TRicKs aND TrEaTs...

Candy Bar Display



Trying his best to be a scary Zombie Mummy.


Elise on her way to school all Jedified....

Getting in to character....

One smokin' Jedi (real braid included) and a Mummified Zombie

Locked and Loaded for little ghosts and goblins... We have a tradition of giving big chocolate bars etc... for Halloween- because lets face it, it's all about the candy. Over the years, word gets around, so we are prepared! We handed out over 230 giant lollypops and candy bars this year. We let the children come in and choose. Lynn was going to add up how much $$ that was, but I distracted him with a Kit Kat bar.
Poor Witchy Kitty.... Is this animal abuse? Jacob chose her costume this year, she was NOT happy. Halloween was very fun and NOT freezing cold! I even left my door open for trick or treaters. It was beautiful weather. Elise had parties to go to, so Lynn was on "tailing Jacob duty" (he did not want any parental supervision this year) and I was on "Door Duty" I looove Halloween! So much fun. We had music playing outside and the kids were so adorable. The BOO lollypops were a bigger hit this year than the candy bars. Thank you Peppermint Place Candy Factory!

Haunted Hallways....

"Dead people" room. Jacob was a bit timid to pose for this picture... Below is Jacob asking the Greek Gods (Latin club) to grant him a treat... they granted him 3 pieces.
Elise was in charge of the student body officer's room for "Haunted Hallways" at the high school. Families are invited to go room to room trick or treating and they collect donations for charity. Elise's room was "Indiana Jones" themed and you walked through a dark maze with a dressed up tour guide, trying to avoid looking the red eyes of the statue, barely escaping the large stone ball dropping on you and natives shooting at you from the trees. Alec grabbed us as we started the tour in his gorilla suit, it was great... scared Jacob to death-until he realized it was his cousin!!
We were really impressed with the adventure, complete with theme music and fans blowing! Elise shot us with dart "marshmallows" and it was so dark in there, it took us awhile to realize Jacob was eating them off the floor-...lovely.... We escaped through the last tunnel where the treasure was awaiting us (a big chest of candy) and a glimpse of Indiana himself! Sooo much fun!! I think that was our favorite room!

Mummies making Mummies

Jacob pictured at his school costume parade. Below are shots from family home evening before we headed out to "Boo" some families in the neighborhood. Jacob's favorite cupcakes at Halloween are the mummies... with gummy eyes.

AF Homecoming Game

We got into AF spirit and football this season. Jacob really enjoyed the game since he is playing flag for the first time. He loved being at the AF game (especially with treats)

Football & Piano

Jacob is easily embarrassed with applause or attention...
Taking a Bow with Connie and some of her 60 piano students!!!!
Jacob pictured above in his football game. He made 3 TOUCHDOWNS that game!!! Scored some extra points and blocked the other team from scoring several times. Lynn got some video I'll have to post when I get a chance. So cute! He was very pleased with himself!

We rushed over to his piano recital -a little late- at Connie Allen's home. Loved her costume! One of the pieces Jacob played was "We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet" by memory and Connie led us all in singing along. I think we sang that songs 3 or 4 times that night as it was in the primary presentation this year and several children were learning it. Great night!

St. George Trip

We spent fall break in St. George with Grandma and Grandpa Taylor (and half our ward) ;) It was a much needed break, lots of fun sightseeing and relaxing! Jacob was a spoiled boy. His favorite thing was golfing with Dad and Grandpa. He drove the cart-- not sure if he was "legal" but as long as he was eating, drinking and driving he was having a ball! Elise stayed home that week having a lot of socializing and student council things planned. She came down with the flu and was sick the whole time! We felt so bad for her, but did make her sleep in the basement when we got home so we all wouldn't catch it!

18 Years

How can it be 18 years since this little soul entered our world- and what would we have been without her? Lynn and I feel blessed to be her mom and dad. I treasure the little girl she was and the woman she is becoming. These are the days I take all the moments I get with her and try to enjoy them... when we cook together and make a mess, when we laugh just looking at each other, or when she needs use of my shoulder. These are days when she still asks me sit on her bed and she tells me some of her secrets. These are the days that pass all too swiftly. I will treasure all these times.

It seems the older our children get, the less time we get with them! Elise celebrated her 18th with lots of fun gatherings. Her friends took her out for dinner and the student body officers surprised her with breakfast out after a fun sleepover. Her room was decorated as a surprise and filled with candy to Jacob's delight- and ours!

I was happy to get a few pictures at least- Her birthday is over conference weekend. -always a great time to be together. We managed to get her away for a quick dinner after the priesthood session with Grandma C and aunt Pam, Grandma and Grandpa T, cousin Alli from BYU who came up for the weekend, and the Gillan family. We also had a fun October b-day celebration with uncle Chad and cousin Eric. Noticed the gorgeous cupcakes I slaved over.... ok, not...thanks to Costco. What would we do without Costco?? They are actually really yummy- especially the orange ones! :) But.. between traditional conference cinnamon rolls, pumpkin muffins, birthday cake and birthday cupcakes we were all "sugared out" It was a great weekend, a much needed break, fantastic conference addresses and good time spent with lots of family and friends!