Traditions

Today, Adam and I took McKay to the mall to build his first Build-A-Bear. McKay chose to build Frosty the Snowman. He absolutely loves him and carries him everywhere, just like his blanket.

So, when we were at the mall, I noticed a few things... they were already putting up Christmas decorations, a lot of the stores already had Christmas decor in their windows, the Hickory Farms stand was up, & there were hot nuts! I love the smell, the decor and everything. (It may be a little early, but I still love it.) The holidays bring a warmth to my heart & a big smile to my face. I can't wait for the day to have Thanksgiving dinner at my house and wake up Christmas morning in my bed. I love hosting events and just never have a reason or the room to have one. So, until that day comes I do what I can.

I've decided to have a craft or activity, that McKay and I can do together, each day leading to Thanksgiving & Christmas. Besides that I've been thinking now is the time to start some fun family traditions. This is where you come in...What are some of your favorite family traditions for both Thanksgiving & Christmas? I would love to hear what you did as a family that stuck with you and really meant a lot. And maybe it will become one of our family's new traditions.

Our Hardened Criminal

McKay got his first temporary tatoo. Now he's our hardened criminal.

Treat!

McKay's first Halloween was a success. In the first picture below, I'm getting McKay ready to go out (drawing the bruise on his face). The next two pictures are of the finished product. McKay made the cutest boxer I've ever seen.

We started off the night by going to the mall to Trick-or-Treat, with Matt, Corinne, Eva & Asher (Adam's cousin's family). There McKay learn the phrase of the night, "Treat". Every time we would come to a store I would tell McKay to say Trick-or-Treat and every time "Treat" was the only word that would come out of his mouth. He knew what the most important word was. After we hit every store in the mall we all went to McDonald's for a quick cheap dinner.

Then we headed to Matt & Corinne's neighborhood to do a little more trick-or-treating. Everyone in their neighborhood was so nice. McKay had such a great time. His bucket got so full that Adam or I had to hold it for him. So, if people put his candy in his bucket instead of handing it to him, he would look at them like they forgot something. Besides learning to say "Treat" at the doors he added two more phrases for the night, "Thank You" and "Ween". "Ween" was to McKay trying to say Happy Halloween. Most times upon leaving a house he would say all three, "Thank you, treat, ween." (Usually in that order.)

I think Adam and I had as much fun as McKay. It was so neat to watch his face light up every time he got a piece of candy. And he loves it when I bring out his bucket and let him pick a piece of candy or two for the day. He's growing up way too fast. First "real" Halloween, check!

Not Quite Pumpkin Carving

Last night, we decided to carve our pumpkins. Early this week we received a Halloween package from Grannie with a really fun & clean way to decorate our pumpkins. Grannie sent McKay a kit with a bunch of scary plastic eyes, nose, ears, & mouths that stick on a pumpkin. We were going to let McKay use it to decorate his pumpkin and then when he was in bed we were going to carve our pumpkins. However, with the busy week we've had we all decided to use the kit to decorate our pumpkins. McKay picked out the pieces for everyone's pumpkin and then helped put them on. He loved decorating his first Halloween pumpkin. How do you think they turned out?

McKay working on his pumpkin.

McKay & his finished pumpkin.

Helping Dad create his pumpkin.

Dad's finished pumpkin.

My finished pumpkin.

Our Pumpkin Family.

Frozen Cornmaze

Yesterday, we went to Cornbelly's corn maze at Thanksgiving Point. We met our friends, Jared, Lindsey & their adorable little boy Landon, there. It was freezing cold, but we all had a good time, even the kids. Landon was smiling away, bundled up in his blanket. While McKay was running around the maze, throwing corn & trying to eat it. After conquering the maze, we warmed up by the fire and roasted marshmallows for S'mores.

Jared, Lindsey & Landon


Love these signs. They had them all over the place.

Adam lighting our marshmallow on fire! Yummy.

McKay tasting his first S'more. He loved it.

My Cake Decorating Class

This month I've been taking Wilton's Cake Decorating Course 1 with a friend, Debbie. It's been a blast. Besides learning icing techniques, I've learned a lot of fun tips and tricks about cakes. I definitely want to take the other courses, but maybe in a couple of months. So, if anyone wants to join me, let me know. Here is a picture of 1 of the cakes I did for class. I used my second cake for a Ding-Dong Ditch, so I can't post a picture of it. (It was a super cute fall cake! I wish I could so it off.) Yesterday, I was supposed to make a cake, but I just ran out of time. So, normally you'll do 3 cakes for the class.

Spooky Eye Cake

Pumpkin Picking

Last month our ward had a Relief Society Service Auction and I won a pumpkin for every member of our family and dinner with the Roses. So, the other night we cashed in and we got to go pick out our pumpkins with the Roses. Jen's parent's have a farm and pumpkin patch. They bring all the pumpkins to their house and then sell them. We had a blast hanging out with the Roses picking our pumpkins and collecting gourds and Indian corn. McKay had a fun time playing with Sarah and the wagons. Thanks Jen for taking pictures of our family. I'll post them later. For right now, here's a picture of McKay saying, "Cheese." for Jen. Isn't he such a cutie!?!