Halloween Isn't Halloween...

Until you attend the annual Trunk or Treat, or given another name this year, and a slightly different game plan, Fall Harvest Festival. You know when costumes are involved, the event is bound to be fun. Zach and Kate were excited to be there. This year, instead of going room to room and trick or treating for candy, our church had several booths for the kids to play various Halloween games. Zach bobbed for pumpkins, walked in the costume parade, ate a doughnut off of a string, did a bing bag toss, got his face painted, etc. It is safe to say he didn't want to leave.

This is Zach with his friend Aleah(Goldie Locks). Her mom, dad and baby sister were the three bears. I couldn't talk Justin into dressing up as anything, but our friend Austen decided to dress up as Justin, back when he played soccer for BYU, even up to the way Justin styles his hair. Justin was definitely surprised to turn and see his uniform on Austen. We all got a good laugh.

I dressed up as a ballerina. (Thanks to Justin's mom for passing this fabulous costume along.) I was going to put on my old point shoes, but was glad I didn't after being called up to start the adult limbo contest. What? Yes I took this bad boy through three rounds of the limbo. Alex Cabot and Laila Stratton were giving me a run for my money.

I pulled through though and won! My prize? A Zwahlans Chocalate Carmel Apple. Not too shabby.

Justin was feeling a little left out, so I let him put on my costume for a little bit. He got a lot more love in it than I did. Lets just say a few people got fresh with Justin in this costume. I think people were afraid I would feel violated if they touched me while I was wearing it.

Nice Lee!

Presenting...

Pablo's best friend, and partner in backyard imagination...UnIqUa! Zach could hardly wait for Halloween to come to have Kate dress up with him. These costumes are so fun, and best of all, the easiest things to get on and off. They have been a hit! So far they have been worn to library story time and our church's Fall Harvest Fest...pictures to come. They will definitely get their wear this week, as well as months, and maybe even years to follow.

Let the Debate Begin...

Justin and I have this unspoken debate between us of which of our kids looks like me or him. Of course Justin likes to think they both look like him, which isn't a bad thing. He definitely didn't get hit with the ugly stick. How could you resist that face in the last picture? But, I would like to think that I am partly right when I say our kids look a little like me too...It might be a little too early to tell, especially with Kate, but can you guess who looks like who?

Kate Turned 1...

HaPpY bIrThDaY "Little Oney"! It's hard to believe that a year ago I was bringing her home from the hospital. Since a year ago she has more than doubled her size, all 17lbs. and 12oz. of her. Although she is still our little peanut, she is constantly surprising us with all her new found talents. Here are a few of Kate's Favorite things.

Climbing into the cupboards and emptying them all out onto the floor.

Turning any toy into a phone. This one being a portable Solitaire game.

Playing with her doll and climbing into her toy stroller.

We celebrated her turning 1 with the Marostica side of the family. Great Grandma Joye, Aunt Debbie, and Aunt Gayle were all in town. And of course Grandma, Grandpa and uncle Tyson were there too. I made some cupcakes(you can see Zach had a little taste test on one of them) and got her a little party hat to wear, which didn't last long, but was cute for the moment it stayed on her head. We sang Happy Birthday and Zach helped her blow out her candle. She was a little hesitant at first, but eventually dug into her cupcake, ending up with not too big of a mess, just a few cupcake booggies.

If Ever Your Feeling...

Down, drained, over worked, unappreciated or just plain tired, and are having thoughts such as I never have enough time to get everything done, I stink as a wife, I am going to screw up my own kids, I need a break, the list of things to do is never ending, this mom/housewife thing is not all that it is cracked up to be, or better yet, I could use a nice swift kick in the rear, then Time Out For Women is the perfect remedy.

WOW!!! What a great way to spend a Saturday. I wasn't sure what to expect when I first agreed to buy a ticket to go. All I knew was that friends of mine, who had gone in the past, said that it was fun. Who doesn't need a little fun, and not mention, a day with some girlfriends? It may be cheesy, but pretty safe to say, that right as I walked in the door to the event, I knew it was going to be a great experience while chills ran up my spine. I know, how cliche right? Should I start baring my testimony now? Honestly though, I have never been told so many things that have made me feel so good about myself and the things that I am doing. Not so much in a "I am justified" way, but more "I am on the right track" sort of way. The messages the presenters spoke about motivated me to be a better wife, mother, and friend, and what I got most out of the entire day was to enjoy even the simplest things out of each day, and to know that I, like several other women who attended the event, are in the same boat, living to same day to day life. And just when you think you are the only one... OK so let's sum up this goodness. I appreciate where I have come from, I love where I am at, and am looking forward for what's to come. Make any sense? I think I am going to have to go every year now. It is coming to Portland this coming weekend. My mom, sisters and friends better get their tickets.

Some of the greatest friends I know.

The woman that made my weekend one to remember and now has me playing her CD on my itunes on my most played list. None other than Hilary Weeks. The entire day could have been her singing at the piano and I would have been fine with that. Watch here to see what had me laughing but couldn't be more true to what a mom's day is like. *Make sure you select "Watch in High Quality"

Kate is Growing...

Up! She is officially done nursing. It took a good week, and thank goodness persistence pays off. Cold, whole milk, from a sippy, is her new beverage of choice. In other words...I am free! Those teeth were reason enough to cut her off a month early from going an entire year.

Other achievements that should get their honorable mentions are...getting rid of the Binky(going on 3 months strong now), sleeping through the night(going on 4 months strong), walking(2 weeks strong, but definitely not looking back), and finally talking, frequently using the phrase "Uh Oh." It is crazy to think that I was pregnant this time, last year, with her.

Here is the walking...

And the talking...

While Getting Into...

The car today, after church was over, it started to rain. A complete down pour to be exact! As Justin started the car and shifted into drive, Zach, in all his little 3 year old brilliance exclaims...

"It's raining on Jesus' Church!" (followed by a little pause)
then says with great concern...
"We don't want it to rain on Jesus' Church...HEELLLPPPP!!!"

He continues to make us laugh by the funny things he says.
Here's one he pulled on Grandma, that I felt needed to be documented.

She watched the kids last Tuesday, while Justin and I met up with my brother Jeff and his wife Britt in NYC, for the day. Part of that days' schedule was to take Zach to pre-school and pick him up. I guess while driving back home after picking him up form pre-school he sat in the back and thoughtfully said...

"Grandma you're in my day!"

We think he meant to say you're in my neighborhood, because the school is so close to where we live, and Zach is so big on directions these days. Who needs a GPS when you've got Zach?

We love this little boy! Even if he doesn't sleep through the night...a nasty habit...I would love the break, but will save for another desperate time.

Another Year Older...

And a celebration to boot. Yesterday Justin turned the big 2-9!!! We started his birthday with an early morning trip out to Shady Maple for the best, and might I add free, breakfast buffet around. Followed by an afternoon of chopping down trees in his parents' yard, which has proven itself to be quite therapeutic for a dental students' stressful life. Finalized by blowing out candles on his giant ding dong cake, and opening a gift that has never felt so good...the long awaited, yet unexpected, return of the SpEdS!!!

Yes, it's an over sized ding dong...the cream is inside. Not a slice was left, which made me feel good and stroked my domestic ego.

Boy is Justin in for a treat! Just when you think you have passed them on...they return. A true friend always returns. Never did he think they would come back improved. His reaction was priceless, check out the video below.

The Right signed by Deagan.

The Left signed by Amy.

And for all you Rob and Big fans out there. Do you? Do you? Do you? Do you know what it feels like?

To see the journey that the SpEdS have been on for the last 5 months look here. Heres to many more to come...watch out they might be coming your way.

Kate is starting to walk, with a little enticement(dangling toys in front of her). Give her a few more weeks and I think we will officially have a toddler, and Zach will have a playmate who is able to keep up with him.

You Know He's Ready...

For PrE sChOoL when you arrive in the parking lot, and before you even get out of the car to walk him in, Zach is saying his good-byes to me and Kate.

Zach - "Bye mom and Kate, I have to go to school now...see you later!"

When I picked him up, of course he had lots to tell me, but my favorite was while we were walking back to our apartment, he says, hugging my leg...

Zach - "Thanks for putting me in school, I love it!"

His favorite thing today was the playground, and that he got to paint. He has already said several times that he can't wait to show dad when he gets home.