General Conference

Well...what a great General Conference weekend.  (True confession...we didn't manage a "King Benjamin" tent...but that's probably safer considering what happened to the last "King Benjamin" item we constructed.)

Two things I remember being General Conference traditions when I was a child are:

Pulling out my brother John's old gray shoe box full of Lego's, and building while we listen.  So fun to have my three "boys" sit around the table "constructing" together this weekend.

Making "Conference Treats".

We'd roll mini marshmallows in butter and then a cinnamon/sugar mixture.  Then we'd flatten tube biscuits into little pancakes, place 8-9 marshmallows in the center of each, and gather then sides up...hiding the marshmallows in the center.  We'd them dip the pinched end in butter and put them in a muffin tin to bake. 

Magically while cooking, the marshmallows disappear and leave a gooey sweet "empty" roll behind.  They're still as good as I remember!  And the "magic" fun to pass on to the next generation.  =)

So Much Fun...We Had to Try Another

Monster Rap

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Our Monster Mash!

We've had a crazy week!  See the evidence below!  (You'll want to turn off the music at the bottom of the blog before you push play.)

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October "Falling Leaf" Tree

I was checking one of my favorite blogs and saw this fun idea for making fall leaves from melted crayon shavings and waxed paper.  We decided to try our own.  Some are hanging from the ceiling and get especially exciting when the heater turns on and the air blows them around.

I also read an idea in a "bulletin board" book that suggested making a tree with 31 leaves...and having one leaf "fall" (and get re-placed on the "ground" below) for each day of October.  We made our tree from a brown paper bag.  It has little branches so that as the leaves disappear it will look like the "bare" tree it's supposed to be.  =) 

Autumn--Knocking at Our Door

Winter is an etching,

Spring a watercolor,

Summer an oil painting and

Autumn a mosaic of them all.

~Stanley Horowitz~

(Beautiful fall creeping in on the street where we live.)

In Her Monkey Suit

When Elizabeth saw this outfit today she started saying "EEE! OOO!" and scratching under her arms. This girl loves monkeys! It's no wonder a bit of animal print had her convinced she was one!

Can a face get sweeter than this?!

 The knowing look in her eyes is becoming more clear each day...and it means only one thing...

Mischief!!

Under Dog!

Summer Summary

Nathan was asked early on in school to create a t-shirt of something he did this summer.  I just love that our great trip out West (that I've agonized for months over how to properly "record") my 6 year-old has managed to document so well in one darling drawing!  (The spelling is my favorite!)

Science Museum Adventure

Our library has "museum passes" you can check out that get you in free a several great local spots.  Nathan had the day off of school on Friday, so we decided to go on a little "adventure".

 The T-Rex and the Chicken (?)

Digging for bones

 Curiosity and a determination to learn come in all sizes!

 Nathan loves to play with his Webkin -- Slink.  (A pet on the computer.)  One of the games he loves to play is a "Gem Hunt".  He's got a collection of amazing gems on the computer...and somehow it made the gem collection at the museum the most exciting exhibit of the day!  (Who'd have guessed?!)  This is Nathan by the "Glow in the Dark" (fluorescent) Gems!
 

"Tower" Take Two

Well, you saw my great attempts to take a scripture story and make it memorable.  Greg...who has been spending way too much time with 12 year-old scouts for his own good...knew that a tower's greatest potential lies in burning it!  (??)  (Coincidentally he did this on his way to scouts so he's even wearing the shirt.) 

You can tell this "lit" the curiousity and excitement of the children (I admit maybe even slightly more than my FHE).  So a grill and some Germ-X later (yes, a technique for increasing flame size by dousing frequently and liberally with the stuff...skills honed at the most recent scout overnighter) ... you get the idea.  

Try not to notice our little blue-shirted pyro-in-the-making with the biggest grin ever!  Don't we all hope he grows up to be "just like Dad"! 

JOSHUA

As Nathan started first grade all I could think about was how much we'd miss him.  But, I've quickly realized what a great opportunity this is for me to have a new buddy at home.  Joshua has always had an important place in our family...but I feel like these days I'm getting to know him in ways I haven't before.  He loves to color and write.  He loves to work!  He loves babies...not only Elizabeth but anyone else's he can talk to.  He's curious.  He's kind.  And, this boy knows how to dance!  Everyday we turn on his favorite music and work on our "new moves"!  I'm so grateful to be his mom, and this chance to connect in new ways with him!