pUMpKIn cRarVInG

We got out the newspapers and got all set for our annual PUmpKIn cArVInG!!

The favorite part is the GUTS!!!

Here's prestons guts!!!

abbie's GUTS!

mckena's GUTS!!

(how do you like the tongue action?)

and ella just played in every ones GUTS!!!

NONE of my kids have ever like the guts at this age but ella went to town. She LOVED it and we just let her go !

She even thought it was yummy!

Here is the finish product

and some super cute kids:)

hAppY CArvInG!!!

DISNEYLAND:)

About a year into Josh schooling we told ourselves that for Graduation we were taking the kids on their first ever REAL vacation! So of course we picked

DISNEYLAND!!!:)

Josh had been a few times but I had only been once a REALLY long time ago. So to make this as memorable as possible we planned like crazy!!! We knew we wanted to surprise the kids so we would put the kids to bed at night and work on our trip!

On Sunday morning Oct 11th the kids woke up to a wrapped present in the family room. When they opened them up it was their own piece of luggage with a note that said, "sometimes dreams do come true! Pack your bags because we are leaving for DISNEYLAND right NOW!!!"

At first the only one who believed us was Mckena but when they were sure we were not joking they got the biggest smiles on their faces and started screaming! We packed our bags and out the door we went. We made it to Vegas and slept at Boyd and Mare's and then off to California! We checked into the Disneyland Hotel and went to the beach! Although it was cold the kids had a great time. Went back to the hotel for a shower and PJ'S while dad went and picked up dinner. Then sweet dreams! The next three days were packed full of FUN!! We were surprised at how brave Preston and Abbie were. Nothing was too scary for them!!! Preston and Abbie's favorite was Tower of Terror! (mine too!) Mckena's was the Tea Cups and Ella just LOVED everything she could go on! I was so impressed with the kids:) It was really the best vacation EVER! The look on their faces was priceless. It was so nice to leave everything behind and just enjoy ourselves. I can see why people of all ages LOVE Disneyland. I am joining that group! We made some lasting memories for our family and we will never forget this trip!

Enjoy some of our photos!

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{CAUTION}

I was so hoping to be blogging about our wonderful trip to Disneyland but I don't have very much time cause I am taking care of the sickies. Yup we have been hit with the

SWINE FLU!!!

Josh called me while on his way home Friday to tell me that he wasn't feeling well. By the time I flew in on Sunday everyone but Abbie was on their death bed.

So the minute I got home I started running and haven't stopped since.

Here's how most of the days have been. Josh actually got out of bed today and got dressed. If you know anything about Josh this NEVER happens so he was really not feeling well. Poor Mckena she was pukie today and Ella just bawls and hangs on your leg if your not holding her.

Here's is what Abbie and I are doing TRYING to not get sick. We are now roommates and NO ONE is allowed in our room or the "well" people bathroom.
To be honest it is pretty awful. I am completely exhausted from only sleeping a few minutes here and there but feel SO grateful that Abbie hasn't gotten it. I am trying not to let the anxiety get the worst of me when it comes to Abbie but I have a hard time keeping that at bay. Preston started crying yesterday when we left the Dr's because he heard of a diabetic dying when they got the swine flu and was worried about Abbie getting it. Such a sweet kid. I told him that Heavenly Father loves Abbie as much as we do and He wouldn't let anything happen to her:)
My Mom came and doorbell ditched us with some groceries today which I thought was really sweet. After she left Mckena said "our Grandma sure loves us"
Thank you to all our friends and family for calling and offering to help us out.
We LOVE enough to say thank you but PLEASE stay away!:)

Thursday's thoughts...

So I am going to share a few things that I am really LOVING right now. All the new paint in my house. Here's what it looked like before...

Then I painted the white walls Raffia Cream and now they look like this...

LOVE LOVE LOVE how this wall turned out:)

My new LOVE... road biking!!! Boyd and Mare came up a couple of weeks ago and we went on a ride we went 20 miles or so and it was so fun! So if you drive by my house at night and my garage is open part way don't worry it's just me on the trainer pedaling like crazy! Thanks again Q for letting my borrow!

LOVE book club! It was my month to host. We read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. LOVED the book and had a great discussion. I stayed with the theme of PIE. I made a Pecan, 2 Cheesecakes, Chocolate, Apple and Pumpkin. Here's how the table turned out...


I made these cute little handouts. It's a apple pie on a stick. It was super easy and I think they turned out pretty cute. I picked one of my favorite lines in the book and printed it out on the back. I had a great time and hope everyone else did too!

Especially LOVING this...

Bid Daddy dancing to Hannah Montana with the girls:) It has turned into a nightly tradition and I am LOVING it!