Trick-or-Treats

When it came down to Halloween Day 2012 Rachel did not want to go as a princess.  She wanted to be a superhero.  It's my fault really.  I wouldn't let her go as a princess to her preschool Halloween party.  Super-Rachel was her second choice.  But, after that day she never wanted to don her crown again.  Do you think it's because superheros have better powers than princesses?  I mean when was the last time you saw Cinderella fly, Sleeping Beauty save someone from disaster or Snow White jump tall building with a single bound?

I debated over Joseph's costume long before Halloween.  I briefly considered dressing him as this cute little monster.  Adorable right?!


The deciding factor, back in September, was the way his dragon bum waddled when he walked.  Don't worry.  I'll show you.


The shoes.  I thought these were absolutely perfect.


Rachel was quick to take Joey's hand and show him the ropes.  She is a wonderful big sister.  In fact, she gets very annoyed if the kids in the carpool don't say hi to him.  Plus she introduces him to everyone, including Grandma.  "Here's my little brother Joey," she says as she nudges him forward with her hand on his back. 


I digress.  I love the look on Rachel's face.  It's like she is daydreaming about all the candy she is going to get.


Joe wore out before we made it all the way around the block. 


Now to inspect the spoils of the evening's adventure.


Rachel and Joey sat up to the table and had a candy feast.  It's because of that feast, and the aforementioned bum waddle, that this video was born.  Click here.

Peek-a-Goo

Video Link



11/16/2012

Pumpkin Picking 2012

Pumpkin picking is one of my favorite Halloween traditions.  I love seeing the kids excitedly running from pumpkin to pumpkin while dressed in costume.  You can see previous years' posts here and here.

This year's costume theme was fairytale characters.  This princess was not afraid of the dragon.  I was going to have Doug dress as the wise king.  I was going to be the villain.  But, in the end we didn't really have any place to wear a family costume and I didn't really have the time to put it all together with all the Festival of Trees preparations.


Driving the tractor is always a big hit.


I think Rachel looks like Queen Elizabeth II.


Did you know that Queen Elizabeth (then Princess Elizabeth) trained as a driver and mechanic during WWII?


Of course Rachel's costume became the quintessential "Cinderella" in the pumpkin patch.  "How many miles do you think this one has on it?"


"I'm going to the ball after all!"



Let the search for the perfect pumpkin begin.



"I like this one!"


"Isn't this the cutest pumpkin you never saw?!"  (Direct quote)


Every time we turned around Rachel was dumping another pumpkin in the wheelbarrow. 


Joseph was happy to ride in the wheelbarrow. 


A dainty pumpkin for such a charming princess.

10/2/2012

Joe's First Corn on the Cob

Two words... LOVED IT!


Okay, so he isn't wearing a smile on his face.  But, he ate two pieces and wouldn't let go of it for more than a second at a time.

Joe Eats Corn on the Cob Video


7/19/2012

Mission Impossible

Donuts and Caroling

One of our family's favorite holiday traditions is getting together at the Fairbanks house for the annual Donuts and Caroling Party.  Doug and Marty (Bishop Nowling) took their usual posts frying up the donuts that Kattie made earlier in the day.


I tried my hand at making icing.  It was passable.  My favorite job was holding Lincoln, Bishop and Angie's 2 month old baby boy.


The kids always have fun rough housing, playing and watching movies together.
 
 

I'm going to "pump, you up."


"Oooh, a cellphone!"


Every year different families are invited to round out the party.  Most of our guests were unable to attend at the last minute.  But the Riess family made up for it.  They are a riot and willingly jump in to help.



We prepared to take to the streets. The candles were a big hit with the kiddos.


Joseph was furious that we were strapping him in to his car seat and that he couldn't hold on to his light very well.


This was our compromise.  He really wasn't amused.


He sort of glowed in the darkenss.


What a great way to start the season!


12/3/2012

Brigham City Temple Open House

On August 14th we were invited to a special early open house for the Brigham City Temple.  Doug's cousin was one of the architects.  It was neat hearing about some of the details from him.


The most prevalent motif was the image of the peach blossom.  Brigham City is known for it's peaches.
 

Rachel and Joey found it difficult to maintain reverence throughout our visit.  But it was fun to share this first visit to the temple with them.




We met up with some of Doug's extended family (not pictured) and with Doug's parents.




We were discussing our visit to the temple with Rachel and Joseph.  I began to say, "You and Joseph can go inside the temple..."  Rachel started grinning ear to ear, broke me off mid-sentence and exclaimed, "...to get married!"