Happy #4 Kayci!

Kayci had to open her presents right when she woke up.  Still all smiles!

She wanted a Dora cake so I made this out of the Strawberry Shortcake mold.  Not bad!

The cute tutu Holly made her for her birthday.

Kayci opening a birthday card.  She got $20 and couldn't wait to go spend it.  She bought a Dora shopping cart that now Jake won't leave alone!

Kayci and Grandma blowing out the candles.

Grandma, Grandpa, and the grandkids.  We're so lucky to all be so close!

Our little Kayci has turned 4!  And despite her tiny size, she packs a huge punch.  She can do anything the girls can do and thus spends quite a bit of time healing from battle wounds.  Kayci is fortunate enough to have a birthday just one day before her Grandma Reed and so a lot of time their birthdays get celebrated together.  This year we had a family home evening celebration for the two of them at our house.  It was a lot of fun for everyone.  On her actual birthday, Kayci and the rest of the family got to come to a play I was in at our church.  It was very nice to have them all there and Kayci didn't miss an opportunity to tell people it was her birthday.  We sure do love you Kayci!

Abby's Firetruck Ride!

The firetruck pulled up and we all stood on the steps in our p.j's to watch.

Abby climbing on board the fire truck!

A couple of weeks ago the 3rd graders at Abby's school got to spend some time learning about fire safety.  As part of their activities, there was a coloring contest.  The winners of the contest got to be picked up by the fire department and driven to school one morning.  Abby and three other kids from the entire 3rd grade won!  At first she wasn't really excited about riding in the fire truck to school, but when the morning finally came, I think she thought it was pretty cool.  They pulled up in our driveway all dressed in their fire gear and loaded her up then turned on the lights and sirens as they pulled away.  The other kids thought it was awesome.  Abby was more concerned about getting to school on time than anything. 

The week after they learned about fire safety they had drug free week and this time they had a drawing contest which Abby really wanted to win.  She drew a really cool picture of her all grown up as an artist.  The picture said how she was able to be an artist because she had been drug free.  She was fortunate enought to win and was super excited about that, too.  Way to go Abbs!  Karlee was feeling a little left out until she came home and told us she was student of the month for September and she had also won the award for best handwriting.  Not a bad first few months of school around our house!  We sure are proud of you, girls!

A Little Too Much Halloween

The kids all dressed up and ready to hit the town!

Showing off their FHE pumpkins.

Expeliarmus, Hermione!

Karlee all dolled up as Minnie Mouse!

Kayci as beautiful Belle!

Our ferocious lion!  Jake would only wear his mane if Layne wore his hat, too.

Abby, Andy, Karlee, and Kayci posing at the school carnival.

Hermione and the Lumberjack ready for their date!

Abby and best friend Brylei casting their spells at the costume party.

I usually really enjoy Halloween, but after dressing everyone up for the 5th time, it kind of started to lose its excitement.  However, the kids loved every minute of it.  We started out the beginning of the month with a Halloween FHE at my mom's with my sisters and their families.  We played games and ate and just had a really good time.  I really look forward to FHE with my family.  Next we dressed Abby and Layne up for her Daddy/Daughter costume party for Achievement Days.  They had a blast carving pumpkins and eating a delicious dinner together.  The same week our ward had their trunk or treat, so we dressed everyone up again and headed over for a fun night with our ward members.  It didn't take Jake long to figure out how trick or treating really worked.  After the first two or three people handed him a treat, he stopped waiting in line and just dove right in to the candy.  The next week we took the kids to the carnival at Karlee and Abby's school.  It was absolutely insane, but the kids had fun playing games and seeing their school friends.  Finally, on Halloween Layne and I had Stake Conference to go to, so we dressed up the kids, took them to visit my sister and then over to my mom's where they stayed for the evening.  It really was a fun "month of Halloween" and the kids are already talking about what they are going to be next year.