Happy Halloween!

What a fun-filled and busy Halloween we had! It was nice that it fell on a Saturday so we took advantage of that time and planned many activities.

We started the day carving the pumpkins. We didn't as many detailed ones this year, but did do 2 good ones and then 2 little, simple ones. Even Ryan put his hands in the pumpkins to take the "guts" out!! Hailey did it all...she was involved with the cutting open of the pumpkin, removing the guts, and then poking the holes for the design. She is quiet the artist!!! :) It was nice to do this ON Halloween so they were in good shape for that night!

Next was "Boo at the Zoo." I never would have thought we could have a perfect day weather-wise, but we DID! The kids took pictures outside the house first, and then we went to the zoo. They didn't even have to wear COATS! Hard to believe that some years it is snowing on days like this! The kids almost got a sun - burn!! :) It was a great day to go to the zoo, and we had fun walking around and playing the games, doing a little trick-or-treating, seeing the animals and decorating cookies. Finally it was time to get back home and rest before the night started!

Here are my angle and devil. How perfect is this?!?! Well, maybe not "perfect" for both kids, but still a fun thing if you ask me! :)

Pretty girl Hailey.....

And, crazy man Ryan.....

Here we are at the zoo...

Yes, Ryan got a little nappy and needed to take a break! :)

After we had our Jack-o-lantern pizza, Doran dressed the kid's faces up a little. Ryan was not happy with his (as you can tell), but I think it looks great! :) Especially the way he is pouting!! :)

Finally it was time to go out around the neighborhood. We took the wagon and off we went. I think we were out there for 2.5 hours! It was the best weather you could ask for for Halloween in Montana and the kids took full advantage of it. Hailey wanted to go to EVERY house, but thankfully we didn't get to do that (but we did come VERY CLOSE!). Ryan took a few breaks in the wagon, but Hailey just kept going (maybe next year she can be the Energizer Bunny). Just to tell you how much candy and treats Hailey got....on the way home her bag BROKE! Good thing we were so close to home. Here are the kids with all their candy! YUMMY!

Needless to say, we all slept good that night...even with all the candy! :)

My birthday

I took my birthday off...because...it was my birthday after all. However, it ended up being a fantastic day filled with the people I love so much!

I started my day at Ryan's preschool and then headed with them to the pumpkin patch for a field trip. FUN! Here he is with his good friend Jadyn and then at the pumpkin patch playing the bean bag toss game (click on the picture to make it larger and you can see he got it through!).

Then he played a few more games there, and finally "hot pumpkin" (aka hot potato). He got it right away..and got a prize...so he was happy! :)

His favorite thing from his goodie bag were these purple teeth. I had to help him put them in each time, but then he had to show everyone! So cute!! :) Then the kids when outside, got to pick out a pumpkin, and finally a hay ride before heading back to school. It was FANTASTIC! :)

After the preschool field trip, I was able to have lunch with 2 of my good friends. Then it was time to go help at Hailey's classroom for their Halloween party. I haven't been in her classroom when she was there, so this was fun to do! I don't get very many times to get to see her in there so I jumped at this time! :) The kids got to estimate how big the pumpkin was, put a sentence about the pumpkin in order...

and then had to try to get a bite of the donut without using their hands!! LOTS of laughs for this one!! :) Nice face sweetie :)

Finally they got to sit down and enjoy a snack (lots of goodies) before it was time to go home. Doesn't she look great sitting in her desk!?!? Thanks for letting me help out in your classroom Hailey :)

We went out to supper with Doug and Doran, and then came back home for cake and ice cream. Perfect birthday! Perfect!! :)

Trick or treating practice

Last night (Wednesday, Oct 28) I took the kids to MSU-B to the dorms for trick-or-treating. They had so much fun last year that we had to go again. This way, if it is raining or cold or yucky, at least we got one night of trick-or-treating in! :) They were not disappointed this year either. They walk into the lobby to find a few games, cookies, and hot cocoa. Then they ride the elevator to the top (floor 8) and the host student takes them to the doors marked for trick or treating. FUN! I got to stand back and just watch (and not be FROZEN!). It was a late night, but they had so much fun. The only problem....what to do with ALL this candy!?! :)

Donuts for Dads....or Papas

Tuesday morning (10/27) was "Donuts for Dads" at Arrowhead (Hailey's school). Only thing is....that is right when Chris was going to be HUNTING (not good planing on the schools part). However, we were able to talk Papa Pilcher into driving out to enjoy a sugary-breakfast with his one and only granddaughter (do you really think he would say no!?!?). She loved having him there, and I think he enjoyed it just as much!

Fall fun

On Sunday (10/25) I took the kids to Gainain's for their fall festival. It is a local flower shop/garden center and they had this every weekend and we finally got to go! The kids LOVED it. They got to paint pumpkins (look at how careful Hailey is painting hers!!), play some games, and have their face painted! We also picked out a few pumpkins to buy and take home for carving. It was a FUN morning!!!!

Playing the ring toss.

And look at these cute faces!!!

Finally a few cute pictures of them together (did you notice that I coordinated their shirts!?!?).

Last soccer games

I was happy and sad for today to come (Sat 10/24)....the last soccer games of the season. It was getting to be too much having TWO soccer games EVERY Saturday (no weekends at the cabin STINKS!). However, it is so much fun to see the kids playing and know they are having a wonderful time. It is amazing how much they improved this season!! :)

Ryan's game was first. I was SO PROUD when the time keeper asked for a kid to help lead the pledge...and RYAN WENT UP THERE!! My big boy!! Using the microphone, saying the pledge in front of a HUGE crowd! Way to go Ryan!!! :)

After the game (he did GREAT and had so much fun like he ALWAYS does), Ryan finally got the metal he has been after since the first practice!! :) He was very happy!!! Then the whole team got a pizza party (at 10:00 AM!) and then we had to wait until Hailey's game started in the afternoon.

Hailey did really good today as well. She is really trying to get more aggressive and try to get right in there. She likes to fall back a little and let the other girls have the ball, but we are working on that some. I am still so very proud of her for being out there...running after the ball...and not complaining. She actually wanted the game to go longer this time!! Way to go Hailey!! After the game, the team went to Dairy Queen to celebrate (on a cold day....brrrrr). It was a fun season for her!

We are so very proud of BOTH of our soccer stars!! :)

Heaven

I think Hunter was in heaven today.....Chris took him pheasant hunting! It was his first time out in YEARS and he was so excited when he saw the hunting things AND he got the "load up" command. He probably thought he was going to be put to sleep that next day or something! And, what an amazing job he did too! He went right out there, pointed a bird, waited for the command, flushed it, and then retrieved it (thankfully Chris got it!). My heart still is happy when I hear this. Hunter got to go hunting. Ahhh :)

And, when they got home, Ryan had to have his picture taken with the pheasant. And, then some fun pictures with Hunter and the bird. I never thought this day would happen. Still happy!