Red Head

I dyed my hair red several weeks ago, and I actually LOVED it.

I didn't think I would like red at all, as it tends to bring out my freckles, and I have never liked my freckles. Avery actually said to me, "Mom, I love your hair red so you should ALWAYS keep it red."  The first week I loved the color, then it started fading and after the end of two weeks it really washed most of the red out. So much so, that Avery said to me again, "Mom, why did you get rid of your red hair?! I told you I loved it and that you should always have red hair." Well thank you Avery, I only wish I could have kept it.

Boise Temple Trip

We wanted to take the girls to the Boise temple re-dedication before it was closed again to the public. Not many people get the chance to show their kids where they were sealed and married. We  pulled Madisen out of school and took off early Monday morning to Boise. The temple was beautiful! It was beautiful beautiful, when we got married, but it was even more stunning this time around. The outside of the temple was covered in granite and the inside was changed to dark rich tone woods through out. The girls got to see the brides room where the bride gets ready, and the girls loved that room! They can't wait to be able to go to the temple someday and get married. The sealing room where Ryan and I were sealed was beautiful as well. It was such a great experience to be able to do that with the girls. 

Afterwards we went out to Chuck A' Rama for lunch.  

It was a fun day out with the family.

Happy Halloween!

I love Halloween! I love decorating for it and even dressing up with the kids!  October was kind of a busy month, so I didn't do as many Halloween-ish activities as I would have liked to do with the kids but it was more fun in other ways too! Two weeks before Halloween Ryan and I and Grandpa and Grandma Hodges surprised the girls with a trip to Disneyland and California Adventure for a whole week! We had a blast!! Best vacation trip ever!

It has also been a little busier for us as Ryan was called to be the 1st counselor in the Bishopric. We are excited for this new adventure and it will be a huge learning experience for the both of us. I am proud of him for accepting and jumping right into his calling. He is gone a lot more though, which is hard for me, but I will survive! :)

So Halloween was pretty simple this year. The girls loved dressing up as usually and getting a butt load of candy! I think Ryan and I were just as excited to dress up as they were this year!

The girls helped me make cupcakes for the ladies I visit teach and the families Ryan home teaches, and of course I let them have one for their hard work in making them.

Emily was a cute little Lady Bug 

I asked Avery if she wanted to be a Princess again this year (That way I would have to buy one less costume) but she said, "Seriously Mom, I have been a Princess for 4 years! I want to be something scary this year!"

Well. OK then. haha. Can't argue with that.

My husband dressed up for work as they have a contest every year. This year they were doing the 50's and wanted him to be the "Fonz"

Madisen was a Dalmation dog. 

Of course I wanted to match Ryan's attire so I went all out 50's style too. It was fun turning my hair big and giving myself big bangs. Totally hot, I know! haha. :)

Emily saw me posing and did the same thing. It was pretty funny.

Here's the Adams Family as the Addams Family. This was at our Ward party. And this was the only picture I took that night...?? It was really fun I guess, so I forgot to take pictures.

We went to the Corn Maize with the Adams Family as well. The kids had a great time running around trying to find the exit. We got out in exactly 30 minutes. So they did pretty good we thought. 

 We also painted and carved pumpkins. Here's Madisen concentrating as she painted her pumpkin.

Ryan and Avery carved a pumpkin together.

Emily was really into her painting as well.

Madisen painted a pirate pumpkin.

Avery made a "Cinderella" Pumpkin.

Halloween Morning we woke up all the Beehives for a surprise birthday/Halloween breakfast. It was a lot of fun being with these girls. They are such a great group of girls! We just love our Beehives!

It was also Lauren's Birthday! Welcome to Beehives Lauren! 

Later that day we headed to Madisens' school for a Halloween parade...Here is her teacher coming down the hall... 

and there is Madisen...behind the fairies wings! haha!  They were walking so fast down the hall way that my ancient camera couldn't keep up and take another picture of her before she passed on by...

Well I hope everyone had a great Halloween this year!! 

Now for some Thanksgiving dinner! Bring on the pies and turkey!

Summer Goals!

At the start of the summer I wanted our girls to have some goals to work on. So I made up some charts for them and I was actually surprised that we followed through! I don't know how many charts, chore charts, reading charts, goal charts, exercise charts, and dinner charts that I have made and only do it for a week and then forget about it or say, "I will start that again, tomorrow!" and never do. So I was proud of my girls for helping and being responsible in finishing each goal we set out to do.

Madisen's summer goal was to read 300 books by the end of August. Avery's summer goal was to learn 100 basic sight words. I wanted them to be able to win a prize once they reached a certain point in their goal that way they knew they were getting closer to the Grand Prize. 

Emily really didn't have goals like the other two did. But we read many books together and she did pick up several sight words along with Avery.

After reading 100 books and learning 33 sight words they each were able to pick out a $20 prize at the store. What they all picked out at the store totally describes each of their personalities so well...

loves animals

loves Princesses

loves electronics

After reading 200 books and learning 66 sight words the girls got to take a friend to Hop-2-it. It's a bounce house play place. We had a great time!

Madisen invited her friend Lydia from Primary

Avery brought her friend Brody...who she says she is going to marry someday. Hmmm...better keep an eye on them.

Eating Cotton Candy

(This was taken on another day we went to Hop-2-it. We had a month pass and got to go several times. I thought this picture was funny of them together playing).

And the Grand Prize was a Trampoline!!! 

They finished their goals with a day to spare! Madisen read 300 1st-3rd grade level books and Avery learned 100 sight words. Congratulations girls! We are so proud of you!!