Happy Halloween

Could I have had harsher lighting to take this year's Halloween picture? Austin was rockin' the gangsta Martian look while Caitlin was a Cheetah Girl.Austin & his buddies getting ready to head out for some power trick-or-treating.
We were at a party next door and they brought their fireplace out front - this was "treat central." Caitlin stepped in and gave us a break from dispensing candy.
This was the scene the night before Halloween with pumpkins all over the kitchen. (See the results in the next post.)

Pumpkin Gallery

Every year, it seems like we carve more and more pumpkins. Although the ratio is getting better - the kids are carving more than the parents now. Here are a few from this year.

We were at our next door neighbor's house for a Halloween party, so I tried to head trick-or-treaters off at the pass with this pumpkin.Every year, I have to do a Bronco pumpkin (even though they lost this week). I had a long skinny pumpkin that wouldn't stand up so I carved this one on it's side.
The top pumpkin is Austin's and the bottom two were hand-crafted by Caitlin.One of Austin's creations.
Austin carved this one at his Grandma's house yesterday. Before we put the candle inside, I wasnn't quite sure what it was, but it turned out pretty darn good! Austin does his Yankee's pumpkin every year and the cat was by Caitlin.

Hannah Montana

When I bought the Hannah Montana tickets, I was a little sick to my stomach at spending as much as I did, but I have to admit - it was pretty darn good! It was fun to sing along to all the songs with Caitlin (and watch Austin trying not to look like he was having too much fun - but we caught him groovin'). The Jonas Brothers (Jo-Bros) were great too. They did the opening, then they came out to sing with Hannah (below) and they played while she changed into "Miley." As an added bonus, we spotted the kids who play Jackson, Lilly & Oliver on her tv show in the audience.

This is outside the arena before we went in (quite the party out there).There were mobs of people around the "Miley" party bus.
I found out this morning that my cousins Tracy & Tami were going with their girls, so we met up with them before the concert. I can't believe how much the girls are growing up!
Practicing checking out the Jo-Bros with the binocs. You know you're a sucker when the stuffed animal gets a Hannah Montana T-shirt too.

Today's the Day!

Mom, Austin & Caitlin are going to see Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus & the Jonas Brothers today! Dad is out of luck (he doesn't know all the words to every song like we do).

Flashback Friday

Our flashback takes us back to the year 2000. I can barely remember when Catie & Jaedon were small enough to be pea pods! I can also barely remember when Austin would actually smile when I took his picture! He was a very cute Woody (from Toy Story) - that costume got a lot of use later on from Caitlin.

Pumpkin Time...

Every year, we head to one of the last pieces of farmland in South Jordan to pick out our pumpkins for the year. I like this pumpkin patch because the kids that live on this farm run it (sometimes the oldest person working is 12 years old). This year, Austin & Caitlin were pretty quick and decisive in the picking process (maybe it was because it was over 40 degrees for the first time in 3 years).

Brian's going to have fun prepping all these pumpkins!

There is a parking lot full of antique tractors right next to the corn maze.

This is a Minneapolis Moline tractor.

They have a "parking only" sign in front of each tractor with the make of the tractor.

Yes, the kids are allowed to wear Broncos gear this week (its much easier to do when Denver wins). Brian came home from Denver yesterday with new apparel for the kids. As we were driving through the desert on our way home from Las Vegas, he texted the picture below telling us "wish you were here." We definitely wished we were there too!

What Happens in Vegas...

...gets posted on a blog! We had a great time in Las Vegas last weekend. We all went to Brett's retirement ceremony at Creech Air Force Base. Then it was play, play, play. The kids didn't stop playing until the wee hours each night. Austin & Caitlin had a tough time getting up this morning to go back to school (they were still on Pacific play time). A great time was had by all!

Call me crazy, but that's an awfully young retiree! After 19 years, Brett retired from the Air Force.
The guitar goddess Mattie! She showed us all how she rocks (work that hair!).

The children performed various trampoline rituals. It was all very "survivor"-esque. I think this one was Austin's immunity challenge.

The girls doing their best bat impressions for Halloween.

Avery & Caitlin showing they have perfected the "blue steel" look.

You can see the Las Vegas strip in the background - this is about as close as we got to it.
Could it be possible that all our eyes are open?

The motley crew (Mattie, Austin, TJ, Trevor, Avery, Jaedon, Caitlin & Devyn)!