Halloween, Part II

Well, today was the day, and it was a busy one at that. Halloween started very early this morning. Sundays always start very early, relatively speaking to our family. Because Darreck works in the afternoon, anything before eight is very early, but Sundays I'm up by seven getting ready. Ugh, but worth it. Church was great, Max was relatively good, and we're still counting down the weeks until he gets to go to nursery (3, by the way). I let him wear an orange and cream t-shirt to church today in honor of Halloween, but next week we're back to Sunday best :)

After a good afternoon nap, we met Darreck at work and got to enjoy the party he's spent the last few weeks planning. We had a barbecue dinner and then they did a fun carnival. I played musical chairs holding Max and ran the booth where kids had to eat a cookie off a string without their hands. Hilarious. We also went through the (very tame) haunted house, and Max spent the whole time trying to figure out why the giggly girls ahead of us kept screaming. Darreck did a great job with the event, and I really hope he gets the credit he's due.

We made it in time to Grandma and Grandpa's to eat the last of the waffles (the traditional Sangray Halloween food) and then help hand out candy. I took Max and Kayla to a few houses, but it was more to show off Max's costume to friends than to get candy. We have PLENTY of candy around here. I don't even want to think about how much I've consumed today!

 

It was a great Halloween, and I'm looking forward to next year when it will: A) not be on a Sunday, B) Max will be able to say trick-or-treat himself and C) I won't have to get that cute but completely non-stretch lion costume over his head. Oh, and no face paint. Remind me next year, no face paint.

Halloween, Part I

We started off Halloween celebrations today with the ward party and trunk-or-treat. After getting dressed and pinning him down to paint on whiskers, the parted started with a carnival where Max (with Kayla) made a bracelet (his favorite accessory!) and then made a popcorn hand. He didn't win the costume contest, even though his grandma was one of the judges. We were robbed! He was the cutest little lion ever. The only disappointing part was that he wouldn't do the roar we've been practicing for weeks. Tonight was perfect for doing the trunk-or-treat, as well. It was clear and in the fifties. Not bad for Halloween weekend! Check back tomorrow for more pictures and a run-down of Halloween, Part II.

Big Boy Clothes

I have a tendency to buy Darreck and Max the same clothes. Not identical, obviously, but they both generally get polo shirts, button-downs, and solid color tees. It's something akin to not-too-preppy, "guy" clothes. Well, I found Max a Hurley hoodie that looks exactly like one Darreck had when we got married. Max spent his entire first day wearing his new shirt trying to "play" dad's PSP and ignoring what I said :) They're two peas in a pod, father and son, so long as you ignore the fact that they don't look anything alike!

Jam-Packed Weekend

This weekend was fun! First of all, Darreck had it off as part of his nine-day run of days off. Any weekend with Darreck home is a good one.

We started Saturday out with a visit to Kayla's first swim meet of the season. She did great in her events, even though Max and I only got to stick around to see her swim in one heat. Most the rest of the day was spent celebrating mom's birthday. We went out to dinner at El Commodore (mmmmm...) and opening presents. Unfotunately for me, we got her a book she had already read, even though it was on her hint list. Slavik family rule: no requesting things for your birthday (that's for Christmas!) but strong, blatant hinting is encouraged.

Saturday night we also attended an open house for a couple from our stake. It's so much fun seeing a couple start out their lives together the right way- fresh from the temple. When temple marriages are combined with personal righteousness, amazing relationships can happen. Some of the happiest marriages I've seen happen when a couple allows the Savior in as one of the members of the relationship. I know this couple we celebrated on Saturday has that very goal in mind. That's what made it a great celebration.

Now we have two days left until Darreck goes back to work, and that would normally make me sad. However, he gets another week and a half off in November. I tell ya, he has the best job ever! Also, I can't be sad when we're starting the holiday season. Halloween pictures will be coming soon...

Funny Family Pics

"Are we done yet?"

Here are some more of the pictures from Monday, only these are what I like to call the "real" ones. They're a little crazy, but that's on par with our personalities!



"Mom, Dad, this way. Come on! I'll show you!"















 




Other big news today, I bought myself a new camera with birthday money from Tim and Pennie! It's just a little Canon point and shoot, but my mom has a wonderful SLR I can steal- I mean "borrow"- for special occasions. I'll use my other camera to take a picture of my new camera one of these days. It's blue and very pretty. I'm happy...



One last, despearte, attempt to get Max to look the right direction





Fall Family Pics

Yesterday we went and had Tim take our fall family pictures. Some of them really turned out great, but it was really crazy trying to get Max to cooperate. He was not into the whole picture thing, but we prevailed in the end and got some great shots.

We, of course, have a ton more, but I'll have to post some of the bloopers later this week. They really are the best!

Crazy Kid

Some days Max's name becomes Crazy Kid. Today was one of those days.

We woke up this morning to find heavy machinery digging a trench out behind our house. Our area of town has an exceptionally high water table and, combined with the exceptional amount of rainfall we received this year, the greenbelt behind our house turned into a swamp, complete with wild onions and some really cool birds. While we liked the bird-watching, we were hoping that Max would get to play out there someday, so we were excited to learn they were installing a drain for the excess water. Silly me, I thought Max would love looking at the big machines twenty feet away from our house, but not so much. He was TERRIFIED and spent the entire day refusing to go near any windows. It would've been cute if it wasn't slightly annoying. I hope they finish soon.

The second crazy kid moment today had to do with my cell phone. Max is obsessed with all things electronic, especially cell phones (which he calls "daddy" because that's where dad lives 8 hours of the day, duh). I usually let him play with mine while I practice because it keeps him occupied longer than anything else will. So, imagine my surprise today when a good friend "returned my call" from yesterday. Hmm, I didn't call her?! Max had while I was practicing! He had also managed to dial a 7 digit number that began with a Great Falls cell phone prefix and push send, as well. I have decided my kid is both a genius and not to be trusted with cell phones any longer.

Crazy kid...

Extreme House Evolution

I'm a self-admitted neat-freak. Not that the house is always immaculate, but when I'm stressed I grab the vacuum. I'm all about clean lines and no-clutter zones. I cannot cook if there is anything, and I mean anything, on the counter tops. However, my once pristine fridge is slowly being taken over by baby artwork and cutesy magnets. I'm not complaining, but anyone who knows me knows it's kinda funny.

 I also realized that I never posted pics of the new couch, so here is one. Still wish I had a new camera so it looked amazing, but I'm holding out for Christmas.

(Not My) Moving Day

Friday night Pennie and Bryan arrived, so now our immediate family is completely here in Great Falls! They have closed on both the house they sold in Elgin and the house here, and they're now moving in and redecorating. We've been having fun with them here, already, and Max is super excited to be around the dogs. Luckily, all three are great around him.

We also enjoyed general conference this past weekend. It's always great to here the voice of Heavenly Father's servants on the earth. The talks were wonderful, and I really feel like I was able to get a lot of of this conference. The talks about faith conquering fear stood out to me in particular this time around. Not sure why yet, hmmm. Maybe something to come?

Anyways, this weekend was also my first concert of the new symphony season. We welcomed to emeritus piano professors from UI, so it was especially important to me. They did a wonderful job, and it's good to be back doing what I love. All in all, this should be a great season, and I'm looking forward to most of the concerts!