Halloween

After we finally decided to get costumes out of the costume trunks this year this is what we came up with.
Maddie and Lauren are rockers. Lauren was just a little too comfortable in this costume. But she looks pretty darn cute.
Emma was very quiet all night. :0)
Ellie was a fairy. Yes, this is familiar, but still very cute. Why let it go to waste? I'm thrilled she chose to use this again.
Happy Halloween!!

Another Great Weekend

I was so lucky to have my parents come for a visit this last weekend. I love how they always just come and pitch in and be as helpful as possible. My dad fixed our outdoor lights and helped me figure out what to do with our unwanted wine rack. My kids had to fight and bicker about who got to sit by them. They are very loved. We went to the top of the arch and hung out at the great museum under the arch. On Sunday they were able to stay for Sacrament Mtg. and hear Richard speak and the big girls and I sing. Unfortunately I forgot to have Dad look at the closet door and have him fix it. I guess he'll have to come again.

A Fantastic Weekend

My incredible friend, Shelly, whom I haven't seen since Ellie was a tiny newborn just happened to be in my area on business and was able to spend the weekend with me. It was so great. We stayed up late and talked and talked. It was just like no time had passed since we last saw each other. We went to the butterfly house because I thought Lauren and Ellie would really like that and much to my dismay they cried and wouldn't go inside (pictured above). I never even knew a person could be afraid of butterflies and I certainly didn't know that my own kids were.
Then then the two of us went to see CATS. A touring broadway group just happened to be here. (On a side note: The music and dancing and costumes were amazing, but I have to say that I have NO idea what it was about. Is there really any sort of story line or plot to that thing? If so, please enlighten me.) And then we stopped for devilish desserts, something neither of us has probably done for 20 years. And more amazing, we ate it all. I still haven't fully recovered from that. It was so great to see you Shelly. Please, let's do it again.

Brace Face

Here are the before and after photos of the girls. Neither set is looking all that great. I can't wait until the Braces Off post. Those are sure to be looking fabulous. They all agreed that it hurt more than they expected, even though I kept trying to warn them. I guess they thought I was exaggerating. There's no better way to learn something than to experience it. And now they can add braces to their list of experiences.