Trick-or-Treat!

Happy Haunting! Our pirate and parrot were the cutest!!! (Clever costume combination, eh?) Brady was so excited to be a parrot, all day long he was soaring around the house calling "Caaa!". As part of tradition we ate some yummy homemade chili and cornbread for dinner and then went to the mall to trick-or-treat. I do realize the lack of a good picture of Alex's pirate costume, she bailed before I could get a decent pic. I plan to remedy the situation by making her dress up again and pose at a later date. Against my better judgement I decided to let Brady go to town and consume as much candy as he desired. What fun is Halloween as a kid if you can't pig out on sweets?

Fall Family Photo Shoot

My fabulous sister-in-law took some autumn family pictures for us in Mill Creek Canyon. Brady was in a mood, to put it lightly, and REFUSED to cooperate. I was thrilled to see the results. Honestly, he was acting like, well... a two year old. LOL.

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged! The rules are that you list 6 facts/habits about yourself then at the end of the post name 6 people that you are going to tag, then they do it...

Here I go...

One.
I find stiletto heels and dangly earrings absolutely irresistible. If I’m having a rough day and feeling a bit frumpy all I have to do is throw on a pair of 4 inch heels and some earrings that dangle and sparkle and then suddenly I can conquer the world and am one sexy momma!
Two.
Speaking of heels, I love to sport a pair and go out dancing with my husband on a Saturday night. Nothing beats a night on the town with a handsome man while working up a good sweat and having a good time.
Three.
I am in love with Target. I could seriously live at this store! Yep, I am the Target Queen. What is there not to like… fabulous clothes, shoes, handbags, home decor, and jewelry... all at a reasonable price! I could spend hours just looking around.
Four.
I have a passion for writing and hope to be published one day. I love to write poems, dark artsy ones that don’t rhyme. I’m also in the process of writing a novel that is semi autobiographical. At the current rate I am going I figure I will be done with it in about 5 or 10 years. Once it's completed keep an eye out for it on the best sellers list;)
Five.
I’m a witch!? I recently read Wicked and must have identified a bit too closely with Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, because now my husband is convinced that I am a witch. He has heard the tales of my eccentric mom and has come to the conclusion that being a witch is a birth right that has passed down though my bloodline for generations. He says it makes sense really and that I make a good witch. Did I mention my husband has a vivid imagination? Yes honey, it is all in your head… or is it? Hehehe.
Six.
When I was growing up my mom always told me that if I wanted to have big boobs when I was older that I needed to make sure to eat lots of red licorice. As a result I consumed massive amounts of red licorice as a youngster. Did it work? You tell me.

That’s me, now I tag… you! That’s right if you are reading this then you are tagged! (And by you I am going to specify that at least Katie has to do this because she is the most awesomest sister in the world!)

Autumn Choir Concert

We had the pleasure of attending Alex's Autumn Choir Concert tonight. She did a superb job! My favorite part was when all the lights went out and the choir sang a spooky Halloween song while wiggling glow sticks. Brady was a little apprehensive when it got dark, he kept a firm grip on both mommy and daddy. He actually sat through the entire concert, a mammoth feat for a squirmy toddler. Alex is really enjoying chorus and has a natural flair for drama. We can't wait to see her talents develop!

In Memory of Brad Winchester

My uncle, Brad Winchester, was killed in a motorcycle accident October 3rd, 2007. He was an astonishing man and will be remembered forever. I looked forward to his visits because it meant I would have the opportunity to engage him in conversation. He was so intelligent and well spoken. It didn't matter what the subject matter was; politics, current events, world history, or literature; the discussion was always intriguing. He was well informed and had an educated opinion on any topic you could come up with. Even though I was his young niece, he always spoke to me as an equal and wanted to hear my views on the world. If uncle Brad was around he was sure to be shoving a video camera in your face while attempting to get some sort of compelling banter going. Who could forget the trip to Lake Powell? Not me, I recall a fish bone being removed from his foot. LOL. I guess you would have had to of been there:) The last time he visited I remember he conversed with Tony for hours about motorcycles, I'm not exaggerating. He had a deep-seated passion for riding and died doing what he loved best. He was a patriot through and through and thrived on helping others. He left behind a magnificent legacy. Here's to you Brad! May we continue the work, service, and love you so valiantly spread. Love, your niece.

Love, Laugh, Dream: A Tribute to My Mom

I couldn't help but think of my mom today, it would have been her 48th birthday. She had more love in here little finger than most people have in their entire body. She taught by example by not judging and accepting everyone for who they were. She was all about being a good person, not showing off what a good person she was. I have found myself missing her more since I became a mom myself. She would have adored her grandchildren and spoiled them rotten! I know that she is my guardian angel and is with me whenever my spirit needs to be lifted. She was an amazing woman and left a legacy of love and laughter. I love and miss you mom!

Now before I grew up I saw you on a cloud
And I could bless myself in your name
And pat you on your wings
And before I grew up I heard you whisper so loud
Well life is hard and so is love
Child, believe in all these things
-Lori McKenna, Fireflies

The Almost Teenage Drama Queen

Alex's 3 favorite things are shopping, talking, and music. Look for her at the mall; she is the one walking around listening to her ipod, talking on her cell phone, and imagining all the things she would buy if she was a rich girl. She spends most of her extra money adding to her ginormous collection of purses and earrings. I can't believe that she is 12 and just started Jr. High. She is growing up so fast. I can't place my finger on when she stopped being a kid and started becoming a young woman. She is our beautiful intellectual social butterfly. She is also the best big sister in the world and a tremendous help to me. When I married Tony I had several people tell me that I would never love her the way I would love a child I gave birth to. I am elated to report that all those people were wrong. I couldn't love her more and am so thankful that she came into my life.

The Things Little Boys are Made of

Brady's 3 favorite things are motorcycles, running around naked, and playing outside. If he hears a motorcycle drive past our house he has to RUN to the window to catch a glimpse of it and scream "Daddy! Bike!" He loves his Daddy's sport bike and is convinced that every time we drive past a motorcycle that "Daddy" is the one on it. I had no idea that having a boy would entail a seemingly endless fascination with being naked and peeing on things. I have to keep an extremely close eye on him during the day to make sure he doesn't strip down to run free. He would play outside ALL day long if I let him. Whenever we pass a park he insists that we stop immediately and "play". I love my little guy.