Farewell October

October, you were so much fun this year!

We got the best of both world's this October. I decided to take a very spur-of-the-moment trip to Utah while the girls had Fall Break. I'm so happy that I did because fall is my most favorite season and since Arizona doesn't celebrate fall, I had to get my fix somewhere else.

The weather was beautiful.
The leaves were jaw dropping amazing.
And being with my family and friends was the highlight of the trip.












It just isn't Halloween if you don't visit Gardner Village.

The girls love finding all the witches from the scavenger hunt. Not surprising that out of ALL the fantastic witches there, their favorite witch was the witch in the out house! They thought it was so funny. Kids are gross!

Not pictured from the trip but was memorable:
- Bunco with Wendy. This girl is the best hostess around. I had so much fun with a great group of girls.
- Birthday lunch with Wendy and Taylor! I love that 2 of my very best girlfriends share the same birthday.
- Cheesecake Factory with Melinda and Charity (missed you Emily, Trish, and Kristin)
- Sleepover at Melinda's!
- An afternoon spent with my dad.
- Spending an afternoon with cousins riding go carts and playing laser tag.

Once we got home it was time to spruce up the house and get all the decorations out.





source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Brandy on Pinterest


We also went "PUMPKIN PATCHING" (that's what Izy calls it).

I mustered up all the courage I had and took the kids to the pumpkin patch ALONE this year. Clint has been so swapped at work. Won't be doing that again! I was trying to manage my 3 kids who picked up and/or rolled around EVERY pumpkin in sight. Meanwhile, was trying to push around a stroller (in the dirt) AND the wheel barrel full of pumpkins at the same time with my camera draped around my neck. Lost my $25 in the patch but found it after awhile.
I was a HOT MESS.

I let each of the kids get a small pumpkin to paint and glitter and then also a big one to carve.

 Through out the month we stayed busy by playing Halloween Bingo
(so I have gotten a little lazy doing hair these days...)

making sucker ghosts for Avery's friends at lunch

painting our fingernails orange and black for the entire month

The ward's trunk or treat was so much fun this year.

I have never seen a more beautiful Bumble Bee or Rapunzel in my life!!!

Surveying.

Sorting.

Sadly, this is the only picture I got on Halloween. WHAT??? The afternoon was filled with a lot of tears, smudged makeup, and a crying teething baby. ugh. So next week when the kids are happy and ready to smile for a picture before the sun goes down THEN we will get their Halloween picture. I say next week because between soccer, singing lessons, and my weekend at Time Out For Women we can't fit it in.
Life needs to SLOW DOWN.

Can you see that adorable little dragon in the background?
He will melt your heart when you see him, next week :)