Last Week of October

 Here are some highlights from the last week of October.

Steve got Hudson a donut one day after dropping the boys off.  They went to the park and Hudson just sat in his swing and ate it all up.  Beautiful Mums in bloom in our yard.

Carter and Hudson blowing bubbles.

Our trees in our park-strip died after Steve cut into their roots while taking out the lawn.  We decided we'd better cut them down now before they fall down.  Plus our fall garbage pick up day was coming up the next week, so we wanted to have them out and ready to get taken away.

On Wednesday, October 26th we had a joint Halloween Party w/ both the girls and boys in our Primary Activity Days.  The kids could come dressed up in their Halloween costume.  We then had 4 stations where we had the kids rotate around to, in about 10 minutes increments.  Steve brought the boys and helped me set up my game, the donut game.  Carter joined in on the fun since he was there w/ us.

Playing Scategories and moving M&Ms between plates.

Carter and Nyles trying to eat a donut on the string.

Steve trying to finish cutting up the last of the tree, but it started to snow.

Steve cutting down the trees in the snow.

On Friday, October 28th the boys got to wear a Halloween Costume to school.  

Hudson asleep in his crib.  Silly Piper in our room while I work.

The boys had a Halloween Parade at the school, so Steve and Hudson went to see them.  

Dave and Joann met them there as well.

Nyles coming in with his class.  He's dressed up as Captain Jack Sparrow.

Then Carter came in, dressed up as a Policeman.  Hudson was watching a show on Steve's phone, then he took it to take pictures of Nyles and Carter, and he wasn't very happy about it.  He's so cute, even when he gives you his grumpy face.

That night we had a Trunk-or-Treat at our Stake that the Singles Ward put on.  Dave and Joann came over and brought Lynsie w/ them.  We had dinner together, then went to the event.  It was a lot of fun!

Walking around getting candy.  A Mater Car.

Lynsie, Carter, Nyles, Steve, Joann, Dave, and Hudson in the wagon.  Nyles and Lynsie posing by a big spider.  Later back at home, Hudson showing us his "incredible" strength.

It was Dave's birthday, so we had cake after the Trunk-or-Treat.

Singing Happy Birthday to Dave.

Singing Happy Birthday and eating cake for Dave's Birthday.

Hudson saying Rrrahh

Hudson thought it was so funny to pretend to be a dinosaur and try and scare everyone.  

Then later asleep in his crib.  He "borrowed" Carter's Pluto pillowcase he made and also has a Mickey Mouse stuffed animal in his crib. 

Great quote and reminders.

Last couple days of the 3rd week of October

The kids had UEA on Thursday (the day we got home) and Friday.  I also took Friday off since I knew we'd have laundry to catch up on, let alone our sleep.  

Pauline asked if we wanted to go to the "new" Draper Park Friday morning.  It opened on Tuesday, but since many kids were out of school this week for UEA, it was super busy!  It was still fun and we'll look forward to going back often.  

On a huge teeter-totter.  Hudson LOVES the swings.  Later taking a long nap.

Saturday morning, Dave/Joann came and picked up Steve and Nyles and the went up to the cabin.  The weather was changing quickly, so they figured they'd better winterized before the pipes freeze up.  They finished up quickly, then came home.  Steve then went duck hunting w/ Rob and our neighbor Tim.

While Steve was up at the cabin, I took Carter and Hudson to a Trick-or-Treat event at Lowe's (something you had to sign up for).  Hudson immediately recognized "mouse" ie Mickey Mouse and wanted to get a picture.  Too cute!  The funny thing is that Mickey and Minnie Mouse were just next to the backdrops to take a picture by, they weren't the focus.  They gave them a bag of candy, one for Nyles too, which was awesome.

On Sunday the boys made a "fort" like they do many days throughout the week with all the soft cushions.  They then took Steve's phone and documented it :)

Nyles also helped Steve make smoked ribs to take to Diane's to officially celebrate her birthday.  They turned out great and were super yummy!  Good work Steve and Nyles!

We got snow that night, like they said it would.  A huge leaf as big as Carter's head.

It snowed on our way home from Diane/LuDean's as well.  Steve letting Hudson touch the snow.

Great quote.

Getting off the cruise ship, and flying home.

On Thursday, October 20th, we loaded up the last few remaining items in our staterooms, then went up to Cabanas for breakfast.  After breakfast we were able to get off the ship and catch our shuttle from Miami up to Fort Lauderdale.  We decided to fly out of Fort Lauderdale instead of Miami since the time worked better (evening vs early morning).  We then stayed at a hotel for a few hours until it was time to catch our flight.

Getting some breakfast at Cabanas.  Nyles and Joann by a Pelican, Joann's favorite bird :)  Hudson getting cozy on the hotel bed.  Carter and Nyles having a snack and watching a show at the hotel.

After getting to the hotel, we sorted through our stuff again and decided which things we could check in at the airport so we didn't have to carry it on w/ us.  We popped some popcorn again for a snack while the kids watched a quick show.  Steve took Nyles and Carter down to go swim in the pool, while I put Hudson down for a nap and laid down myself.  My head was spinning and I felt dizzy, even though we were off the ship.

After getting through security, we grabbed a bite to eat, then waited for our turn to board the airplane.  Hudson enjoyed watching the airplanes outside.

Thankfully we had no delays and took off on time.  

We were also able to sit next to each other coming home, which was also nice.

Hudson all ready to go.  The beautiful sunset as we were flying.  Later Hudson went to sit w/ Diane for a few minutes.  And finally he crashed for a while.

After we got off the plane, we got our bags, then Rob and our neighbor Jacob came to pick us all up.  All 3 boys fell asleep as soon as we got in the car.

We had such a great trip!  It went too fast of course.  Such a fun experience as a family.  Until next time...

5th day on the cruise, Castaway Cay Island

On Wednesday, October 19th, we were at Disney's private island, Castaway Cay.  It was also Diane's birthday!  After a quick breakfast at Cabanas, we went down on the ship and got off on the island.

Happy Birthday signs we put on Diane's door.  Beautiful view in the morning.  

Fun Halloween touch on the island and our ship, Disney Dream.

Instead of taking the Tram, we walked along the pathway.  Steve went on the tram for a little while w/ his parents, then came back.  We got to see things we had missed the other times by taking the Tram.

Pictures w/ the Disney characters.  Joann, Dave and Steve on the tram.  The boys meeting Chip and Dale on the beach.

Mickey Mouse also showed up as we were walking over, so we got an awesome picture w/ him in front on the ship.  Hudson couldn't wait to play in the sand, so he played the couple minutes we waited to meet Mickey.  Cute boys on a big chair.

Beautiful flowers along the pathway.  I loved it!

Hudson catching a ride w/ Steve.  Nyles and Carter w/ Aunt Diane.

At the beach!  Such a beautiful place!  We had rain clouds overhead, but they held out until the afternoon.  Hudson and Carter playing on the hammocks for a minute, before getting into the sand.

Steve and I went snorkeling w/ Nyles and Carter first.  Carter got tired, so Steve brought him back in.  Nyles and I continued on and found the Disney statues hidden under the water.  We also found LOTS of cool Tropical fish, many more than last time.  It was awesome!

Fun in the sand.  Hudson playing w/ the buckets in the sand.  Joann and Diane relaxing.  

Steve helping the boys get ready to snorkel.  Carter digging in the sand.  

When Steve came back w/ Carter, they decided to bury him in the sand.  Dave helping Hudson.

Carter got hot so they put some life jackets on him to protect him from the sun, then later he took Steve's sunglasses.  Silly kid.  Steve also made him a sea lion.

Carter in the sand.

Hudson just loving life, kicking in the water.  Nyles helping Carter in the sand.  Hudson and I took a walk over w/ Nyles to check out the playground.

Nyles going across the rope.

Carter and Nyles posing near Olaf.  Beautiful views on the island.  Dave playing in the water :)

Getting lunch at Cookies Too.  A little decoration for Diane's birthday.  Hudson went right to sleep as soon as he got in the stroller.  Nyles enjoying some ribs.  Dave and Joann getting a spot.

Group picture.  Hudson enjoying an ice cream after he woke up and had lunch.  Beautiful flower.

Cute Hudson playing w/ his bucket in the sand.  Nyles enjoyed pushing Joann.

After lunch, Steve and I jumped on the tram to go to "Serenity Bay" which for adults only.  

Dave, Joann and Diane said they'd watch the boys.

Steve wanted to show me where he hurt his knee on Serenity Bay when he was at Castaway Cay back in 2007.  We were only there for a few minutes when it started to rain heavily, so we jumped back on the train and came back.  We helped clean up since it didn't seem like it was going to stop.  Nyles wanted to try the rope bridge one more time.

Coming back in the rain, on the train.

Nyles trying it again.

Cute Carter toes.  The rain coming down.

We were already completely wet by this time, so we took a few fun pictures on our way back.

Getting back on the ship.  Everyone coming back from the island to get on the ship.

That night at dinner, Joann/Dave gave Diane a pretty bouquet of flowers (fake ones since we can't bring real ones one) for her birthday!  

Diane in front of your stateroom, and at Castaway for her birthday.

To celebrate Diane's birthday we went to Vanellope's to get her some ice cream.  The boys wanted to get a race car full of ice cream as well.  It was a LOT of ice cream!

At Vanellopes.

More Vanellopes.

Steve, Hudson and Carter ready to dig into the ice cream.  Joann, Diane, Nyles and I also trying the ice cream.  Fun chocolate topping.

After ice cream, Hudson was ready for bed, so I took Nyles and Carter to the kids club for a little while.  They made pillow cases for Pluto's Pajama Party (like last time).  While they were playing, I went back to our stateroom and packed up.  Then I went back to pick the boys up and we went to our final play.  It was the "Believe" one, which we had seen on the Magic Ship, but I actually liked this one better.  It was a different version and really funny!  The Genie was the main character.

Nyles, Carter and I at the play.  With their pillowcases.

It's always so sad on the last night when the fun is coming to a close, but we played hard and enjoyed it.  It was another awesome day!