Oct 25 - 31

 

Monday, October 25 - I typically only write about the happy things in my life because my life is typically happy. But this threw me and broke me in a way. So often my supposed friends do things without inviting me. So many times I have had to "get over it" and just move on when I know I was left out. But this one really did throw me for a loop. These five families, all of whom I consider friends, went to Yellowstone together. Kendra was asked to watch the Child's dogs (so they knew we were home and available) and Simon had recently talked to Britton about wanting to go to Yellowstone. It has given me a lot of self-reflection and self-evaluation about who I am, who they are, and if I want to continue to hang my hat on these "friends". I found this quote and it is very appropriate for how I feel. I'm really never alone but the loneliness living here in this neighborhood/ward has been crushing at times and this time, like I said, it has broken me. I'm trying to move on, to heal, and it will come. But it won't be the same. Because I am not the same.

Tuesday, October 26 - It was crazy hair day at school. Ricki's hair didn't get as crazy as it has been in the past but Zack's longer hair was kind of fun to work on! :)

Wednesday, October 27 - Zack had Activity Days tonight and they all made skull cakes. They got to decorate them however they wanted. Zack's cute leader, Bonnie Farnsworth, sent me this picture of him. I love that he loves going to these activities and hanging out with his friends.

Thursday, October 28 - Tonight was our ward Halloween party. I didn't go because..."Ricki was sick". Actually, Ricki stayed home from school with a tummy ache and it got worse right before the activity so we really would have stayed home because of that. However, I did not want to go face those people in my ward. I have cried off and on, without provocation, for the past two days and I could not even fathom facing them tonight. So Ricki and I stayed home and watched a movie while the rest of the family went to the activity and had a good time.

Friday, October 29 - This morning was the kids' Halloween costume parade. They were so cute! I will miss these when these cute kiddos are too old to parade around in costumes!

Saturday, October 30 - Even though Halloween is actually tomorrow, we celebrated it today. Kendra went to a friend's party, Nick went to Parker Moon's house, Simon took Zack and Ricki around trick-or-treating, and Amie came over to spend the evening with me. She and I commiserated over things that are going on in our lives. We laughed, we cried...we BFF'ed it up! :) I love hanging out with her. I just feels so normal - and I needed some normal in my life tonight!

Sunday, October 31 - Mom and dad threw their annual Halloween party for Sunday dinner. We had a super yummy Halloween-themed dinner, Mom had some really cute/fun games for the kids to play, we made caramel apples, and we had a costume fashion show. It was really fun! The perfect ending to the Halloween season!

Oct 18 - 24

 

Monday, October 18 - Wahoo! We are finally in Disneyland!!! We did a 3-day park pass so 2 days in Disneyland and 1 day at California Adventure. We stayed at the Portofino which is only one mile from the entrance to the park so we just walked. Unfortunately, we thought bringing our wagon was a great idea but it turned out to be a bust. They don't allow wagons in Disneyland so we had to store it in their storage area and rent a Disney stroller (which isn't exactly free). No matter. We figured it out and had a wonderful family day in Disneyland! One thing that the kids wanted were Churros. Apparently, Disneyland has the best ever so we shelled out $20 and got four of them. :) They were some happy kiddos so it was totally worth it. It was a great first day!

Tuesday, October 19 - Day 2 in Disneyland was top-notch! We hit all of the rides that we didn't get to do yesterday and we were even able to meet up with the Olson's! They are here in California but only spending today in Disneyland. Unfortunately, the rides that they wanted to do, we had already done. And the rides that we still wanted to do, they had either gone on already or weren't going to do. But we were glad to at least go on the new Rise of the Resistance ride together. It was a super fun ride and even better with friends! Around 1:00, we left the park and went back to the hotel for lunch and a little siesta. WE all fell asleep for about an hour and a half before we headed back. Just that little refresher made it so we could last the rest of the day!

Wednesday, October 20 - California Adventure day!! I was excited for California Adventure because my favorite Disney ride is here, the Incredicoaster. I took Ricki on it and the poor girl was terrified! I felt so so bad. She ended up having a headache for a couple of hours so I went to the main street store that sells medicine and got her some Advil. She did feel better after that. We had a great day! We had a crazy experience when the new ride, Web Slingers, broke down and we had to be escorted off the ride. It didn't ruin it though, it was kind of fun! :) We ate in the park and stayed until closing. The only problem came when Ricki threw up around 11:00 in her bed and on the floor. :( I think it was just a little too much for her. It's been a busy couple of days.

Thursday, October 21 - And just like that, we're headed home. :( Ricki ended up being totally fine after she vomitted. We got home without any incident and I found Ricki sound asleep on her bed. It's been so busy but so so fun!

Friday, October 22 - Our baby shark finally lost her tooth! Yay, I was starting to get worried that the dentist was going to have to pull that thing. She loves that she can put her tooth through the hole. :)

Saturday, October 23 - It's time for our "Murder at the Pizzeria" Murder Mystery party! Mom made an adorable dessert fruit pizza and we had pizza, breadsticks, and salad for dinner. It was so fun! Mom ended up being the murderer. It was an awesome evening!!

Sunday, October 24 - Gary and Alexis threw a fun Halloween party tonight. We had soups in pumpkin bread bowls and Halloween cookies. The kids made caramel apples and decorated them then played pin the skull on the skeleton. We had so much fun with the Pearson's!

Oct 11 - 17

 

Monday, October 11 - This is a lame picture for what we did but we went shoe shopping for Zack and shirt shopping for Nick with my mom. Zack loves these shoes but they didn't have his size we need to look them up online. We had a really fun evening shopping with mom and spending time with her!

Tuesday, October 12 - We surprised the kids with a trip to Disneyland (that we planned literally less than a week ago). I quick ordered Minnie ears online for Ricki but then found these adorable ones at Walmart so I grabbed them for her. We are so excited to go!

Wednesday, October 13 - I sent out invitations to our annual Murder Mystery Dinner. I'm cutting it a little close, being that it's the Saturday after we get home from our vacation, but we're excited to have everyone over and enjoy this tradition together.

Thursday, October 14 - We woke up to snow this morning so it felt appropriate to wear my "If it's snowing, I'm not going" sweater! I can't believe it isn't even the middle of October and we have snow! I guess let the winter begin!

Friday, October 15 - Our fall collection at work is so amazing! Liz really outdid herself this time! We have been having non-stop photo shoots, orders, and shipments. It's been so busy but I'm happy for Liz. Her business is growing by leaps and bounds right now so that is exciting!

Saturday, October 16 - We packed our day full of fun! We started the day off at the pumpkin patch. Another annual tradition that was fun except we were missing Kenny's family. It is so weird to have them gone. Then, at 3:15, we got on an airplane to fly to California for our Disneyland trip. I can't believe we are finally going after giving this trip to our kids for Christmas in 2019!

Sunday, October 17 - We spent the day today at Newport Beach. We played in the sand for a few hours, walked up the pier and saw all of the barges waiting to come into port (thanks Covid), and stopped at our favorite donut shop - Seaside Donuts. It was a great day with the fam!

Oct 4 - 10

 

Monday, October 4 - Since we had a pretty busy conference weekend and didn't get to watch much of it, our family has decided that each Monday night, we will watch at least one (if not two or three) conference talks. We started at the beginning and we will work our way through.

Tuesday, October 5 - We had another soccer game for Zack. The big kids didn't want to come to this one so Ricki and I sat on the sideline and hung out. It was fun cheering these boys on again. They won this game 6 - 2. Go team!

Wednesday, October 6 - All four kids had dentist appointments today. No cavities again! We are still on our 15-year streak of being cavity-free! Hooray! Tonight, while Ricki was in the bath, she wanted me to take a picture of her "Santa beard". She's the cutest! Kendra's class activity tonight was making haunted gingerbread houses. I thought this was such a cute idea! She had a lot of fun making them with these fun girls!

Thursday, October 7 - Nick got asked to the Sadie's dance tonight by a cute girl in our ward, Katelynn Romero. I told her that her poster wording was a little naughty...but funny! Haha! And yes, that is a whole box of plastic forks sticking out of our grass! :) I can't believe my boy is getting old enough to go to high school dances! Time needs to slow the "fork" down!

Friday, October 8 - I thought I had Covid. I didn't REALLY think I did but I've been so sick and seriously, right down in bed so I thought I'd better go get checked. Luckily, it's not Covid so just a nasty cold. In fact, maybe what I have is a man cold. Hmmm, that must be it!

Saturday, October 9 - Ricki had my phone for a few minutes. The boxes of Halloween costumes were in the kitchen getting ready to be taken back downstairs since I had just put Halloween decorations up. I got a text, which notified me on my watch, so I asked for my phone back. What I found was a bunch of pictures of this goofy girl in a wig, glasses, wearing a giant gold chain and she had actually sent one to Penney - her bestie! The text I got was bestie responding to her that she is so silly! Oh my goodness, I can't take my eye off of her for one second! Haha!

Sunday, October 10 - We had dinner with my parents again tonight. It is so nice to be with them again. I wondered if I would make it because I was so sick on Friday but I am feeling much better now!