Halloween Decorations 2011

Its official. I have an addiction to Halloween decor. I now have so much, I no longer have room for it. And yet, I have more coming that I ordered a few weeks ago. I also have a box that I've decided to not put out this year (maybe even give away if anyone wants it). It has taken all my efforts to NOT decorate before October. I decided that since today is the last day of September, it was close enough. Call it my October 1st Eve celebration, if you will. 

Here is how my house looks for Halloween 2011.

This is the point I realized I've run out of room. I'm now displaying stuff on top of my window blinds. 

Gaby has spent the last 30 minutes trying to get the stuff inside the totes. Video to come in a later post. 

I am so excited for Halloween this year. I can't wait! I have a Pampered Chef party planned for next weekend. Not just so I can earn discounted kitchen stuff, but because I have so many Halloween recipes I want to try and show off. Then towards the end of the month, I'm planning a party for the EEC's. I'm still figuring out my menu, but I'm pretty sure its going to be the coolest thing ever.

And since Halloween is on a Monday, I'm seriously thinking about dressing up for work. If I can talk a few other people into it, I think I will. I was also relieved to realize that Halloween is on a work night, so after work I can swing by and see Valex & Daxsen and then rush home to see Preston & Tyler. I can't wait to see them all decked out for Halloween. 

I just LOVE this time of year. To me, it is the happiest time of the year. 

Halloween Wreath

I have fallen into the addictive trap called Pinterest. When I saw this Halloween wreath, I just had to make it. 

I had prepared by buying the wreath and 2 yards of tulle. But I didn't realize how badly my wreath would show through. So I got creative and cut up one of Josh's ratty t-shirts. It worked perfectly. 

All wrapped and ready for the tulle. 

I cut my tulle into 3 inch wide strips that are about 20 inches long. Then I just started tying them around the wreath. 

Then I went around a second time. And a third time. I had about a dozen strips left, so I used them to fill in any empty looking spots. 

I'm not very good at tying ribbons, so decided to keep it simple. I LOVE how it turned out. 

Another Soccer Game

This was actually the 3rd game I've been to. Luckily I pass the playing field on my way home at night, so when I see the church parking lot is full, I suddenly remember there is a game. The same thing happened on Saturday when I was headed back from the post office, but that time I didn't have my camera. 

Preston is #6. 

At this point, I told Melanie I am so proud that he doesn't have to hold a coach's hand while playing. Yes, I know they are just young kids, but I can get competitive, so I'm thrilled Preston can handle the pressure on his own. 

 

Towards the end of the game, someone pointed out that the other team was short a player, because she was playing on the flag pole. Really, all that did was encourage the other kids to go play on the flag pole. Preston, not wanting to miss a moment of fun, was one of the first kids there. 

My camera battery died, so I didn't get very many pictures. But I LOVE these pictures I got of Tyler, especially the last one. What a cutie!

Visiting grandparents

On Sunday, my sister and the boys went with me to see our grandparents in Tooele. I don't like driving alone so I was glad for their company. But I also drove a lot slower, its more stressful driving when there are little bodies in the car. Not because they weren't good, they were perfect angels. I just felt so much added pressure to drive as safely as I could.

The fall colors are starting to show and I LOVE it. I decided to welcome in the autumn season by having my first hot chocolate. (There goes my diet!) The place where my grandparents were camped was beautiful. Each time I went outside, I had to take a picture of that mountain side.

Daxsen is only 4 weeks old now, so this was the first time our grandparents got to meet him. We decided to surprise them and not let them know when we were coming. My grandpa was so excited to see us he cried when he gave us our hugs. ( I LOVE my grandpa's hugs. It can make even the worstest of very bad days better.)

Grandma of course immediately insisted on holding her newest great grand baby.

Valex needed some time to stretch his legs after the long car ride, so we went outside for a bit. We only stayed out for a few minutes until I noticed a mosquito biting Daxsen. Darn bugs. 

Daxsen and his mom throwing rocks in the river.

Headed back to the motor home to get away the bugs. 

Grandpa holding his newest great grand baby. Its moments like this where I almost wish we could have kids. 

That moment I mentioned above? It disappears real quick when the tantrums start. I should say my favorite picture is the next one with my grandpa holding Daxsen and a jealous dog, but I think this tantrum picture is about the cutest thing ever. He kept wanting to play with the stove and each time they took him away from it, he threw a fit. At one point it was said every one was on mom's side, but if I thought I could get away with it, I wouldn't have made him sit in time out. Oh, and I love the "fake" crying that comes with these tantrums. I know I shouldn't laugh because it just makes them think it ok, but I think its so funny.

My second favorite picture. Or I guess I could say the one above is my favorite of Valex and this one is my favorite of Daxsen.

It was a fun trip and I had so much fun hanging with my sister and her boys. Hopefully we can do it again soon. 

Fall Swaperoo Package

I was so excited when my Swaperoo group announced the fall swap. I LOVE this time of year and couldn't wait to put together a package. 

Swaperoos has a blog where we can post sneak peeks when we mail the package, and then again when we receive our own package. This is the picture I just posted for my person to get their sneak peak. 

Here is a picture of what she will be receiving in the mail. I think was one of the funnest packages I've ever put together. She mentioned she had kids, but didn't list ages so I assumed they were younger kids (vs. teenagers) so I included some glow sticks for them. And what is Halloween without candy? I thought the ghost peeps were so cute! Then I included some of the pumpkins I made last week, a few fixings for cookies and some scrapbook pages. 

My CTMH group made a page just like this last year, but I couldn't bring myself to part with it. So instead I copied it. 

I was still feeling crafty, so I decided to include one more set of Halloween pages. 

Now I just have to wait for my package to come in the mail.