Carving Pumpkins

For Family Night we carved pumpkins!!! The kids wanted to do something different and so I went on the internet and found some templates to help us out. Just to remember for next year, it is way harder than it looks, especially when all 5 kids want to help or need you! We did have a nice night but the highlight of it all was just painting the pumpkins!!!

Elaina's pumpkin has a black cat and 2 stars, Travis' pumpkin has the bat signal and a spider, Suzanna's pumpkin has cute star eyes, a triangle nose and a mouth with heart lips, and Makenna got to paint a little pumpkin.

Halloween fun!!!

Halloween was a very long, but fun day! It started out with Travis' kindergarten party at school. Grandma Martin watched Suzanna, Makenna and John so I could go and help out. Travis' teacher, Mrs. Losey, had a craft for the class to do which were 2 little pumpkin magnets. The kids worked so hard and really enjoyed gluing the little eyes, mouth, nose and leaf on the pumpkins. Then I got to read one of my favorite pumpkin books called "The Runaway Pumpkin" to the class. After that the kids got cupcakes, popcorn and milk. When they were done with their treat they played a game of toss the ball into the pumpkin. Travis really had a good time and is really loving kindergarten.

After lunch we took another trip back to Grandma's house so she could watch the 4 little ones so I could be to Elaina's party at school. At Elaina's party we played musical chairs and the kids did a hidden picture page. For treats, Mrs. Hahn wanted food that was a little more healthy then sweet. We had cute little spiders (made out of ritz crackers, cream cheese, grated cheese, and chow mein noodles), a fun trail mix that had a witched brew twist to it, cheese sticks, carrots, and, of course I had to through in some sugar, green and orange jello cups. Elaina's class were very good and it was fun to be there.

After dinner we got dressed up and went to our church for the trunk or treat. First we went inside and we got to decorate pumpkins, have a cupcake walk, and try and eat the donut off the rope with no hands. When it was dark outside we had the trunk or treat. We went to every car thinking it wasn't that much candy, but it was! We came home with soooo much candy- I guess our gingerbread houses will be full of lots of Halloween candy this year! The kids all had a great time! (Makenna and John were so exhausted they slept through most of the evening fun!)

(Elaina was Bat Girl, Travis was the Red Power ranger, Suzanna was Little Red Riding Hood, Makenna was Tinker Bell, and John was a cute little lion cub.)

Primary Program

Today was our ward's primary program. It was my first time in a primary program and it was very nice (I am Elaina's primary teacher, the CTR 7 class.) This year the children have been learning about faith (faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, faith grows as we learn of Jesus and keep His commandments, having faith when we make and keep our baptismal covenants, our faith grows when we serve others, ect.). The children all did such a good job singing and saying their parts. My personal favorite was the last song, "I know that my Redeemer Lives". The kids learned to sign the first verse. Elaina, Travis and Suzanna each had a speaking part and did a very good job memorizing them and saying them (Suzanna was brave enough to get up to the microphone but once she started talking she couldn't finish because she got so shy!) I was so proud of everyone! It was also nice that Grandpa and Grandma Martin and Grammy could come and help with Makenna and Jake could babysit Johnny!

Halloween Party at Grammy's

Yesterday, we had a very fun Halloween Party at Grammy's house. We had a delicious dinner, prepared by our 2 personal chefs, Aunt Pam and Grammy! It is always a big Thanksgiving dinner at Grammy's house and yesterday was no exception! After dinner we had lots of yummy desserts and then the kids all went to the Bear Creek Park, of course in the golf cart, and played football and on the play ground. When the kids got back we did a cute little craft! It was a very nice night! (The kids loved the cute cupcakes, that literally took all night long!, and the goody sacks from Grammy!!!)

Dry Creek Cemetery

Yesterday we went out to Dry Creek Cemetery to rededicate Travis Doyle Martin's grave. It was so beautiful out there with all of the autumn leaves, the water in the creek and pond, and the nice weather. The kids especially loved running down the path that went along the creek. For the rededication we had Mom and Dad there, Jenny and her 5 kids, Jake and I and our 5 kids, Cindy and Tony and their 2 kids, Nick and Becky and Lainee, and Jeff. Grandpa and Granpma Miner and Angie Rodgers were also there. Dad started out by talking about our body and our spirits by showing us a glove. Jenny, Amanda and Elaina also read a quote about how Travis will be with us again and will be able to grow after he is resurrected. We all sang "Families Can Be Together Forever" and then Dad rededicated the grave site. After that we all went over to Mom and Dad's for a yummy dinner of beef and chicken burritos. We were so blessed to have such good weather and being able to spend time together!

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