Loss

Yesterday Chant's grandpa, Patah as we called him, passed away. He was 88 years old. We are so sad that he is gone but glad that he no longer has to suffer. And we know that he is in a better place and that we will see him again. I am so grateful that my children had the chance to know him. And I too feel privileged to have known that wonderful man. We miss you and love you Patah.

New Moon Madness

At the stroke of midnight I was comfortably reclined in my second row seat among the throngs of other Twihards. The lights dimmed. The crowds hushed. The tension and excitement in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. The creepy Wehrenberg Theatres song started. A giggle passed through my lips. The Summit Pictures logo appeared on the screen. And the screams began. I laughed. My friends laughed. Secretly we really wanted to wail at the top of our lungs like everyone else. The title New Moon slowly appeared on the screen. The screams continued. I must admit Edward was looking mighty fine. His wardrobe has much improved. And Jacob's 8 pack was worthy of at least two heart-felt swoons. My head swiveled from side to side in an attempt to take in all that was just merely a few feet in front of me. (Side Note: front row seating is ideal for live performances, not for screen viewings). My heart raced with all the action. Two hours and one minute passed with the bat of an eye. And then the movie ended. I had a smile on my face. Yes, the film was fantastic. Yes, I was pleased. Yes, I wanted more. At 2:30 a.m. I was wide awake. (To emphasize the enormity of that, I will admit that I cannot remember the last time I was up later than 11:00. I didn't even make it long enough to ring in the new year.) And so I will admit, I am now an official groupie or Twihard if you will. Even though Jacob is quite the looker and a very sweet guy, I am still a member of Team Edward and will ever remain true. After discussing the film with friends and pledging our devotion to either Jacob or Edward, I returned home to my real true love.

A Sunday Afternoon

Sunday I was in an extreme amount of back pain, so I stayed home from Church. I had been laying on the bed with a heating pad under my back when I heard the kids. They were up from their naps and it was time to get them ready for church. I came out of the bedroom to find 3 beautiful children dressed, hair done, and ready to go. Isn't their Daddy amazing? I rather think so myself! I couldn't resist taking some pictures. They were just too adorable!

Castles in the Sky

Friday Chant got home from school early, so when we picked the girls up from preschool we were off for an adventure.  We went to Lake of the Ozarks for the day.  The first stop was Ha Ha Tonka State Park.  It was a gorgeous day.  The sun was out and it was warm.  The main attraction at the park for us anyway (there are miles of beautiful trail to be hiked but not by 3 children) was a castle.  It's not really a castle but more a mansion.  It was built in the early 1900s but the interior was destroyed by a fire.  All that is left is the rock exterior walls.  It is a gorgeous view from the top of the mountain where the castle is.  And the mansion itself is quite remarkable.  We had a wonderful time exploring. 

In front of the water tower.  

 

Checking out her map.  Brinnley is out official tour guide anywhere we go.

After exploring the castle we hit the outlet malls and had dinner at Applebee's.  The day was a success!  I just love exploring!

Halloween and Things I never thought I would say

Halloween was great!  It was my friend Becca's birthday that day, so we had a party at her house.  Yummy food and good company.  Then as a big group we took the kids out trick-or-treating.  My girls were confused because we have never gone door to door.  They thought Halloween was the ward party.  I tried to explain and basically what they got out of it was that the ward party was for the Bishop and Saturday was for Becca.  Oh well.  Whoever it was for, they still had fun.  Brinnley buddied up with Becca's nephew and they stayed right by each other running door to door.  Brinnley thought since she was a cheerleader she had to do a cheer for her candy.  She put down her bucket and yell "go team go!"  Very cute!  Ainsley and Daddy made a pretty good team and Porter watched from the sidelines, all comfy in his stroller.  The evening was a success!  

Sunday after Church there was a baptism.  The kids and I didn't go.  They were tired and all sorts of messed up from Daylight Savings Time ending.  While Daddy was off at the church, the girls played in their room.  I took the opportunity to call my mom.  We were chatting away and I realized I hadn't seen Porter for a while.  I started the search.  I found him in the bathroom happy sloshing around in the poop-filled toilet.  I removed my son and cleaned him off then went to inform the girls of the situation.  

Me:  Girls. we need to make sure we flush the toilet.  Your brother was just playing with your poo.

Girls:  Oh, sorry Mom.

Me:  That's okay.  At least he hadn't picked it up and squished it in his hand.  Just a little sloshing.  All is well!

Oh such fun! 

Halloween Party

Tues, the 27th, was our ward Halloween party.

This year we went with the sports theme.  I had 2 

cheerleaders, a football player, and Chant and I were

the coaches.  Believe me, my girls we all into character.

They were screaming and bouncing all over before we 

left and it continued at the church.

This year we went all out, for us.  The girls and I had glitter 

spray on our arms.  Brinnley and Porter had red hair, even

more red than usual for Brinn ;)

And we even put face paint on the girls and Chant.

"GO Team!"

First we ate chili and cornbread, then played games created by the YM and YW.

My favorite was one by the Young Men.  It was a huge box filled with packing peanuts and then scattered throughout were gourds.  They picked the kids up and held them upside down in the box while the kids went fishing for a gourd.  Brinnley tried it and she was it there a long time.  They asked if she found one yet and she screamed from inside the depths of the box a victorious "Yeah!"  They pulled her out and she held up the prized possession.  Two hands full of packing peanuts!  Yes!  I didn't have the camera, but it was pretty darn cute!

The prize for the games at the church was a book.  Ainsley is reading to Daddy from her new Tigger and Pooh book.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween Prep

This year for Halloween the girls are going to be cheerleaders and Porter a football player.  They wanted to get out their costumes yesterday and make sure they fit.  We got Porter a football.  He was making touch-downs into a basket.  Every time he threw the ball in the girls would scream and cheer.  Then they started to chant, "Go team, go" until he threw the ball in again.  It was a very energetic afternoon!

Grafton, Illinois

Ains by the lighthouse

Saturday after the pumpkin patch, we loaded in the car and let the kids sleep while we took a scenic drive to St. Charles County.  We took the ferry across the river to Grafton, Illinois.  We didn't really know what there was to do in Grafton, but we couldn't pass up the excitement of a Ferry Ride!

When we got off the ferry, this little town of 620 people was so crowded we couldn't get down the street.  We parked the car and got out the strollers.  It was a beautiful day!  The sun was out and it was so fun.  We stopped for ice cream then continued on to the flea market where we found a set of children's books for cheap, conditional upon the promise we would read them to the children.  Yay!  We passed a group of Hippies who were putting on their own bicycle parade.  Hence the beads.  Pretty cool though.  Bunnies and dragons and clowns, not the people the BIKES.  We continued to stroll through various antique/flea market shops.  Then we found a lighthouse by the shore.  Perfect photo op.

The sun was too bright for poor Ains.

By the lighthouse

Waiting to get on the ferry

A beautiful fall day in Missouri, or rather Illinois.

It was a wonderful day and I am already making big plans for our next adventure!  Next time we will go apple picking, visit the local park (looked awesome!), visit a shop that was calling my name but with a forlorn look I had to pass by, and maybe make a stop at the local one room jail.