Birthdays

My brother and mother-in-law both had a birthday a couple of months ago.

 For my brother's birthday, my mom made an amazing caramel apple cheesecake.  It was so delicious!

 I have been horrible lately about remembering to bring my DSLR with me, so all I've got are a lot of fuzzy cell phone photos.  I guess it's better than nothing!

 Preston just can't help himself.  If there is a present around, he has to get his hands on it and open it!  I love the look on my Dustin's face here, as Preston helps himself to opening my brother's present.  Does that look say "get your hands off" or what?!  Ha!

 Dustin reclaimed his present.  :D

 Happy birthday bud!

A few days after celebrating my brother's birthday, we got together to party for Janet's big day.

Another blurry cell phone picture.  We had pie to go along with that big tub of ice cream, in case you were wondering.  ;)  Happy, happy birthday Janet!

Halloween

Here is the crew, ready for some trick-or-treating!

This year we've got Calvin and Hobbes, Psy, a bumblebee, two cute ghostsies, and Trent was a burglar.  I forgot to have him put his beanie hat and jacket on before we took the picture.

Here he is with all his gear on.  Can you see him?  :D

 Preston couldn't wait to get into his candy.  He went into his candy bag head first, searching for his favorites.  Between the ward trunk-or-treat and trick-or-treating on Halloween night, the kids got gobs and gobs of candy.  We usually ration them, but I was too lazy for that this year.  I think the boys ate through all of theirs in less than two weeks.  Vivi still has almost half of hers left, almost two months later.  It was another great Halloween!

Little Climber

Jillian loves, loves, loves to climb on the table, any chance she gets.

Little monkey.  

Day At The Zoo

During Vivi and Preston's Fall break, we spent one of the days at the zoo.  (They are so lucky to have two weeks of Fall break instead of just the one week the boys get.  But the boys get extra time off in the summer so I guess it's a fair trade.)  Anyway, we chose a really good day to go.  There was hardly anybody there that day.  It was at the end of October, and there was just a slight chill in the air.  We were plenty warm though with just a light jacket on.

I think it was the first time, in all of our years going to the zoo, that the kids didn't have to wait 10 minutes for a turn to get a picture with the bronze hippos, or have to wait in line forever to see how far they could jump.  We got to take our time with everything.  And there were tons of animals out and about that day.  The best part was getting to have a fun, wonderful day with my three littlest kiddos.  :)

Prestonisms

There are so may things I love about my sweet Preston, but one of the things I love the very most is his curious nature.  I often wonder what is going on in that head of his.  Sometimes his curiosity is enough to drive me to drink (if I drank that is), but it really is one of my favorite characteristics of his.

As we were out driving one afternoon, Preston was looking out of the car window and said, "Mom, how can the sun and the moon be up at the same time?!  That is so crazy!"  He is always full of such questions and statements.  I love the wonder and curiosity in that boy.

As I said, I would love to know what is going on in that head of his most of the time.  As I was snuggling with him before bed one night, we were chatting about our day when all of a sudden he said, "Mom, I wish I had your bum."  I couldn't help myself, I burst out laughing!  All I could think of was his skinny little five-year-old body with my bum in place of his.  He would never be able to get up!  Hahaha!  That boy... He is such a corker.

I love when kids try to repeat a saying, and they just don't have the wording quite right.  Well, a couple of weeks ago, the big boys were doing something to annoy Preston, and he yelled, "Stop! You're raking on my nerds!"  It definitely lightened the mood.  We all started laughing hysterically.

One of my favorites sayings of his is how he says the words "each other".  He used to say it their-chother.  Recently he has changed it to arch-other.  I hope he doesn't say it correctly any time soon because it's too cute!  I just love that boy to pieces and am so grateful for the amazing, curious, goofy,  wonderful kid he is.

Lashes

I think my little Jillybean should trade eyelashes with me.

Lucky girl!

Fall Fun!

It wouldn't be Fall without the kids spending a Saturday carving pumpkins and raking leaves at grandma's.  

 Cutest sisters EVER!

Helping grandma out with the raking.

 Acting shy for the camera.

I just can't stop laughing every time I see this picture.  That face!

 Jilly hanging with her grandma.  She always has a habit of stealing grandma's water bottle.  Here are all the pumpkins the kids carved with grandma.

 We tried to get some pictures of the kids together in the leaves.  Jilly was not in the mood to cooperate.

 She was so mad!

She got over it pretty quick though.  Silly girl.

My sweet Vivi girl.

My kids are so lucky that we live so close to the grandparents and that their grandparents love to spend so much time with them!

Photo Shoot

Here are a few photos that I took of my girl when she turned 18 months.

I can't believe she is already so big!

Park Time

One of the nice things about being in the apartment is there are tons of trails over here.  And there is a park that is just a few minutes away, walking distance.  Before the weather started to get too chilly, we would walk there several times a week after school so the kids could have a chance to run and play after having to sit and focus all day at school.  

 It's a really pretty walk, especially during the Fall.  

There are these big, huge trees all over by the trails.

 Nothing makes this boy happier than being able to get outside and play!

 Jillian could spend hours in the swing if I had that kind of time to spare.  I honestly don't think she would ever get bored.

 What a bunch of monkeys!

 Jilly is so spoiled by all of her older siblings.  I swear they would find a way to give her the moon if she asked for it.  Especially Trenton.

 Wee!  Look at that smile!  That is one happy girl.  :)

Colson's turn!  It sure was a beautiful Fall this year.  We have had some of the best weather here!  I love it!

Jilly and Her Sweets

One weekend in October, we went over to a friend's house for a birthday party.  Jilly quite enjoyed the cupcakes.  Just like with her Oreos, she was only interested in the creamy frosting.  She didn't want anything to do with the cake part of the cupcake.

Boy does this girl love her sweets!  She would probably be really happy if I let her loose with a tub of frosting.  ;)