Halloween is a socially acceptable reason for my year round geeky love of all things horror. I love haunted houses, hollows, river walks, the works.
Like this Haunted Hallow, with friends.
meet krissy and andrus, if we used the word besties we could probably use it in reference to them
For years now I have gone to some haunted something every October. But last October I lived in England. And while we we did a strange Ghost Walk in York, it just didn't count. We did however go to a play based on a pretty scary ghost story, and in 2012 Harry Potter will star in the move....
When we went to the Haunted Hallow, too much mud prevented us from doing the corn maze, and Parker really wanted to do the corn maze. So for fall break, we went to another one.
Made it through the Haunted River Walk, even though there were clowns and one of us has an issue with clowns. But more importantly we solved the corn maze. Which was a first for me. Corn mazes have a way of confusing you and then spitting you out at the beginning. That can only happen so many times to me before I just give up and walk out the entrance. Parker was a little more determined. In the end we solved it.
For those of you who don 't know I rank some where between average and mediocre on the domestic diva scale. Lets just say I make a great PP&J and can almost always not mess up making brownies from a box mix. Not super crafty and our apartment in not duper decorated, but I get some points for donating all my Star Wars posters to nephews instead of bringing them with me into married life. But this Friday, a beautiful day with no class or work, we cranked up the Halloween Party Pandora Station and made sugar cookies. We didn't have cookie cutters so we had to free hand it. We even made our own frosting, we didn't have any cool frosting knifes and decorating was a little like finger painting. It was an experiment, and they didn't turn out perfect but all things considered, I was pretty proud.
It was a pretty great afternoon.
And what did we do today for fall break? Met up with my mom and dad in Ogden where we saw The Three Musketeers, and to our sheer delight we saw it DBOX Style.
Happy Fall Break to all those lucky enough to have one.
Hey there Autumn, it's been a while, you look great.
(parker and i cheering on the aggies in provo)
You know that feeling, when you walk outside in the morning and the air is so crisp that it wakes you up? And you are surrounded by golden leaves that twirl through the air with every little breeze. You can start to sense the contagious excitement felt by children planning their Halloween night. The corn mazes are up and ready to go. You reach to the back of the closet to pull out those beloved sweaters and boots that you just can't wear in the summer heat. When the New York Yankees and the Phillies are in the MLB PLAY OFFS. (And BOS SOX are NOT), and you are remembering that there is something lovely about football season, life just feels right.
1st of October I love so many things about you. But right at the top of the list, is General Conference.
Last General Conference I was in a room with great friends listening to Conference on a weak internet connection. Parker was with my family and I think besides Thanksgiving it was my most homesick weekend. I am excited to be able to watch it in good ole Alpine this time around.
At conference time I always remember President Gordon B. Hinckley with love. I remember his consul, to Be Still. I love coming together with my family on conference. I look forward to sitting next to my husband and being still. Taking time to ponder and reflect.What a joyous blessing it is to hear the words of God from a living Prophet.
I know that President Uchtdorf was inspired by God when he addressed the Relief Society last Saturday night.I will never be able to look at these small flowers again with out remembering his words, " You are not forgotten." He brought up five things, that every woman can relate to and understand. I know he was inspired, but it also made me think he must really love his wife, and know her very well.
I love how autumn air just seems to breathe excitement. I love how beautiful the mountains look speckled with red and orange. I love that it is time to start planning the holidays.
Oh, October thank you for coming!
Dear Mr. Disney,
I have visited your Magical Kingdom more times than I can count. As other friends grew older and were drawn away by Six Flags and Knott's Berry Farm, I never felt the desire to go to another amusement park. I never grew out of the magic of Disney Land. I still get butterflies when I walk through those gates and into that world that has such a special place in my heart.
We always go on Peter Pan first. It is a tradition. I never would have imagined as a little girl flying over London in a pirate ship, that someday I would live there. And we always eat soup outside of the Pirates ride. Last time I ate soup there a certain nephew of mine kept asking me if I had kissed a certain football player yet.... little did he know that football player would become his Uncle Parker. Mr. Disney the world you created to this day holds some of my happiest memories. And I am anxious to make more....... this week Parker and I were invited to your magical kingdom. And we really really wanted to come.
My sister Jill and her cute kids will be spending a week adventuring with Indie, flying from London to Neverland with Peter, exploring The Haunted Mansion, getting lost in Wonderland, and braving the Matterhorn. We would have loved to join them. If only there was a Real Life Pause Button, so that when you entered this magical world the real one would wait for you. Or if we didn't have school, tests, and other responsibilities .But we do, and so, Walt, you'll have to wait. But we will come someday. And in time we will bring our own little one through those gates to discover the magic for the very first time.
But for now we are home doing homework, and while our little home in Logan Utah may not be widely referred to as "The Happiest Place On Earth" I've got to tell you, it's not half bad. In fact, it has a pretty special place in my heart too.
Parker turned 21 yesterday. I met Parker when he was 18 years old and this is the first birthday I actually got to spend with him. We didn't get to hang out on his 19th birthday and last year I was in London, which meant for the big 20, we skyped.So this was a pretty big deal.
Being poor married students we couldn't do anything to crazy. But we were able to splurge for some Panda and Powerade for a big birthday dinner. And Parker requested Oreo Brownies. So I made them. Which is also a pretty big deal.
We do not have T.V. which = no ESPN. No Sports Center. No Top 10. No Not Top 10. And most important to Parker, No Eagles Games, No College Football. So as a part of his birthday celebration we spent a lazy Sunday afternoon camped out at my mom and dads watching football. Parker's birthday is also my sister Sarah's birthday. We had a big homemade birthday lunch. Sarah cooks even less than I do evident by when we sat down to lunch my niece Riley said "The more homemade the worse it is" but we proved her wrong it was great! Riley even had seconds. Later the whole family came over for cake.
This is the best picture I could get! There were so many kids running around trying to get close to the cake
Some of you may know how much Parker loves Penguins. It all started with this book. he loved it when he was a youngin. My mom was able to track down a copy on Amazon. He was so excited, and we are going to read it together, so I am excited about it to. Photo Failure, Parker asked an Eagles tie for his birthday, so we found him an Eagles tie and a Phillies tie, but currently do not have photos to post of them.
Happy Birthday Parker! I love you! I am excited that from now on, I'll be able to be with you on your birthday.
reflection on time at a young age but not quite as young as we were
this is me a year ago on the steps of st. pauls. note that i am wearing parkers watch, (we had to take a few links out so that it would fit) i kept it on utah time so that i could always know what he was up to.
this is rain and fog and big ben .
and this is a video that needed to be shared
saturday parker and i went to see his high school football team play in pocatello. this may or may not have been the first high school football game i have ever watched from beginning to end.
all of the kids parker played with have graduated, but he recognized some of their little brothers.
blurry pictures, i know.
after the game i got to meet the coaches, who just wanted to tell me over and over how much they love parker and how great he is. which for a wife, is always fun.
