Gingerbread House

Parker the Picky Eater actually ate ravioli for dinner, just because I told him he couldn't work on the gingerbread house if he didn't. The thought of Kenzie working on the kit he begged for was enough motivation!

This was the result when I pleaded, "Give me a normal smile!"

Two goofy kids with their finished house, plus the cookies I made earlier to dissuade them from trying the house. (I can't imagine that packaged gingerbread is as edible as the kids think!) It's starting to feel more like Christmas around here!

Deck the Halls

Yesterday we put the tree up! The bottom half of the tree was very well decorated. Some branches even had three ornaments!

Goofy McKenzie, climbing under the tree to retrieve a dropped ornament.

It seems like I'm backtracking, but today we raked leaves (again!) while Daddy put up the lights, and I thought this was sweet. It does seem a little odd to be thinking of Christmas while only wearing a sweater outside, but I don't want to complain about that!

I had to include this picture as well. Seeing Daddy up on the roof putting up lights, Parker went to get his own tools. He sat out on the lawn and hammered away. I love how much he wants to be like his Daddy. When the lights came on tonight for the first time, we heard an, "Ooh!" and applause from the kiddos. They are, of course, very excited for Christmas!

First Grizzlies Game

Last night we took the kids to their first Grizzlies hockey game. Even though it was a miserable loss as far as the actual score, the kids had a great time. Parker loved watching the zamboni. We were able to get front row seats (which was a first for all of us), so Grizzbee (the mascot) even skated over and waved at Parker. (Parker, ever the shy one, immediately sank down to hide!)

During warm-ups, one of the players even tossed a puck over for the kids. I think he tossed it over to Parker, actually, but he was too shy to claim it. McKenzie was quite pleased, though, and has bragged about it all day. She even plans to bring it to school and ask to show it to her class.

Then Parker grabbed my camera... it was amusing to see him try really hard to take pictures of what he liked. The giant inflatable grizzly was a definite hit (I believe I deleted at least 15 pictures of it!). Before it was inflated, though, Parker was concerned: "Mom, is the polar bear dead?"

I can't even count how many blurry zamboni pictures were on my camera!

He actually managed to get a few good shots of the action as well, though. I might let him use my camera more often.

Still, I had to take my camera back from time to time. I'm sure I should use the word "manly" instead of "sweet" when describing this, but too bad, I think it's sweet. We had a good time, and both kids said they would like to go to another hockey game sometime. Daddy would say, "We're training them right!"

The Leonardo

Every once in awhile, it pays to have connections. Chris's brother, Wes, works for a company called Test Out, which celebrated its 20th anniversary by renting out The Leonardo, a new museum in downtown Salt Lake. The kids were more than impressed by the live band, the exhibits, and of course the selection of treats!The green screen was a big hit with all the kids. (At one point, McKenzie said, "This place is so much fun I just want to live here!") Making Santa "dance" was also a huge hit. Parker wanted to try it, but when it was his turn he was too shy with everyone watching him.

Parker had two chocolate ice cream cones. His shirt is still in the washing machine!

Yeah, we ate a lot of sugar and started feeling weird. (Because we're usually quite normal, of course!)

McKenzie joining the impromptu conga line.

I thought this was funny - Lacie, in her white dress, was definitely not safe near Parker! All in all, a very tiring night. I think the museum might be a tad boring for the kids without the music, their cousins, and all the treats, but this time it was great for them. They were completely exhausted by the time we got home!

11-11-11

Today my old roommate, Aryelle, got married in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. We were happy to be invited to the sealing. I would have loved to get a picture with the bride, but we couldn't stay long enough to get a turn. Nevertheless, it was a very neat reminder of how important marriage is.

So glad I married my best friend, too. I like to remind him he's stuck with me forever!

Halloween

Happy Halloween! The morning started out with the Halloween parade at Kenzie's school. This was the best picture I got, since the kids marched by so quickly, but once Kenzie spotted Parker and I she waved happily. Parker was enthralled with this procession, and really yelled for the M&M, Iron Man, and the kid dressed as a Lego. Go figure. Parker was a zookeeper this year. He was so excited about that hat! Here's McKenzie trying to show off her Barbie fairy wings, although they're actually hard to see in this picture. We also sprayed her with glitter spray and she wore lots of eyeshadow. (She spent a fair amount of time admiring herself in the mirror!)

The cutest trick-or-treaters, ready for Daddy to take them through the neighborhood.

Once home, Parker immediately dumped his bucket out. (This morning he commented, "Holy crabs! How I get so much candy?") Now I'm off to pilfer another piece!