October was somewhat of a crazy month, and I will blame it all on soccer. The worst part is there is no end in sight. Kobe has moved on to the traveling team, which involves more practices and of course, traveling different places to games. Since Jeff coached Zack and Brooklyn's teams, this meant I took him by myself if we had conflicting game times, which ended up being about half the time. I am amazed how much I get into Kobe's games. They are really fun to watch.
So now that soccer is over... oh- just kidding! Soccer no longer 'gets over'! We simply have moved on to 'indoor'. At least it is only one practice a week. Which is a good thing because basketball has now began. (I know, I know)
Inspite of how good I usually am at action photography, I wasn't able to get any better shots than this. Sorry bud.
I guess that wasn't entirely true to say soccer wasn't over- it has wrapped up for Zack and Brookie. Phew! Look! This year Zack actually kicked the ball! The light must have finally came on! :)
October is boy birthday month for us. We do friend parties on odd years, which I am thinking I may need to revise that rule since everyone hits them on the same year (It's a killer).
Zack turned 5 and got his first big party. He wanted an army themed party, which I was slightly concerned about since all his friends seem to be girls. Luckily because of soccer we were able to scrounge up a few boys to invite, and the girls were very good sports- though a few of them did refuse to take home their super-cool army helmets.
Happy B-day buddy!
Next up in the birthday line was Kobe. His party was WAY easier than Zacks- I didn't have to do much entertaining, he just wanted a bunch of his buddies over to play football. I turned Jeff loose on that one. I would make a crummy quarterback.
What a bunch of wackos! I think they all had fun, but what shocked me is that the last 20 minutes Kobe talked me into letting them play Super Smash Bros on the N64 while they ate cake and waited for parents, and get this- only like 2 boys would come into the kitchen for cake and ice cream. Those video games are tough competition, but 9 year old boys passing up on sweets???? I don't get it!
So my brother-in-law Nate saved Kobe's cake- I was dry on ideas and he helped me do a quick cake for the party. Too bad I didn't get it's pic quicker- the cool whip in the frosting made the food coloring run and you don't get the full 'awesomeness' effect. He even melted candles together to make the goal posts. (brilliant!)
My sister Misty and her family came up to visit in the midst of the birthday stuff. They are schooling at the U and Jeff said if they were careful not to wear red they were welcome in our home. (just kidding!) I LOVE it when people like me enough to come visit me. I have way too much fun with those guys.
I was most excited because Misty promised to tell us what the sex of her baby was when she got here, but we had to play her little game. (funny, I'm glad she's around to remind me of what it's like to be young and cute) So, she made two kinds of cupcakes- and you picked pink or blue depending on what you thought the baby would be. As soon as you take a bite you know whether you were right- and I am not a very good guesser. Bleeck. I should've gone with the pink. I am so excited for her arrival!!! 
My parents also made the trip up, and made it just in time for Kobe's party. We had such a fun weekend with everyone, and m&d even got to stay until the next wednesday, which is actually when Jeff's parents came to stay for the rest of the week until Friday when we headed down to our niece's wedding in Utah!!! What a mouthful! I love when our parents come to stay. I need to figure out a way to spread out their visits a little- they don't come very often, but for some reason it always seems to fall on the same week!!!! We get a big dose, and then we are lonely again. Thanks everyone who came up. We sure loved the time we spent with each of you.
Here are some cute pics of Brooklyn's soccer party-
She was super excited to get a trophy!On to Halloween...
I couldn't get all of my kids together for a group picture- this is the closest I got. Although I do love seeing the kids all cute in their costumes, I must admit that I dread Halloween somewhat. Expensive, cold, hassle, too much candy, wrappers everywhere for weeks, ect. I never can figure out why we go to so much trouble to get the kids so much candy, when we really don't even want them to have that much. Now I will hop off my soap box and say that it really wasn't too bad this year, thanks to the weather, friends lending me costumes, and kids eating the candy REALLY fast. Most of my kids are pretty content to dig through the costume box and be whatever- Luke was a lion, Payter was a pumpkin (I think everyone has been that at least one year), Zack was a Power Ranger, Brooklyn was a spider princess (a modge podge of a witch costume, jedi cape, and spiders in ratty hair), and Kobe was a karate guy. Boys are so easy.
Lexie was the only one who really threw me for a loop- she decided she wanted to be Malificent off of Sleeping Beauty. I confess I tried to talk her out of it. I had NEVER seen a costume for it and wasn't willing to spend $$ on it anyway, so she researched her options and came up with a rocking costume!! We borrowed the cool capes, covered PVC and a tennis ball w/ tin foil for the staff, and the horns are paper mache that she mostly did herself. It turned out so much better than I thought it would. Way to stick to your guns, Lexie, even if your mom is a pessimist.
The annual candy swap
Any of you ramen fans?If you have stuck with me this long, you are a true friend (or you have a lot of time on your hands). I'm sorry to say that is my last picture, and I still have the urge to type. Sorry.
I guess I am really proud of this next part. I would like to let you know that you CAN teach a middle-aged dog new tricks. Despite my doubts of overcoming the debilitating personality trait of procrastination, I would like you all to know that I am nearly all done with my Christmas shopping. I mean done and wrapped! For 6 kids! I even have my white elephant gifts for the Mower Christmas party all ready in a bag!
I am one of those who usually does all this the week before Christmas, finishes on the 23rd, and wraps on Christmas Eve night. I can't believe I actually followed through on my vows to 'not do that to myself next year'! No stress for me this year! My hope is to be able to focus on the spirit of the season and have time for all those wonderful little extras that I usually miss out on from lack of time. I can't wait!
So I guess that is why this month has been a little extra busy busy. I hope things are going as well for all of you as they have been for us.
I can't wait to see many of you for Thanksgiving!!
