Halloween Party (1st of 3)

A family in our Ward invited us to a Halloween party this weekend (next Friday we have a Ward Halloween Party #2 and then the real holiday on Saturday of course #3). They have a big lot/yard and had tables set-up for a full potluck dinner, followed by a costume parade/contest. They had tons of prizes you could win in the costume contest, carnival games and a raffle. There had to be at least 250 people. Needless to say it was AWESOME.

Taj liked wearing my mask.

Fearsome Lion!

Nickel the gypsy and little Ari was a tiger

They're GRRRRREAT!

Taj made lots of friends at the party. He was a little apprehensive with some of the wild costumes. What's Halloween without a little fear?

Nailtastic!

Taj's cousin was in town this weekend for a visit. Taj has the best time playing with his older cousins and being their shadow. Cousin Alexis stopped by our house Saturday to show off her fancy nails. Its fun having such a cool Grandma to do stuff like this with. Did you know that the practice of painting nails dates back to at least 3,000 B.C.? That's like 1,500 years before the Exodus!

Grandma Gail modeling a subtle shade of pink (toenails)

Cousin Alexis rocking the hot pink fingers and toes.

Jack'O'Lantern update

We never really carved up pumpkins when I was a kid. We did get pumpkins but we never made them into Jack 'O' Lanterns. I didn't realize they decomposed so quickly. The warm desert climate isn't doing anything to slow down the "rot factor." Instead of scary pumpkins they kinda just look like wrinkly old pumpkins who might tell you of a long random story about when they were just a seed.

Pumpkin Pandemonium!

This Halloween when you want to impress your friends with some pumpkin trivia give this one a try. What's the biggest pumpkin ever recorded? Many people will likely guess Charlie Brown's Great Pumpkin. Those people are very wrong and you should make that clear. According to www.bigpumkins.com (the undisputed pumpkin authority on the internet) Christy Harp's 1,725-pound Atlantic giant pumpkin won the Ohio Valley Giant Pumpkin Growers annual weigh-off in October 2009 (which is also the world record).

I would like to see some punk teenagers try to steal this pumpkin and smash it.

We invited our friends the Johnsons and the Virostkos over on Monday to carve up some pumpkins.

Cathy found these Mr. Potato Head-esque pumpkin accessories for Taj's pumpkin.

There were enough accessories to make a face on the front and another on the back of the pumpkin. Taj told me this was an homage to Janus, one of his favorite Roman gods at the moment (god of gates, doorways, beginnings and endings).

Tyson's best impression of his pumpkin.

Josh was not impersonating his pumpkin in this photo. He just can't help himself when someone is taking pictures (he has to make ridiculous faces).

Taj "flipped" for how cool the pumpkins turned out! (Mark's, Tajkin's, Nickel's)

Who knew pumpkins were such a good social lubricant?

SOOOOO SCAAAARRRYYY!!!!!!

Probationary period is over

Some employers hire new employees with a probationary period. This can be anywhere from 90 days to 6 months to make sure the new hire is capable and a good fit in the company. Ari has made it though her probationary period with flying colors. She fits in perfect. These are just some great pictures we took of her the other day. Our friend Amy wove this awesome beanie out of nothing but potatoes using an ancient Filipino technique she learned from her husband Ramir. Thanks Amy!

Palatability vs Deglutition (say what!?)

Palatability is the property of being acceptable to the mouth.

Ari just started grubbing on foods other than "mama juice" this week. She liked the Apple Prune juice.

The juice was a hit why not try some chicken and chicken broth?

Part of this expression is taste bud induced but I think it is mostly choking due to the learning curve required for deglutition (science talk for "swallow"). I think this picture is generally unattractive but I also find it really cute.

Ain't nothing but a birthday party...

Grandma volunteered to watch the kids on Cathy's birthday so she and I just went clothes shopping with her birthday money. We had a really fun time, found some cool threads and laughed at ALOT of crazy leopard print floral ruffle clothe items. I was astounded by the variety and selection for girls clothes. How are you supposed to find something you like when you have to fish through so much weird and wacky things? Anyways we had a great time.

Then we all went to the park and had a delicious pizza picnic and birthday bundt cake. The pizza was from a place in Boca Park called East Coast Pizza. We highly recommend it. Muy Delicioso!

Taj decided to help Cathy blow out some of the candles.

He probably just wanted to make sure Cathy's birthday wish came true. He is so selfless.

...sitting in a tree...H-U-G-G-I-N-G

Our friends, Los Unguren, stopped by to visit last night on their way home to UT. We have missed them since they moved to Mormon Mecca. It was really fun to see them and let our kids play together.

Canon and Ari became quick friends.

Canon has recently become a great little hugger so he was excited to show his new talent to Ari. Ari was very impressed and happy to have a new friend.

Lucky the dog

Occasionally we get to dog-sit for my dog-in-law Lucky. Its only a weekend every so often and Taj and Ari both love the fun of having a canine amigo to play with. Lucky is a very well behaved dog and makes himself right at home. In fact, Lucky and Cathy both seem to share the same love of sleep. Who needs a husband to snuggle with when you have a dog-in-law that doesn't hog the covers?

Happy Birthday Nickelrock!

You are the best wife ever! Thanks for making me some little humans I really like them. Is it just me or do you have sunshine shooting out of your ocular and oral cavities? I really like you a lot! (and many more...on channel 4...and don't forget to close the door)