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!!