I've decided the best way to organize things as I am so far behind is month by month. I was surprised that there was so much that happened in October. It certainly was a very busy month for our family.
I am the Activity Day's leader in our ward which means I plan activities for the girls aged 8-12. I did a Halloween themed daddy daughter date that was a huge hit. I was so pleased with the way it turned out and all the memories the girls made. It was fun to see the girls dressed up with their dads. I had each girl help with a game, bring a food item and help with the decorating. We did minute to win it games and they were hilarious. I think one of the very favorites was digging the gum ball out of the whipped cream. Julia certainly got into it.
Bryan dressed up like Harry Potter to match Julia's Hermoine. I was impressed that we pulled off his costume so well. I feel like with all the other things I had going on I kind of threw it together but he looked pretty legit.
I took pictures of all the "couples" in front of this backdrop. It was a great success and a night I hope the girls remember forever.
We took a trip to Gardner Village to see the witches with some friends one day. I took the girls out of school early and headed down there. It was the most beautiful weather and I always count myself so lucky that I have such great friends wherever I live. The special thing about this particular trip was our great friends from Ohio that now live in Utah came to meet us. I love spending time with Monica. It's the kind of friendship that no matter how much time passes you can just pick right up where you left off.
Scarlett came and met with us as well. These two are the best of friends.
All of my sweet girls. I couldn't believe the weather. It was a wonderful day.
We went and played in the play area and the witches gave us a good show before we headed in. Such a perfect fall thing to do with people I love.
Julia turned the big 10! I can't believe it. Julia is such a helpful, smart, beautiful girl. She loves soccer, basketball, playing the piano, singing, reading and watching television. She enjoys playing with her sisters and I would say her very favorite books are still Harry Potter but she loves the Warrior series and Percy Jackson as well. She is getting so good at the piano that I actually really enjoy teaching her. It has been so rewarding to see her catch on to it so quickly. I am constantly amazed at how quickly she memorizes things and the facts that she stores in her brain. She is very kind to her friends and people are drawn to her. She is very confident in herself and I am happy about that. She does not like to be interrupted and I know that since she is the oldest I put more pressure on her than her sisters but she handles it all pretty well. She loves helping with Grace and babysitting and absolutely hates cleaning because she ends up doing it all while her sisters mess around. We adore Julia and are so thankful she is ours.
We had a party at Boondocks which is definitely the way to go. They literally took care of everything. Julia has such sweet friends and was kind enough to include her very best friends, Audrey and Lily.
She told me several times this was the best birthday she has ever had. I was so happy I could make it a special one for her. I could tell it really meant a lot. Julia has always been very appreciative and gracious which makes it easy to want to do things that make her happy.
We gave her a few presents at home as well. Grandma was kind enough to come help with the party and hang out a bit afterwards.
The following weekend we headed up the canyon and had breakfast at our favorite place. We even got primo seating right by the river with this view. It was incredible.
Breakfast was amazing as always.
I love these family outings.
We also went on a beautiful hike.
The girls collected fall leaves and played until they could play no more.
We also had a park date with some of our other favorite friends.
Bryan had a church meeting one Sunday so I took the girls to the pond to feed the ducks and walk around. It was perfect fall weather and the leaves were looking so pretty.
I of course had to snap a few pictures.
This baby is just the sweetest thing. I think the more babies I have the more relaxed I am which means I just enjoy them more and more. I just love her so much.
We had a little family outing at the mall one night and little Gracie was fascinated by the dancing fountains. We had just had the most delicious hamburger that night.
Julia finished her soccer season. They finished much stronger than they started. Julia ended up really catching on and scored several goals. It was an interesting season as the girls she played with weren't as experienced as other years. Julia really had to step it up which lead to success and a feeling of achievement but also a lot of frustration and some tears. I think it was a really good learning experience and rather interesting to see her competitive side come out. She used to not care but I will say since she has started caring more her game has improved significantly.
Our cousins came up one Saturday and we played at the park and went to a pumpkin patch.
We then carved those pumpkins. We had Lily color hers because we were only up to so much.
This is one of my favorite pictures ever. They look so cute with their pumpkins and our yard looks so pretty. It was a good night. I'm so thankful we had such beautiful weather in October.
Lily had to dress up for Halloween for dance. She looked too cute.
It was crazy hair day at school. The girls are always worried with what I will come up with and whether it will hurt their heads or not. Their hair is getting so dang thick that anything too fancy gives them a headache. Thankfully we came up with something that didn't squeeze their brains too much.
Lily had a preschool Halloween party and she and her best friend Clara were both bumblebees. I could not get over how adorable they were. Watching them run into preschool with their little wings waving was just too much!
The young women of the ward put on a Halloween carnival with lots of activities and games. It was pretty crowded this year but so much fun. I love that they do this every year and the girls always have a great time.
Bryan made a huge leaf pile that kept the girls entertained for a long time. I love listening to them play outside almost more than anything. It's when the imagination is really at it's best.
We had Bryan's home teaching families over for cookies one night. This is probably terrible but it took me a long time to make all those cookies and get everything ready so I had to take a picture just to remember what a great deal of effort that took.
Up the hill a family in our ward does a big Hogwart's night. Bryan was on call the night they were doing it and thousands of people come to the event. I debated and debated whether I wanted to try and take the girls up there by myself. I finally asked if my parents wouldn't mind coming up so we could try and make this happen. I heard that if you go early or go late that is best. So we waited until an hour or so before it was to be over and parked and walked up the big hill to a line. A line we would wait in for 45 minutes. This was 10:30 at night! I kept thinking we were crazy. Finally we got to the front and entered into this magical place. It was incredible. By the time we got in the crowds were thinning as well so we were able to see and do everything. It was pure magic for Julia and Audrey and I'm so glad I was able to make it happen. My dad was so kind to stay home with Grace and Lily and my mom walked up with me.
Julia and Audrey posed with Dumbledore (who is actually the doctor Bryan works with that puts this on each year. They are in our ward)
Lord Voldemort was super scary and took hilarious pictures with the girls. They also had a stand up comedian Voldemort that was hilarious. I think that was far and away the highlight for Julia. She even was pulled up on stage by Bellatrix Lestrange. I think Julia was a little scared by that.
They had the sorting hat and both girls got Griffendor. They also had wands, a zip line for quiddich, a motorcycle of Hagrids and so much more. It was incredible. A night to never forget and perfect for my little Hermoine.
Halloween night finally came. Audrey's favorite show is Dancing With the Stars. She loves it so so much and has begged to be a "Dancing With the Stars" dancer for months. I found this adorable tango outfit and my mom found a disco ball that we hot glued to a candle stick. I thought she looked awesome and this picture of her acting like she won the mirrorball trophy is just hilarious to me.
Hermoine in action with her wand. Our yard was the perfect backdrop for her magic.
The bumblebee decided to try supergirl for the actual Halloween. With two sisters before her she had a few choices for costumes and I thought it was fun that she changed it up.
The big three. The number four was still taking a nap before we headed off to the trunk or treat.
I love the trunk or treat. I think it's fun to see friends and a good way to kick off the night. Audrey passed out candy with Scarlett for a while. We ran out of candy pretty early unfortunately. There were a lot more people this year than last.
Julia found some of her cute friends.
I found some of my cute friends.
Bryan and I reprised our pregnant woman doctor reversal costumes. It was hilarious as always.
And this little piggy was the cutest in all the land. We went to McDonalds afterwards and before trick or treating. Audrey was playing on the playland and some girl came up to her and accused her of being mean to her brother and slapped her on the face. Audrey to this day has not gotten over that. She wasn't hurt but just completely shocked. It was so crazy.
Oh man just so stinking cute!
We went trick or treating with friends and had the best time. One house had a very scary spook ally that freaked them all out and was hilarious to watch. I love Halloween so much and this one was one of the best.
