Wanna Kiss?

Consider yourself kissed!

Happy Halloween!

Whew! What a fun-filled week!

... It began when I found this spunky spider strutting around in my living room...

...Jace wasn't seen as much this year, possibly because he was hiding behind an alien mask and it could have to do with the fact that he was off with his friends at most of the events. The carnival at the school was different this year. He hung out with his buddies instead of mom (sniff*sniff)

...Kyle was a bit scared of his caterpillar costume at first. But it only took once for him to learn that it's fun to wear the costume; candy goes in the bucket each time he wears it!

This was another attempt at a Halloween picture. I think Lance is putting his contact lens in.

The Halloween events included: a carnival at Jace's school on Friday, Trick or Treating at Officers Hollow on Sat (below, I love this picture!) Jace also went but, again, he was with his friends.

Dinner and games and GREAT prizes, here at Shoreline. Jace and Kyle won $20 at Build a Bear for their costumes!

The U of U did a party where Lance got to paint a pumpkin. I don't think he enjoyed it at all.

After which we headed over to Sherrie's to carve pumpkins. Lance is de-gutting his pumpkin of seeds, a project he took quite seriously. He ended up taking off his shirt "so my sleeves won't get dirty"

Dalton and Jace and their works of art.

Last night, we went to a trunk or treat party put on by the ward. Jace and Dalton decided to be soccer players this time conveniently enough for their soccer game to follow. I think they had more fun handing out candy then getting it! Isn't that how it should be?

Tonight, we had a few neighborhood friends over for a movie night. Kyle is making a better door than window and loving the extra attention.

I feel like this Halloween was well spent. Tonight, after the party, Lance asked me, "Why is my costume in the hamper?" I explained that it's time to wash it; Halloween's over and we won't be wearing it any more this year. "Oh." was his reply.

Mom's Stars

Ah! I miss my blog! It's almost like a friend that I haven't seen in a long time. Life has just gotten a little busier lately. I cannot believe I only have 9 weeks left of this pregnancy. It's been great so far...

So, today my patriarchal blessing was once again confirmed. My children brought me great honor. It was the primary program at church, and Jace and Lance stood up there and spoke completely from memory! It was so fun to hear them practice during the week and look forward so much to this day. On the way to church they recited their parts again and their eyes danced with anticipation.

So when their turn came,

Lance said: "The Prophet holds all priesthood keys. The Lord tells the Prophet what He wants us to know. "

Jace: "In the Doctrine and Covenants Joseph Smith testifies, " And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of Him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of Him: That He lives! For we saw Him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that He is the Only Begotten of the Father- That by Him, and through Him, and of Him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God. I know that Jesus Christ lives today. He will come again. "

Kyle got a turn, too. (Finally! After all his frustration what with his brothers going up without him! He couldn't wait to run up those stairs and perform!) All the nursery children got up to sing several songs, including, "I Am a Child of God". He knows this one, but only sings a few of the words. He did a lot of smiling and looking cute, though.

Happy Birthday, Kyle!

Kyle receiving a gift. Look at him! I can't believe he's two! He looks like such a little boy. Where did my baby Kyle grow?

Lance lit the candles

Two can be a serious age. It's an age of a lot of experimenting and learning. Kyle contemplates this while his friends sing "Happy Birthday" to him. I don't know! We got no shots of him smiling at this moment! There must have been some serious thinking going on.

Kyle played it smart this year. He blew out the candles just before the song ended, beating his friends who were ready to help him.

Ah! Mmm! Love those Mommy-made cupcakes (Thanks, Betty Crocker!)

This must be Kyle's puzzled face. Maybe he's wondering when Christi's gonna try one of these delicious cupcakes (Thanks for taking the pictures, Christi!)

Stuck!

This morning, we were at Jen's house enjoying ourselves. Lance and Kyle were playing on the patio with Kaya. We were visiting on the steps when I glanced over and saw Kyle standing there looking at me with his head through the bars. He looked like this:

He was trying to pull his head through, but it wouldn't go. An alarm sort of went up in my head and I thought, "This might be serious." I got closer for a better look. I tried pushing his ears against his head to make it go through easier. We tried turning his head downward, upside-down... the head wouldn't budge through. Christy had been walking by and came over to check it out. She mentioned that we might need some butter. Jen came back with the butter. I heard someone say something about calling 911. Then we began talking about how much the kids would love to see a real firetruck pull up right here! I know Kyle would love it.

All this while Kyle stood calmly listening to all of our ideas with his head stuck through these bars; I couldn't believe how totally fine he was with this.

Then in the midst of our creative ideas ( I was beginning to wonder if it would be that difficult to just get a tool to cut one of those bars off - Jen, maybe we could weld the bar back on!) Kyle reached for a toy that Christy was holding. He couldn't quite reach it, so he stepped through the bars, as we watched with wonder, sucked his tummy in, pulled his shoulders through, and lifted his other foot through, at last to reach the toy. The genius was free!

I can't even tell this story without cracking up. I think Kyle deserves the "Gotcha!" award. I had him climb back through just to get the pictures (with Jen's camera - thanks, Jen!).

Little clown!

How to Get What You Want...

This morning, after a shower and getting ready for the day, I came into the kitchen to find this little one saying something about wanting milk. It was then that I found a jug of chocolate milk already pulled out of the refrigerator and set on the table by little hands. He may as well have put the cup there, too! Kyle got what he wanted this morning. Could you say no to this?

I'm so Cool

Check me out! I can wear my shades indoors and still see!

How to be a Monkey

First, grab a banana and peel it.

Next, chomp the biggest bite you can out out of it.

Monkey business is serious. Chew with your mouth closed, and no monkeyin' around.

Unless you like See-food! Ha Ha!


Gotcha!

In the Limelight

With 2 brothers gone to school and the house all to himself (well, except Mom, and she's always there!), what's a guy left to do? Kyle has a few tips in the following posts.

Just Chillin'

Brothers spending quality time together ... I love it.

Daddy's Gone A-Hunting

Looks like an ordinary hallway to me ... except what is that huge hooflike thing sticking out at the end? Gives me the chills...

Oh! It's just Jared processing the meat from his... WHAT?! Elk?!

Jared just got back from the hunt of his lifetime. Look at that smile! During the Archery hunt, he shot the herd bull on public land near the cabin. He also had several close encounters with bears. From now on, he says he will be carrying Bear Mase when he travels out into the wilderness. He had a great time, and after much diligence and labor, he came upon his dream elk.

He bugled it in until it was only 10 feet away, and he hadn't even pulled back his bow yet! He pulled it back, and the elk ran 25 yards, then stopped to look back. That's when it happened. I guess you could say curiousity killed the elk.

Then the work began. Jared was 2 miles into the mountains and had to hike four trips, plus a trip from his buddy (thanks, Rich!). He figures the elk weighed about 800 lbs.

Was it worth it? For Jared and the boys, not a question! For me... if it puts that smile on Jared's face, and the meat's good, then sure. (The hoof horror in the hallway is gone now.)

Grande Finale at the Grandparent's

Lance enjoyed his last birthday celebration of the year at Gramma Kimmy's and Grampa G.'s yesterday.

Lance has gotten quite good at eating cake, icecream, and extinguishing candles.

Oh!... and opening presents. Whew! I think that sums up the parties for Lance this year!

Come, Listen to a Prophet's Voice

We had our Regional Stake Conference today at the Conference Center. Jared stayed home with the littler ones and Jace and I got to go with our sweet neighbor, Michelle. Jace was excited to go to the place where they have General Conference and he asked if the prophet would be there. I told him , "I don't think so, but there might be a general authority there."

Wrong I was. Our Prophet, President Monsen, concluded the Conference! Later, I heard several people say they knew he would be there, but I never heard that part! It wasn't announced. Maybe they tried to keep it quiet.

Here are some notes from our Prophet's wise counsel:

He focused on the home.

• If we are trying our best, we may have the Spirit with us.


• There should be no disputations or contention in the home.


• We must organize & prepare our home and heart.

Establish our house:

• Make our house a house of Prayer


• Make our house a house of Fasting


• Make our house a house of Faith


• Make our house a house of Study


• Make our house a house of Learning


• Make our house a house of Glory


• Make our house a house of Order


• Make our house a house of God

He told several great stories. One of my favorites was of when he was a boy, and every Fast Sunday when his family returned home starving hungry and ready to eat a meal, his mother would say, "Tommy boy, take this dinner to Mr. ___ up the street."

One Sunday, he asked, "But Mom, why don't we eat our dinner first, and then I can take him his meal?"

"Because, Tommy, the food will taste so much better after you bring it to him."

"And it always did."

Maybe it's time to send Jace out on some dinner errands...

Who Says the Party's Over?

Lance was just about to go out the door for our walk to his first day of preschool, but hang on, Lance! We can't go without getting the Pre-Preschool Picture!

I think my little ones have grown quite tolerant of having their picture taken.

Lance is carrying on with preschool... looks like he's got a sweet, friendly girl behind him ... but wait! Why not throw in another birthday party with these fun, new preschool friends?

Look at this awesome crown his teacher made!! This is Lance's trying-not-to-smile-face he makes as the class sings "Happy Birthday" . (That's Kyle in the yellow shirt zipping by)

Don't worry about me - I'm comfortable, thanks.

Birthday treats, games, a song, and a crown... not bad for the first day of preschool! It looks like it's going to be an "Awesome" year for Lance!

...I had to throw this one in, too. We stopped by the library on our way home. What was I thinkin' to pass up a bike rack like this and expect not to stop and play?!

Happy 4th Birthday, Lance!

Lance deserved many parties, so we began his birthday last Sunday, at the cabin.

(L) Grampa Martin is a very talented cupcake froster. Who knew?

(R) Lance takes care of the candle-lighting.

Lance and his Martin side of the family enjoy homeade icecream and cupcakes... um, ya, I think Kyle really liked it, too.

...Meanwhile, back at home, Lance had a party with his friends.

Duck, Duck, Goose was a hit with these guys!

(Left) Look at this, Mandy is sitting and enjoying herself. Little does she know that Lance has plans for her - she's soon to be the GOOSE!

(Right) If you turn your head a little sideways, you can see Lance giggling as Mandy chases after him. I guess I was caught up in the excitement and forgot which way goes straight.

(Left)I love Lance's face here: He's positively beaming as his friends sing "Happy Birthday" to him.

(Right) Lance and a couple of great friends enjoy their cupcakes together.

Finally, it's the big day. Now Lance can say that he is FOUR YEARS OLD!

He opens his "awesome" Camo Backpack. Lance has been using this word a lot lately. It's really cute.

Now Lance is all set to go to preschool... or on his mission. What do you think?