Halloween Fun

Daniel

Noah



We have had a great time with Halloween this year. At first our goal was to win a prize for the best costumes at the Ward Trunk or Treat Party. In reality it turned out that we were just trying to wear some unique costumes. I did some research at the library and found some great ideas. Daniel wanted to be a Knight and we found a cheap and way to accomplish that. Noah wanted to be an octupus, but I was running out of time, growing frustrated that it wasn't turning out, and ran out of energy to get it done. Noah decided he could handle being a knight as well. The boys had fun looking at dragons and coming up with their shield designs. We found the cutest idea for Jodi and went with it- a hot air balloon. She turned out so adorable and YEAH! Jodi won FIRST PLACE at the party. She was so happy even though she was freezing (I know it's AZ) and soooo tired. She even threw her arms in the air and cheered for herself. She was too cute.

The kids had a blast at the party as always. We came home the proud owners of 4 fish! Now we will see how fast it takes me to kill them! We are going to the Pet store tomorrow to get them all set. Where I am going to put a fish bowl/ aquarium is still to be decided.

Noah, Daniel, and Jodi enjoyed themselves so much. Our Activities Committee really knows how to throw a party. It was fun watching the kids have so much fun playing at the carnival games and bouncing on the big Air Jumper.

The best part of this Halloween was the cost. Tin foil and card board from Hobby Lobby and tape- $14 for 2 costumes. A canvas basket at 40% off, a beach ball from Grandma, bows and streamers- $13. This was by far the most economic, creative and fun Halloween. I think we started a new tradition as the kids are already planning what we can do next year like this. So fun!!!

Happy Halloween from the Friers!

Happy Birthday Daniel!

Daniel's birthday was the 23rd. He turned 5. My little kid is growing up so fast! He has made some huge improvements. His behavior is a lot more manageable. He really has gotten easier to talk to. Just when I think he isn't paying attention to me, he surprises me.

Daniel had an awesome birthday. Dustin and I decided Daniel really needed some spoiling. With a little help from the grandparents, he had the time of his life. He has been wanting "Gorilla Island" for so long. We actually found it on the Walmart clearance isle for half off. They were discontinuing it. So we got a really good bargain. We also got him a Spirograph set. They are hard to find, but we got it and he loves it. The grandparents came through with the Batman cave and extras. I have not seen Daniel so happy and content in a long time. He shared his toys all day long with Noan and Jodi. They all had plenty to play with and there were no fights that day. Amazing!!


Daniel wanted me to make him a Batman cake. I don't have the patience or the talent to do it all "professional" with the special tips and things. I don't have the stamina either. But I did the best I could and I think the cake was a success. At least Daniel loved it.

Fall Fun

The kids had Fall break this week. We went to the zoo on Tuesday with some friends, the Caddys. The kids had so much fun being at the zoo with friends. It was so fun watching them chase each other and talk and laugh. It was exactly what my kids needed after so much time couped up in the apartment. The weather was absolutely perfect. This is when iving in AZ is fun.



I decided, totally last minute, to drive to Colorado with the kids to see Grandma and Grandpa. We left Wedensday. We enjoyed a beautiful drive through the mountains. Fall was at it's peak. The colors were so gorgeous. I didn't realize how homesick for the different seasons I was until I could see them again. Fall in my hometown of Craig is so amaxingly beautiful. I can't even describe the gratitude I felt for all of God's creations on this trip. We saw the beautiful trees in all their many colors, llamas, prairie dogs, deer, antelope, sandhill cranes, and buffalo. The kids had a blast looking out the window trying to see all the wildlife and mountains. We had fun traveling together.


We spent Thursday at my parents raking leaves and running and jumping in the piles and climbing the trees in the yard. The kids had fun playing with all of Grandma's stuffed animals. Her giant panda was a police car and the baby was the police man. The kids were spoiled by their grandparents and they soaked up every second of their love.









Friday we went to Dinosaur National Monument and the Dinosaur Field House Museum in Vernal, UT. The monument is under construction so there wasn't much to do there except hike- not exactly what my body needed after the 13 hour drive. But, the kids did get some things to doodle on for the rest of the drive to Vernal. The Field House Museum was the best dinosaur museum I have been to. They had a complete dploducus skeleton. The whole museum was completely hands on for the kids. Everywhere we looked there was something for the kids to touch or do. It was so fun. Not once were the kids bored. They had so much fun learning and remembering all the things they have learned in all the dinosaur books they have read. This museum is in a little town in UT, but it was the best museum ever. So much fun!!!












We had a great drive home on Saturday. The drive along the CO river through western Colorado was so gorgeous. The river and the fall colors was picture perfect- man I miss Colorado. We drove through Moab and stopped at Wilson's Arch just off the highway. I let the kids talk me into hiking to the top. It was fun going up, coming down was an experience. We crab walked our way down in a line so we wouldn't slip down the rocks. Going down with 3 kids was an adventure in itself! We made it down safe and sound.

I am so glad we were able to go on this trip. I learned my limitations, but I would probably do it all over again just to see the joy on my children's faces as they spent time with Grandma and Grandpa and the "other" dinosaurs. (I love you Mom and Dad). Sorry that was too funny.

We now have a couple of busy weeks ahead. We are celebrating Daniel's birthday on Saturday. We are making our Halloween costumes and getting those ready. Halloween will be so much fun this year. All of the costumes are all hand made with the kids' help. So much fun!