Thursday, October 30, 2008

Goulish Grub and a Renegade Photo Shoot

On Monday after family night, we decorated some putrid looking cookies. I was going to take some pictures of them but the cookies were eaten as fast as they were decorated.

Licking frosting while simultaneously pouring sprinkles takes big time concentration.

I really should have done the bath and jammies after the cookie escapade. At least she had sweet dreams!

Even 11 year olds dig a cookie decorating date once in awhile.

Hubby giving us all a clinic on proper frosting techniques. The ratio of frosting to cookie must be no less than 100:1.

Tonight, thanks to a great idea from awesome Super Mom Kelli, I decided to start a new tradition of a Frightful Feast at Halloween. Unfortunately, tomorrow is the official Hallowed Eve and we have our State Quarter Final Football game at 3pm, followed by a cRAzY night of small town trick-or-treating. I knew it would never get done. So tonight, on Hallowed Eve's Eve, we celebrated with some creepy cuisine!

We started with a "bone chilling" appetizer...

We followed it with some "monster finger" foods...

We "wrapped up" the meal with our mummy pizzas...

And hydrated ourselves with some "gutsy" bug juice!

#1 wasn't so sure any of this grub was edible.

#2 couldn't wait to dig in. (And no, I do not let my children wear Under Armor's version of the wife beater and chains around their necks in public. This is his "chillin" outfit.)

#3 never could be convinced that any of it was kosher.

#4 (also in her "chillin" outfit which consists of ripping apart a super cute hairdo and throwing on a too-small tank top) tried a bite of everything just so she could get to the good part...

"Brainy" cupcakes. Yummmm.

While I was uploading our dELiciOuS photos, I came upon the following. Apparently #3 and #4 got a hold of the camera and took turns playing "diva" while their sibling worked the lens. I left these photos in the order they were taken.

"Superstar"

Nothing says "STUD" quite like an oversized pair of spider man snow boots.

"Express yourself"

"I'm coming for YOU!"

Watch out world, this chic's got some killer Kung Fu Panda moves.

A final shot with the boys...

...and girls.

All in all, not bad for a renegade photo shoot!
PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek


Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Tuesday 'Tudes

Last week we were asked to speak in sacrament meeting in November. We were given the topic of "Expressing Gratitude" and at first I thought,
"Oh, easy. Thanksgiving...gratitude...say thanks."
Of course, once I got home and really started trying to come up with a concrete direction to work in, I realized it is such a broad topic. I've already found dozens and dozens of pages of talks and quotes and ideas.
One thing that has come up over and over in LDS and Non-LDS corners alike is a
Gratitude Journal.
I know I'm probably the last person on the planet to start one of these but there's no time like the present!
So from now on...(which in my life means most of the time but not all of the time but I'll try my best) I will try to jot down some gratitude attitudes every Tuesday. Hence, my first
Tuesday 'Tude:
  • Today I am grateful that I get a total of 4 1/2 hours every Tuesday without each of my kids during some point of the day. Today I was able to gather 3 large garbage bags of all the toys they CANNOT live without and stick them in the dumpster before they had a chance to beg and plead and cry about me throwing away their favorite (never touched since they came in the McDonald's happy meal) toys.
  • I am also grateful that Tuesday is trash day and my dumpster was empty and therefore large enough to hold said garbage bags so that my kids don't see their favorite toys through the white plastic bags.
  • Lastly, I'm grateful that I get a few days off in a row in which to attack my house once in awhile. If anyone is interested, come by and see my clean (ish) house. Come quick though, it's sure to disappear as fast as it came. (kind of like an eclipse)

Monday, October 20, 2008

10 Things I Can't Live Without

Tagged by Tasha...now for the 10 things I can't live without!!!

(Please understand that these are not necessarily in order of importance. My computer at work isn't cooperating and letting me rearrange the pictures. Although the first two are where they belong, the others make me look a little superficial. It's a tag, people...don't get too carried away.)

Kids and Hubby are of course intertwined here. I've had to try and live without Hubby from time to time and I'm no good at it! He's my best friend and the best dad ever.

And of course, as much as I gripe about the kiddos, I'd be lost without them. They are the reason I laugh and cry all day long.



I do EVERYTHING on my mac. It's my email, my bill pay, my picture storage, my music holder, my direction finder, my blog provider, and holds the 300+ pages of the book I hope to someday finish writing!



This is water to me. No other explanation needed.


The Manti Temple is one of my favorite places to go. It's a reminder, a reprieve and the only place on earth I feel totally at ease.



This is the greatest set of books ever! The more I read, the more I enjoy. I take them everywhere and when I start to think I can't do it anymore, I open them up and realize I can!


My tub. It's almost as peaceful as the temple, depending on who's on the other side of the bathroom door and what they're screaming, beating up on or decimating.


My Chi. OK, maybe I could live without it if I had to, but it wouldn't be pretty. I'd look like a white Tina Turner.


Duh. Who can live without one of these nowadays? I'd like to think I could but I know I couldn't. And I wouldn't even want to try.

And of course, my BMW (Big Mormon Wagon). This is where I spend 90% of my waking hours. It's big enough for the whole fam, the dog, a Costco and Tai Pan run all at once. Someday I'll downsize but in the meantime, I really like knowing that if you run into me, chances are I'm going to win.



Now, I tag Kelly, Lisa, Boo, Cam, Summer, the other Amy, Tamber, Nanette, Nicole and Debbie (and anyone else who wants to play!)

Warm Weekend and Josh's Pics

This weekend we got to go down to Kanab for Fall Break. Hubby and #1 and #2 spent all day Friday cleaning up Great Grandma's old yard for the new buyers. The boys worked so hard and made $50 each! The weather was warm and it was A LOT of work so I wasn't sure if they would do well but they surprised us. Nothing like a little cash motivation! I had my camera in my purse all weekend and still forgot to get any good pictures!
On Saturday we went to St. George to help Brooke and Dustin finish moving into the new place. I had the really hard job of shopping at Tai Pan for cute stuff to decorate the basement wall. Bummer.
Grandpa and Grandma took the kids back to Kanab for us and Hubby and I were able to do a little shopping at the mall and grab dinner at my fave...Cafe Rio...before heading back to Kanab ourselves.
Sunday we got to visit with Great Grandpa and Grandma Leach for a little while before heading to church to make faces at Grandpa McAllister up on the stand.
The weather was beautiful all weekend and even though Hubby didn't get much of a vacation, we had a good time and it was good to go south for a bit.
Josh and Kristen spent their long weekend at Zion's while Grandma and Grandpa Shelton tended little Leah. Josh sent me a few of the incredible pictures he took. I had to brag and post them here. He's got a knack.







Thursday, October 16, 2008

DRUG FREE Wannabes and fRIdaY (wEdNEsdAy) NiGHt LIgHts!

Wednesday was Drug Free Day at school and they had a contest to see who could wear the most red. The McAllister boys took the challenge seriously. They donned their finest (PWT) red gear along with their red face paint and hair spray. They even duck taped their shoes red.

Mr. Stewart, #1's teacher, asked the class if anyone thought they could challenge #1 in the "Wear Red" day. One girl stood up and Mr. Stewart laughed and said, "Sit down...not even close." Then Mr. Heath, #2's teacher, held a vote between the top three red wearers. Apparently the other two didn't receive a single vote but #2 garnered every last hand in the class. It makes a Momma proud!


Later that afternoon the little people and I made the 4 hour drive down to San Juan for the last regular season football game. We stopped in Monticello to see my two favorite families there. We stopped at Alisa's first where #3 made fast friends with cute Ellie.

Alise and I only had an hour or so but it was worth the four hour trip to see her and meet Kooper for the first time!


Loren (#1's first love) and baby Kooper. #1 was pretty excited to see a pic of his toddler crush all grown up!


Here's #4, Jade (who's only two months older than #4), #3 and Ellie (who is two months older than #3). My kids can't wait till we can go back for another visit with their new friends.

After the quick recap session, we headed down to the game where Sumer and fam met up with us. Emmry and #4 are both the youngest and only girls with three older brothers. Look at their poses...they are two peas in a pod!! (and only 4 days apart)


Sumer with Emmry, Brayson, Austin and Gage. Austin was mortified that I would stand in front of a football crowd for a picture...all in the name of blogging, baby!


#1 and 2 were the water boys for the game. They didn't change out of their sweet red gear but did a great job keeping our team hydrated! We lost the game but because of the way other games in the region played out, we took second place in region! GO RAMS!! We get a bye this week then it's State Football. This is our best season yet...congrats, boys!

Alise and Sum- I miss living close. It was a highlight to see you and your families. We need another girls trip soon. Any good concerts headed to Chicago? Love ya!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Labor Dayin', Piano Playin', Pumpkin Weighin' Kids

Once again my pics are all backwards! I'm too lazy to mess with rearranging them once I upload them! Some of these are a little late but you know what they say...


For family night a couple of weeks ago, my brother Josh and his wife Kristen joined us with their cute little Leah at the pumpkin patch. We all took a hayride through the field and then picked the biggest pumpkins we could carry. After the hayride, the kids rode around in the kiddie train.


#3 guarding his treasures from any unforseen pumpkin bandits.


The worst picture on the post of #3 and 4 riding in the train after the sun went down.


Goofy, I mean, #1 showing off his indian corn.

Why I love this little girl...


#2 and his big ole' squash.


#1 and 2 at the corn field.


Kristen and Leah on her first trip to the patch.


Pumpkin Heaven!!!


Leah Lou Hoo hoards her gourds.


Dorkus and Leah


Josh, Kristen, Leah, #2, #3 and Hubby on the hayride.


Yummy indian corn!


"If I try hard enough, I KNOW I can unscrew this cob!"


Leah Lou Hoo with her pick.


The McAllister clan after a successful pumpkin spree.
(Check out #4...pretty proud of herself!)


For Labor Day this year, my parents came down and we all went on a hike up Bullion Canyon in Marysvale to to this awesome waterfall. Thank heavens we have Josh to tell us about all this cool stuff around here! Even granny Shelley made the treacherous hike without falling and tearing, breaking or bruising anything. We were so proud. The only bummer was missing Lisa and her family. We'll have to do it again sometime...


The little fam at the falls. It was a great day!


And last but DEFINITELY not least, #2 started piano lessons against his will last week. It's hard to get in with any local teachers and since #1 is back in guitar, #2 got the only spot. He told me on the way he wanted to quit piano. I told him you can't quit something you don't even start. After I picked him up, he was all grins telling me how awesome it was. He's even practiced every day without being asked. I'm so proud of ya, Jarr!