Bound to Happen

So ever since we moved I have had the same calling - Primary Chorister. What was a major fear turned into a major love and really didn't think that I was going to be changing any time soon. I finally knew what I was doing. That's when you know you're toast. So, 3 1/2 years later I got released from the best gig in the Primary to be changed to (hopefully) the best in the Young Women's, the MiaMaid advisor. Once again I am terrified, but the excitment is drowning it out. I loved Young Women's growing up so hopefully I can pass some of that on to our awesome girls. The whole leadership for the Young Women's is new as well as our bishopric (it happened the same Sunday), so we are all feeling a little lost, but we'll work through it and have a rockin' time. Last night was the first mutual night that I went to and it was an absolute blast! I love our girls already. But a LOT has changed since I've been in Young Women's. So if anyone out there has any advice about working in Young Women's, or any awesome activity ideas, I am totally ok with it if you share!

Happy Halloween!

Our Halloween season lasted all weekend and then again on Monday. I think this was the most fun that the kids have had on Halloween all their short little lives. On Friday was Jaxon's class party that I got to help out at that was complete with fire alarm drill and parade. That night was the school's Halloween carnival and Jaxon was in his element. He loved playing all the games and was all about the giant inflatables. He was especially good at the giant inflatable obstacle course. We weren't even sure if he could do it, but he wanted to do it, so we let him, and he burned through that sucker. Sammi and Jill had a good time as well. Sammi was a little more hesitant to get involved, but had fun when she did. Her favorite was the donut walk and fish pond. Jill just was happy as can be to be in her pooh costume, watch all the craziness that was going on, and sneak candy whenever she could. On Saturday we went trick or treating to Grandpa Gordon and Grandma and Grandpa. On Monday we hit the truck-or-treat that was in a small little neighborhood in our ward, just perfect for such occasions. Then we proceeded to hit a few of the houses in our neighborhood and make visits to an elderly couple that we just love to visit with, as well as Granny and Grandpa and Katie and Mark. And it only took us about three hours! We came away with way more candy than I expected, but the kids were having a blast through it all. It was fun to see them having fun. Plus they were dang cute to look at. They loved their costumes and wore them today as well. That only lasted about and hour as they realized that wearing the costume does not atomatically get them more candy.

Happy, happy birthday Sammi, dear!

Our little Sammi was ecstatic to celebrate her birthday. She proved that she was quite grown-up by keeping the bike that she helped me pick out for Jaxon and that was hiding in the back with a sheet over it when we picked the kids up for carpool a complete secret. She is awesome! Sammi is quite the girly girl so we spent her birthday morning doing exactly what she wanted to do - nails, hair, and coloring pictures of Rapunzel. She has been obsessed with Rapunzel lately even though we don't have the movie and she has only seen it a couple of times thanks to grandma. She wants to grow her hair out long like Rapunzel and is quite pleased with her progress. It's clear to her waist at the longest part when it's straight. Sammi wanted a Rapunzel cake and since I'm a little over making the whole barbie cake
(although I got quite good at them after doing it two years in a row), we did Rapunzel's tower as her cake. That sucker was tall! And miracles of miracles, it all stayed in tact! Whew! Sammi's birthday was actually quite a busy day as I was also trying to prepare some stuff for Jaxon's class Halloween party the next day, so I was more than happy to make her dinner request. Sammi's birthday meal was mac n' cheese. Bless you child. Just what a busy mom wanted to hear. Even though it was no surprise because she asks for it every night. Sammi is such a funny little girl. She is always making us laugh with her little comments and gestures. I think my favorite quote from her so far has been when we where having family home evening and she tried to whisper this observation to me as to not hurt our dad's feelings, "Daddy has the priesthood...he can't walk on water!". She is a very sweet girl and is just beautiful. She is going to make a great mom judging my the way that she mothers her dolls. We love her so much and are so grateful that she's a part of our family!

Jaxon is one year older and wiser, too!

Jaxon had "the best birthday ever with the most presents ever." He had a pretty awesome day. When I went to wake him up for school, before he even opened his eyes, he put a big smile on his face and serenaded me with this little ditty, "It's my birthday shout hooray, wooh, I want to sing to me all day, wooh!". He was a helpful little six year old, too. As I was cleaning up from the disaster area that I made out of the kitchen when I was decorating his cake, Jaxon started cleaning the rest of the house and would not stop. "I just feel like I could clean all day!" Wait, what? Is it my birthday? For his birthday cake he wanted a pizza cake because, "I don't like pizza, I LOVE pizza!"
He actually wanted me to stuff the pizza-looking cake with pizza, but I convinced him that a separate pizza for dinner would have to suffice.
He had a great day and it was awesome to celebrate with all of our family that is around here (minus Emily and Jake, we missed you!). Jaxon is such a funny kid that keeps us constantly on our toes and amazes us with his memory and smarts. He's becoming quite the little reader and loves to speed around on his bike, excuse me, "motorcycle". He really is an amazing helper to me most all of the time and is such a good big brother. We love our Jaxon and are excited to see what this next year will bring.