Halloween Happennings

The Pumpkin Patch

This year we thought we would try a new "patch". It turned out to be someone's 1/2 acre pumpkin patch. We almost turned around and left for the big pumpkin patch, but the girls seemed excited. They got to pick a pumpkin, go on a "hayride", jump on a bouncy, and decorate little pumpkins! They were in heaven!

The Halloween Party

Each summer I let the girls throw a pool party. (Sh! Don't let the girls know you are really supposed to have a pool at a pool party. We just invite friends, run through the sprinklers, play in the kiddie pool, have popsicles, and whola.. a pool party!) But because I was a little preoccupied in July, I let them throw a Halloween Party instead! Homemade pizzas, games, candy, friends! What more could 4 little girls ask for?

The Mummy Game

Pumpkin Bowling

Donut On a String - AKA Huge Mess on the Garage Floor

Halloween

Cody dressed as his Dad! He got to stay in the comforts of the nice warm house and pass out candy with Dad and watch football.

My medieval princess and my little princess fairy. I don't like taking Brooke's picture with makeup, because she looks too old!! Hailey, the princess, enjoyed trick or treating for about 15 minutes then wanted to go home because it was too hard to do all of that walking!

Leah, My Little Clown, could have trick or treated the night away if I would have let her. She literally was running from house to house with the rest of us trailing behind. Whenever she got an extra second she was digging through her pail to find some more sugar!!

Aubrey, My Hannah Montana

She loves Hannah and is beginning to write her own lyrics for songs. We'll let you know when she makes us rich and famous!

THE SUGAR FIX

The Pumpkin Carving

You might be thinking I have my events out of order. Nope, we didn't carve til the Monday after Halloween! The girls still had a fantastic time!

He's Growing Too Fast!!

His Blessing Day

Girls Trip to California

I didn't know many of my cousins very well growing up. Most of them lived in the Seattle area and we saw them maybe once every 3 or 4 years or were much older than me. But our cousin Julie was right in between my sister and I in age and was a blast!! She would come up to Stanley in the summer and we would raid our store (not a good idea to have a convenience store accessible to 12 and 13 year old girls!), take over a motel room, and party, dance, eat, and laugh all night long. Oh, the memories!!

So, when we got her wedding announcement it was a done deal. Girl trip to California! Just Cody and I loaded a plane for a little getaway! And he was an angelic baby. Sleeping, happy, and soo cute!!


It was a full weekend wedding in Laguna Beach. Beach time! (About 15 years ago I had a reporter from the NYT on one of my rafting trips. She was a single gal and told me she took a picture of her toes on her trips. I always thought that was a little wierd, but now I love it. You can be having a bad hair day and still remember the moment!) I was a little sad knowing how much fun my kids would have had at that beach.
I just love my mom's cute hat!


We ate a lot of yummy food,(except for the creepy KFC next to our hotel!) caught up with our cousins, had fun sister time, and celebrated Paula Jean's birthday (unfortunately Cody suffered from the death by chocolate cake!)

And now overload of wedding photos! I always wondered if I would enjoy taking wedding pictures. I think it would be a blast! Of course, she had 3 photographers and two wedding coordinators, so I was just enjoying a few fun shots.








My girls wanted me to bring back shells for them. Well, there aren't any great shells on Laguna Beach, so I brought them back the chocolate version.




Next time hopefully Ginger, Camille, and Tendra can make the trip too! Um... I'm thinking maybe cruise?!?

Back to Normal?!

People often ask, "Is life back to normal?" You know my sense of normal has changed. My mom used to say,"After 5 kids your life is chaos so you might as well have 5 more." Um, that's ok! But yes 5 has been a lot to adjust to.
I was doing great when Cody was about 2 weeks and then

WHAM!

School started



A minor surgery! (It's kind of been the never ending pregnancy.)
Laundry!

The stomach flu went through the family. Of course I got it while Justin was on the annual Men's Hike in Stanley.

Laundry! Oops did I already mention that. Justin's truck dies! (The engine is ruined. Just a minor problem)

Hunting Season begins. Justin is trying to be real good this year!

Keeping up with the homework, piano, reading, shopping, and the house. And the laundry! (Did I say that again!)

Then, there are the things that you can't see. The things that really matter. Am I paying enough attention to Leah? Am I reading enough with Hailey? Is Aubrey adjusting well enough to the new school? How is Brooke really doing?

As you can see I was a feeling a little overwhelmed! I remember my mom telling me a story about when she was sitting by Sister Clark in RS. I grew up with the Clark family in Arizona. And I think Sister Clark is about the sweetest lady I had ever met. Her husband was the Bishop during my HS years and they had 7 children, 5 boys and 2 girls. Well, they were sitting next to each other when another lady said to Sister Clark, "You are so lucky to have wonderful children!" After the lady left, Sister Clark leaned over to my mom and said, "I don't remember any luck, just a lot of hard work!" So, there you have it! It takes work!



Well, it's taking some adjustements and work, but I think I am back to "normal". Thank goodness Cody is starting to sleep until 4:30!! Yeah!! Ginger had a fantastic idea to deep clean each other's homes for an hour once a week. So, I don't have to feel guilty about the dirt in the window sills and the fingerprints on my walls. The girls are finally in a morning routine! We sold Justin's truck "as is". (Now on to the new adventure of purchasing another!) And the laundry, well it's still there!

Makes Me Laugh

Leah trying a fresh tomato!




My modeling ability! My sister wanted to take some shots of Cody and I! She would try to prompt me.. "Look out the window...um you have the crazy lip thing going on." "Just look down at him....alright never mind that pose.." This went on and on. Yeah, a career in modeling doesn't look like it will be in my future! She probably took 30 plus pictures and this is about the only one that I didn't have some crazy look in!


The lady at McDonald's today who ordered a Diet Coke and an ice cream cone.

Hailey's concerned look in this picture while kokanee fishing Monday night.




So, Brooke and Aubrey went exploring the creek having a fantastic time until Brooke slipped on a rock! You would think a mother would quickly come to the aid of her poor child. But what did this mother do... take a picture!


Our frequent water fights!

Who can't help but laugh at this picture!!

I am Grateful

I am grateful...

for an incredible doctor!

for all of the friends and family who showed up at my door with food and/or cleaning supplies to help me in my "limited activity" period. Or who brought books and videos for me!

for awesome Albertstons' sales!! Sorry, but last week Breyers ice cream was $0.75! I know probably not the best item to be stocking up on when you are trying to lose your pregnancy weight!

for all of the wonderful friends and family who watched my children for my gazillion doctor appointments! Thank you! Thank you!

epidurals! Even though it took two tries it was worth it!

for my mom who watched our girls, scrubbed my kitchen floor (as you can imagine it had been awhile!) made scripture case holders for them, made bread (except now I get the question everyday, "So why don't you make homemade bread Mom?" good question!), did my laundry, etc. Thank you Mom!!

friends and ward members who brought in yummy dinners and treats for my family once Cody arrived!

for four beautiful little girls who are a huge help! And a happy two year old who is coping as best she can with a life changing event!

and most importantly for a beautiful, healthy baby boy!

He's Arrived!!

Cody Hunter Thueson
July 27, 2009
7 lbs. 4 oz, 21 inches
Absolutely Perfect!