Pre-Halloween Fun

Lots of fall fun this week!

Our walks are getting colder. The days are getting shorter. The leaves are getting thicker on our lawn. The boys are stoked for Halloween, and we had a ward Trunk or Treat on Saturday plus a neighbor Halloween party on Sunday so they've had a good taste for what Monday will be like!

We loved going to our first assembly at the boys' school this week to see Bennett get an award for respect and kindness. There were no assemblies the last couple years due to Covid so it's fun to see things increasingly get back to normal and be more connected to our kids' school. We are so proud of how hard Bennett is working at school. He wants to do what's right and is learning so much and is such a good friend. 

Camden checking out the world with his flashlight. I love this map so much.

A quick library book to get the boys a book with their Halloween costume character in it to carry in their school parade.

Got some riding gloves for this cutie.

I'm obsessed with this hat and this is the last walk that it successfully came home with us. Asher lost it the next time we went out and I loved it on all four boys so much. Another goodbye to baby times.

Getting ready for the boys' classroom Halloween parties.
Those Capri Suns are the tin man from Wizard of Oz, which was the theme of Westin's class Halloween party.

This Wednesday was operation leaves. Camden and I cleared most of the front yard while Michael had some meetings in the morning, and then we did the back in the afternoon and there are still lots.
But boy do we love that big tree when it turns gold in the fall outside our house.

Someone was lying down on the job pretty quick.

Last ladybug spotting this year, maybe!

We helped Teresa with her leaves that night, too. 
I have to have a record of this story... she gave each of the boys $5 even though I told her they definitely did not need to be paid for raking. When we got home I reminded the boys how tithing works, since most of their money is birthday money or other money that's not really earned, but this was definitely a hard-earned $5. Westin got really grumpy and when I pressed him on it he said, "...did you know some of the tithing goes to BYU?! And they're so bad at football!!!"
Then I had them watch Latter-day kids tithing videos on my phone while I giggled behind it and he said, "Watch this part!" And sure enough they put up a picture of a temple, a church, missionaries, and... the BYU logo. So we had a good talk about WHY money goes to BYU, where else it goes, what else it's used for and how everything we have comes from Heavenly Father and to give a little back is showing gratitude and faith. And I just still think it's so funny. This kid and football right now. BYU and football right now...

Our morning walks are getting colder but we're not slowing down yet!

My frequent view. So much wrestling around here.

Bennett received an award this week for showing respect and kindness to others.
We were so happy we could both be there, thanks to my sweet neighbor who came to be with Camden and Asher. Bennett was really proud of this and it was adorable. His teacher chooses one student a month for this award.

Talking about Bennett back in his classroom.
We sure love his teacher!

Harvesting and carving our pumpkins!

I never bought a bottle.
I got these free when I bought maternity clothes.
Westin used them a little, Bennett used them a little, Camden used them even litter, and Asher used them two times. And now there are no bottles in my house. Constant little milestones with this change!

We carved our pumpkins that we harvested from our garden!
Bennett drew his own face (left), Camden picked this one out (middle) and Westin picked his out too (right)

I was saving Westin's second grade picture and did a little side by side.
He's growing up... such a smart, friendly, wonderful boy.

24 Costcos are all stocked up with my book for the holidays!

I'm obsessed with this dalmation costume on my babies. 
It's size 18 months so he's wearing it when it's 6 months too big,
and honestly I hope he can wear it next year when it's 6 months too small.
I just can't get enough of holding them in this or watching them crawl around with the little tail.

Camden was all about his firefighter costume.
Grandma Daetwyler gave it to Westin years ago and it's the best costume I've ever seen.

Our car turned into Mater and Camden was thrilled about it.

Michael was wearing a shirt he got from a blood drive on Saturday and I said, hey I have that shirt too... it says blood on it, we can be vampires. 
Not our best work. Not our worst work -- considering many years we have just not dressed up, haha.

I can't even handle this.

Our neighbor, Teresa, throws the cutest Halloween party for the kids each year.

Teresa and just a few of the many kids who absolutely adore her.

The boys were happy outside during lunch time and I finally went out to see what was making them so content, and Camden was just pouring water on Asher's head. They were both just calmly enjoying it. 
Ali had just told me about Elise doing this to Dallin in the car so I found it extra funny.