Fall Break

 We stayed home for a break for once! I tried to have a few fun things for the kids to do on a tight budget. And I really enjoyed having the kids home. We stayed around the house; the kids did their chores and we played the rest of the day. We baked and decorated cookies, and delivered them to some neighbors. We watch Halloween movies, had a sleep out, played board games and Hide-n-Seek. We played football in the front yard, went bowling and ate milkshakes, visited Dad at work, explored the Planetarium, and had lunch at Costco. We did quite a bit, but it felt lowkey and not stressful and enjoyable. 

Zander worked on painting and putting together a model ship from Grandpa Washburn while everyone else helped Dad make scones. We had Navajo tacos for dinner. Zander said it's his new favorite meal and wants it for his birthday dinner.

We visited Dad at his office. The kids wanted to see what it looked like. Then we walked to the Clark Planetarium.

Practicing their inner weatherman skills.

Capitol Field Trip With Lucas

 I got to chaperone Lucas' capitol field trip this year. He is such a hoot when he gets together with his friends. There were SO many other schools there at the same time. It was ridiculous trying to find parking. I actually had to park up the hill almost a mile away from the building. The building was so full and loud, it was hard to hear our tour guide. But Lucas had a great time; we learned a lot and we also got to sit in the chairs of the House of Representatives. The House Speaker Mike Shultz came in and talked to the kids and answered a few questions. Lucas got picked on and asked him, "Can you make a law that prevents parents from controlling their kids' lives and telling them what to do?" and Mike just busted up laughing and said that was a great question and one that he probably would've asked at that same age. But he told Lucas no, they actually do the exact opposite and try to let parents have as much control over their kids as they can. 

We have new hockey team here in Utah and we are having trouble deciding on a name. One kid asked what they new name would be. I think they had like 4 names that the public could vote on, but we voted in class between the Utah Blizzards or the Utah Yetis. Lucas and I voted for the Blizzards and Blizzards won, so he said he would tell the head person in charge that the 4th grade Bluffridge Elementary kids voted for Blizzards.

Lunch time came....and went for Lucas. He ended up getting a bloody nose on the way to lunch, so we spent the majority of the time in the bathroom trying to get the bleeding under control. By the time we did Lucas only had 5 minutes to eat, so he had to eat as we walked across the street to the Pioneer Museum. I love that I got to spend time Lucas in his class and that he had such a great time.

We found Yoda in the marble wall!

Isaac, Lucas, Ollie, and Eli

Witches Night Out

 I could not decide on how I wanted to dress up as this year. I had my heart set on Yzma from Emperor's New Groove, but I couldn't make the dress work with me. So I had to scrap that idea and figure something else out. I eventually settled on Lady Glitter Sparkles from Trolls. My costume literally came hours before I was supposed to leave, so I threw everything together very last minute. I barely had time to take a picture before I left because I was late picking everyone up. But I got to go with my dance group friends this year, and they were so fun to be with! We danced all night long and had to make some tik toks afterwards just for fun. I got home after 12:30 and still had to shower to get all the colored hair spray out of my hair. But sadly, they announced that this will be their last year doing witches night out. This lady has been putting it on for 7 years and just needs a break, so I'm really glad I didn't miss out this year.

Washington D.C.

 I got to go to Washington DC last week with Stephen for a quick day trip. Stephen was receiving an award for his involvement in the Kingston case a few years ago. This case is the biggest case of tax fraud in US history. They defrauded the government out of half a billion dollars. I wanted to go to support Stephen in his accomplishment and experience DC at the same time because who knows when I'll ever get another chance. So we spent one day walking over 8 miles (some of which were in high heels) walking around the  National Mall looking at all the monuments. I was only able to choose one museum to see, so we went to the American History Museum and it did not disappoint. It was so fun being with Stephen that day. 

His award ceremony was held in the Treasury Building in the cash room. The inside of these federal buildings are so neat--so ornate and old and wonderful. It was such a treat to be able to be a part of this experience. We also had dinner with the rest of his team, so it was fun to have a mini reunion of sorts and catch up on everyone's lives.

Congratulations Stephen!

Random Moments

 Hannah wanted to try and curl her hair, so I put pillow curlers in after her bath. They turned out so cute! But they didn't stay in very well because her hair is so straight. It gave her a whole new look.

A few weeks ago Stephen and I participated in a progressive dinner in our neighborhood, and because we were going to be close by we decided to give Zander a trial run at babysitting. We left Stephen's phone at home; we were gone for 2.5 hours. When we came home all the lights were off except for in the kitchen. I had expected to find the kids on the computer or on the Nintendo downstairs, but it was completely silent. As I walked downstairs I saw that not even the tv was on and there were no kids to be found. I panicked for a few quick seconds until I rounded the corner and went into Grayson's room to find Zander and Lucas reading Grayson a bedtime story and tucking him in. Zander then explained that they had already read to Hannah and tucked her into bed. What a sight. They did really well and followed all the rules. I wasn't expecting the boys to put the littles to bed, but they went above and beyond and the littles actually listened to them. I was so proud. I love my little bunch! 

Look at my cute mom and dad!

"Pwetty pwease, can I have deez Moooom?" Look at his little lip, haha.