Haunted Halloween

Daradie and Koen saved two favorite pumpkins from her patch this year to carve. They were the biggest pumpkins. Koen wasn't so sure about the slimy pumpkin guts. Daradie suggested to pretend he was a doctor and he was pulling out human guts. That didn't go over too well either.

Their carved pumpkins. The devil, Daradie, went scary for her pumpkin. Grim Reaper, Koen, went with a traditional jack-o-lantern look for 2011. Dan's is the goofy one on the bench and mine is the oh so easy star in the corner.

This man went with the freaky Rodney Dangerfield and sorted through the kiddos' candy stash. However, he noticed a pile that was already sorted out from one particular child who does not like a lot of candy. A pile of chocolate, easily 30 pieces, was left abandoned on the table. Daradie quickly dove for the pile--finders keeper's, right? A plan was needed and fast. We counted how many days there were until Christmas. Fifty-five days. The kiddos had almost 70 treats in their bag that ranged from beef jerky sticks to fun dips and lots of mini-chocolate bars. We gave them 55 pieces to stay in their bags. They swapped and rearranged so they both had their favorites. Rules of the game: If they ate only 1 piece/day that would take them to Christmas. If they ate their last piece on Christmas then we would give them $55 each to put in the vacation fund to spend on whatever they want while on the trip. All or nothing for the reward. They agreed.

(November 1: too quiet downstairs. Kids should be up and getting ready for school. One was downstairs eating a pack of Skittles quietly in the closet. The other one was in the bathroom complaining of a hurt stomach. Let the games begin!)

What's in a Name, Really?

Proud you spelled everything all on your own! Love you too, Koen.

Stock Market

I'm buying stocks in Scotch tape. Both types. Invisible and masking. I go through more tape than I do gas. Tape and ketchup. Comparable really. Perhaps I'll buy into Scotch and Heine's. My household will support the recession in those two stocks alone.

Ohhhh, the Joys of a Mom....

While driving in the car past the river:
Koen: Look, Daradie! That river is just for you. It has sparkles everywhere. You love sparkles!
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While in the car, Dan and I were discussing where we put our stresses (like where we have that extra "baggage" of worries....and too many carbs.) Koen was sitting between Dan and I and to involve him in the conversation....
Dan: So, Koen, where do you put your stresses?
Koen: Come on, dad. I don't wear dresses.
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During testimony meeting:
Daradie: I want to bear my testimony. I know the Holy Ghost can help us. I know Thomas S. Monson is the prophet. Conference was special. I'm thankful for families. I really love my brother.

Daradie's Pumpkin Patch

Last year Daradie asked if she could have chickens and sell eggs. Well, a lot of the neighbor kids do that and we knew that would be tough competition. We settled on a pumpkin patch. We extended our garden last fall 30x20 feet. We hauled in extra compost and manure. She planted 9 mounds of pumpkins of all different varieties and colors. She watered. She weeded. She moaned. She groaned. She washed mud off. She clipped leaves. She cried.

She smiled. She jumped up for joy. She's now earning the money. Three dollars for big pumpkins, $2 for medium and $1/2 baby pumpkins. She brags to her friends and customers that checks are very much appreciated and she's already gotten two--with her own name written on them. Daradie is saving up money for high school. She's heard it costs a lot of money to have a convertible or Jeep.

***Update: Daradie counted her earnings and ended up with a whopping $80 from her crop. Way to go girl!

Nearby is a girl's camp with this rocking huge metal slide, teeter-totters and giant firepit. A wide creek accompanies all the other fun things to do. We spent hours here. The boys brought their bow and arrows and the kids had competitions with them. We cooked hotdogs and marshmallows for lunch. Then we slipped down to Driggs to have some hot pizza and onion rings. We all had a great time!


We would sit on cardboard to make us go even faster down the slide. It was a riot!