days, so we decided to splurge. We are happy to report that he's been alive for longer than 3 weeks! We'll see how long I can keep him alive.

Bob the fish...

And for your viewing pleasure...Halle the pantless cowgirl...

Uncle Jerry

We'll miss you Uncle Jerry!

Jerry Gordon Belliston

September 11, 1957 - September 11, 2010

Caden's Preschool

Today was Caden's 1st day of his last year of preschool (does that make sense?). He was kind of sad because he wasn't going back to the one he went to last year. I found one that was closer to our house. We can even walk there! (and I sure do need the exercise) He was very excited when we showed up and a lot of his friends were in his class. I think I counted 5 kids from his Sunbeam class. That made him more at ease and me too. I'm very proud that I didn't even cry this year. I'm sure when he starts Kindergarten it will be a different story.

Here's Caden and Halle before we left...



He was very happy when I picked him up. He didn't stop talking the whole way home!

Caden, Peyton, Dax, and Connelly (some of Caden's friends)


I'm glad he had such a fun day!

Oceanside

Lucas' family planned a big trip to California. Here's a "few" pictures of our vacation. (it's kind of picture overload so beware)

We stayed in Las Vegas on our first night. We got to so see the aquarium at the Silverton Hotel...


We celebrated Mason's birthday that night too...

We went to the Mormon Battalion the first day we were in California. They've renovated it and it is very cool. The kids loved it!
Here's the grandkids in the covered wagon...



Dallin got to dress up as a soldier in the Mormon Battalion...

Here's our typical family picture...

The kids got to pan for gold...

We got to learn how they washed clothes...

Caden's on the lookout...

We were able to see the San Diego temple while we were there. I was kind of sad they were cleaning it so all the scaffolding was up. It's still a beautiful temple!


We stayed in Oceanside and our condo was right by the beach! We loved spending time there...


Halle likes to wear her glasses upside down...

Caden loves the ocean!!!


Lucas bought a body board which entertained him for days...


Caden was very daring in the water, Dallin had to hold him back...

At first Halle wouldn't touch the sand and the next thing you know, she's rubbing it all over herself...

Family picture by the sunset...


I was very excited that we were able to go to Disneyland for one day. You can't be that close and not go!

Riding Dumbo...


Me and Dumbo's bum...


The Tea Cups. I refuse to go on them. They make me sick.

It's a Small World! Halle sang that song the whole day.


Caden and Halle with Jessie and Woody!


Winnie the Pooh!

Caden got his drivers license!

Lucas and Caden driving in Autopia


The kids love toy story! Caden, Kylee, Mason, and Halle

We watched Captain EO. It brought back memories of my childhood. Halle insists on wearing her glasses upside down.

We rode the Merry Go Round A LOT. The kids loved that ride.




Caden was brave enough to ride the Matterhorn, Big Thunder, and Splash Mountain!


Caden driving the car in Bug's World.


It was a long day...
Poor Adam got stung by a sting ray while he was body boarding. Lots of people offered to urinate on him, but he declined.


Dallin was nice enough to let Caden sleep with his Mickey...


Chillin' at the condo...
Caden insisted that we go to Legoland. Since it's mainly for young kids, we thought we better go before our kids get too big. I was pleasantly surprised. I think we had more fun than we thought we would.

Caden was a pretty good driver!


Poor Halle and Neve spent a lot of time waiting while everyone else rode rides. Hopefully next time they will be tall enough.

Me and Caden on the Jumping Bean ride. I will not ride the Rocket at Lagoon, but I can handle the kid's version of it.

Hallle and Heather on the airplane ride. I think this was Halle's favorite ride.



Caden and Lucas on the giant slide...

Halle and the princess...




Ride 'em cowboy!


Caden the knight...


Heather, Dallin, and Logan on the Pirate ride. Everyone got soaked!

Caden loved this ride!


Caden, Gracie, Ella, Dallin, and Logan by the Lego pirate...

Halle was not very happy at Legoland. Luckily she took a much needed nap and was much happier after that...


I think the log ride was everyone's favorite. We waited an hour to ride it and it lasted like 10 seconds with 2 very small hills. We'll know better next time to stay away from it.

Sam, Caden, and Lucas...

Doesn't it look scary?!



Caden and Halle love Bob the Builder!


Lucas and Caden on Fairy Tale boat ride...



Me and Halle on the Fairy Tale boat ride...


Caden was very excited to see Lego Harry Potter...



Lego Hagrid

Riding the boat...

Looking at the amazing things made out of legos in Miniland USA

My favorite thing made out of legos...the churro stand

The white house...

Legowood!

Caden and Halle by the Lego witch woman...

I need one of these at home. It would work great for time out!

Caden and Halle in the Lego Castle play house...

Bionicle tea cups

Lucas broke his glasses on the bionicle teacups...


Caden and Lucas and scary guy...

Caden and Chewbacca...

Caden and Darth Vader...

Lucas fighting Darth Vader...Luke I am your father...

Caden and R2D2...

Caden asked if he could live at Legoland...

The boys in their Oceanside pirate shirts...

It was a very fun trip! Hopefully we can do it again!