Twilight at midnight Part 2

No spoilers, don't worry. My great friend Mary and I went to the new Aliante Regal theaters for the showing. Since they just opened last week, they weren't advertising the movie showing at midnight until they did open. We got there at 10 and to our pleasant surprise there weren't that many people in front of us, maybe 100 or so. From the time we got in line, till we went in to the theater, they added 4 more showings and who knows how many more after that. When we bought out tickets, it was only on 2 screens and apparently ours was the less filled. Better for us anyway.

With going to see it at midnight our husbands watched the kids, and we were able to get out for just a girls night. Totally fun and we should do that more often.

About the movie, well let me just say I hope to go see it again when we go down for Thanksgiving. However, since we're only going to be there a couple of days I'm not sure it it will work out or not. For me, well I wasn't expecting anything great so with that expectation I was pleasantly surprised. Until more of you out there have seen it and we can discuss, that's all I'm going to say on the subject.

Seeing it at midnight - so totally worth it. I wasn't thrilled that Katelyn was in my bed at 6:30 especially since she was awake in her bed when I came home, but Dave took them downstairs before heading off to work and put a movie in so I could get a few more minutes. We'll just see how the rest of the day goes.

And to all you skeptics out there, our theater wasn't full and there was only one incident of screaming (but not during any dialogue) and then I think they got it out of their systems.

Christmas Lights, Part 1

All of you remember last year. Well, apparently that wasn't good enough this year for Kelsey. When Dave went back upstairs to head out and do the lights, Katelyn was headed out the window head first. I should've been warned when he asked me if I could keep an eye on Katelyn and not Kelsey too. I just thought she was listening and not heading out the window too. But when Katelyn finally fell asleep and I went looking for Kelsey, this is where I found her.


She was under strict instructions not to move and to sit there handing Dave new light bulbs to replace the burned out/broken ones. She told Dave a few times, "Dad, it's boring not moving." But when he asked if she wanted to get down she quickly replied, "No."

As you can see, she stayed up there till it was done, with only one bathroom break for fear that after coming in, I wouldn't let her get back up there.

Dave's only response, "She was begging to come up. It was either follow her up and help her or have her heading out the window head first too."

I can hear you all speed dialing CPS right now!!

Salt Lake City

Last weekend, my mom, the girls and I went up to Utah to surprise my sister and see all our family that lives up there. Not quite the weekend away I was thinking of, since I really want to get away without the kids (although I love them dearly, sometimes I need a break too), but it was still nice to see everyone.

Micaela came back to Salt Lake with us on Friday and Saturday we went to Temple Square. We took a quick tour of the Conference Center and then over to see the temple.

Playing in the fountains on the grounds of the Conference Center. Oh, to be a kid again and be attracted water like that? I think my mom was just there to catch them if one of them fell in while I reached for my camera!!

The girls wanted there picture in front of the fountains cascading from the roof, but I couldn't get back far enough to get it all in, so the top got chopped off. Just goes to show how big it really is. Ooops.

The view from the top with the temple in the background. Such a beautiful day and so many brides there.

Kelsey has been so fascinated with the temple lately, so about a month ago, I took the girls to the temple to see the girls come out after getting married. Unfortunately it was the coldest, windiest day, clearly letting us know that winter was here, so we didn't stay more than 5 minutes. So being in Utah, Kelsey wanted to see the temple up close, instead of just in her scriptures. And there were brides everywhere. She cannot wait to get married in the temple. She also got to see the Logan temple (which she so affectionately refers to as the "old temple" since it's not white), and the St. George temple too.

My mom headed down to watch her brother's road shows so on Saturday night I took the girls bowling. Which is no small feat with Katelyn having to run back and forth to the bathroom constantly and being the furthest away from them. Kelsey was a trooper and packed up each time we had to make the trek.

Such good form and follow through.

Katelyn wouldn't let me help her get the ball or even throw it down the lane. Needless to say, there were many balls that had to be rescued from the middle of the lane. But a great time had by all!!

New pictures

Since we had to let Katelyn's bangs grow back, at least a little, her birthday photo shoot had to be postponed for a month. But I am so pleased with the results. Unfortunately we couldn't make it down to California for Alyson to take them but hopefully for Thanksgiving we can have some updated family pictures done. Here's some of my favorites.

I can't believe how big she is getting. This is absolutely her most favorite outfit.

So precious.

I just love the ones of them together.

This is my favorite of them together.

I debated putting this one on here, because I don't like my smile, but I just love Katelyn's smile in this one. It's so rare for us to get a real smile like this one. She's so cute when she actually does smile!!

Twilight at midnight, Part 1

With less than 2 weeks away, who's interested in going to the midnight show? It's playing 3 different showtimes at Santa Fe or other theaters all over the valley. So lets get a group of us to go and have a great time.

Happy Halloween

For Halloween this year, Kelsey wanted to be a ghost. That is, at least until we went to look at the costumes and she quickly changed her mind. She went back and forth trying to decide between Sleeping Beauty and Ariel but finally chose to be Ariel. And Katelyn was a little witch. Anytime someone would ask the girls what they were going to be, Katelyn would answer, "I'm gonna be a little witch," because that's what we were all calling her.

I figured I'd take video of the things that jumped out and moved this year so you could get the full effect. It's not all we had moving, but the best that still make people jump year after year!!

The coffin

The rest are sideways and sorry, couldn't be turned. So turn your heads and enjoy.

The grim reaper. He was up a little higher than the average trick or treater so while it scared some kids, it even got most parents who stood back to watch everything.

The hang man. He's not new, but changed this year to pull himself up and down as well as just kicking and flailing.

The guillotine. This was also changed, to have a metal blade and it moved up and down too.

The bleeding neck is back. And pulsing.

This vampire in the box was new too. As they made it up towards the door, he popped up and slammed into side. As they turned, they were hit with a blast of air. Not scary, just noisy and always made them jump.

Some funny things about the girls

Kelsey: "Can I help make blood?"

Katelyn: "Halloween's not scary. It's funny." She always started out saying this in the daylight. However when it got darker, she changed her tune. She was found throughout the yard touching everything and hitting their heads saying they weren't scary. She even kissed some of them. But once it got dark and they had the air run to them and were moving, she wasn't so sure anymore.

I took the girls trick or treating early so they could get back and help push buttons. All night long, the girls could be found sitting on Dave's lap pushing the buttons to make the things jump. Kelsey was up the door handing out candy and laughing all the way as they went screaming away.

This year, someone came from Henderson (about 30 minutes away) and so many adults came back later without the kids and cameras in hand. One guy came back after we were taking stuff inside to have his picture next to the grim reaper and Dave casually walked up behind him and just pushed the grim reaper forward and he jumped too. It truly was a Happy Halloween.

Carving pumpkins

On Thursday night after our ward's trunk or treat, we came home to carve the pumpkins they picked out earlier. Kelsey picked out the faces for her pumpkin and for Katelyn's as well. As long as they were both happy faces, the girls were happy.

Notice the smile on her face going in? As soon as she got her hand all the way in, Dave screamed and scared her so bad, she started crying. It took nearly 5 minutes to get her calmed down


See here face. She's still not happy he scared her. But at least she's digging it out.

This was the only time Katelyn touched her pumpkin at all. She didn't like the pumpkin guts and was done after this. She just watched the rest of the time.

Much happier now. Once she figured out the knife, she was all over that. And quite excited she could do it herself too.

The finished product.

The pumpkin patch

I know this is a little late, but for any of you that know what we do to our house for Halloween, you'll understand. We went to the pumpkin patch last Monday night for family night and the girls were so excited. Kelsey invited her aunt Kaylene to come along and we all had a great time.

First stop, the giant slide they couldn't get enough of.



The first challenge: climbing up. Katelyn started off pretty good, but towards the top, it was like 1 step forward, 2 steps back. So Kelsey was there to help her up. What a good big sister. And such a great helper.



Just to see how high they really were. And Katelyn wasn't even scared. She said on her first run, "I don't need any help."



Here you can actually see the delight on their faces of what they are doing!!

Finally at the bottom, just to do it again.

My favorite of Katelyn jumping her way to the edge to jump off.

Next step: Pick the best pumpkin, and be able to carry it.

Is this one a good one?

Katelyn found hers, but was a little ambitious to hold it herself. Only to find out it was too heavy for her to carry very far at all.

"I like this one, Mom." She didn't get very far either.


This was unfortunately the best picture we could get of the girls. And Katelyn is going through a huge not smiling phaze. A total fake smile, but what can I do?

Valley of Fire

Our ward planned a campout for last weekend up near Red Rock but cancelled at the last minute because they couldn't get enough campsites. But by that time, we'd already committed our neighbors to go with us. We weren't thrilled with the location the ward had picked and since we'd already asked them to go with us, we were stuck. But we changed locations to Valley of Fire and we set out. I know what you're thinking - yes, I went camping. In a tent. Overnight. This was Katelyn's first camping trip and Kelsey was a pro. Dave decided on Valley of Fire for the organized campsite and it would probably be better for Katelyn with flush toilets, and it was warmer. All in all, it was a pretty good time.

We got out of the truck and Kelsey found rocks to climb almost immediately. She recruted Brianne to come with her since we were setting up tents.

Katelyn slept the whole ride there so she's still a little sleepy for this. But aren't they cute

This is how high they actually were, and I'm on the ground. Katelyn - not scared one bit. And tried many times to climb up on her own.

She was all about climbing.

Just the right size for her head!!

The bedtime routine...
...is always a lot harder when you're not in your own bed. We laid them down at 9:30 and I think by 10 they were finally asleep. Not bad for her first night in a tent.

Yeah, that's an air mattress. What can I say, we're a bunch of girls when it comes to comfort.

The next morning they were right back at it again. See, following her sister.
Trying hard not to fall.
Just enjoying some time with their dad.
Packing up getting ready to leave. The girls had a great time and we all came back in one piece. And amazing, not one accident for Katelyn. We did have to make sure we were close enough to the bathrooms though!! We all had a great time and I admit, I'd go back there again. Anyone up for joining us?

Curly Hair

Kelsey has the greatest hair and she gets comments about it all the time. Even if she isn't listening to them or thinks that she has great hair, she does. Hopefully she will come to realize this and appreciate it sooner, rather than later. She loves to have her hair curly, and the only time she gets to have it that way is when she gets a shower before church because we were out too late the night before. But last week she let me try it and she woke up to this!! She loves it and I love that she loves it. It stayed curly all day and her preschool teacher loved it. Raved about it all day!!

She could not stop looking at herself in the mirror anytime she passed by one!!

I just wish Katelyn would get some hair at all. Unfortunately hers is so straight and thin, it's gonna be awhile.

Target practice

I realize I've been absent from the blogging world lately, with no real good reason other than I don't feel I have anything to blog about. But today rendered a conversation that is blog worthy.

To preface, last weekend we got the yard ready for Halloween by mowing the lawn and re-seeding in the back yard where the patches are dead. And the girls helped. Need I say more? So there is a LITTLE more seed than was needed on each patch. But hey the girls were happy so no harm done. Well, Sunday morning, and each morning since has been target practice for Dave and the pigeons that have landed in our yard to eat the smorgasbord of seed.

However, today he left too early to get any. While the girls were eating breakfast, Kelsey notice a few on the wall and pointed them out. And this time it was Katelyn who had the response.

Katelyn: Daddy shoot the birds.

Me: Not today, he left too early to get any.

Katelyn: Then mommy shoot them.

Me: No I don't shoot them.

Kelsey: Why?

And before I could get an answer, Katelyn was opening the back door saying, "Then I chase them!!" And with that she was gone. So our bird problem was handled by the youngest member of the family, because obviously having 2 big dogs in the back yard isn't enough.

Dave would've been so proud!!

Swimming lesson update

Well, this past week marked the last of the swimming lessons for the girls since it's cooling down after work when Kaylene would come over and teach them to swim. Look at the progress they've made!! Kaylene thank you so much for spending your nights at our house and teaching our girls to swim. We love ya and owe you big time!!

Katelyn swimming

Kelsey freestyle

Kelsey butterfly

Kelsey backstroke

Kelsey loves showing off. But we are so proud of her anyway

Bragging rights!!

Yesterday was our ward's primary program and it was Kelsey's first time participating in it. Throughout the year she has had numerous speaking opportunities in primary with talks and the articles of faith and each time she has had them memorized and done perfectly. So it was not a surprise that when they handed out the parts for each of the kids a few weeks ago, that Kelsey had a talk to prepare.

She practiced and practiced for 2 weeks and was so excited to go to the practice on Saturday and then to say it in front of the whole congregation on Sunday. I kept asking her if she was nervous to stand up in front of everyone and I thought she might get stage fright when she actually saw everyone there, but she did so great!! Kaylene and my parents were there to watch her. Thank you so much for coming and sharing this special moment with her. She was so glad you were here.

I didn't know where she was in the program, but when there was a boy speaking she just kept looking at us and smiling so big so we knew she had to be coming up. And she was next. She got right up there and smiled and said her talk perfectly!!

She was the only Sunbeam to have a talk and her part was longer than most of the senior primary kids as well. So many in the ward came up throughout the rest of church to say how great a job she did. And how could they not, she practically stole the show!!

Kelsey, we are so proud of you and the things you are able to accomplish!!

I was unable to get it on video yesterday when she was all dressed up so cute and ready to go, but she had no problem saying it again today in front of the camera for me.

Turn up your speakers to hear her.

Katelyn is 2!!

I can't believe my baby is 2!! With Youth Conference the same weekend as her birthday it was a little crazy but we managed to get it all in. We came home after church, had dinner and then a little party for her. She opened all her presents, without any help since she had it all figured out with Kelsey's 4th birthday.

I love how intently Kelsey is sitting next to her but not "helping" her.

Kaylene found this book and most of you are thinking that's a boy book. Au contrair, my friends. Not when their dad sells, fixes, and drives one everyday!! She was so excited to get a backhoe book

And ice cream sundae set just for her. They love to play in their kitchen.

We've already played this game 3 times and she loves it so much!!

Opening her last present.

Yes, she got a scooter. How fun for her!! She absolutely loves it.

She's been cruising around the house all night long and all day too.

Singing Happy Birthday. She was so glad this time to song was for her!! If anyone would ask her how old she was going to be, she would say 4 September. Since Kelsey turned 4 she thinks she's turning 4 and was very upset if anyone corrected her. But when she saw that she got to blow out her candles, she didn't care how many there were.

She's been practicing for weeks, blowing out any candle I had lit anytime she would see it was burning!! Happy Birthday, Katelyn. We love you so much.