Leaf Jumping (and a little raking too)...

I have been in such a slump, just super busy with work and Lance is out of town. I haven't had the motivation to do the fun things with the boys that I usually do. So on a warm afternoon (with it supposed to snow the next day) I knew it was our last chance to get the leaves raked up.

I am so glad that I took the time to spend this afternoon with my darling boys, I love their personalities and I am so sad for the moments that I know I  missed during my down time. I hope I can be better!

If I promise we can take a silly one, they are good to take a few cute ones too :)

Out of focus, but Layton was making Parker bend down in the leaves and then he would run and jump over him. Parker is such a sport :)

I love these boys with all my heart.

Halloween 2011... Powers Rangers UNITE!

Halloween was a little different this year. Lance has been working out of town for a few months and just comes home for Sundays. So, being as Halloween was a weekday it was just me and the kids.

I was helping with the Elementary school carnival, so we spent the morning there and to say it was wild would be an understatement (note to school, no bouncy slide next year PLEASE)

But it was a lot of fun, and the boys enjoyed it.

We had to take the annual picture on the front steps. The boys both wanted a rocket carved into their pumpkins, Lance's was a carrot (???) and mine was an eyeball.

Parker kept all the pieces, and insisted that they all be puzzled back into his pumpkin until nighttime when we put the candle in.

The boys started watching the new show "Power Rangers Samurai" this year and so when it came time to choose costumes, there wasn't much debate :)

Lance would have been the black power ranger, I was the pink, Sugar the green, and Ginger was yellow (she was to naughty to come to our ward trunk or treat though!)

It was a gorgeous day, and our ward did our trunk or treat early. It was so nice!

They usually do a dinner, but this year there was hot cocoa and doughnuts for a snack. It was actually way better though, I feed them a good meal before we went, so they didn't eat candy on an empty stomach and it worked out really well.

Flowell's truck or treat worked out to be right after ours, so again it was perfect. The kids did a little costume parade, and then went around to all the cars.
My cute parents were Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia :)

Round two of doughnuts and hot cocoa (my Dad had always claimed to not like candy, but at Halloween he is the worst one to steal from the kids bags :)

After the trunk or treats, we went to my parents for dinner. Then baths, Jammies, and regular 8oclock bedtime for the kiddos.

Our pumpkins all lit up for the night.

It was so nice to have an early start, and doing the two trunk or treats we didn't have to go around to any houses. I hope next year is exactly the same! Exceptt we missed you Lance, it wasn't the same without you (but nothing is).

updated finally

Keep on reading, your eyes are not deceiving you! Lots of new posts!

Layton Camping Party... the fun

Ahhhh, my sweet Layton has turned 5. I can't believe it, I mean I honestly can't. believe. it.

But, it has happened and time keeps ticking along :(

We did have a great party for him though, inspite of my not wanting him to get older!

{Look for the party details post below}

eating lunch...

all the cute kiddos, coloring their backpacks.

Layton worked so hard on his. Actually all of the kids did, it took way longer than I was expecting. Eventually we had to make them all stop :)

After backpacks were colored, the kids filled them up with all of their goodies...

 and headed out on the scavenger hunt.

The kids all seemed like that had a ton of fun.

Then my cute Mom read them "Curious George goes Camping" in the tent

and they all took a turn hitting the pinata

Whew, then on to opening presents...

Aunt Suzie sent him this money and he was so excited about it!

Blowing out the candles on his darling cake!

My favorite 5 year old boy :)

Home with his gifts, he was spoiled again as usual :)

Thank you so so much to everyone who came to the party, Layton had the best time and that really all that matters to me. Happy Birthday sweet Layton. Please stop growing now!!!