Trunk Or Treat!

Our ward combined with another ward for this year's Trunk or Treat.  They served us up some chili, hot dogs  and nachos, just what our tummies need before the sugar overload.  The kids came home with a TON of loot.  Check out the last two pictures.  This year I was only able to talk one child into letting me buy their candy.  And that was Ethan, only because he can't eat half of it anyway.  {This is actually a good thing.}  And for the others, we'll probably be paying for it later in the form of Dentist bills. 

This is our ScArEy WITCH!!!

One mean looking football player.  The helmet was a little small, look at how his brow is being pushed down.  He still wanted to wear it even if it did hurt to take the helmet on and off.

Rachel wore my vintage Marie Callendar's waitress uniform.  I have some good memories working there.  It was kind of fun to see her wear it, even if people kept asking what she was.  And "no" she was not a maid. 

Ethan wore my old M&M costume that I made while in college. FUN TIMES!!!!

And the trading begins.......

Student of the Month.....

Steve got a phone call this morning telling me that Rachel was being awarded student of the month for her class. Mrs. Tindell had forgotten to tell me earlier. So, we rushed to school just in time to see her be awarded. This week during her parent/teacher conference, Mrs. Tindell, just ranted and raved about how wonderful Rachel is. She has even put Rachel in some of her Gate kids activities. She has all A+'s and like always is loved by her teacher. This is what her principal read about her that her teacher wrote:

I am honored to nominate Rachel Spendlove as the Student of the Month from my class.  I admire Rachel tremendously for her incredible diligence and scholarliness.  Rachel always gives her best effort in everything she does.  She is very thoughtful in her work.  Rachel is also a good friend to all in our class.  She is a kind girl who cares about others.  I know that with all of these wonderful qualities that Rachel will surely succeed in all of her endeavors.  Congratulations Rachel !!!

Just a shot of Matthew and his friends at the award ceremony.

Battan's Halloween Party

We were invited to an adult party with our neighbors and friends. The Battan's like to party. I honestly didn't think I would be able to go. I thought for sure we would have had the baby by now. So, I was last minute planning for our costumes. They weren't much, but I have to say, I thought it was pretty creative. Steve and I went as Edward and Bella pregnant with Renesmee.  I got some vinyl letters to put our names on the back of our shirts and on my blossoming belly.  We didn't stay too long, since we had kids at other parties to go pick.  But we enjoy all of our neighbors.

Edward & Bella with baby Renesmee

The Ladies of Monarch Palm with Conda Lisa Rice.  Super funny story about that.  Obama showed up to a party with Conda Lisa Rice instead of Michelle.  If you want to know more just ask.  We miss you Lisa Brown!

Allison, Dana, Dina, Melissa & Melissa

Kim's Halloween Party

The Kim's invited the twins over for one of their annual Halloween Parties.  I took a few pictures before I left.  They had dinner for them and all kinds of games and activities. 
This night started with Lauren's soccer game, the twins party, Ethan's party and then Mom  and Dad's Party.  What a Halloween! 

I don't think my kids have ever bobbed for apples.  It was fun to watch them.  Thank You Kim's for such a Good Time!!!

October Cub Scout Pack Mtg

This is a collection of the belt loops Matthe has earned during the summer up till now. {Baseball, Volleyball, Marbles, Ultimate, Archery, Roller Skating, Swimming & Music} Alot of these he has earned more than once. He needs a new belt to hold them all.

He wouldn't stop for a picture but here is a happy Matthew.

They made this very nice bird houses during a couple of den meetings.  They turned out great and here they are showing them off.  They each also read a poem they wrote about a Gospel Principle.

Matthew's Poem:

My Gospel Principal is on Faith

Faith is believing in crist

Faith is always choose the right

Faith is I always read the scriptures

Faith is the thing that makes God happy

Having Faith is important

The message tonight was on Fire Safet.  Bro. Johnson is a retired fireman and did a great job influencing the boys not to play with fire.  I even learned some new things.

Matthew also recieved his Whittling Chip Card.  He carved a bear out of soap for this one. 

Way to Go Matthew!!!  Keep up the Good Work!!!

Halloween Gingerbread Houses FHE

Since I am not moving around like I used to be able to or want to, I decided that carving pumpkins was going too much for me. It is lots of fun and all while we are doing it, but I just couldn't think about having to clean it all up. So, we made prepackaged Halloween Gingerbread houses. The kids didn't know we were doing this instead of....but it was one of our better evenings together. The boys worked so well together putting their house together and so did the girls. It almost brought tears to my eyes how well they were getting along. It was a great night and the houses look great. Now they just want to blow them up like we do with our Christmas Gingerbread houses, except you can't get firecrackers here.

The Girls Finished Product

The Boys Finished Product

Working together and loving it!!

What Team Work!!

Not quite as messing as pumpkins!!

Another Addition

You know that great neighbor that I have been talking about? Well, since they were moving, they decided they wanted to give us their trampoline. Now, that is fantastic for Ethan, Matthew, Rachel, Lauren & I, but Steve was so happy that he got to leave our old one behind that the news of another one wasn't so fantastic. But like always he was good sport and took one of his Fridays off to take it down and move it from their backyard to ours and then reassemble it. It has been wonderful to have and is getting much use. Again, we are so grateful. The Brown's also gave us their fish and frog. That makes 4 pets for us. Steve is loving it, as he is getting ready for baby #5. I guess it can be a little overwhelming.

Our New Lawn Girl

Check this girl out!!! She puts Matthew to shame and just might have one up on Ethan soon.

AYSO Soccer Game #8 - Photos of the Week

Rachel #4

Savannah, Rachel, Brooke & Chloe

The best goalie they have!!!!

Team Captain Rachel!

Matthew #10

Kaboom!!

One Final Farewell to Lisa!!!

Okay, talk about a long GOOD-BYE! Lisa is one of those people that everyone loves. You can't help but to just be drawn to her personality. So it wouldn't be suprising that everyone wants to say to good-bye, and good-bye again and again.
We were invited to another get to together in honor of her and Bob. It was like we were all just hanging on to a tiny thread not wanting her to leave.

So to explain why this is so hard, she is like the glue that made everything stick. She did all the planning of all the fun things that brought our street together. (Annual Block Parties, Weekly Summer Pool Parties, GNO's, Cafe visits, Play groups) Which means now the rest of us are going to have to divide of the Lisa duties.

We have a couple of Catholics, a Mormon family, a interacial marriage family, the beauty queen with her's and their kids, a young couple with no kids, etc.... and you know what? It doesn't matter. Because of Lisa we all got together and always have a great time. No one is judgemental and we respect each others beliefs. That's just how it is. And that is what makes this all work. We have been blessed to have moved onto a street that looks after it's neighbors and are friends. It means even more to me having come from such a sheltered neighborhood in Katy, Texas and moving to California where I didn't know what to expect.

So that's why one more GOOD-BYE to Lisa!!!!!!