Halloween 2010

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays for our family. Not because of the spooky stuff but because of some of the great traditions and fun of the holiday. Saturday was so warm that we were able to carve pumpkins in the backyard.

Our church has a trunk or treat every year for the little kids. The four older kids were each part of the festivities for the younger kids this year. I also think that this is the one time of year that Haley actually enjoys being the youngest in the family. We baked cupcakes, brownies and made chili. So it was a full day and by 8 pm we were sure it was closer to midnight. Here the kids are all dressed up for the night. Krystal was sick and ended up spending most of the time sleeping in the car. But everyone else had a really good time.
All five pumpkins survived and made it to the porch this year. It was a perfect night for the trick or treaters and the pumpkins all looked so cool with the candles burning inside of them. The new plug in pumpkins are fun but there is nothing like the real thing! What a great way to end October and welcome a new month.

COKE AND A LOT OF SMILES

Today was a wonderful day. We all played hooky and headed down to the court house. Although Mike and I have been parents to our five children it was made official today.
We have been through two years of preparations for court and to officially make all the members of our family "cokes". All I can say is we are so happy and glad to finally have this chapter of our life's behind us. The judge was amazing and so kind to us and the children. We went out for lunch to celebrate which isn't something we do often because the cost could feed a small country. Then we went bowling and pumpkin shopping. I know this year was just picking the pumpkins from Albertsons but it was just as much fun as anything else for us. Our wonderful neighbor brought us some cookies to and we bought some coca cola to celebrate. Cookies and coke with the Cokes....what a day!

Fright Night

We have had a tradition of going to Fright Nights at Elitch Gardens. On Saturday after the busy day we all met back at the house at about 3:30 pm and decided to head up. We weren't sure how the weather was going to be but it was perfect!

This year Haley is finally tall enough to go on the roller coasters. Even though we have uneven numbers it all worked out. We took turns with one riding alone.

The boys wanted to go on the boomerang and the girls did not. I figured that it was worth a shot and since I was always a chicken and wouldn't go on this ride growing up it was time. Look at my face in the picture. I'd rather give birth then ride this one again.

The boys went after we did and loved it! Although I love roller coasters the suspense of this one just didn't agree with me. Seriously....hanging for 20 seconds before they do anything?

We all got to go on the flying coaster here is Krystal with David. It was Haley's first time on a "grown up" roller coaster and she screamed the whole time. Then wanted to do it again.

Chaos was an easy ride. But since it was freight night there were scary people all around. One guy was carrying a chain saw. The girls were so scared. They both ran out of this ride and jumped into my arms. We all acted as if we weren't afraid and he left us a lone. Think the boys were watching for him in this picture too.

The night lights of Denver and the park were beautiful.

Over all even though we didn't use our passes as much as we would like, we had a great time this season. Saturday night was a blast and we had so much fun. We aren't sure if we'll buy the passes for next year but if every trip could be this memorable would do it for the rest of our lives!

Hectic day leads to a day off

Last Thursday was one of our eventful nights. I had my monthly bunko date and we got an email that the "middle kids" had a bad concert date change. Guess which night? Yes, on bunko night and it was my turn to bring food. I had it all planned out got things together early so someone else could take it and I could still enjoy the music. I would watch them play their music and then speed off just a little late to bunko. As most nights in our house things didn't go as planned! Mike was working on a friends car and we were losing track of time. David who loves his new found freedom of driving offered to get the kids to the school so they can be early for the performance. Great! Everything is actually working out right?

Not actually...as most things we plan something throws us for a loop. David did drive them to school but then he drove to wrestling practice at his school. I forgot about practice so after listening to the performance I was ready to leave. I called David on the phone and he couldn't figure out why I was panicking. (not to mention I fell up the stairs the way out) yes, double dork points for the day.Even with what seemed to be extra stressful the kids seemed very happy. Dad took them to the traditional ice cream treat after a school performance. So even with a few glitches all was well.Until the next morning when I was bringing some things back home for the scout trip that night. Alan met me at the car and showed me the difference between his wrist. The left one was double the size of the right one. So off to the doctor who said he didn't think it was anything more then a sprain because he had played at the band concert the night before without complaining. Well as a precaution we took him to get an x-ray (at Grandma Tams job). She pulled some strings and they read the x-ray for us while we were there. YES, a break right in the growth plate. He was splinted on Friday and got this groovy blue cast on Monday. No complaining from Alan though he got a milk shake on Friday with mom and a Keva Juice on Monday with Dad. Alone time and ice cream! What could be better?