November Happenings

We started off November babysitting for some friends up here. They were taking a trip for a week and asked that we take care if their 3 kids. I will admit, I was really nervous about it at first. The thought of 5 kids and a dog scared me. I had babysat my nieces and nephews before but it is different when it is family you are babysitting. As we got to know the kids more I got really excited because they were so fun and Sebastien loved playing with them. It was a lot of fun getting them up in the mornings, taking them to school and to their after school activities. I felt so motivated and more productive having places to be. Manti LOVED their dog. The poor thing was probably so glad when we left, she could actually walk around without Manti following her every move. I think after that week, I am confident I could handle 5 of my own! Now I just have to get Troy on board for that....:)

We spent the next week getting the boys back into their normal routine...being stuck at home with me! Sebastien asked everyday why we couldn't go back to the "girls'" house. I am sure if Manti was talking more, he would have been saying the same things.

We celebrated Thanksgiving with some good friends and had a wonderful meal. Tons and tons of food, but it was yummy! After eating, we of course HAD to watch the Cowboys game. Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete if we didn't support Troy's favorite team. He has even convinced Sebastien that "Dallas" is the best on earth. Silly boy, he has SO MUCH to learn! Ha!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we attended the annual Cheyenne Christmas parade. It is always very cold but we just layered up. The boys had three or four layers of clothes on, piled in the wagon covered in blankets and then had blankets draped over the sides to block the wind. Pretty spoiled huh? :) They had so much fun waving to all the people and seeing vehicles covered in Christmas lights. I think next year we will pass on this event. As much fun as it can be, I don't think I want to do it again. Two years in a row is enough for me.

I am sure people were wondering what the heck Troy and I were pulling behind us.

Once we found a good spot to park, we unveiled our cute surprise. The boys had so many people jealous of their set-up, me being one of them! :)

One of the best things to see that night. Sebastien really, really wanted to ride in the train. Maybe next year buddy.

This was one of Manti's favorites of the night. He really loved all of the big trucks, this was just the only one I got a good picture of.

I think this was at the beginning of the parade and a great way to start. It was so lit up and really got the boys attention.

Another family favorite. This airplane is done by the Wyoming Air National Guard. After the parade, they set it up at the main entrance on the guard base. I don't think we ever saw it lit up after this night though, bummer!

As we loaded up to head home, we got a nice gentlemen to take a picture of our family. I think Troy and I were beyond freezing at this point so we were just ready to beat the crowd and head home. Although it was so cold, it is a great family event and we always have a fun time.

Missionaries

We love having the opportunity to have the missionaries over for dinner. They are always so much fun and have great messages. They are very good about having kid-friendly lessons and involving the whole family. One night, they shared a little lesson about "Wearing the Armor of God". As they were sharing their message, they pulled out a helmet, shield, breastplate and sword and let Sebastien put them on. He was so excited and even let me take a few pictures. We feel so blessed to have the missionaries in our home and are very thankful for the examples they are to us and our boys.

Here is Sebastien showing off his new gear with the missionaries. He is so proud!

Manti wanted a turn too but would only let us put the helmet on. Still cute though.

Sebastien was so into the lesson the missionaries shared that after they left he went into the kitchen and came out wearing the silver bowl on his head.

He even tried sharing with Manti but Manti was not as excited about it. Funny boys.

Leaves

Our last outdoor activity before the snow storms....

We raked up a pile of leaves...
Sebastien found a tree branch and tried planting it in the pile of leaves...
Took a break from trying to plant the tree branch to swinging it around....

Manti was not sure what to think about the leaves...
His final decision.....he HATES it!!!

BOO-ED!

We are a little slow in posting this one but I was going through pictures and wanted to jot this down. During the month of October, we were suppose to have a knock on our door and have a plate of brownies on our door step, leaving us wondering who left the yummy treats. I say "suppose to" because the night they came over, the boys and I were in the garage riding bikes and ruined their surprise! Their little boy was so bummed because he was so excited to ring the doorbell and RUN! Of course it was the ONE night we decided to wait outside for daddy to get home from work. These were the instructions left for us....

You've Been Boo-ed!The phantom ghost has come to town

To leave some goodies... I see you've found.

If you wish to make this a happier fall...

Continue this greeting, this phantom call.

First, post this Phantom where it can be seen,

And leave it there until Halloween.

This will scare other Phantoms who may visit.

Be sure to participate, you don't want to miss it!

Second, make two treats & two copies from

http://www.beenbooed.com/

Deliver them to two neighbors, try to stay calm.

Don't let them see you, be sneaky, no doubt

And make sure they put their Phantom Ghost out!

Next, you have only one day to act, so be quick!

Leave it at doors where the Phantom hasn't hit.

Deliver at dark when there isn't much light...

Ring the doorbell and run, and stay out of sight!!

And last, but not least, come join in the season.

Don't worry, be happy, you need no good reason.

This is all in good fun and we are just trying to say...

Happy Halloween & Have a Great Day!

I was so excited to do this, the boys and I went out to Hobby Lobby and found some cute Halloween paper and came up with this.....

We made rice krispie treats with Halloween sprinkles, cut in the shapes of pumpkins and added little boxes of "dots"

Here is our delivery boy. He did NOT want to be recognized!

It has begun...

...and by that I mean POTTY TRAINING! We started back in September and Sebastien was doing really well. I have been printing off FREE potty charts and anytime he uses the potty, he gets to put stickers on it. When the potty chart is full, he gets a surprise. We have had a few poop incidents but that is bound to happen.

One day, I ran upstairs to get his "big boy" underwear and when I came back down, he was standing in the middle of the room saying "Mommy.....Mommy" I looked and sure enough there was a trail of little poopies on the floor leading to the bathroom. It was funny yet gross at the same time. I guess I better be prepared for many more of those moments.

Since the end of September, we have been so busy and have not been consistent with it. My goal this week is to get him back in the swing of things and see if I can't get him doing it by the end of the month! Any of you mothers out there that have "been there and done that", please feel free to leave advice on how to get it done fast. I would really like to not have to buy anymore diapers for him, I know he can do it!

Showing off all the stickers on his potty chart.

He was super excited because we were going to go buy him a new train.

Check it out! This one was filled up in just two days. Good job buddy!

He loves running around in his big boy underwear. Plus, I think it is just so cute!

This has NOTHING to do with potty training, I just found it and thought it was really funny. He just wanted to smell like daddy.

Snow Parade

Every year the base has a "snow" parade to show off all the tractors and snow plows. We were the only ones outside (on our street) waving to the trucks this year. Sebastien was a little hesitant about it at first but ended up loving it. I am 99.9% sure that is because they started throwing candy out the windows. :) It is funny to have a "snow" parade WITHOUT snow. However, we just got hit with another big storm so I think they got a lot of use out of them.

Manti is hanging out in the driveway, patiently waiting for the big trucks to come by.

Daddy and Sebastien waving and getting ready to catch the candy.

These were the two "favorites". They were so big and really got the boys attention. We got to see them in action this past week and it was so cool. They did a great job of keeping the roads cleared off so we could get around.

Daddy and his boys waiting for the excitement to begin.

Happy Halloween!!

Halloween was a big hit in our household. We went to the base clinic yesterday, the mall today and visited friends. The boys were dressed as "Thing 1" & "Thing 2". I made the costumes, they are very simple but got great reviews. It was so fun to see them walking side by side and check out every piece of candy they got. I know I have said it a million times before but I just absolutely LOVE these boys!

Manti and Daddy hanging out at the base clinic. Gotta love their hair. :)
A blurry action shot. Walking from house to house on base.

My PERFECT little boys! Aren't they just so adorable??

Walking from store to store at the mall saying "trick-or-treat" and "taint-tu" ( thank you).


We hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween.

With Love,

The "THINGS"