Giving Thanks...

For the last few years during the month of November we have tried daily to write something we are thankful for. This year we didn't do as well as we have in the past - I guess we were a bit preoccupied and busy but here are the few things we came up with.

Nate - Thankful for...

• fragrant swiss cheese
• cell phones to contact family
• our ability to take care of ourselves
• afternoon naps
• Jaime giving up her career for motherhood
• a good job that lets me take care of my family
• Jaime's artistic ability
• Jaime's lists
• Jaime cooking dinner
• Preston's laughs

Jaime - Thankful for...

• hot chocolate to warm me up
• family walks - they're relaxing and a great time to talk
• Preston being a good boy today as we ran LOTS of errands (H&M, Michaels, Office Depot, Big5)
• the legacy I have of strong ancestors in the church. "Steadfast and Immovable"
• technology that allows us to video chat with Jessica's family when they live so far away
• beautiful, warm weather to play at the park
• finally catching the mouse in our house and thankful for the tip of swiss cheese from my dad
• a dishwasher
• an active boy who enjoys his Gymboree class
• a supportive husband who lets me take time to sing in the Temple Hill Choir
• a concerned husband who wants to make my life easier

Preston - Thankful for...

• a Daddy who reads to him
• my lawnmower and pushing it to the park
• juice
• my choo-choo
• daddy putting syrup on my french toast

Halloween Trick or Treating

For breakfast on Halloween we made special "Boo" pancakes. Preston was being silly for the camera and I didn't get a single shot where he wasn't being goofy.

Halloween night we met up with some friends to go trick or treating in their neighborhood. It was a lot fo fun. Preston, still remembering the excitement from the Stake Trunk or Treat, was loving every second. He would go to the door holding out his bag, then say "Thank You" when he received some candy. After that he would turn around and start running to the next house often shouting, "More!" excitedly. He kept leaving his friends in the dust. Nate and I thought we would only hit five houses or so but we ended up going for over an hour since the kids were having so much fun!

The crew trick or treating on Halloween

From earlier in the week when the kids wore their costumes to Music Makers

I think it's safe to say our month of October was super busy and also full of fun.

Trunk or Treat

Our stake has a Halloween Trunk or Treat that is unreal! They have been doing it for years and estimate that they get over 1,000 people each year. It is a carnival theme with music, lights, games, etc. Last year was our first year and we were blown away by how amazing it was. You have to see it to believe it! I should have taken pictures of the carnival games or even better video just to show how amazing it is. All the signs for the activities have lights and moving parts.

After the carnival the kids all go outside to the parking lot where people are ready to pass out candy, most in front of fully decked out cars. Nate was a little nervous to pass out candy again this year because he felt intimidated by all the decorated cars. We didn't decorate ours at all. Preston, despite all the flurry of kids, really had a lot of fun and started getting the trick or treating fever.

Posing with his friends - Owen and Wyatt

Preston also loved his fireman costume! He was pretty cute if I do say so myself. I made it when I was in Boise using yellow and silver duct tape. I think because we talked about the costume so much and kept trying it on that he knew it was something special and being saved for a special occassion.  

Carving Pumpkins

This month has been full of fun festivities leading up to Halloween! We had our neighbors come over and carve pumpkins with us. It was way more fun to carve with friends than I think it would have been if we did it on our own. Preston wasn't too sure about the slimy stuff in the middle. He didn't like touching it.

From Three to Four

Our little family will be growing from three to four soon! We found out last week we will be adding another little boy to our family. He should arrive sometime mid-March. Hooray for boys! We are so excited for our growing family and even doubly excited that we already have boy things on hand! Nate says that is the accountant in him.

We loved having Nate's mom here for a few days to watch Preston while we attended the ultrasound and a "Next Baby" class. We also snuck in some birthday and Christmas shopping for Preston while we were out. Phew! One less thing to worry about in the next two months.

Preston was so spoiled and loved spending time with Grandma. They did lots of fun things together and Preston cried when we dropped Grandma off at the airport. He was sad to see her go and even sad he couldn't ride on an airplane too.

Preston showing off his Halloween gift from Grandma and Grandpa

Actually, I was spoiled too. Nate's mom stayed to give me some birthday pampering. She took me out to lunch, let me go shopping without Preston and even let Nate and I go on a dinner date! We sure are grateful for all she did while she was here.