One Trick & Lots of Treats

If you haven't found something strange during the day, it hasn't been much of a day.

~John A. Wheeler

The TRICK:
This cute chocolate face got out the front door at my mom's house and when I finally realized and looked out the door - all I see is a cute elephant walking up the hill about 20 feet from the busy street. It wouldn't be Halloween without drama!
(drama seems to be a tradition around here at Halloween)

The Winner of Halloween
(aka - who lasted the longest trick or treating)

was Wesley - he kept going and going and going

We have another candy addict in the house.

Trunk or Treat - Let The Candy Begin!

Hold on, man. We don't go anywhere with "scary," "spooky," "haunted," or "forbidden" in the title. ~From Scooby-Doo

Black Lights + Glow-in-the-Dark Cobwebs = The Best Trunk!

Preston declined getting candy to give candy

Those who were overwhelmed by the scary festivities sat in the back eating candy

Wednesday & Baby Gomez

The Jonas Brothers (aka The Bishopric) came for our own concert!
It got a little crazy.... big crazy actually.

Pumpkin Guts

Why do Jack-o-lanterns have stupid smiles on their faces?
You'd have a stupid smile, too, if you had just had all your brains scooped out!

Heidi doing her unique pumpkin scraping art. Heidi can never do anything fast or simple. That's why she is great to have around for the holidays.


Do you see a resemblence?

with Tanner around Preston had his pumpkin all to himself. And Heidi and I could have no interruptions. However, these 2 can be trouble together. Watch out!

Our Heidi Dearest

“Only an Aunt can give hugs like a mother, can keep secrets like a sister, and share love like a friend.”~ Spanish Proverb

If you would have told me 20 years ago when we were pulling each others hair, digging nails into skin, and kicking each other that one day I would cherish my sister - I would have never believed you.

I thank heaven every day for having a Heidi in my life.

If everyone had a Heidi in their life, you would be as happy as me.

My children adore Heidi. Adore her.

And so do I.

Come Visit Fort Matthews

My childhood may be over, but that doesn't mean playtime is. ~Ron Olson

Who likes building forts more?

Preston, Tom or Branden?

Football & Forts = The Perfect Saturday

Happy Birthday Grandpa Tim

"A grandfather is someone with silver in his hair and gold in his heart."

We love our Grandpa Tim. His eyes light up whenever he sees us. He is a good listener. Always willing to jump in and help out whenever we ask him. Has so much wisdom and patience.

We are so very lucky to have him in our life.

Advice From Above

It is one of life's bitterest truths that bedtime so often arrives just when things are really getting interesting. ~Lemony Snicket

I had a rough week. Lots of Time Outs. Whining. Grumpy. Headaches.

You know!

"My children are driving me crazy."

Was my thought as I was in Sacrament meeting at church thinking and looking at my children acting out - blaming them for this horrible behavior when.....

I GOT SMACKED IN THE HEAD

well that's kind of what it felt like.

A thought came into my mind .... from you know where...... above....

"It's your fault - your children are going to bed TOO late"

Family Meeting. 8:30pm strict bedtime. 2 days later there is peace, kindness, happiness.

Oh, my little angels!

I have always been an advocate of children and sleep - telling everyone how 80% of behavior problems are due from children's lack of sleep.

Yet somehow I forgot with my children. I had to get hit in the head with my own advice.

Please don't let me forget again.

It really does make all the difference.

Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze

When witches go riding, and black cats are seen,
the moon laughs and whispers,‘ tis near Halloween.

The cutest pumpkin ever was this pumpkin:

Tom's Rule: You had to carry your own pumpkin. Good thing I've been lifting weights because I got a SUPER huge pumpkin. But pumpkin carving night Preston claimed it.


(I love taking pictures of people when they don't know they aren't being taken. Look at my mom in this picture. Haa haa haa - I'm laughing so hard looking at it. This is how she felt about the wagon ride we went on. "The Ride from H***"

Mom, please tell us how you really feel about the ride.

The Corn Maze (aka. the mile long chicken)

As Preston is explaining his knowledge of where corn comes from. I'm explaining to Heidi where we are in the maze. It's can be so hard knowing all things...

Got 3 pumpkins, saw how "organic" pumpkins are grown, went on a wagon ride and learned too much information about bees, got all the punches in the maze, ate plenty of kettle corn, saw Tom turn corn into popcorn, everyone learned what fabulous map skills I have, and we all went home with a prize mini-pumpkin.

Whew! Naptime for all.

Let the Holidays Officially Begin.

Party!!!

This House Is A Joke

"Knock Knock"

Who's There?

Boo

Boo Who?

Don't Cry It's Just A Joke

We are in LOVE with jokes at our house.

Do you have a good joke?

We want to hear it - PLEASE

Ask Wesley for his joke - but you have to do your best fake laugh - so get ready

Autumn Paintings

Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter. ~Carol Bishop Hipps

Today I'm going to be a GREAT mom and let my children make a mess.

Well - I usually do this everyday, but today is different because I helped them make it.

With watercolor paints, lots of water and SALT we created autumn.

Do you see the sunshine on the table?

I love Seattle Octobers. We become thankful for the sun again.

Another Matthews Obsessed About Hair

A celebrity is any well-known TV or movie star who looks like he spends more than two hours working on his hair. ~Steve Martin

Who knew a 4 year old could perfect the mohawk?

Not surprisingly, Tom's son can!

Every hair perfectly placed.

All by himself.

"Now I Can Go To Preschool"

Don't forget your shoes Preston.

Then you REALLY have your dad's genes