Happy Halloween!

Halloween was what I call a bit eventful this year! Ours started early with Cauley's parent's ward Trunk or Treat on Wednesday night. We had a BLAST! Their ward is awesome and even though it was rainy and cold, everyone had fun playing games, riding rides, and either handing out or receiving candy. Thursday was my preschool Halloween party. It was ok in my opinion, but the most important thing was that the kids had fun. I was running around hectic (as any preschool teacher with all preschool kids, my own young ones, and all preschool kids siblings would!) trying to throw the best party possible. We ran out of time and had to cut out 3 games I had spent a lot of time preparing for, but that's the way we roll in preschool. Friday night we took my mother-in-law to our ward Trunk or Treat. The kids had fun running around with friends. Then the real Halloween went downhill. Tyli woke me up early in the morning throwing up. McKade said he didn't feel so great but was ok to go to school. Nope. I got a phone call 20 minutes after school started to come and pick him up because he had thrown up. Tyli was incredibly sick- constantly throwing up. By late afternoon both were doing a little better. That's when Halli decided to show us how much milk she had drank that day. Gross! Well, we decided to make the best of the holiday and dress everyone up anyways. We headed out just before dusk and McKade only got 5 houses down before he and I headed home. I sat outside on the driveway and McKade curled up in the chair next to me and slept for about 10 minutes before he got feeling better. The rest of the family trick or treated for over an hour and came home with BAGS of candy! The sweet part was Dallin and Tyli also carried a bag for McKade and explained that their brother was home sick but they were trick or treating for him. He got plenty! I wish I could say that was the end of the sickness, but almost a week later we are still battling it here at our house!

The costumes this year were very simple yet fun. Tyli was a cheerleader-again. Halli was a fairy princess (handed down from Tyli) for Wednesday and Thursday's activities and a lady bug for the rest. (One someone had given my mother-in-law.) Dallin and McKade were both homemade ninjas. We learned how to make their masks out of a t-shirt for Family Home Evening. Dallin used the red power ranger suit and McKade's shirt was made by Cauley. I was a witch and Cauley was Guy Fieri from Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives or from Minute to Win It. My mom had sent him the wig.

pretending to be on top of a cheer stunt

Oh yes, I forgot- Cauley also made the boys swords out of paper and ninja stars too!

The awesome ninja shirt Cauley made McKade

Check out those antennas! Those were a last minute effort from me to get them to stick up. Just piggies, red sparkly pipe cleaners, and some black spray hair paint in the tips. She wouldn't hold still for even a second so Dallin was trying to help by holding her hand.



Nice witch?

What you can't see is the big watch, and him holding tongs.

Putting our animals back where they belong!

The Cauley Clark Family waiting outside for others to arrive.

Fall Break! Kathy, my mother-in-law decided to do something fun and take all of the grand kids to the Tuscon zoo our last Saturday of Fall Break. We loaded up pretty early, drove down South a ways, and met up with the rest of the Clark Family. (minus Jeff and Jaclyn who are in Utah- WE MISS YOU GUYS!) After a bit everyone showed up safe and sound.

Peacock Tyli

Oh brother(s)!

The snake my kids touched. There was also a skink we got to touch and learn about.

Dallin loves posing in trees!

 We really had a great time! Some of the favorites of the day were seeing the 3 baby lion cubs that are almost 3 months old running around and playing right in front of us, their protective mamma who came right up to the glass to check out who was looking at her babies, the crazy monkey that swung around over and over again (which I have video of, but for some reason, it isn't loading right), seeing a real elephants tooth, and the little alligator guy.

After we finished at the zoo, we ate lunch outside and then headed over to feed the ducks. We all had a good laugh at the sign we saw as we were leaving from feeding the ducks. (last picture.)

Dallin Earns His Wolf!

Getting ready to "WOLF IT!" (can you tell he's a little excited?)

When Dallin turned 8 years old the end of June, he got to join the Cub Scout of America. He really loves it and having the interaction with a lot of other boys his age. He has worked hard and he earned his bobcat badge within the 1st month (no  pictures because I was sick and missed that pack meeting) and then in October he received his Wolf Badge that he had earned. His favorite things he did to earn this award were making a bird house, and playing a game he made up with the family.

This Pack Meeting was also our Rain Gutter Regatta. Cauley helped Dallin just a little with his boat, but the design and paint ideas were Dallin's. He raced twice, winning both. Here is a video of his first race. (Cauley had to leave to reff the Powder Puff game at Higley so he didn't get to see any of the races.)