Halloween

 Rounding out the busy month of October -- Halloween!  I continue to just love this holiday.  Chloe was a witch this year (she loved that wig, even though it gave her fits pretty much all day), Lily was a karate kid (and stayed very much in character most of the day), Brigham was a Mormon missionary (he came up with it all on his own - LOVE!), and Cannon was a cowboy (I could not get enough of his adorableness all day.  It made my hear hurt he was so darling).

Henry was a cutie little tiger.  Stanton was Superman and I was Raggedy Ann.  It was a very fun day. 
Henry, Cannon, and I spent most of the day at the school for class parties.  Brigham's teacher called in the morning and asked if the head room mom had contacted me about a party.  She hadn't.  So, I gathered up a few quick games and crafts and ran over to his class (thankfully, I had already gotten my costume and makeup on).  The kids were awesome and had so much fun - I couldn't believe how good they were with just one mom and their teacher doing the whole thing.  I'm so grateful Mrs. Skidmore called me - it would have been a shame to not have a party for the kids.  I've since taken over head room mom duties in his class.  The other moms have been very helpful since that happened.   (Funny story - this was the first time we room moms had met one another.  I saw one of them a few weeks later and she had no idea who I was.  We later figured out it was because she'd only ever seen me in Raggedy Ann makeup.  How's that for a first impression?!)

I'm also the head room mom in Chloe's class.  The other moms were awesome helps here.  We decorated cookies, pumpkin bowled, made necklaces, and learned the Thriller dance.  The kids especially loved that part.  (just for reference, there is a video of that in iPhoto).

I'm just a regular room mom in Lily's class, so I didn't have to do anything besides show up at her party.  It was really cute, but Henry had had it by then.  I was no help at all.  It was still fun to be in class with Lil, though. 

A couple of days before, we went to the carnival at Grandma Allen's care center.  The kids loved the cupcakes and cake walk and seeing Grandma.  Here is Henry in his adorable costume.  It was warm and cozy for him.
Also, Stanton won a scooter at the corn maze around this same time.  (See what I mean?  He's the luckiest guy I know!).  It was a fun surprise.  He didn't get to ride it much before the weather turned cold, but it will be fun in the summer.

 We had our second year in a row of absolutely amazing weather for trick or treating.  We ate a fun dinner (though not as festive as last year's because I was at the school all day) and then headed out.  Stanton handed out candy while I took the kids out.  The girls lasted forever - till 8:30 or so.  Everyone opted to keep their 5 favorite candies and trade the rest in for a prize.  They were more than happy with their trade.  I always give them the option and I've been pleasantly surprised that they choose to trade in their candy.  It's nice to not have wrappers everywhere and a minimum of chocolate ground into the carpet for the following days.

It was a super fun holiday.  I love seeing what the kids choose for costumes each year. 

Sisters Weekend in Park City and Dad's Weekend with the Kids

I went on my annual Sisters (and MOM!) weekend to Park City near the end of October.  It happened to coincide with UEA, so Stanton was home with the kids, who were out of school.

We visited my Grandma Rose at her care center on our way to PC.  It was great to see her with Henry and to be there with Mom, Lori, and Cindy.  As a bonus, Nancy was there, too.

 Stanton took the kids to the annual Pumpkin Walk in our town.  The Hunger Games display was particularly awesome.

 They also ate a very "dad" dinner.  Elk.  Just elk.  With Lawry's seasoning salt to make it fancy.  I'm not sure they consumed a single vegetable while I was gone.  Haha!

These are the Instagram photos I took while we were on our trip.  I didn't take my big camera - I felt like I had enough to carry with Henry in tow.
He joined us in our now traditional weird hat picture.  We think we're so funny.
Also, don't I have the loveliest sisters and mom in the whole world?  I think so. They are just awesome.  We never have any drama with each other - like, ever.  It's kind of amazing.

We shopped, watched movies, laughed, ate junk food, laughed, loved on Henry, and laughed.  It was a perfect weekend.

Henry's Blessing Day

 Sweet Henry was blessed in October.  He was absolutely adorable in his little suit - a suit that was made by a friend here in our ward.  She made it for her son's blessing - her son who is currently serving a mission!  It was darling and comfortable.

Stanton gave a beautiful blessing and we felt Heavenly Father's love for our little Henry Stillman.  He shared his blessing day with Max Brough, son of our dear friend, Tyler and Jana.  It was special to share such a milestone with them (Max is also their 5th - and they have 3 boys and 2 girls, just like us, albeit in different birth orders).  They are such a great couple - we love them.  I hope Henry and Max become great friends as they grow up.

 Ann & Nathan, Me & Henry, and Emily & Lucy.  Cousins all born in 2012.  Rachel had just barely given birth to little Caroline and was still home with her, so they aren't pictured here.

Nathan at 6 months, Henry at 2 months, Lucy at 2 weeks?

I didn't take many pictures at the luncheon afterward, darn it.  Grandma and Grandpa Rose were there, though, as well as Grandma Johnson.  My sisters and their families were both there.  Stanton's siblings were all there.  Aunt Sue Zan was there.  Adam and Angie Chandler were there, as well.  My cousins Lindsay, Hannah, and Katelyn were also there.
It was a lovely day with family around.  I sure love them all.

Spike Elk Hunt

Stanton got a new hobby this year - guns.  I have taken quite some time to warm up to the whole thing, but he's had fun.  His friend Kevin helped him buy and customize a nice long range rifle.

They took it hunting for spike elk in October.  Stanton is the luckiest guy I know - and here's one reason why -- spike elk are notoriously hard to spot and kill.  And on his first hunting trip ever- he got one.  (Spike elk are the young males - they can't have any extra points on their rack or they're illegal to kill during the spike elk hunt).

It was quite and adventure for him - he killed it from 200 yds away (2 football fields).  They had to hike in to get it, gut it, and then carry it out.  Thankfully they were rescued by some hunters with 4-wheelers - otherwise they would have had to drag that very heavy animal a mile and a half to the truck.

I am not sure if he'll go again - time will tell.  He enjoyed himself, though, and loved being out there with Kevin.  He's a great guy.

 I took that picture of the bed while thinking, "What life choices did I make that led to this?"
Beautiful scenery above Hyde Park.
Kevin spotting.
Moose on the mountain - they were within 15 yards of him.  Wow.

Stanton with his spike elk.  You can see the look of surprise on his face.  A cool experience for him, for sure.

Now, the rest of the story is that this happened the couple of days before Henry's baby blessing.  Yes, we were having our whole family over to celebrate and had a big old spike elk hanging around.  Thankfully, Kevin offered to let it hang around his house instead (literally hang.....around....).  We took Cindy's kids over to see it on the Saturday night before the blessing.

It was kinda gruesome and I didn't take pictures of it.  Something that might be seared in the kids' brains forever, though.

The Monday after the blessing, Stanton came home and informed me that we had to get the elk cut up and frozen before it went bad.  Sooooo.....we dropped everything and set up a very rudimentary butcher shop in the garage.  Stanton and Kevin butchered it and brought it out to me at a table on the lawn where I removed hair and washed it down before putting it in freezer bags.  We will have jerky made at the beginning of the new year.

Again, the thoughts were coursing through my mind --- "How exactly did this become my life???"  It was not my ideal way of spending an evening by any stretch, but I love Stanton and that is what you do for the ones you love.

Thankfully Henry and the big kids were awesome and didn't need much supervision.  In fact, the big kids all took their turns helping with the whole process.

A memory, for sure.

Henry's Blessing Day - My Favorite Photo

I will write more about Henry's blessing soon.  But I just had to post this picture.  I love this baby!

Presents from China

My parents went on a 2 week trip to China to visit Matt & Sara.  They came down to our house when they got home - with gifts in tow, of course!  This insane top, a jack ladder (what my dad is doing in the picture), and Chinese fans.  They were beautiful.  They also gave me a really pretty jewelry box.  It was so fun to have them home.