Trunk-or-treat...it's the Mario gang!

We LOVE Halloween! On Saturday it was our ward's trunk-or-treat. The kids had a great time once they actually got to fill their candy bags. It was quite the struggle to get ready and get pictures done. We had costume malfunctions...mustaches not sticking, earrings coming unglued, suspenders not adjusting, hoop skirts breaking, characters whining and crying, you name it. I just about threw the towel in ..but nope we stuck through and got some cute photos. Just ask anyone in my family...I was obsessed this year with finding a family theme and was so excited to come across the Mario characters. Carter originally wanted to be the devil and was pretty set on it so I had to do some convincing and was successful with Mario. Anything that has to do with video games, I guess. So I spent many late nights putting these costumes together and it was worth it...at least for the pictures, right?! :) Peggy made Evey's adorable toadette hat and unfortunately Evey absolutely hates it! She sure doesn't appreciate her Grandma's efforts! We were lucky to get it on her head for a split second. Peggy and LeRoy also did some running around town for accessories. Also, thanks to Chelsea and her friend for sending accessories to us from Canada. Carter is wearing Lyndsi's overalls. This truly ended up being a group effort so I would love to thank you all! (Boy that felt like a speech at the oscars :) Hope you all enjoy these pictures of our cute ones!

It's the Mario Gang!

The Mario Brothers

The princess sisters

Dare to compare...do we look alike?

Wario

Rosalina

Mario

Luigi

Princess Peach

Princess Daisy

Toadette

Friends and family:

Our good friend Tonya was a tired lady that couldn't sleep because of a ghost that bothered her but she couldn't find it or see it. It was attached to a stick that stuck at the back of her shirt. The kids kept screaming at her that it was right behind her! Great job Tonya! You're so creative!

The Meyer's tagged along with us. Jace is Batman, Owen is a monkey and Liam is a bumblebee flying in the air

Emery and Amara (snow princess Dora)

Elle (supergirl) and Emery

Our friends the Houskeepers as Sara and John. Jace is an army guy, Luke is Hulk, and Lily the ladybug.

Last week's wonderment!

Carter attended Carter Riddle's b-day party. They were instructed to die their hair before. He thought this was pretty cool! Party on dude...I'm sure they all looked like a bunch of punks!

We're so excited that Caden is now in cub scouts as a wolf. He had his very first "pack meeting" on Thursday. He hasn't got any awards yet. We'll have to get crackin'! It's fun that he can be with his brother. These boys have such great den leaders. Carter has Jill Fullmer and Megan Hinton and Caden has Shelley King and Stefani Thornton. They all do a great job! Aren't these guys such handsome boys?! :)

Grandma and Grandpa Hancock came to sleep over for a few nights. Ofcourse the kids went balistic. They love when they come to stay. Carter still doesn't understand why they just can't stay here all the time :) On Wednesday night Auntie Shellie popped by to show off her Halloween costume. It was funny as the children didn't recognize her one bit and infact backed away from her presence when she entered. For her school she had to dress up as a story book character so she chose the old woman who swallowed a bat. Too funny. We all had a good laugh!

My rockin' recording experience

I am so excited to have had the opportunity to record music in a professional studio. My friend Lyndsi is working on a new cd and asked if I would come and sing some back up vocals. I was so honored that she would ask me. I was nervous at first because I didn't want to ruin her beautiful music. It turned out great though....Lyndsi can alter my pitches with her equipment so that made me feel better. So now I am on two of her songs with messages about friendship. I sang an alto part that she entrusted me to add. That's what I love about Lyndsi. Even though she has this incredible talent and most beautiful voice, she has never intimidated me. She does the opposite and actually puts me at ease. I felt even closer to her after this night. It was so neat to see her in her element. She is so unbeilievably talented and I always knew this but it struck me with a greater validity. I just treasure her friendship and love of the gopsel. She is the kind of friend to always buoy me up. So thanks Lyndsi for this awesome experience. I know you love the lime light and that is not how I intend this....I just have to record my feelings:)

Field trip fun!

EMERY'S FIELD TRIP

All of the kindergartener's walked to a nearby firestation to learn about fire safety. It was a blast watching all those kids together.

I love to help out at the school when I can. I always want to do it when my kids think I'm cool cuz I know that stage won't last forever. lining up to go Classmates: Joey, McKenzie, Gracie Jace, Emmy, Joey, Amara, Elle

Emery's kindergarten class. Miss Neslen is the temporary teacher whom Emery adores.

CARTER'S FIELD TRIP

All of the 4th graders went to Staheli farms to learn more about agriculture. It was interesting. I even learned a few things. Cows give us ZIP! Zinc, iron, protein. Carter's 4th grade teacher, Mr. Stocking. Carter thinks he's great!

Carter with his friend Bradly Mendenhall...a buddy that he had in his 2nd grade class as well.

Baptism Boy!

What a very special day. Caden got baptized on Saturday October 11th, 2008. He was very excited for his big day and was as good as ever during the talks and singing. That is quite remarkable since our ward was the last one to go to the baptismal font. While Caden was waiting his turn to be baptized, he and the other baptismal candidates were asked to go up by the podium to sing their favorite song with the congregation. Caden's choice was "I Hope They Call Me on a Mission." There he was standing so innocent and pure in his white clothing while singing his little heart out and I just wanted to run up and hug him. That was my fondest memory of the entire experience. That was the kind of moment that I wanted to be in forever. Caden kept telling me that I would cry....good call buddy. I had a few other tender moments as well...there is something to say about their countenance when they come out of the water. We were excited to have seen Jace Houskeeper's baptism as well. He too is a beautiful spirit. Tiernan Belnap was another good friend to get baptized that we were unable to see but got to talk with after. What special spirits saved for this time on earth.

This is a very special bonding time for father and son. I was very grateful for the time Caden had with his dad. There is nothing more powerful than the priesthood and I am so grateful that Curtis was able to use this gift.

What a stud sporting his new suit. He was trying it on and posed like this on his own. Who knows....maybe a career in modeling?! :) What a handsome young man in his new suit. We forgot to have him hold his new scriptures. Our happy guy! Wow! I can't believe that both our boys are baptized now. It seemed like just the other day that they were crawling around. All of our children were so well behaved considering the circumstances. I'm always so relieved when that happens!

Baptism Weekend

What a fantastic weekend! Even though the "weather was freezing" (a direct quote from Canadian Grandpa Carter) we had an incredible time. On Saturday we went to the Hidden Valley Park and played tag. Saturday afternoon was spent preparing food and making paper flowers. Sydney taught us how do do those. I wish I got a picture of it. The cousins can never get enough of each other. Sunday morning was church and then lunch. The kids got to play for a couple of hours and then it was good-bye time which we all despise. Caden was very down after. He informed me that he didn't have a good weekend at all. It's so sad when the family leaves but at least we have enough children to have another future event to look forward to where they all come for a visit again!

Caden's guests were great company. On Saturday night there were a total of 19 people sleeping in our home. It was soooo much fun! We LOVE having family come stay with us!

the Hassler and Carter cousins the grams and.. the gramps! auntie Cynthia, grandma carter, uncle Spencer cousins Jenna and Sydney cousin Zachary and brother Carter cousin Shane and baby Liam cousin Lindsey We enjoyed a yummy home made version of cafe rio. Everyone was starving as the baptism was very long and the children from our ward were the last ones to be baptized. We didn't eat until 7 that night. Yes, the best part, dinner! Fill them plates up! Uncle Mike, Dad and Grandpa H. Uncle Spencer enjoying his tortilla!Grandma and Grandpa Carter arrived Thursday before the baptism just in time to celebrate Grandma's 61st birthday. The kids were thrilled to have them come stay at our house. We had a yummy olive garden soup, salad, breadsticks and chocolate cake. We then went for a walk to show them Horizon Elementary School. Grandpa was very impressed with the view! This is the first time he has seen our new house and he LOVED it! Ofcourse he would with his enthusiasm for life! Grandma loves our central vacuum and loves the fact that crumbs get sucked up into their own abyss....she swept a lot...thanks mom!