Halloween Traditions

For our Halloween dinner this year Natali begged to invite friends.  I wanted to say no - where would we put them for starters, the garage?  But, in the end I gave in.  Natali decorated the house and did so much to get everything ready including making invitations.  The four oldest kids invited friends, except Mack ended up with two…Greg led the games in the backyard while I finished preparations.  The kids had to keep the "head' on the platter while racing the other teams.  It was pretty funny.  

 Sea Scum Soda (You can't see the gummy worm ice cubes)

 Monsters and Crackers

Slimy Worms

 Deviled Eyes

Rats Baked in Blood                                      

This was everyone's favorite - Dracula's Dentures - one little boy actually put the whole thing in his mouth like dentures.  If only we could of snagged a picture before he started gagging.

Overall the party was a huge success.  Greg was a hilarious waiter, throwing my kids into the "dungeon" when they were out of hand (which all the kids thought was so funny).  Everyone had a blast.  One mom texted the next day that her boys said it was the best party they had ever been to.  I think that had a lot to do with so many kids in one room with silly adult - but I was glad they liked it.  Will we invite friends again next year?  We'll see...

 Annual trip to the pumpkin patch - we were lucky to have Grandma Nani there with us.

Mack wanted to be a BYU football player but didn't want to pay the big bucks for the costume.   So he improvised using his uncle's jersey.  The best part is that he took a hand me down Denver Broncos helmet and used duck tape to create this master piece.  He was pretty pleased with what he created.

Andrew was just loving the face paint and cornstarch in his hair.

 Natali wanted so badly to come up with a "memorable" costume for her last year of trick or treating.  However nothing she or I came up with met that lofty goal.  So she borrowed grandma's poodle skirt and white sneakers, put on a bunch of make-up and life was pretty good.

My little sweetie made my day by choosing to be the caterpillar.  This is one of my favorite costumes that I have made and it makes me happy every time on of the kids uses it.  The face paint was definitely her favorite part.

Lily and Kate helped complete the little bug family we had going on.  Lily only lasted as a bee for about 10 minutes, but at least we took some pictures.

Orchestra Concert

In Middle School Natali was given the choice of choir, orchestra or wheel (4 classes that may or may not include choir, PE, art, life choices (don't ask?), or other random classes).  Natali choose Orchestra, and picked out the viola for an instrument.  Now our home has a new sound of music, although we have had to create a rule about not playing in the same room where people are talking…she loves it. 

During her first concert, her teacher had her stand up to show proper posture for playing.  As we watched the rest of the performance we could she why he used her as an example.  She din't budge from that perfect position.  Definitely didn't get that from me…maybe Grandma Dame?

She is wearing my shoes (hers were too small) and my skirt (she didn't have a black one).  The skirt has a draw string and was really bunched around her tiny waist.  It is hard for me to believe we have the same shoe size.  It won't be long before she is taller than me...

Birthday Time

He's 10!  Can you tell he's a cougar fan?  What kid just wants plain chocolate cake for his birthday?  He wanted no frosting of any kind - which makes it hard to make his cake look like the requested football field.  In the end I came up with this and he loved it (and so did I - so easy!)

Showing off his wad of cash and Walmart gift card.  He has loved having the $$$ power to buy whatever he wants.

Some of his gifts: Nano bug playground, a book, practice golf balls that he can hit in the field by our house, more Nano bugs... 

Mack just makes me happy.  He puts up with my teasing and silliness and laughs at me just enough to make me feel good.  I like to change words to songs as narration to whatever we are doing around the house.  I often pause to see if anyone can finish my phrase with a rhyme.  Mack always comes through.  We are on the same wavelength.  I love that.  I also love how kind he is to his sisters.  He tucks the little girls in now and then and is always willing to love on Lily.  I love to just sit and listen to him tell me about his day.  I'm so blessed to be his Mama.

Sweet Little Lily

I decided to do another photo shoot of Lily a few days ago.  She would only smile if I wasn't behind the camera so I failed to catch her beautiful smile, but I still think I managed to get some cute pictures.  Here’s our Lily, seven months old, sitting like a pro, and the joy of our home. 

Our Own TV Show

 “You guys should have your own TV show!” Our waitress stated.

I was eating dinner in IHOP, just me and the six kids.  We were waiting to pick Greg up from the airport after a week-long business trip.  The waitress couldn't believe they were all mine; she made multiple comments to express her shock.  On the other hand, I was very impressed.  Andrew, at the opposite end of the table was eating his food, mostly sitting in his seat, and not bothering anyone.  Void of dramatics, Kate was waiting patiently for me to cut up her pancake.  Emily was content with her gogurt (such a healthy dinner).   Natali was being a wonderful helper while I spoon-fed Lily, who was actually not screaming between bites. Oh and Mack, he was just doing his thing, as usual.  One of the last times I took all six kids out to dinner alone Emily barfed all over and Lily screamed.   I was ecstatic that things were going this well.

  “Are we really that strange?”

“Well, there are just so many of you.”

Good observation.  As I left the restaurant I was reminded of how crazy I must look to many people.  But, tonight I am enjoying a little less chaos since Greg and the boys are on their way to Yellowstone.  As part of the deal, Greg left his computer so I can finally catch up on blogging.  I will not give into the temptation to watch any several hour long BBC movie based on my favorite English novels.  So here it goes.  The following pictures are entirely random but since they had no other home they are landing on the crazy lady with 6 kids page…let the blogging begin.

 February:  Greg returns from Peru with hats and soccer shirts.  The boys pose in front of their new soccer goal.  With two goals now we have some serious games going on.

 May:  After the tornadoes in Oklahoma my kids baked a bunch of cookies and brownies and made fresh lemonade as a fund raiser for those devastated in Oklahoma.  They made $75 and were so proud of themselves.

 May: Kate's kindergarten graduation.  She loved her teacher Miss Dahl and still hugs her everyday when she gets to school even though she is a big 1st grader now.

July:  Kate loves to take pictures with my phone and loves to pose Lily.  Most the pictures are blurry or scary but this one keeps us laughing.

First Day of School

Here she is, the first day of First Grade.  Kate is loving her teacher Mrs. Parsons and is really coming out of her shell.  Music is her favorite but she dreads PE.  Although PE did start her onto some pretty nice jump rope skills.  She is comfortable at school now and loves it, but Emmy and I miss her.

Big Fourth Grader, Mack.  He loves recess, PE, and math, when they let him go in with the 5th graders.  He never talks out of turn (I wonder if he talks at all in the classroom) and reads all day long.

I think this was the first and last time Andrew wore his glasses to school this year.  Mr. Third Grade loves PE, Science, recess, talking to anyone who will listen, and about every hot lunch option they have.  He is braver than I.

I am embarrassed to admit that I didn't even get out of bed for Natali's first day of Middle School.  Greg was still home so I just slept in.  Lame.  My neighbor did send me a photo of Natali in her car on the way to school that morning, but somehow I can't find it on my phone anymore...Natali loves Social Studies, and Orchestra.  She likes 7th grade math but wishes there were only 6th graders in her class so they could move faster.  

Emmy would have me read to her all day, but unfortunately I fall asleep after and hour or so.  That means that now and then she has to do things other than listen to stories.  She, Lily and I have a lot of fun and enjoy those quiet hours with just the three of us.  In spite of it's downsides - I love sending my kids to school (most days) and am grateful for good teachers who do so much for my little guys.