Festival of Trees

Going to the festival of trees put on by Mark's employer has become a family Thanksgiving tradition.  We enjoyed it so much more this year because we are usually trying to cram it in with all the other Thanksgiving activites, but this year we decided to go early.  We felt so much more relaxed as there were a lot fewer people and no time constraints and we especially appreciated not taking an hour to get out of the garage like we have in times past. 

Overlooking the parking garage.

 Jo not talking to the talking Christmas tree, but hey, he sat on the bench which is more than the other kids did this year.  They did enjoy the little children's crafts and the scavenger hunt.

 Seeing Santa again.  Jo had to be heavily persuaded this time and wouldn't be near him.

Posing with the reindeer - again not real.

Nampa Tree Lighting

 Dad and Jo waiting for the tree to be lit.

 Dani and Taylor looking at the Live "reindeer."  It wasn't until after we stood in line and saw them that we understood they were llamas with fake antlers.

 Sam checking out the trains at the train depot.

The best part for the kids - seeing Santa and even getting a picture with him, not to mention candy canes.

Another Firestation

2 years of preschool times 3 kids equals 6 field trips to the firestation.  I probably have at least 4 more to go, but it's exciting every time.

Visit with baby Emmett

I got the privilege of visiting with my sister and new nephew in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho this past weekend (thanks to grandparents and Daddy).  It was so fun to be on the other side - getting to help, but not being in charge.  He was so cute and hopefully my help was appreciated.  It gave me a little taste/reminder of what I will be experiencing in the short months ahead.  It will be fun having a new baby around again, although I'm sure going to try to enjoy my sleep filled nights until then.

 Mom and baby.

Trunk & Trick or treating

 At the ward trunk or treat

 The fifties girls (and poodle).

 Our batmans.

 Dad was a good sport and dressed up as the joker so the boys could fight their enemy.

Halloween night.  Taylor started out as Circe (greek enchantress), but got too cold and went back to the poodle skirt.

Pumpkin Carving

First of all, you might be interested to hear we're having a little GIRL!  Everything looks good, even my placenta has moved up and is no longer causing Placenta Previa so I  am off restrictions.  Glad to be back to a little normalcy and to hear that the pregnancy is going well.

We carved pumpkins tonight in preparation for our ward trunk or treat and carving contest.  The kids each picked a pattern.  This was our first attempt.  Normally we just make triangle eyes and noses.

 The end result

 The only one who actually attempted their own was Taylor, but it was so intricate, she realized she needed some assistance.

 When I started working on the pumpkins, my hand started feeling weird.  When I washed my hand, I realized some of the coloring was not coming off.  My hand was turning brown and drying out.  It was real weird.  I must have some kind of reaction to either pumpkins or something that was on the pumpkin.  Don't know if you can tell in the picture

Our 9 year old

"Birth"days

This is just a random photo of Jo, but it's the normal mischeivous side we see of him everyday.  Rarely wearing pants, dirty mouth from getting into food, and climbing on high stools to reach things he's not supposed to get.  His smile says it all.

 Taylor wanted a movie party this year for her birthday.  She invited several friends over to watch National treasure on a projector, and then had just enough time for cake and presents.

 Our movie star on her 9th birthday.

 Our new little cousin, Emmett Jay Fairchild, was born October 19, 2011.  Taylor was disappointed he couldn't hold out two more days. 

It's that time of year

 Halloween stuff is out.  The kids wanted Dad to dress up in bits of costumes.

 We keep getting free passes to the discovery center.  It seems like we go a lot, but the kids like it, were out of school, and it's free, so why not.  Jo playing around with air.

 Dani laying on a bed of nails.

The boys "building" their own robots after a short story time.

This was Dad's idea

Dad thought that since we didn't have to go to church for two weeks that it would be a fun time to give the boys mohawks.  They look like Mr. T if you ask me.

 Personally, I think it looks better at a point.  This was after a bath, but I haven't put any gel in it to make it stay.

 Then they got the great idea to dye it.  Although Jo wasn't up to it.

 What is my family coming to?  Next it's going to be earrings and tattoos.

Well...it lasted a week

The doctor warned us that the stint could fall out before the 3 months were up, but a week?  Unfortnately it doesn't exactly fall all the way out.  We were told to tape it to his nose until we could get into the office for her to carefully remove it the rest of the way.  Our best guess is that Sam was rubbing it in his sleep.  So now the question is - has it done the job well enough?  I don't particularly want to do the surgery again.  Of course this happens Saturday morning, so Sam gets to wear it until at least Monday when we can even call the doctor.  Doesn't it look like that would bother you?

Labor Day hike

We decided to take a short hike and picnic for a labor day activity.  We unfortunately weren't able to make it out in the cooler morning like we had hoped, so the sun caused a few complaints.  Although Jo has walked on much longer hikes, he saw that we had this backpack and couldn't resist trying it out.  He enjoyed it tremendously, getting a free ride and being in the shade.

 The kids say they enjoyed the hike, even Taylor who trailed behind complaining of her rubber legs the majority of the way.  This little creek was the kids favorite area and they wanted to stay and play for awhile.

Weekend with the cousins

Our Utah cousins came up for a visit this weekend, so we've been playing long and hard with them for the past two days.  The kids love to ride the power wheels all over Grandma and Papa's yard.  The most fun was apparantly ramming in to each other.

They spent a lot of time in a train following each other and trying to get the other to stop.

 Aunt Terri brought a fun Halloween craft for the kids to make.  They loved the painting part, but after they were good and messy the boys went and found more adventurous things to do.

 The girls were a little more fascinated with the project.

 The moms ended up completing most of the work, however.

 Here are the finished products.  Thanks Aunt Terri!

 Hanging out with Papa.  He doesn't look worn out at all.  And we made a true Bronco fan out of cousin Trevor!