family pictures

We had our family pictures taken back in early November.  A friend in my ward took them for us and I loved how they turned out.  I always hate choosing what everyone should wear, but this time I liked how our outfits turned out.  I especially loved the yellow.

Anyway, we had them taken just a block away from the new Phoenix Temple that is being built.  It was a typical "Arizona-ish" setting, but very pretty too.

It was fun to announce baby #3 this way.  I was 8ish weeks pregnant in these pictures.

October festivities

October went by so fast.
I love September-December...the best time of the year.

We were able to do some fun things during the month.  I love that Brooklyn is getting a little older and understanding holidays and gets excited about them.

This was while we were still in Worland, but one night we got all the kids dressed up in their costumes and had them go trick-or-treating at every door at Aunt Claudia and Uncle Bruce's house and then a couple of their neighbors as well.  It was the perfect amount of candy and fun to trick-or-treat with cousins.  Brooklyn was Tinkerbell this year and Jake was Peter Pan.  I had plans for John and I to be Mr. Smee and Tiger Lily, but it didn't end up happening...maybe next year we can all dress up to a theme.

One day after we got back from our trip a bunch of my friends and I got together and let the kids decorate sugar cookies at the park.  Brooklyn ate more than she actually decorated :)

Brooklyn and Lexi

 Jackson, Brooklyn, Lexi, Parker, and Reese

I love all of Brooklyn's little friends.  And I love these kids mom's even more.

Midwestern had their annual Halloween carnival/trick-or-treating for students and their families.  The kids got to go to each building collecting candy.

They had lots of fun little games the kids could play.

 We walked around with our good friends Jon and Mandy and their kids Reese and Jensen.

This picture is hard to see, but it is a hand.  The girls reached in to get some candy and it started moving...their reactions were hilarious!

Gracie, Parker, Brooklyn, and Reese

We went to a pumpkin patch the Saturday before Halloween with Jon and Mandy.  The guys had been studying all week long, prepping for finals, and were able to take a break for awhile.  It was pretty crowded, but we made our way around and saw most everything.  They had different animals that the kids could pet...both girls had about the same reaction...trying to be brave and pretending they were so excited, but secretly a little scared too.

duck races with the Dad's

Reese and Brooklyn

These were big pits full of corn that the kids could play in...pretty dirty, but they had fun.

After we stopped at Firehouse Subs for dinner..yum!  The girls looked cute in their fireman hats.

On actual Halloween night, John was gone studying and the kids and I just stayed home and passed out candy.  I was debating on taking them trick-or-treating, but they had already been three times (Worland, at Midwestern, and our ward's trunk or treat) and we had so much candy that I didn't want anymore in our house.  I was handing out handfuls to the few kids that came to our door.  I doubt we'll be able to get away with that next year, but nice to have one more year (we didn't go last year either because they were sick) of staying home!