Cousin Halloween Party 10/2012

These pictures show what awesome lives our kids have.  Cousins galore at grandma's house.  This isn't even half of them, but we got together with the ones in town.  This is the second year that we let Ruth, Talitha, Alexis and Julia plan the party.  These kids are so imaginative and creative!  

We did have Annie do the cupcake walk.  She loves to be in charge!

She made these by herself!! 

We celebrated Hyrum's birthday too!

Welcome to Red-Riding-Hood's home, Red Woods. 

Grandpa's wolf skin added to the ambiance. 

For her treat, she made little crescent rolls.  Delightful!

Owl Tree was Alexis' room.  

She had a tree and doughnuts hung from it!

I suddenly am craving doughnuts.  

Julia ran witch castle.  

She had the kids help her make a magic brew.  (M&M's and Whoppers)

Then they each got some!

Ruth was straight from the 80's talking in ebonics. 

She had a rousing round of musical chairs going!

Of course they had to play air-hockey. 

Thank you to our fabulous and beautiful party planners!

Asher's 2nd Birthday 10/2012

This is our cute little 2 year old!  We went to Toys R US and bought NOTHING.  He was happy. 

We spent a total of $5 on gifts and he was HAPPY!

I love the short little legs on this guy.

His favorite treat.  Funyuns.  FUNNY!

YUMMY!

Cheap-o $2 toys from Walmart.  (Lasted about three days)  He  was GIDDY!

Homemade cake lovingly prepared by sisters-with areas of no frosting for some of my picky ones.  PRICELESS.  

Kinda scary.

He liked the little candle better.  

He gets enough attention. :)

Grandma and Grandpa popped in with a few books and a story reading by  Grandpa.
To Asher this was a PERFECT birthday.  

Mini Potatoes 10/2012

When we harvested our potatoes Julia saved a couple of potatoes about the size of dimes and wanted to cook them.  These are the tiniest baked potatoes I've ever seen, complete with tiny carrot slivers and parsley, butter and salt and pepper.  Barely enough to taste.  :)

Pumpkin Harvest 10/2012

This is the pumpkin harvest of our second year of doing our shared garden.
It is SO much less expensive and fun this way!  And fun with friends. :)

Natalie and Jessica are so adorable!

We grew our own corn stalks for decoration!

Silly kiddos!

Last days of summer 10/2012

These kids are still trying to take advantage of the nice weather before it gets cold.  It takes me forever to clean our backyard each day.  Annie's imagination requires many loads such as this to satisfy.  Her siblings and our neighbors are happy to play along with whatever she's organizing!

GG's Funeral and Burial 10/2012

GG and Alexis at Shauna's Wedding 2009

I was able to fly to San Mateo to stay with my Grandpa Harrington for GG's (my mom's mother) funeral.  She was in the hospital less than two weeks and passed away.  We were so sad about it.  I love my grandma very much.  She was so loving and selfless.  She enjoyed her two daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She always sent us See's Lollipops for Valentine's Day and visited us every year until she couldn't travel anymore.  She was a reader, her favorite genre...romance novels.  I always laugh to think of it.  We'll miss her and having her presence in our home and the weekly phone calls.  Love you GG!!

The four remaining Stevens sisters.  

Going though her jewelry and trinkets.

My uncles and aunt from my grandpa's second marriage.  It was great to spend time with them, I don't see them often enough.  I wish my whole family could have come.

My Great-Grandpa and Grandmother Stevens graves.  GG was buried next to her parents.  

The hardest part was Shauna and my Mom saying goodbye.  

My mom and I stopped by a See's we were driving by on the way home because it reminded us of her.
We're missing her, but It comforts me to know that we'll see her again someday.  Little Jessica still prays for her that she'll have a big mansion in heaven and have a family.  I hope her prayers are true.  :)  GG deserves it.