Carving Pumpkins

We carved pumpkins this year the day before Halloween. It was really fun. We carved the 4 pumpkins that survived from our garden. We all had so much fun doing it. It was so funny to hear the kids whine about sticking their hands in their pumpkins to clean them out. Rachel and Jacob picked the biggest ones as well. This year Rachel and Jacob both drew their faces on themselves and Rachel even carved her's out all by herself. I was very impressed with both of them. Kaelen loved helping too and loved seeing the "balls" I loved how the pumpkins turned out and how they looked on the front porch.

Another Girl

We are so excited to tell everybody that we have another little girl. Oh she is so pretty. We are so proud of her.

Rachel and Jacob were giggling in the bathroom and when they came out this is what I found. Oh and Jacob loves "boobs" so he had to have some too.

Week of October 18 -21

Sunday October 18th- Enoch was very sick today. He went to the doctors today thinking it was pnemonia but instead they said that it was the flu. Lovely. After church we went to the Heileson's to celebrate Enoch's, Carter's and Gregorie's Birthdays. We had a bonfire and they each had a cake. It was fun to be together. We all hadn't seen each other since the Oregon Coast.

Monday October 19th- Enoch was really sick today. He spent most of the day sleeping. I was able to go and run a few errands and get the rest of Enoch's birthday presents. The nice thing with Enoch home even if he is sick is that when Kaelen napped I could leave and run errands on my own. I took the kids to the dentist today and sat and waited for over an hour. They were supposed to be at the same time but a hygienist called in sick and so the same hygienist had to do their teeth. Also found out the our dentist as of January will no longer be our dentist. He is moving to Utah and opening a practice their. A little frustrated because I liked him. Oh well.

Tuesday October 20th- I am getting tired of Enoch being sick. It is hard to have him home all day and to clean the house, make dinner, do dishes and put the kids to bed. I am sure tired at the end of the day. I don't know how single parents do it. They are pretty amazing people. I watched a movie with Enoch tonight. We watched The Proposal edited from Clean Flicks. Wow they cut out a lot of stuff. It was still so good.

Wednesday October 21st-Happy Birthday Enoch. Enoch is doing a little better. Not well enough to go to work but is doing better. I ran some errands to get stuff for his birthday and then I made his cake and wrapped presents with the kids. Gloria and Chuck stopped by for a few minutes and we also had tons of phone calls and email for Enoch. You can read my Birthday post for Enoch to find out more.

Thursday October 22nd- Enoch went hack to work today. He was still pretty sick but he couldn't take more time off of work. He said that if he got up too much he would feel so sick. Poor Enoch. Rachel had her fall concert. It was fun to watch her sing. She did a great job. After her concert I had book club at our house. I love book club. I have been with the same girls for over 5 years now. They have been meeting for 7 years. There is only 6 of us now and the 5 of us who have been together the longest. It was fun. We ate and talked about the book and other things. I feel like I am getting sick now. Kaelen cried till almost 1 am. Not sure what is wrong and he still didn't sleep through the night. Hope he isn't getting sick.

Friday October 23rd- Jacob had an appointment to get his braces fixed so he was able to sleep in as well as me. After his appointment I took him back to school and talked to his teacher for an hour while the class was in music and P.E. We talked about Jacob and how he is bored with homework and in school. He is going to get 2nd grade work that he can do at home and in class if he wants. It was nice to talk to her. I ran a bunch or errands after and returned stuff that I didn't give Enoch for his birthday.

Saturday October 24th- Wow I woke up feeling so sick. Enoch did scouting for food and a little before he got home I left for Super Saturday. I spent the morning and part of the afternoon doing some fun crafts. I didn't get them all done and get to finish them next week. I went to Sam's Club today. The kids had a primary program practice and pizza party. I totally forgot that their program was tomorrow and so they quickly had to memorize their lines for it. I was so sick in the evening. I went to bed before Enoch because I was so sick. My head hurt so bad. I am getting a head cold I think. So nice.

Enoch's Birthday

Enoch turned...36 today. Wow so crazy. We had a pretty good day considering Enoch has been so sick this last week and today as well. Enoch laid around most of the day but this evening his parents stopped my to give him his gift. Well part of it. The main gift hasn't arrived yet and so he got a really nice card and chocolate. Because Enoch has been sick we weren't going to go out any more like we planned so we ordered from Carino's Italian restuarant and I went and picked it up. They now have a really great gluten free menu. It was really yummy. After dinner we opened presents and had cake. He got some awesome gifts from his kids. He got a a bunch of new shirts, a head lamp for camping, some extension cords in sizes that he needed, an awesome Boise State poster and Boise state long sleeve shirt from Rachel, and shoes from his wife. He was excited about everything. He got everything he needed as well.

Enoch's cake was by far the coolest cake that I have ever done yet. I also had so much fun making it. Enoch was so surprised when he saw it. He couldn't believe how amazing it was. I did a camping scene. I figure since he camps once a month it was really appropriate. We have so much cake left over now though so if anybody wants any please come by.

I love all the pictures. After presents and cake he tried on his shirts. Enoch and the kids started messing around doing funny poses. It was so fun and Enoch was loving it. He kept saying "what next, what next." I loved watching them mess around and getting pictures of it all.

Enoch is still sick but tons better than he was yesterday and the days before that. He is hoping to make it to work tomorrow. We'll see though. I am glad though that he was a little better for today so he could enjoy his birthday.

Happy Birthday Enoch. We love you!

Highs and Lows

So a tradition my brother's family does is highs and lows for the day. We do that in our house but not as diligently as them. Well I am going to do my highs and lows for last week. It was a crazy week and so I didn't write each day.

Week of October 11-17th

Low's
Our microwave broke. It was so awful. I didn't have a microwave for 5 months when I lived in Boise with my Dad and sister and am not sure how we did it because I was complaining after day one. It is so hard to reheat pancakes or spaghetti.

Rachel was sick. So wonderful. There were over 72 kids sick from Rachel's school in one day mine being one of them.


Highs
Had my first Scentsy open house and it was awesome. I thought that the place looked great and I had a bunch of friends and family show up.



Had achievement days on the same day as my Scentsy party. Very crazy day but I had fun with it. I had to be extra organized to have everything work out and not be stressed.

We bought a microwave. We got it for $55 less than it was only because we found it at Sears and it was not available at all and so we went to Lowe's. Well they price matched it as well as giving us an additional 10% off. It is huge. It's an above the range one. It is so big it can fit two 9x13 pans in it and it has a shelf. Also it has so many amazing features on it. So excited to get it put up.

We had our family pictures taken on Saturday by my sister. We did them in a pumpkin patch in Ririe. They turned out so well.

Went and watched Monsters vs. Aliens at Rachel's school for movie night. Loved watching Jacob laugh at the "what is your name. Susan....ooh I scared myself." That is his favorite part. I didn't once again get to watch the movie because Kaelen didn't sit. I spent the rest of the movie in the hall talking to a friend while Jacob watched the movie with her kids.

Rachel only missed 2 days of school. I was happy about that. She was so sick on Sunday and then by Wednesday as doing great. Very happy she wasn't sick longer and nobody else got sick in our house this week.

Octboer 5-October11

Monday October 5-Today I to the store in the morning. Kaelen lately lasts only a couple of minutes in the cart and wants out. I can usually put him in the main part and he is happy for a bit. I did a lot of cleaning around the house. I cleaned the basement a bit and other things. In the evening I made Butter Pecan cookies with the kids. The cookies taste like Sandies cookies. They are amazing. My new favorite cookie. I think that the kids and I ate 10 or more this evening. Sorry Enoch they aren't gluten free.

Tuesday October 6- This morning we went to the Mom and baby story time at the library. Kaelen wasn't sure what to think of all the babies. He sat on my lap the whole time and showed no face expressions at all. After went to Walmart near the river. After we called Enoch to see if he wanted to see us. We went and picked Enoch up from work and we went to Freeman park for a while. Kaelen loved running around but it was pretty cold so we didn't last too long outside. Kaelen loved seeing his Dad. He was so sad when he left. Kaelen took a nap after while I sewed some of my many unfinished projects. I got three done and while I sewed I watched BBC's 2007 Persuasion. I love that movie. In the evening after dinner we went an booed the neighbors. We left amazing Butter Pecan cookies on their doors with the note they have to hang on their door. It was really fun to watch Rachel run up to the doors, leave the stuff and run and hide. We sat in a darkened car. We love to be the first in our neighborhood to do it. We were this year again.

Wednesday October 7th- I spent most of the day on the computer. I worked on Scentsy stuff and then I started to work on my blog. I figured out Picasa (thank you Wendy) and then spent most of the time playing with that. Oh how wonderful my life is now. Blogging now has officially become a breeze. If only I could now figure out photo shop. I cleaned up the house in between but really for most of the day I spent it at the computer.

Thursday October 8th-I officially updated my blog today and that was just one of the nicest feelings. I love it. I cleaned bathrooms today and then I also read the 2nd book to The Hunger Games series. It was so amazing. I read most of the day because I read it all today. Wow what a great book. I suggest everybody take the time to read these books. The only problem now if I have to wait for who knows how long for the 3rd book to find out how it ends. I am so excited though.

Friday October 9th-I went and helped out in Jacob's class today and there was a substitute. She kept asking me things like I should know everything. I was only supposed to be there for a half hour and then ended up being their for over an hour. She wasn't the nicest teacher. I felt bad for the students. I babysat in the afternoon for a friend. I watched her 3 year old and 15 month old. Kaelen hated it. He would go up to the 15 month old and tackle her to the ground, grab any toy she had, hit her, and sit on her. She cried anytime Kaelen was near her because he would hurt her. I got a bully for a son. No Kaelen is never around kids his age and so he doesn't know how to act or even really share right now. I ran errands with Enoch today and that was nice. I enjoyed spending time with him. I bought paint to fix some chips and other spots on the wall and after i painted the walls I realized they bought me the wrong color. I was so frustrated knowing that I was going to have to go back and get it fixed and then repaint. Ahh. Oh well.

Saturday October 10th-I did a lot of errands today and didn't even get as many as I wanted too. I have decided that weekends are nice but man I hate how messy that house gets. Everybody in my house seems to get lazy on the weekends so I have to really clean up Saturday night. The house gets cleaned on Saturdays during the day but then in the evenings I have to clean it again. I got my paint taken care of and painted my walls again. Luckily all they had to do was add color to it. I finished delivering my Scentsy invitations today. I have given out for 60 invitations. I am having my party on Wednesday. I am excited. In the evening Enoch and I watched a movie after the kids were in bed. Oh yah Rachel was feeling sick in the evening and spent most of the night a sleep on the couch. Just what I don't need right now is to have sick kids.

Sunday October 11th-Rachel was really sick today so she stayed home from church. Church was really great today. When we were driving today Jacob asked if it was testimony meeting today. I told him it was. He then went on to say that he wanted to bear his testimony today. I was so surprised. He has never asked to do that. I told him that he had to do it himself. He said that he would. We really want our kids to bear their testimonies on their own with out help and do it when they are ready. After sacrament I leaned over to Jacob and told him that if he wanted to bear his testimony he should go now. He went up with Enoch. Enoch walked up with him and sat with him till it was Jacob's turn. Jacob then went up and bore his testimony all on his own. It was the most amazing thing. He spoke loud and clear. Oh it was so sweet. This is what he said. "I'd like to bear my testimony. I know the church is true. I know that I can be good in class. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen". He was amazing. It was so cute. I was so proud of him. He came back so happy and with the biggest smile on his face. Today Kaelen also went to nursery for the first official time. He wasn't too sure if it all. He didn't really want snack. He was more wanting to play with a chair. He didn't show much emotion either. Enoch and I stayed the first half and then sneaked out for the second hour. I haven't been to Relief Society in so long that I was excited to go. I guess soon after we left Kaelen realized that we were gone. He started to cry. One of the Mom's in their picked him up and he cried for a little bit and then fell asleep for the rest of the time. I knew that he was tired and would probably want to fall asleep. I was a little sad that he cried but was not surprised. I hope it doesn't take long for him to get used to nursery and actually enjoy it. He should have been going for the last month or more to get used to it. Oh well I made it through all of Relief Society and that was nice. Rachel is still feeling sick but seems to be getting better. Her throat is really sore. I hope it clears up soon. If she is sick tomorrow she will be staying home. I just don't want the rest of us to get sick. Today though was a great day. I am so proud of Jacob and so happy that Kaelen can now go to nursery. I am proud of all my kids.

Grandpa and Grandma Fisher

My parents had the chance to come and see us for a few days towards the end of August. We loved seeing them and spending time with them. We all went out with Annelise and Boyd one of the nights they were here. That was fun. One of the funnest things was to watch Grandpa on the trampoline with Kaelen and Jacob. They spent a lot of time on it playing, jumping, running around or just sitting. My boys really loved it. We also had the chance to visit Gloria and Chick (Enoch's parents) with my parents. My parents love Enoch's parents and so they enjoyed visiting and spending some time together. Grandpa and Grandma Fisher also took Rachel and Jacob to a movie while they were here. The kids loved that and then they went to the park to play. We did quite a bit in the short time they were here. I wish that we could have done more though but I was so happy that they stopped by for a few days. I love seeing them only if it is for a short time. My kids really love it too. It is hard to have them live so far a way that when they do come we love every minute of it.

Ross Park

We had the chance to go to Ross Park twice this summer. We went once with Heidi and her kids. Rachael, Joseph Lindsay and Josh came the same day and we hung out with them later in the day. The second time we went with Angie and her kids, Rachael and her kids, Lindsay and Lucy, Madeline and Evie and Gloria. It was so much fun both times. Kaelen wasn't sure what he thought of it the first time. He never really wanted to get into the water. The second time we went Kaelen wouldn't get out of the water. The second time we were there the kiddie pool was contaminated twice and the kids couldn't get into the water for 45 minutes. It was so hard to keep Kaelen running into the water. Kaelen also loved stealing the lifeguards shoes and running off with them. He would put them on his feet before he ran off with them. Kaelen loved playing in the deeper water. He would also go up to the stairs and put his hands on the stairs and float. I loved playing with him and watching him in the water.

Rachel played with her cousin Hallie the second time and they would run off and we wouldn't see them for over an hour. They spent most of the time in the lazy river. They never used the tubes though they swam around on their own.

Jacob loved being with his cousins. Jacob when he would get cold would go and lay down on the cement. The first time we went to Ross Park he fell asleep on the cement. So many people would stop and look at him and make sure he was okay. He just laid there fast asleep.

The weather was so hot both times. It was really nice. We had to make sure that we put sun screen on all the time and drink lots of water. It actually didn't help completely because we all still got sun burned somewhere on us. We stayed the whole day both times as well. We were then at noon when it opened and then stayed till it closed at 8:00.

I am glad that we took the time to go this summer. I am hoping to go more next year. It is too bad that it is in Pocatello and not closer.

Ross Park

Heidi and her kids Visit

In July we were very fortunate to have Heidi, Hailey, Adam and Grace come and visit us. They drove down all by themselves from Canada. I was so impressed with Heidi. They stayed about 3 weeks. They divided their trip between our house and Noal and Wendy's house. Heidi came just before the 4th. She had heard about how amazing Idaho Falls fireworks are and wanted to be apart of it. While she and her kids were here we went to Rexburg to see Annelise and go to the splash park. Heidi also had the chance to go to the Rexburg temple. We also went to Ross park which I don't have really any pictures from that, not sure what I was thinking not taking tons of pictures. It isn't like me. This was the one thing too that we were really looking forward too and I never really took pictures. We also took the kids to the Zoo which was very fun. For the most part we just hung out. We did though get sick one day after the other. It was awful. We all had the flu on different days and then Heidi got pneumonia. Despite all of that we had a really great time. The kids loved playing together and Heidi and I loved just hanging out. I am so glad that Heidi spent the money to come and visit us and to spend all that time with us.

Happy 4th of July

At the splash park in Rexburg. We also spent money to go on the carousel and then to get cotton candy. The kids really loved this day.

The Zoo

Pendleton Oregon

Our trip to Oregon ended with us stopping in Pendleton and seeing Grandma Severe and Aunt Pam and the kids cousin Caymen. While we were there we had the opportunity to take all the kids on the tour of the Pendleton Undergrounds. Kids under the age of 6 are not allowed on the tour but because Grandma Heileson (Gloria) was taking us on the tour it was okay. To keep the kids happy we gave them all large suckers. I am not sure if that was a good thing or not. The kids were so sticky that every 20 seconds we were wiping their hands. The Pendleton underground tour is so worth seeing. You are taking underground to where the bars were during the prohibition. There was also the Chinese laundry facilities, the butchers where the best meat in town was kept, the Chinese prisons and more. It was so cool to see the glass in the sidewalks reflecting down underground and then to see the bullet holes on the ceiling. We also went up to the brothels. It was funny to hear Grandma change the wording to make sense to the kids and to not give too many details. Every year the underground does comes to life where the mannequins are replaced with real actors. I would love to be a part of that one year. We also loved seeing Great Grandma Severe and letting her see the kids. It was a really great way to end our trip in Oregon.

Picking Blueberries

Another of our favorite things that we did while we were in Oregon was picking blueberries near Madeline and Brytton's home in Albany. We went to a blueberry farm to pick them. IT was really beautiful out but we were also in the middle of a heat wave in Oregon. It was 103 degrees outside when we picked. The kids didn't last very long. After about 15 minutes they stopped and went and sat in the shade. I was sweating so bad but it was so addicting. I kept telling Enoch okay lets stop but then we would keep picking. Brytton came along with us and was so nice to sit in the hot shade and wait for us. I really appreciated him doing that. Thanks again Brytton. The blueberries we picked were large and so sweet. We picked 5 lbs. I was so sad that we didn't pick more after we got home. I froze them all and now we have blueberries to make smoothies and blueberries muffins and pancakes with. We got them for $1.25lb and oh they were so worth the price and the picking in the heat.

Gloria's Birthday in Oregon

While we were in Oregon Gloria had her birthday. Enoch and I made the cake. We thought that it would be appropriate to do something along the lines of the coast. We figured a crab would be the best. We had so much fun making the cake. It turned out great. We unfortunately forgot to bring candles and so the only thing we found was one big one. So Gloria got to blow out her one big candle on her cake. The kids all loved sitting around her while she got her cake and and then opened her gift from her whole family. Happy Birthday Gloria we love you.