Mr. Jack O'Lantern

We've never carved pumpkins with Olivia before. We thought this was a good year to start.

Last night while the candy corn cookies were baking, Brad helped Olivia carve her

first Jack-o-lantern. She couldn't figure out why were cutting her

"favorite punkin" until we put the candles inside and lit him up for her.

Making the first incision....

Greasy grimy pumpkin guts....

Olivia wasn't sure what to make of the insides...

Almost finished....

Happy Halloween!!!

Halloween Cookies

My sister forwarded me the address of THIS blog and told me about some adorable candy corn

cookies on the blog that I had to check out. They looked great and SIMPLE so I decided to

make some for FHE last night. Olivia had a great time helping cut the triangles and putting them on the pan. Check them out...

Use this cookie mix, unless you have a recipe you really like...

put in the fridge for about 1 1-2 hours

cut into 1/4" slices and make triangles...

Cook at 375 degrees for 7 - 9 minutes

Enjoy! They are really yummy.

Candy Corn Cookies

2 Betty Crocker Sugar cookie mixes

2 eggs

2/3 cups butter

Food coloring

Mix the cookie mixes, eggs and softened butter.

Divide into thirds and add food coloring.

Put into a loaf pan in layers and refrigerate for 1 1/2 - 2 hours.

Cut into 1/4" slices and make triangles.

Cook at 375 degrees for 7 - 9 minutes.

Blowing Wishes in the Wind...

I took the girls on a walk today. It was perfect weather... and I was perfectly entertained by Olivia. We used to call this

"Blowing our wishes in the wind..." Makes me wonder what she was wishing for...

I asked Olivia what she was doing and she told me she was "blowing out the flowers."

I guess whatever you call it, it's still fun to do. Go make some of your own wishes while they are still "in season."

Two Teeth!

Tagen's second tooth came it this past week. Just a week and a half after her first one. I thought I'd try to hold her and get a picture of her two teeth at the same time. Let's just say I got a lot of good laughs out of the experience... and some priceless shots.

My very first shot. Such a serious face.

Success! The two teeth are photographed!

Only to be followed by a mocking from Tagen.

I LOVE the look on her face in this picture!

She's one of my very favorite people on this whole earth!

Owl Cookies

Last night we had my sister's and brother's families over for dinner and a family tradition of making owl cookies for FHE.

My family has been making these cookies for as long as I can remember. It's fun to pass the tradition onto our kids.

Olivia letting me admire her masterpieces.

Isn't he cute? Looks just like an owl.

Tagen had fun watching and wishing she could eat one too...

My newest nephew Clayton and his mom, Jenn. Cute, right?

Sugar high kicking in for Olivia and Cooper.

Amanie and Harlie making their cookies.

We had a really great time! Thanks for coming down guys! Can't wait for next year.

Halloween Decor

Last Saturday, I got together with my sister and we made these "Spooky" blocks to help decorate for Halloween. We had a great time figuring out how to do them. Here's the finished products. Thanks Sara for putting this together!

My sister Sara's.

Mine.

My Mom's. (Sara made this for her)

Pumpkin Patch Memories

Last night we went to a pumpkin patch. They had a hay maze for the kids to play in. Olivia loved it. She was willing to try it on her own to begin with, but soon came back and asked her dad to help her through the maze. He helped her through it once, then she was off and willing to do it on her own again. But, as I watched Brad take her hand and guide her through the turns and paths in the maze I was touched by the analogy playing out right before my eyes.

We come down to earth anxious to try out new things. Sometimes we jump right in and think we can do it on our own, only to quickly realize we need a guiding hand and some reassurance from our Father to make it through life's mazes. He's there and willing, we just need to ask... and then LISTEN. He will guide us to where we need to be.

Learning the gift of sharing....

I absolutely LOVE having a telephoto lens with my camera. I am able to catch some truly special moments without the subjects knowing... usually. It tends to be a more genuine experience when put on film that way. While playing at the weekly play group today, I was able to capture this special experience with Olivia and her friend Meg. It made me smile, and still does, to see how the story unfolded. It was great hearing about it afterwards from Olivia in her own words... "Mom, I shared with Meg. I had so much fun. Can we go play with her again?"

Enjoy the story...

What a successful day at the park. I love seeing Olivia have such a great time with her friends, and it made me smile, (I'm still smiling), to see her so happy because she chose to share with Meg. Maybe all those conversations with her about sharing are starting to sink in?..... Hopefully.

Fall is in the air!!!

The girls and I took a drive up the mountain side to see the changing of the seasons displayed through the leaves.

It was beautiful... to say the least. Have I mentioned that I LOVE FALL?

When we got up by where all the leaves had started changing, Olivia said,

"Wow Mom! This is amazing! Look at all the colors on the trees! It's so beautiful!"

Here's some of the pictures I snapped while up there....

Happy Fall everyone!