Y'all didn't know you was in Mayberry, now did ja?

Happy Halloween Folks!

We're big dresser-uppers around here- especially on Halloween!

We're also big fans of themes, so it took us a while to settle on the 'perfect' family costume,

but we finally decided on the cast of 

The Andy Griffeth Show.

Weren't sure Reese would get on board with our idea- in fact she seemed determined to flip out everytime we mentioned her character- Barney Fife- with an "I'm not a BOY!" argument,

but about a few hours before it was time to leave,

once Ryan got her dressed,

I heard her calling from the back room in a sharp, totally Barney voice,

"Andy!  Now where's my HAT, Andy?!"

That was when I really knew it was going to be as perfect as we'd hoped.

We also taught her some key Barney phrases such as

"I'm gonna write you a citation!"

"No jay-walking!"

and this little gem-

"Nip it in the bud- NIP IT!"

They were all a huge hit with the folks handing out candy.

My dear and hilarious friend Alexa was a PERFECT Little Red's Granny, 

so naturally she and Aunt Bee had to have a quick photo-op.

We decided to do a replay of last year on the hood of the car, and these two were just a riot- making each other laugh harder and harder the whole time I was snapping away.

LOVE these little monsters!

We had a blast at the Trunk or Treat with all of Reese's little friends from church and school, and came home with quite a sugar stash!

Hope your Halloween was just as great!

Raisinettes

There's just something about tiny wrinkled toes that have spent too much time in the tub...

...and a mess of wet hair paired with crooked smiles and footsie pajamas.

Despite all efforts, it just melts your heart.

Turning Two... Avengers' Style!

Can't believe our baby boy turned two!

Since Sam's birthday and the Half Marathon landed on the same day, we kept the festivities simple,

but we found that as long as there was playtime with oh-so-boyish presents, 

birthday wishes from loved ones,

and Sam got to help frost the cake 

he was one happy camper.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy!  

Can't believe how big you are, 

what a chatterbox you've become,

and how much you make us smile with that goofy grin!

Lots of love, Little Hulk!

The Saga of the Half

Well, I did it.

I ran a half marathon!

Despite nerves, 

the paranoia of sleeping through three alarms, 

coming down with the stomach flu mere days before, 

and forgetting my shoes back in Logan (I know!),

I totally did it and I had the time of my life!

It was an absolutely incredible experience,

and I'm already getting pumped for the next one.

Here I am, a bundle of nerves with a smile on my face getting ready to board the bus at 5am

Wish I could have brought my camera along, cause when we got to the drop-off point it looked like an outerspace refugee camp- people everywhere, huddled in metallic mylar blankets on the side of the road.

Finally the time came to throw off my own blanket and get ready to run.

The gun went off, and I hit it.  It was all pretty thrilling.

We ran through the dark for the first few miles, 

but it was great to get moving and warm up.

My nerves held out for a while, but by about mile 5 or so I got over it and had a BLAST!  

The scenery continued to get more and more gorgeous and I loved it all until about mile 12-

that last mile was rough and I was feeling pretty spent.

The crazy part was that I happened to glance up and see the time on 

a gas station billboard-

I was out of the canyon SOOOO much earlier than I'd planned,

and the thought occurred that my cheerleaders might not make it to the finish line in time to see me cross.

My phone was dead, so texting was out.  

Fortunately I was so psyched about beating my time I didn't worry at all, 

and sent a prayer heavenward that they'd somehow make it early.

Luckily, they did. 

I was so tired, but when I rounded that last corner and could actually see the finish line I couldn't help but sprint 

(had no idea I had that left in me!)

It.  Was.  Awesome.

So here's how it all ended-

Time: 2:12:15

10:02 min/mile

444th overall (half & full)

283rd among the ladies

79th in my age division

Then it was time for some celebration with my fan club.  There was TONS of food, but I don't think anything in my life will ever taste as good as that orange I peeled and devoured with 

shaking hands right after getting my finishers medal.

Ooh- crazy hair!

Reese came over chanting, "You won- you WON, Mommy!"

That was as good as the orange. 

Yay for Jimmy Johns...

...and awesome family who woke up early to come out and cheer me on! 

Thanks SOOO much you guys- you're seriously amazing!

 And Ry, I never could have done it all without your unbelievable support.

I love you more than I can say, Babe!

And Sam, thanks for sharing your birthday glory with me-

Oh how I love my sweet munchkins! 

 Feelin' pretty tough in my oh-so-white skin!

Lol- who cares if I'm blindingly pale-

I DID IT!

huzzah. huzzah.

Only YOU!

We found this adorable Smokey the Bear hat while shopping at DI today,

and, as soon he could tear it out of my hands (how could I even think of disinfecting at a time like this?!),

Sam plunked it on with pride.

He even insisted on wearing it in every other store we visited thereafter-

winning some adoring fans in the process as he waved, 

straight-faced,

at each of them in turn.

The rest of our day was spent trying to teach him the phrase "Only YOU!" 

It's coming along nicely.

Eyeliner

Here's my conversation with Reese this morning while I put my makeup on-

Reese: Mom, why do you color on your eyes with the pencil like that?
Me: Cause its fun and looks pretty.  Do you like it?
Reese: Yeah!  You look just like a . . . MONSTER!

For the record, she said the last word with a lot of enthusiasm, a smile, and like it was pretty much the coolest thing ever.

Just wanted to clarify.

Reese's Big Day

Well, the big day finally arrived, and now our household student tally has doubled.

Here's the proud kindergartner-

 Getting ready to head out. . . 

Lining up and waiting to file in with all her new friends.  

Sorta looks like our sweet girl got my genes here- the shortest one of the bunch!

Well, we watched her file in, and did our best to ignore the lumps in our throats

as we walked back to the car.  

I can't believe she's this old already- so grown up!  

Sure enough 2 1/2 hours passed, and there we were again outside the door.

The best moment ever?

Seeing her eyes scan the crowd and light up when she saw us, 

then the streak of lightning as she bolted into Ryan's arms. . .

Reese wasn't the only one happy to be reunited- Sam was thrilled 

to have his best buddy back safe and sound!

We're so proud of you Bug!  You're the cutest Kindergartner out there!

Sunbeam Love Triangle

Oh the neglect- and the repeated remorse that comes with slacking off in the recording of life's daily details!

Well, catching up will have to wait for tomorrow, because tonight I have to talk about my love-smitten five-year-old and an entertaining Primary love triangle.

Reese and Sam have both been ecstatic to be home, one of the main reasons being that they can play with their friends that live in our cul-de-sac once more.  There's a cute little boy that lives in the building next to us that came out to play with Reese yesterday.  I feel I should clarify that, by 'play' I mean that he rode his bike around the parking lot and on the sidewalks while Reese trotted behind giggling and calling out, "Oh Christian!  Good job- yes, just keep riding!  You can do it- Yay!"  This went on for about 15-20 minutes, both of them having a great time, before he offered his bike to her to try and she landed herself in a giant bush.  (gotta get to work on those biking skills!)  Anyway, the romance continued today and from my newly-called position on the Primary stand I had quite a view.  As a matter of fact our whole presidency did, and we couldn't stop laughing.

I should give a little background and say that Reese is the ONLY girl in junior primary, and is good friends with all the boys.  Mostly because when they show off (as boys love to do) she laughs and claps and really knows how to boost their tiny Sunbeam egos.  Well, there she was today on the back row next to Christian and she only had eyes for him.  She grabbed his hand, he pulled it away and shot her a look like she'd gone crazy.  She rested her head on his shoulder, and while he was momentarily distracted by Article of Faith Lady (just flown in from Chile to help our memorization), he came back to himself in time to shrug her smiling little face off and slide to the farthest edge of his chair.

While all of this was happening, and our presidency was desperately trying to stay reverent, the little boy in front of her, the one that tells everyone Reese is his girlfriend, was gazing starry-eyed at my baby girl, completely undeterred by her favoritism.  Sigh.


And to think I felt I would be missing out by being called out of Relief Society to serve with the kiddies.  :)

Its Daddy Day!

We weren't entirely sure the kids and I would make it up to Montana in time to spend Father's Day with Ryan when we initially dropped him off, so this Father's Day was pretty special.

Before we left Logan we had a little craft day and made these bleach t-shirts I found on Pinterest for the occasion- here's Reese's:

We celebrated with a Muffin & Melon breakfast- 
Reese was my shadow and helped with every step of the baking- she was so proud and told everyone she met that day how she helped!

Mr. Bedhead reading his cards

If I were a piece of watermelon, I would definitely be scared of this guy!

Again taking a lead from Pinterest, we tucked this little questionaire into Ry's card from the kids- 

I think it was one of his favorite gifts of the day!

Happy Father's Day Babe!

You are the most amazing dad I could wish for for our kids, and my absolute perfect man!

Thanks for being our rock, cheersquad, ray of sunshine, and lifelong supplier of German pancakes. ;)

We love you so!