Disturbing Nightmare

I had a dream last night that Target was gone!! [gasp] Horrible, I know!! The building was all boarded up and abandoned. I literally felt as though a part of me died. I was so thankful when I woke up and realized I didn't have to shop at Walmart or Sears Grand for the rest of my life!! They have their place, but they just aren't Target!

Pumpkin Carving

We were suppose to go to Nate's parents home Monday night for dinner and pumpkin carving, but Rachel was sick so she couldn't go. Nate was so busy with the garage that he decided to stay home too, instead of taking the boys over. Rachel was in tears about missing out, so we decided to have our own little pumpkin carving party! We missed being with everyone, but we think it was a successful night all the same. Now don't think it was just happy cheerful parents and kids the whole time... there was whining, crying, a teeny tiny bit of yelling, and a few threats, but there also were lots of smiles and laughter. Nate did a great job at helping the kids carve their pumpkins and making sure no one would need stitches! Kaden is rather proud of his Ninja Turtle pumpkin. I don't blame him... it turned out great!

Party Time

On October 25th we celebrated my dad's 60th birthday and combined it with our annual Swensen Family Halloween Party! The kids all dress up and get to "break-in" their costumes before the big day. The grown-ups are suppose to dress up too, but usually only a few do. I am a witch every year. Yes, very generic, but I don't get into Halloween that much so it works for me. Nate wasn't in a dress up mood so I didn't push the issue! :)

This year we didn't play as many games as usual, but the kids had a great time with the doughnut eating contest, catching prizes in the fish pond and trick-or-treating to different rooms in the house. We also had fun singing "Happy Birthday" to Dad/Grandpa in our traditional off key, loud, obnoxious way and of course, followed up with a regular version. With all the grandkids it's getting to be quite a chorus!!

We hope Dad had a very happy birthday. We love you, Grandpa!

[Yes, Nate's eyes are crossed in the mask picture.... I am still laughing at his sister's comment!]

WARNING: Flu shots are bad

Here's a little bedtime conversation between me and Tye...


Mom: "We need to get our flu shots soon!!" :) :) :)
Tye: "Doze awh bad!"
Mom: "Why are they bad?"
Tye: "Cause when widdo kids get shots dey kwhy!"

A Little Bit of Our Everyday Life

Nate says she must feel "vertically challenged" so climbing up on the table is how she copes! Oh-- and the dirty face... that's just how we roll!

This is what happens when everyone else goes inside, but forgets Tye is still out there! Another dirty face!

Falling asleep at the table. Pulling scrunched up faces. Playing a little Rock Band. Check, check, check!!!

"Mom, look what I can do." "Mom, watch me." "Mom!" "Mom!" "Mom!" [She's getting quite good at it, though.]

Here's that "vertical challenge" again! Whoops! The drawer shut and I just keep taking pictures... What kind of mother am I??? [You don't have to answer that. I would prefer that you not, actually!!]

Garage Progress

Nate was very busy last weekend framing the garage. His cousin, Chad helped him all day Friday. Hopefully it will be done by Thanksgiving... that's our goal, anyway!

Rachel and Kaden have been VERY good helpers. They helped sweep dirt out of the drive way for a couple hours on Saturday!! It was a BIG mess, but with their help we were able to get the majority of it cleaned up. We had dirt up our noses, in our eyes, between our toes, in our ears... well, you get the picture!! We caused a minor "dirt cloud" to hover over our neighborhood for a while. Hopefully no one had just washed their car!

Hayride

We took the kids to South Ridge Farms for some Fall fun last Saturday! We went on a hayride out to the pumpkin field and picked our own pumpkins. The original rule was that the kids had to be able to carry it themselves to get it, but that didn't last very long! Nate and I ended up with our arms full with pumpkins and a toddler. Kaden chose a green pumpkin so he can carve a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle... way to think outside the box, Kaden! Anyway, when we got back to the Red Barn (which is a little country store with yummy homemade food and some cute little nick nacks) we bought some ice cream and apple cider donuts for lunch... Yum!! WHAT?! Ice cream and donuts for lunch? Hey, we like to live on the edge around here!! We had so much fun! I think it's something we'll do every year. [Thanks Laura for telling me about this place!]

Scarecrow Festival

We went to the Scarecrow Festival last Thursday. Fall Break had started and the kids needed something to do since school was out. We had a fun time along with Shelly, Debbie and Janice and their kids. The kids enjoyed the blow-up slides and obstacle courses. Then we went on to kiddie games and pedal cars. I actually had to push the cars through the course for my kids because their legs weren't long enough... talk about a workout. Whew!! Then mine and Janice's kids sat in the Highway Patrol helicopter. Tye was being a bit hesitant, then asked me, "Will they bring me back?" I actually hated bursting his bubble having to tell him he wasn't going for a ride! Then it was off to the races... no not really, but they rode the ponies and we finished the day with face paintings. I only had enough money left to let Rachel and Kaden do it. Tye told me he didn't even want his face painted, but when we were leaving his Aunts asked him why he didn't get his face painted like his brother and sister. He said (with a BIG frown, I might add), "My mom didn't have enough money for me." Oh my-- break your heart! I was about ready to scrounge through my wallet and find $2 in pennies for the poor child. It turns out he really wasn't as heart broken as it seemed... Thank goodness!

KIDS + FUN = SUCCESS!

Girls Day Out

I had a fun Saturday out with my sisters and mom. Normally we would try to get away for a few days, but this time we had to settle for just one full day. We went to lunch and did some shopping in Park City. That evening we went to Gardner Village and watched a little musical called Witch-A-Palooza! It was fun to get away from the Saturday work that always seems to be looming. We missed Marci being with us, but she had a good excuse... a 5 lb. 15 oz. bundle of joy!!

Thanks girls!


I'm not quite sure what face I'm pulling here. (I'm the one on the right if anyone is confused.) Maybe I'm just a "witchy woman"! YOU know what I'm talking about... we all have a "special" personality that escapes every now-and-then!!

Motorcycles, Football, Bullwinkle, a Prophet, Towels and Family

What do they all have in common? This past weekend! It was full of fun, fall, and I even accomplished a couple things! Yay for me!! I am going to say my weekend started on Thursday because that's when the fun started...



Nate and I rode the Alpine Loop to see the autumn leaves. Oh my!! They were incredible! (Thanks to my sister, Debbie who watched Tye and Haley so we could take off for a couple hours while Rachel and Kaden were in school.)


We even saw a moose. He crossed the road right in front of us and ran up this hill. Why when I see a cool animal my camera isn't readily available??? Oh, I had it around my neck, but it had shut down!! So by the time I realized it didn't take a picture, Bullwinkle was gone! One of these days I'll get a great shot of something awesome, just you wait!



Friday they poured the footings for the garage. Not that I or you really care about that, but it's all happening so fast that it really is kind of cool.

[We forgot to take a picture while we were there... but here are our tickets!]

But the best part of Friday was going to the BYU football game in Logan. Nate and I went with Shelly, Ryan, PJ and Peyton (my sister, bro-in-laws and nephew). Nate and I got stuck in a human traffic jam trying to get to the bathrooms, concessions and then back to our seats... it took at least 30 minutes! My hair ended up in some guy's salad. I think it had ranch dressing! I told Nate he could lick my hair if he got really hungry since we never even got any food!! I also ran into my cousin, Lance from Idaho. Now, the game was a bit lack-luster (to say the least), but it was still a lot of fun and we won so that's all that really matters!!! (Thanks to Scott and Jamie for watching all our kids and even putting them to bed for us!)



Then of course, on Saturday gerneral conference started. It's always so uplifting! Gotta love it! The kids and I went to my parents house and were able to spend time with my mom while Nate was helping some relatives move. What a man!! Gotta love him, too!



During the priesthood session I usually go to my in-laws house to hang out or work on a project. Then we have banana splits when all the guys get back. This year I went over there and finally finished some towels I needed embroidered. I had finished the girl's towels months ago and decided this was my chance to get the boy's towels done. Yay!! (Thank you Mary and Julie for your help!) My plan is to replace my towel rod with hooks and I'm going to sew a loop onto the towels so we can just hang them easily without them falling to the floor. I get soooo tired of picking towels up off the floor and/or straightening them every time someone uses the bathroom. If this doesn't solve my problem then, then.... I might just cry!

We ended the weekend with our monthly first Sunday dinner with Nate's family. We always enjoy being with our families and are grateful we live so close to most everyone. I hope you all had a great weekend. What did you do???

The Point of No Return

Nate decided we need a 3rd car garage. Why we didn't originally build it, we may never know... oh wait, I think a "budget" may have played a factor!! Those silly budgets always get in the way of our dreams! Ok, I'm done with the sarcasm (actually, probably not!). This morning Nate used a concrete saw [and I helped by running water on it :)] to cut the cement seams so the excavator could break up two slabs and haul them away. We had to tear down the fence and gate. Our poor dog is locked in his kennel for an undisclosed amount of time. (He likes to run away and never return! Are we horrible owners??) They will also be digging for the footings today and my life may never be the same! The new garage will cover my laundry room window, but I will live. I keep telling Nate how I want to add on and remodel our family room/kitchen. He just smiles at me, but I know he's thinking what did I marry??? He just lets me dream. Dang those budgets!! He says I just need a new house (which isn't happening because I don't want to move and he isn't serious). I grew up with my dad always remodeling so to me that's just what you do. My mom would probably say to just build a new house to save yourself the headache of living in a construction zone!

Anyway, Nate will soon have a safe place to park his motorcycle. I think that is the whole reason for this addition!!! The kids haven't been the most careful with his Harley when they drive their little Power Wheels car into the garage. There may have been a little fender bender... no one will really say what happened, but for all we know it could've been Nate who did it. He's been known to back into trees!! Our Tahoe still has a dented bumper... does he care about that??? Nnnnnooooooooooo! In all seriousness, it will be nice to have some more space for all the things we are cramming into our garage now. Wish us... ok fine, wish NATE luck! He really will deserve all the credit.

[p.s. We know it was our kids who dented the motorcycle fender and our dented Tahoe bumper was actually already dented from a hit and run. Nate just made it worse with a tree!! He really is a great driver.]

Does it have sugar?

Mom: Tye, which cereal do you want?
Tye: Which one has sugar?
Mom: They both have some sugar.
Tye: Does that one have sugar? (pointing to the Cheerios)
Mom: Yes. It has a little sugar.
Tye: Does that one have A LOT of sugar? (pointing to the Honeycomb)
Mom: Yes. That one has a lot of sugar.
Tye: I want THAT one!!

Oh brother! Apparently I need to stress the importance of whole grains, vitamins, minerals and such. I guess I could stop buying sugary cereal, but then they probably wouldn't eat anything! It's fortified!! That's what I'll tell myself. Yep- I feel better already!