Hello Ween.

Fact: I enjoy dressing-up.
Fact: I also really enjoy good candy.
Mystery fact: I have never really liked Halloween.

A brief explanatory history: See, growing up, my mom never liked Halloween because of the dark, creepy, deathy side of it. (I keep my mom company in the camp that loathes the dark, creepiness of Halloween, because I myself hate being scared. I dread scary movies, etc. because I have a real hard time drawing the line between fictional and real in my head). Did I imagine that it was referred to as Satan's Holiday? Maybe. But regardless—the principle holds true. So, most years we didn't go trick-or-treating. (Of course there were some rather spectacular exceptions, like the year we went with our cousins in Vegas and literally filled a pillow case with candy. THAT was a very lucrative year, indeed). But as a rule, Mom let us trick-or-treat at one place: the local rest home. Now, I'm certainly not complaining, because a little charity in my youth never did me anything but good, BUT it did make dressing-up a little less exciting, and let's be honest—you don't go to a rest home for the candy either; both the quality and quantity were wanting. More often then you'd think the elderly dipped into your bucket; in fact, many residents were more protective with their candy than my little sister Elena. But to be fair, it was never an issue of candy. My mom very generously compensated us in that regard. She always made sure there was PLENTY of candy—good candy—at our house (Definitely enough to satiate our ravenous appetites). So I guess, in the end, it was more about fanfare. No sense making a lot of hoopla about the rest home, right? I think that’s what sort of took the wind out of my sails.

My brothers and sister and I about...24 years ago.

Note: This is my Grandad, not a resident.

It got more exciting in college. Then it was ALL about dressing-up and making hoopla. There was always some party or dance to go to. Marth and I had some classic memories—Bed Head Betty and Bess, and The Lunch Ladies come immediately to mind… And I, like many a college girl, could not escape the 80’s the Halloween Allan and I were dating.

Bed Head Betty and Bess

Allan as a Punk Rocker

The 80's chick and the Tango Dancer (Jules)

But last year, once again, Halloween was…well, pretty boring. I actually forgot it was even Halloween, and candyless, had to pretend I wasn’t home when we got hit up by one single trick-or-treater. I wasn’t going to let that happen again. So, we (my sisters and I) decided to revive Halloween with another Fat Party. Dressing-up is back in the game plan, and chili is on the menu. As documented, we had a grand old time. I’m glad to be reconciled with the holiday—it gave me a great excuse to dress me and my family up (especially Josie), and there was plenty of hoopla and fanfare. And this year, I made sure we had a generous bowl of candy ready for our annual trick-or-treater. (singular: trick-or-treater).

Allan the Google head, Cheetarah Thunder Cat and our Pea Pod

Hazel the Chili Pepper, Josie the Pea Pod, and "Maybee"

(The costume turned out great, huh?)

Em and Riley

Cory and Katie

Charley Brown (Rawl)

Doog and Shauna

Granbud!

Granny

Rene and Ben (when you've got it, you've got it.)

Kat and Charley

Raggedy Ann (Hannah) and PollyAnna (Milly)

Cheetarah's makeup was way better the next day for work...

Fat party, and other notables

FAT PARTY, WOO WOO.

Dance parties have never been so hoppin'. The day before my birthday I received (in the mail) a super cool invite to a "Birthday Dance Jam" set for my big day. All the guests (me, Em, Eirene, Babies, and of course Milly and Rawl) jammed to some bumpin' tunes, snacked on some happenin' california roles, and then enjoyed a nice, cool, smooth, homemade Jamba Juice. If you think it could have been any more cool, you're wrong. I learned new moves from Milly and Rawl, introduced Josie to the "shimmy", and got to see my two very hot sisters work-it. Bet you wish YOU got an invite too...sorry, it was for exclusive members only.

I had a great Birth Day. It made me glad I've been around the past 25 years, and excited to be around for the next 25. P.S. I ended the day laughing with my siblings (Em & Family, Cory & Family, Rene & Family) about bathroom humor, and enjoying a chocolate mousse pie from Emily. What's not fabulous about that?

On to the other Notables.

Josie is getting prettier and prettier. Don't you think?

What is not to love about this dazzling smile?!
She has about 4 hairs that are 2.5 inches longer than all the rest.

She's also become a Strongbad fan. I can't say I'm surprised.

And she's found her toes. She sucks on them occasionally, which is SO cute, but we haven't been fortunate enough to capture it on camera.

She also can roll over, make a motor-boat noise, giggle, and stand on her own. I'm not kidding...

Proof!

Other things you should probably know are:

I made pizza on Saturday night, with this recipe, and it was AMAZING. Give it a go.

I copied Martha, and made this apron holder. Now I've just got to make another apron.

Eirene made me these: (Thanks, LeAnne)

I also made this...(It's a wedding gift for a friend)

I am working on this...

I just finished helping plan and pull-off the primary portion of this year's annual Stake Emergency Preparedness Fair.

I've been baking bread lately. I've also been eating a lot of bread lately.

I've been watching, and thoroughly enjoying Pam and Jim's togetherness on The Office.

Ok, I think I'd better stop there.

1/2 mile swim. 3.2 miles run. 18 mile bike ride.

I'm awesome.

For the last four months Emily and I have been kicking our own trashes training for a triathlon. It was Emily's brilliant idea to begin with. Post babies, she thought it would give us a great excuse (and motivation) to get back in shape. She would think that, right? I readily agreed to do it with her. Allan confessed that in his heart of hearts, he thought it was a passing whim, and that I would never really do it.
Boy, was he wrong!! Ha Ha!!
So, it has been a lot of fun training (I really enjoyed the varied workouts, i.e. biking, swimming, running, strength training), and last Saturday we did it.

On an interesting side note, most of the summer we were planning to do the Ogden Triathlon, but in the end the $70 dollar entrance fee was too steep for us. So we made up our own! You didn't think that was possible, did you?? Well, it is my friends, it is. No need to be frightened away by expensive fees anymore! Thanks to Allan, Riley, and Google maps, we were able route out an identical course here in Provo. I must admit that my main sorrow about not doing an official one, was not getting a t-shirt. (Folks, let's be honest--you can't work your trash off all summer and then have nothing to show-off in the end...I mean, besides what you have to show-off for your husband) So, in order to heal my wound, I made us our own t-shirts. And I gotta say, they turned out pretty great. I drew the girls on the front, Emily drew the stick figures on the back, and then with the help from dafonts.com, paint.net, a wal-mart $2 special, and a good "crafternoon" with my sisters, we ended up with fairly cool shirts. Right??

The triathlon itself was great. Physically challenging of course, but both Em and I felt well-prepared. The hardest part about the whole thing was that it was ASTRONOMICALLY COLD. It was raining the entire time (except of course, when it was SNOWING), and by the time we finished we couldn't feel/wiggle our fingers or our toes. We were completely soaked through, literally. In a way it was kind of a bummer, but in another way it made it an even bigger accomplishment.

So seriously guys, we're awesome.

Take a Hike.

So, a few weekends ago we went on a lovely hike. It was near Sundance, but I can't remember the exact name. I was going to blog about it ages ago, but Peter, my blogging consultant, informed me that it was just too soon after my last blog. He said you don't want to be over-eager with blogging. So I intended on taking a nonchalant little break, which quickly turned into three weeks.

So, hike this:

Nice little family shot...

Rawl doing what he does best...
Milly and Billy







Find the FAT spider...

Oh. My. Gosh.

This just in.

A Zuchinni Brownie is the most amazing, succulent (rich in desirable qualities), moist, astronomically RICO dessert out there. I know I exaggerate sometimes, but I SWEAR, they were worth dedicating an entire blog to. I was just trying to get rid of my mammoth zuchinnis, and lo and behold...A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE! I discovered a simply marvelous way to dispose of those baseball-bat zuchinnis that your neighbors left on your doorstep.

It's actually more like a cake, but don't be disappointed, because it was the most amazing chocolate cake type thing I have ever had. I think it would turn out splendidly as a bundt cake with a chocolate drizzle over the top.

P.S. My brownie looked even more delicious than this photo, but I forgot to take a picture in all my raptures.

Flight of the Conchords- Albi (racist dragon)

The answer to racism in America

Falling into Fall...

I kinda feel like real life began this week. You know, like the beginning of the rest of my life.
Allan started school, and I kissed him goodbye for the semester. Now he's got school and work, and is, and will, work very hard at both. So our time together has significantly dimished. Allan is hard worker, and I absolutely love that about him, but I ain't gonna lie... I miss him like crazy. Fortunately I have lots to keep my busy while he's away. First of all, my little drama queen Josie. She's been an absolutely wonderful little companion for me. Sometimes I love her so much I think my head will explode. She's been really playing with her voice lately, so all day long I hear this delightful little gurgles and coos. And she's a smiling MACHINE. When I'm out and about she instantly charms all who see her with her dazzling little toothless grin (they walk away thinking they're big news 'cause they made her smile). She's a delightful little person.




We visited Roosy again a couple weekends ago, and said goodbye to my little brother Adam who will spend this semester with my brother Merritt's fam up in Oregon. I love my brothers, and will miss them both immensely. I think I may also miss my long hair...
As some of you know, my dad is quitting medicine, and chasing his dream of starting a troubled youth home. The project is very much still in the developmental stages, but I'm so happy for him. I know he will be very happy with this change, and I also know that he will really be able to use his many talents in this project. My dad has a huge heart, and loves to help people.

And he's absolutely magic with babies. Here's "Grandad" with Josie...he put her right to sleep.

I've been thinking a lot lately about life missions--My dad is jumping into the great unknown to fulfill his...Emily was talking to me yesterday about it, and I am fascinated to think that everyone has a nook or cranny in this world that is meant just for them. Or better said, that everyone has something special--some passion, or talent, or desire--that they need to contribute to the world. I believe in that, and respect it a great deal. I have no idea what mine is, but I am going to try and find out.

I got to see my good friend Marilee this past weekend. Friends since Junior High, we've stayed in touch over the years and as life would have it, we had our first babies one day apart. (Josie was born on the third, and Laya on the fourth). It was a lot of fun, and I'm glad that we got shot of our girls together (even if they did sleep through almost the whole affair).

I also started a job this week. On Wednesdays, I will be doing storytime (actually "Music and Movement Time") at Springville City Library. Eirene will be doing storytime. I may also teach a couple gymnastic classes...we shall see.

So this is the beginning of my Fall. I love Fall best of all, and not just because my birthday is in October. You just can't beat the cool crisp air, colorful leaves, and BYU football (Allan's head may also explode any minute from excitement).