Halloween Fun...

We love Halloween!! Here are a few pics from the fun this year. Halloween was on a Sunday this year, so we chose just to stay home from trick or treating but still welcomed our neighbors and handed out treats to people and I think the kids had just as much fun doing that! We, of course had our traditional Grandma Bell Halloween party with friends, and carved our pumpkins!

Pin the tie on the Ghost and Great Neptune of the Sea


Isaac the Dragon

Ellie the beautiful Tinkerbelle

Kelsey the Fairy Queen (with purple hair)

Cam the SWAT team guy

Carving some awesome jack o'laterns!

Isaac thought this was soo fun!

Trip to Nauvoo...

We took a beautiful trip to Nauvoo with Grandma and Grandpa Despain, and my niece Nicole and her husband Darrin. What a perfect time of year to go to Nauvoo. I'd never seen the Nauvoo Temple and I wasn't disappointed...it was amazing. The kids (except Isaac) really enjoyed the sights, especially going to Carthage Jail. Blaine and I had to take turns keeping Isaac from destroying historical artifacts and homes, but we knew that would be the case going into the trip!

Burying Grandma in the leaves...

These pictures are to priceless not to post for us to remember....the girls having a ball burying their Grandma Despain in the leaves. She's a good sport and a good Grandma!

Little blessings around the house....

I try to not get frustrated with the endless mess that 4 children bring...which is hard to do. One week I just tried to appreciate the mess....realizing someday that there will be a time for a clean house but I'll miss the "kid" days and all that comes with it....

Piles of books from all the reading that we do...

Lots of "helpers" to water the flowers (and himself)

Hard to see in this picture....but fingerprints covering those windows....

Little boy trains all over the house....

6 people = Lots of shoes....

Here's the carseat after cleaning the throw up off of it...I don't know if I'll miss that part very much.

Sinks full of dishes...

Constant art projects and crayons on the table....

Creations such as this entitled "Never Parachute" by Kelsey....

Appreciating the piles of laundry...especially those cute little socks...

Artwork and masterpieces (like this one by Ellie) being hung all over the house....

And bathrooms being magically transformed into "pony wonderlands"....

This all comes with life with four kids, along with lots of fun times and blessings and I wouldn't trade it!

Pictures say a 1,000 words....

so then this picture says it all about our Kelsey June.

Nine is just Fine!!!

Our Cameron boy turned nine yesterday! He's such a great kid. We don't know what we'd do without his easy-going, agreeable personality in our family. He is in third grade now and is just full of smarts. He has the highest reading level in the class (over 1,000!) and LOVES science stuff. Cameron is loves scouts, playing the piano,swimming,reading and playing the Wii. He has such a good big brother to everyone in our family. We love you Cameron.!!

He had a great day. It started with bacon for breakfast, presents opened before school, had McDonalds for lunch with Mom, Ellie, and Isaac at school, no jobs after school, and pizza for dinner, Scouts (where he was welcome into the Bear den), and last but not least...cake and Snickers Ice Cream. Wow! Great day.


Cameron got this cool Scorpion Lego set from Grandma D. that he put together all by himself (although its more fun with Grandma).

He got a great new bike! Thanks to Grandmas and Grandpas!!

Opening presents!

Cameron with the dragon birthday cake we made for him.

Fun cake to make!

Random pictures...

Just some random pictures too good not to post...

Isaac and his buddy Bryson enjoying popsicles.

Blaine's been out of town this weekend to Utah and he took Isaac with him....made these cute skirts and outfits for the girls since I didn't have to chase a 18 month old around!

The walkway to our front door...the flowers are so pretty! The impatients have grown so well and make it look so nice. Just makes me happy as I walk up to the door.

Isaac with his "Hat"

This kid LOVES the trampoline.