October Happenings

Living in AZ, we don't get much of a "fall."  Our fall includes temperatures in the 80's (sometimes 90s), and no leaves changing colors.  It makes it difficult to do things that are fall related, but we still managed to do a few fun things this month (with the help of friends).  

First, we did pumpkin carving for FHE a couple weeks ago.  The pumpkins went bad in about 3 days, but Tyler did a great job carving one for us :)

Playing with Lincoln before carving

 Our finished product (pumpkin puking)

The 4 different pumpkins

 Finished the night with ice cream & pumpkin bread

Something else we did this month was go to the AZ State Fair.  We went with the Saagers, and enjoyed a LOT of food (donuts, deep-fried oreos, kettle corn, and chocolate covered bacon-NASTY), people watching, the petting zoo, one ride (everyone but me), and some other fun things.  

 Right when we got to the fair, Brad was selected for this "Secret Circus" act, and was given the nickname, Stargazer.  It was pretty hilarious, to say the least.

I love some good, fair kettle corn :)

 This stuff was disgusting!

Last week we also went to a murder mystery party.  Courtney put the whole thing on, and all we had to do was dress our part, and bring a side to share.  Needless to say, we go the easy part...Courtney did most the work, and did an awesome job.  I was Lulu, and Tyler was Dr. Al, and we were both old (I was a widow and Ty was a bachelor) characters.  We both sprayed our hair gray, and I wore old women reading glasses, and Ty wore a gray mustache.   At the close of the party, it was revealed that Courtney's character was the murderer.  

Last Saturday was our ward's Trunk or Treat.  We didn't dress up, but we did go and support :)  The Banners brought their ferris wheel from their backyard, and after all the kids rode it, the BIG kids (aka Brad & Tyler) had to ride it too ;)

Normally we're not big Halloween people, but Brad's mom puts on a huge Halloween party every year, and we were invited, so we decided to have an easy costume, and make a night of it.  The house was incredible, and definitely the best-decorated house I think I've ever seen.  And the food...wow, the food was great :)

 The boys losing at ping pong 

 Some of the decorations...

 More decorations...

Wow, if you stayed for that entire post...good job!

CA for Fall Break

For Fall Break (a week ago), I decided to go to CA to visit Tiersh, Josh, and Charlotte.  We mostly just hung out, shopped (a LOT), and met up with a few different friends/family members.  I loved being able to see Charlotte, and hopefully she remembers me a little bit.  To say I'm obsessed with her, would be an understatement.  

While Tiersha had some doctor appointments, I walked around with Charlotte at the Block, and she was obsessed with this bench and dog at Old Navy.

After Tiersha's doc appointments, we met up with Melissa & Brady at Downtown Disney.  

Shopping (she loves Minnie), and Charlotte trying on what we got her.

Sprinkles Ice Cream...YUM!

On Thursday, we drove up to LA to meet up with Nicole for lunch.  We decided to make a day of it, and walked around the Grove for a few hours.  Charlotte was a little tired on the way up...

Ready for the American Girl Doll Store

This store is absolutely incredible...SO many things to see!

At Chipotle with Nicole

After meeting up with Nicole, we met up with my dad's parents for dinner (sad we didn't get a pic!), and then hit up Rita's for dessert.  

I was planning on leaving Friday morning, but decided to stick around because Annie's volleyball team was in SD for a tournament.  It was fun to be the "sports" atmosphere again, and Annie was pretty surprised when she saw us (she didn't know we were coming).

Priesthood/Post Priesthood Session

During the Priesthood session, I got together with the girls, and we made an apple pie.  When the boys were done, we tried a place called "Backyard Tacos," and then ate the apple pie

Arizona Science Museum

On Friday, we went with Brad and Courtney to the AZ Science Museum.  From 5 to 9 it was free, and adults-only.  Afterwards, we got tres leches from Cafe Rio, and played "Just Dance."

Building an "earthquake-safe" building

Inside the planetarium (we didn't stay very long because it was LAME)

Racing wheelchairs

Bed of Nails

Carbon building, shooting a basketball with "special" goggles, and Courtney and Tyler in the simulator that displayed different types of weather

Just Dance

Relief Society General Conference

Last weekend was the RS General Conference, and we decided to make a night of it.  Malorie, Emily, Courtney, and I all decided to go to dinner beforehand (@ Sauce), and then head to the conference.  The conference was great, and they even had dessert afterwards for us.