Little Cali Escape or Insanity??

I definitely wouldn't call it a VACATION, that's what Troy had while we were gone...but it was a fun, wild, exhausting ADVENTURE for sure! Me and the boys made yet another solo trek to Cali, this time to visit my dearest friend Jess and her girlies in Valencia (near Magic Mountain). The kids had a great time playing and then fighting like siblings after the second day. We hit up the Fashion District for some cheap finds ($20 boots) and great people watching - aka a crazy lady chasing us across the street yelling gibberish - also almost running out of gas on the jam-packed freeway and having to beg to use a bathroom. Oh the joys of downtown in a big city. I even had a random stranger in a hippie cafe give my baby a chinese astrology reading (not by choice) where he informed me that my son would have a hard time finding a mate someday because he's so confident in himself...umm okay thanks?

We did get a break from the kiddos one night for sushi (so yummy) and a mini neck/shoulder massage. I only pulled out the camera for a few sunny pics at Ventura Beach where the kids shoes got stolen by a bum. I mean who really steals kids shoes?? He was probably hoping to sell them back to us! Christian and Olivia were devasted, in tears and talking about that "mean guy" all weekend. Hey at least we got to go to the beach and yes, it was warm enough for shorts. Who could ask for more in this freezing, snowy Utah weather?! I AM GRATEFUL.

Chuck E Cheese action - Mason figured out how to beat the skee ball machine, slam dunk style! Watch out for flying balls!

Let me briefly describe my INSANE trip home (just for venting sake) - standby evening flight was full, hence a 4 am wakeup call, hour long commute through LA, return of rental car with 2 carseats, 2 suitcases, stroller, 2 boys to check-in, just to get on the very full WAIT-list. Finally we got seats reserved to find they were 10 rows apart from each other (my 3 year old and I) and there was a 2 hour fog delay. JUST GREAT! Devoured our rather large goodie bag before even boarding the flight, which led to overtired, stir-crazy, sugar-loaded kids kicking the seats (with a rather vocal lady seated within), screaming, hair pulling, spilled drinks and then baby falling asleep sitting up with 10 minutes to land and a cheeto in each hand. WHEW!! We survived...barely. I will remind myself, I chose this torture for a little fun and yes, fun was had. NOTE to self: no need to do this again anytime soon...or ever.

Thanks Jess for being such a great friend and hostess and thanks K.C. for being our Polygamist husband all weekend and letting us mess up the pad, a very nice pad indeed. Love you guys! Can't wait to see you again soon - KIDLESS girl's night is on!

2 Minutes of Silence...

never a good thing at our house.

Where did he find my mascara? How did he open it?? He was just licking it up like a popsicle. Christian yells: Mason, boys don't use that!!

Trick-or-Treat

HaPpY HaLLoWeeN NigHT!

Monkey Boy and Bumblebee the Transformer

Mom and her Boys loved trick-or-treating this year, especially with the fabulous, warm weather we had. Christian ran up to each door singing a Halloween song from his Little Einsteins cartoon: "I am here to trick-or-treat, trick-or-treat, trick-or-treat," pounding on the door to the beat. Then when they'd open the door he'd just stand there in silence. He had it all figured out. Too funny! Mason rode in the wagon chanting "nandy nandy" (candy) and bit into almost every piece through the wrapper. I don't recall my first child learning the word candy at such an early age, go figure with #2. Smart boy discovered the joys of sugar early. He was so intrigued with all the lit up pumpkins and decor on every porch, wanting to touch everything, really soaking it all in.

At the end of the night, after visiting Grandma for her traditional chili and stew and birthday wishes, it was late and the kids were hammered. Our conversation:

Mom: Did you have a fun Halloween? It's all over now until next year.

Christian: Why? Did it all melt away?? (good point, where did it go?)

Mom: Well tomorrow is a new month, it's November and Thanksgiving time...that's when we eat turkey with our family and say what we're thankful for. Then do you know what comes next??

Christian (without skipping a beat): We go poop on the potty!

I was expecting Christmas or Santa but instead, my smart boy had a very practical answer. After we eat, we poop on the potty. Stick with the Basics.

Pumpkins, Ghosts & Goblins

With such large families, we are bound to have many, many Halloween parties and traditions. Grandma & Grandpa's costume & carving party is always a favorite. Mr. Mason even got in on the carving action, or so he thought, and really enjoyed eating the pumpkin pieces and seeds as we de-gutted our pumpkins. Pumpkin bowling and the pinatas were also a hit!

The Annual Hammond Halloween party is another favorite with a group so large we rent out the Sons of the Utah Pioneers building. I had the honors of hosting the kid's costume parade, so fun. Check out some of our cute cousins in costume. Troy even let me paint his face and managed to stay in costume for a whole 20 minutes...way to go Honey!

Mickey Mouse Clan - Miles, Stacey & Baby Alec

Witch partners in crime

WATCH OUT: Bumblebee the Transformer and Wolverine in action! Christian planned this costume for a month and patiently waited for the mailman to bring it to him. What a nice mailman we have to bring us costumes :)

EWWWW GUTS - cuz Josh - Christian wanted no part in it.

mmmm...sampling the pumpkin remains. Must feel great on all those new teeth!

Grandpa's Boy!

The Bad Guy face returns...testing out other costume choices at Nana's house.

Fun Fall Festivities

Fall Leaves

October was a busy month full of fun fall festivities: Wheeler's Farm with friends, Gardner's Village with family, Tracy Aviary, Halloween parties gallore and lots of running and jumping in the colorful fall leaves! Such a great time of year.

Monkey See, Monkey Do