Halloween

A perfect time to Trick or Treat...

perhaps the most mild Halloween on record, we didn't even wear coats!

At school that day, Anne was a pirate. 

And while costumes weren't allowed at Valley View, crazy hair was ... 

so we gave Ella a pink up-do. 

Primary Program

Darling! 

And we were so excited to be in the States and to be a part of a primary program.

I know every mother thinks her children steal the show - but in this case it's true:) Anne stole the show.

She walked up to the podium, fluffed her hair, introduced herself, and told a story about a salad we ate that had only one tomato. The tomato was on her plate, and both Ella and Mary wanted one too. Anne cut the tomato in half, gave one part to Mary and one to Ella. "Even though I didn't eat the yummy tomato, I felt happy because I shared." I also never realized how tall Anne is - she was the tallest in her priamry class!

Ella was angelic. She sang all the words of the song, was reverent and attentive throughout and really did look like an angel. She too introduced herself at the pulpit (something none of the other children did, and many people commented on that they appreciated about Ella and Anne) and shared ways that she's trying to be like Jesus: helping around the house, making the beds, playing with her sisters. It was perfect.

And here's Mary...

Trick or Treating at Heritage Park was so fun, we decided to get an annual membership (only to learn that it's closed for half the year, afterward).

Pony rides were definitely the everyone's favorite part - the pony attendant even commented that he had never seen a shark riding a horse before. 

And I'd like to add, he's probably never seen such a regal queen before either! 

Craft time was also fun, as was seeing all the restored historic homes and shops. We had a great conversation with the tanner too - he assured us according to Genisis, "while the good Lord may have been a carpenter or mason, the Almighty was a tanner by trade."

Ella's Birthday!

Crown and Cupcake Party

Breakfast:

Getting Ready: 

The Queen birthday girl and her sharks: 

Friends, Presents, Fun: 

Ella actually got a lot of millage out of turning six. 

We celebrated a family birthday party with the Beckers when we first got back to the States, again while in Disneyland with Pack and Lee Lee Nelson, and then a party with friends.

Pumpkin Patch

Preschool outing to the pumpkin patch.

Hay maze, gourd gazing, and picking out the perfect pumpkin were all part of the fun. 

Gardner Village

I love this place, the charming shops and boutiques, all year long - but it was extra festive just before Halloween.

We planned to go see the Witches with Amy and Elizabeth ... but then a big snow storm hit and we weren't sure if it was worth the trip. 

We braved the elements anyway - and it was a great outing ... 

blizzard in Bountiful - no snow at Gardner Village. 

Anne LOVED all the spiders and witches. 

Back to School

Ella began afternoon kindergarten at Valley View the end of October.
When we first arrived at Valley View, she exclaimed: "Oh good! I get to go to school with an American flag! I hope the kids here speak English."

Anne started 3-day-a-week morning preschool. We love Miss Char and the other 11 children in her class.

At first I was a little disappointed the girls had opposite school schedules - I had grand visions of Mary and I doing an art or music class (or napping), just the to of us, while Ella and Anne were at school at the same time.

But, as often happens, Providence had something better in store: Mary has really enjoyed the one-on-one playing time she gets with each of her sisters while the other is at school. It's been a great blessing to all three of them and their relationship. While they've truly always played well together - three is sometimes a crowd, and by virtue of the fact that she's youngest and can't communicate or play at the same level as a 4 and 6 year-old, Mary was often the odd-man-out of creative play. Since having a couple of hours alone with Mack-a-Doodle, both Ella and Anne have taken a greater interest in entertaining Mary's interests, doing her puzzles with her puzzles, playing baby-doll, and helping Mary grow. It's been great!

Disney Highlights

Top Ten:

10. Fall Decor:

9. Cars Land:

8. Breakfast with Goofy:

7. Princess Lunch at Ariel's Grotto:

6. Seeing Friends:

5. Tried & True Rides:

4. New Rides:

3. Characters:

2. Pack & Lee

1. Magic Kingdom Memories: