Happy Halloween 2012

While trick or treating Parker expressed his feelings of Halloween:

"Dad, Halloween is my favorite holiday."  To which I responded, "Why is that".  "Because you get treats and you get to dress up."

Such a profound answer because it is a profound truth.  Not only did the boys experience a perfect halloween night but Halloween lasted for over a week and yes there was plenty of candy and plenty of dressing up.  Here is a recap of the Halloween Highlights that make this the best holiday of them all (at least for now).

Wednesday October 24 - Ward Halloween Party

For starters we had the ward Halloween party.  After a quick trunk or treat in the parking lot the fun headed inside for some soup and rolls with the ward family.  Captain America and Batman apparently are the new dynamic duo with Spiderman also making an appearance.  And of course we can't forget the trusty sidekick horse that surely is fitting for any super hero

Saturday October 27 - Stewarts & City Party

Facing the nightmare of being alone with two monsters in the house (Melissa was with her mom and some friends) was made easier with double the parties on Saturday.  The first Halloween smash was at local grocery store "Stewarts".  The grocery store transforms into halloween games and even a haunted meat shop that Parker conquered because there were "only pumpkins".  It didn't hurt that if you survived it you got a can of pop to go in your bag.  The donut eating contest was fun but I think more fun when you could eat it right out of your hand.

Castle Dale City Party

We took our show to the Rec Center that night where we had homemade chicken noodle soup and Pumpkin Chocolate Cookies.  Parker made it to the top 5 in the costume contest losing to a "tractor" of all things (though I confess that I was impressed).  We topped the party off by carving some pumpkins and getting some pumpkins to take home with us.

Monday October 29 - Pumpkin carving.

For family night we broke out our carving skills and carved some pumpkins while listening to some Halloween tunes.  Mom and Parker brought Mickey Mouse to life while Brock attacked his pumpkin as if it was Frankenstein.

Wednesday October 31 - HALLOWEEN!

Halloween came to life as Parker was allowed to wear his costume to Pre-School.  Following pre-school it was time to terrorize the neighborhood with some trick or treating.  We took a quick trip to Ferron to visit some friends there and pick up some food at Grub Box prior to hitting our neighborhood.  Parker and Brock loved every minute as they ran from house to house.  It was fun to see these brothers walk up to the doors in their excitement.  Of course Brock's "doggy" had to come along for trick or treating as well.

Asta La Pasta

For the last 7 years we have made frequent visits to Grandma Vicki and Grandpa Carl's in Price.  It technically wasn't Price but when I contended that it was Helper, it wasn't that either.  Grandma's and Grandpa's would suffice.  Trips were made for Sunday Dinners, family visits, date nights, errands to the store, trips up north, etc.  You name it, we made a trip for it.  Parker would often spot the house from the freeway as it could be seen from the highway sitting near the golf course.  Many memories were made their and many more will be transferred to Salt Lake but what happened here will be cherished and remembered.

Melissa moved here in 1999 and became her second home in the area.  My first trip their during the dating season was enjoyable as I realized how much of a home that it was.  It was a large home and provided for some large memories.  The downstairs was perfect for pinata parties at new years and the kitchen was ideal for the famous pasta meals that cannot be duplicated.  Outside of the home, but as an extension was a four wheeler which provided for many a golf ball run.  The back cinderblock wall provided for a short baseball fence and the grapes that hung over the wall provided an elegance about the house.  The nectarines and peaches were from the God's and apparently the squirrels felt the same way about those peaches.  Parker and Brock loved watching the hummingbirds feed in the feeder and it was always entertaining when one went inside the house and couldn't get out but would keep bouncing into the large glass windows.  The grass was a multi use site where many of a car would get washed.  In many cases this was the only place where our car would get washed so thankfully we made many a trip.  The freezers were always a deathtrap waiting to happen and many a hostess treat would stare you in the face as you opened it.  Grandma Vicki defied Grandpa as she stocked it full of Schwans frozen meals.  Winters were always enjoyable as the driveway was turned into a slippery ice skating slope.

As mentioned before, these memories and many more will be transferred north as Grandma and Grandpa sold their home.  As they packed, we also packed.  We spent a few days at their house helping and getting in their way (perhaps hoping that this would slow the process down and give us some more time).  We came away with some treasures as closets were cleaned out.  Mom, Parker and Brock were able to spend one more night their before the moving vans came and finished the moving.

It hasn't set in yet that they will not be there for a quick trip to Price.  The empty rooms don't seem empty yet.  But as the time goes on we will be grateful more and more for the memories made and the lessons taught within the walls of this wonderful home.  We are thankful that Parker and Brock were able to have what Melissa had growing up, a grandma and grandpa who were so close and so involved in their lives.  That of course will continue but the scenery will change.

Parker Pre-school -Mom's Nightmare

From the day Parker was born, mom has been dreading this day.  The day that mom releases her loving arms of exclusive adoration and tutoring and allows her oldest son to venture to the pre-school world.  Of course a mom's love is never outdone or teaching ever replaced, but for Parker, at the age of 4, he will be leaving home base and walking for 3 days a week to Ms Amanda's for pre-school.

Parker's first day was exciting.  Parker was so excited and anxious to get going (not realizing that he was breaking his mother's heart).  With his new school clothes on and his batman backpack and of course having mom do what every school kid dreads, that of making sure Parker was "presentable", he basically ran and jumped and flew his way to the pre-school.  Of course he was the first one there (trying to impress the teacher of course).  Parker had arrived and his days of schooling had officially begun.

As for mom, she had her pre-school moments but now her nightmare of homework, friends, etc., have now just begun.