Halloween 2013

This Halloween was tons of fun!  First we went to a preschool Halloween party.  The kids had fun making spiders, playing games, decorating cookies, and eating snacks (all while in their costumes). Then Grandma Swensen kept an eye on Brielle, while Taylor and I headed to the school for the classroom parties, a costume parade to the new assisted living facility, and a fun elementary spook house/dance put on by the Junior High.

Taylor (Captain America) and McKenzie (A Vet)

Kenzie's first grade class!

What a fun group of kids!



Taylor had a blast joining Payton the Indian, and his class for the parade.  I think he felt like he was just another 2nd grader!  Thanks to his BIG brother who is always letting him join in.

Brotherly Love!

These kids just couldn't wait to check out the spook house.  Payton kept on laughing so hard with a few jolts here and there.  McKenzie and Taylor were a bit scared at times but in the end they thought it was great!  I was getting a kick out of it while secretly hoping none of the spook children would grab or touch me along the way.

Payton and Taylor getting their groove on!

 

Then we ate a quick dinner of pizza, salad, and chips at some friends' house( Rachel and her kids since Carson was out of town), before heading to the Community Hall for a costume contest.

Brielle the Bumble Bee.

McKenzie, Brielle, Taylor, and Payton as they were Trick-Or-Treating.

Such fun having little ones to enjoy the holidays!

Love them!

While we were walking from house to house, Mckay drove the van behind us and occasionally threw in a frozen kid here and there to warm them up (these Montana Halloweens are a bit colder then the ones in Idaho, there was even a bit of snow on the ground this year).  It was really handy!! While the die hards could keep on adding to their loot of candy and get their fill.

Brielle checking out her loot...she loves anything chocolate!

Payton had a blast and was a great sharer when he got home.

Kenzie also had a great time and sure made for a cute Vet.  This is something she says she wants to be when she grows up!  I think it would fit her love for animals well!  Although she says that being a mom is mostly what she wants to be.

If given the choice Taylor would choose a Reeses 100% of the time!  This kids loves the chocolate/peanut butter combination!  I can't blame him one bit, they are rather tasty!

Although Cheetos were a nice compliment after a sugar overload!

He had a blast! 

At one of the doors someone in costume was already sitting very still outside of the door.  It was funny that some of the kids didn't even see them and proceeded to knock on the door.  It didn't take long before they soon saw them too.  It was pretty entertaining to watch, since I knew all along someone was at the door just waiting to surprise an unaware child!

The hardest part about Halloween is monitoring the sugar intake once they see all of their loot.  Good thing they were willing to share with their parents.

Happy Halloween!

Carving Pumpkins 2013

For Family Night near Halloween we always take time to carve our Pumpkins.  It is something the kids have all grown to love.  Alright maybe cleaning out all the insides isn't the most enjoyable part, but we enjoy choosing the faces of each Jack-O-Lantern (each child has their own opinions for the year), we turn on Halloween music and spend time visiting and being together.

This year Grandma was there to read us poems written by her own children years ago.  The kids thought they were pretty funny!

Dig in!

Having fun!

Brielle just going with the flow and enjoying the excitement!

Getting ready for Halloween.

Trying their best to help get the Pumpkins all cleaned out.

And that is where I usually come in.

Drawing pictures of Pumpkins.

Picking out a face.

The kids have really enjoyed arts and crafts lately.

Happy Taylor

Payton is one of our main carvers.

With some help from Dad and Mom.

Here are the finished products.

They kids sure loved them.

They didn't mind sharing this year since some of our other Pumpkins froze.



Love these kiddos!

 

Now we are all ready for HALLOWEEN!

First Snowfall of the Year

I guess snow in October is something I am going to have to get used to since we now live in Montana!  The kids were thrilled and automatically think Christmas is just around the corner now that they have had their first snowfall of the year!

Brielle and Taylor had to tromp around outside.

 They were pretty surprised when they woke up that morning to snow!

When the older kids got home from school it was playtime!!

They were pretty excited to get out the sleds.

I thought Brielle would only last a matter of minutes.  I was shocked at how long she wanted to stay outside and loved laying down on the sled while sliding down the hill.  She felt completely immobile... but she had a great time with her siblings.

Making a train with Grandma and Levi.

Funny kids!

Sweet little Brielle laying on the sled.

Snowboarding may be in Payton's future!

Kenzie building snow angels.

She was also good at surfing down the hill on the sled.

Taylor had a blast sledding and loves the snow!

While the Cats Away the Mice Play

The guys had planned a while ago to get tickets to the BSU VS BYU Game.  So Mckay, Dick, Isaac, and Levi headed to Utah to watch the big game and spend the night.  They returned the next day so it was a short and sweet trip for them.  Meanwhile, while they were gone...Lindsey and her kids stayed with us here at Swensen's and Grandma had planned a fun cousin Halloween Party.  My kids were so excited to have a party with their cousins!!

Meet Brielle the Bumble Bee and Emry, aka Wonder Woman.

Painting Pumpkins was a favorite especially with the youngest ones (I couldn't believe how much the two little girls loved it).

Brielle with her paintbrush, gonna have to do this again next year!

McKenzie the Ballerina and also my perfectionist.

Payton and Brielle focusing hard.

Taylor and Kason having a good time!

What would a party be like without the food.  We had Witch Fingers, Mummies, Carmel apples, meat and cheese kabobs, Witch Cupcakes, and Eyeballs (Grapes).  The kids sure loved it!

They girls with their game prizes.

 My Superheros

Thanks Lindsey for the cure pictures of Brielle the Witch (yes, my kids have a tendency to try out multiple costumes).

Silly Eyes!

Cute girls loved dressing up!

Concentrating

Grandma made a great Witch for the evening.

Cousins are the BEST!

Playing Bocce ball was entertaining!

What a great Party!

DELICIOUS!!

 

While Mckay was away he sent me a few pictures...

 

GO BRONCOS!

 

Brothers supporting opposing teams!

Fun Times!!