Halloween 2016

A Storm Trooper, A Cowgirl. Mr. Invisible. An Indian Princess.

Popeye and Olive Oil.

I got Ron to dress up for a Halloween party which always makes me happy.

Mason was very adamant about being "Mr. Invisible" this year. I wasn't too thrilled about the skin tight cheesy costume but I sure like making him happy. He was so cute when it came in the mail he put it on (which was not easy) and immediately asked "Can you see me?!" I love how fun this kid is.

Halloween night we broke tradition and went to my friend Erin's home for dinner and trick or treating. (I still feel bad about ditching my mom) It was quite the success! I can't believe all the yummy candy my kids got.

Callie was a "Pea-hawk"  and a Cowgirl for Halloween. No matter how many times I corrected her she just kept calling it a peahawk, so I eventually stopped correcting her. I got together with Maryann and made the tutu and added peacock feathers. It was a little tricky getting the feathers to stay where I wanted them. But I think it turned out pretty cute. I wish we got better pics of Callie and Kendalyn in their matching costumes, so cute. She actually only wore this costume for an hour or so and not on Halloween. We learned really fast that it was a difficult costume to transport. Not car friendly. LOL At our ward trunk or treat she wanted to be a cowgirl (after my suggestion... ). So we stuck with that for Halloween too. Mason was so funny when he found out we were changing her costume he looked confused and said "But... you spent so much time on her peacock costume?.." True Mason. True. I almost said "Welcome to parenthood"

April's costume was supposed to be a gumball machine. I borrowed it from Maryann and sadly waited too long before trying it on her... it did NOT fit. So 2 days prior to Halloween I was scrambling. My friend had lent me a Princess costume but it was a little long and April was tripping on it too much. Since Callie was being a Cowgirl I thought it would be cute to have April be an Indian Princess. So I put this costume together the day before Halloween and I think it turned out pretty cute.

 We switched to a cheerleader on actual Halloween because once again tutu's are not car-seat friendly.

Ron's Deer hunt

He got his deer! Ron went hunting Friday and Saturday of last week. Saw a couple big bucks but came home Saturday night empty handed. He debated taking another day off work to go back and hunt. I'm really glad he decided to go, Wednesday the following week he got his deer! He really enjoys the outdoors and deserves a break from our crazy life. I am also really happy and appreciative that Larry is usually able to go with him. I love that he shares this interest with his Dad. Very cool to witness a passion for something from one generation to the next.

Fall Break Adventures

I wanted to plan a lot of fun activities for Fall break this year. This year the government has created a white house youth initiative to get all 4th graders and their families to experience places that are home to our country's natural treasures, rich history, and vibrant culture. Translation: All 4th Graders (and their entire car) get into a national Park for FREE! I plan on using this lots. On Monday we went to Tonto Natural Bridge with Lindsey and her kids. This was quite the adventure. I was a little nervous doing something like this with all our kids and no husbands mostly because I am directionally challenged at times and Ron is always there to help with common sense and muscle power. When we got to the park we spoke to a Park Ranger and thought we knew where we were going and what we were getting into. After taking a few small detours and dead ends we finally found the correct trail and started our descent to the natural bridge. I was a little surprised as how rugged the terrain was. Climbing up and over boulders, across streams squeezing through narrow trails. I was impressed with how well all the kids seemed to be handling the hike. When we reached the Natural Bridge and needed to cross under it reality hit. The rocks were slippery and steep. Navigating through the bridge was a little stressful with our 2 adult:7 children ratio but with a little prayer and faith we managed with out incident. We had minimal complaining from the kids and all in all it was a huge success! It was fun to chat (and laugh hysterically) with Lindsey. I'm happy the day worked out.


On Tuesday I had the genius idea to take my kids to Montezuma's Castle. Inhabited by Indian farmers from the 14th century. Crazy to think that this people built their house in a cliff to avoid flooding and animal preditors. This 700 year old home was pretty incredible to look at. So grateful my mom came with us.

The kids worked really hard on earning their "Jr. Ranger pins"

Wednesday we took it easy. Had a couple appointments and just hung out. Poor Noah got a stomach bug so I ended up not working on Thursday which actually was pretty cool. Callie learned to ride her bike with out training wheels so we lived outside the next couple days riding anywhere and everywhere we could think of.
Friday for Noah's birthday he requested scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausage for his birthday breakfast. After I got off work we went to Subway (rode our bikes) for his favorite a meatball sub.

I love the time off school and busy schedules. I get to spend more time with the kids and plan fun activities.

Noah's Baptism

Noah was baptized today.

My one goal for today was to get a picture of Noah and Ron all in white.

CHECK! 

Ron gave a talk about Baptism and spoke to Noah about our physical bodies getting hurt and needing First Aid. Likewise, our spiritual bodies can also get hurt or damaged and similar to First Aid we are given things to help us repair our spirits. He talked about having Faith, praying, reading scriptures, and more importantly partaking of the Sacrament to renew our Baptismal covenants. It was really sweet when Ron recalled his own baptism and thinking that he had to be perfect from that point on. Because of the blessing of the Sacrament we don't have to be perfect. I loved at the end of his talk Ron spoke about how our family is blessed to have calm sweet Noah amidst the crazy in our household. So true.

Grandpa Faler spoke about the Holy Ghost. He used an analogy of watering the grass. When it rains everyone feels the rain. (That's the spirit that is poured down from Heaven) When we turn on our sprinklers not everyone gets the water, only we feel it. Once we have the gift of the Holy Ghost we have the power to turn our water on and even off. Having this power and utilizing it can help us grow and prosper. We need to make sure that we do what is necessary to help keep the Holy Ghost on and around us. It will be a blessing through out our whole life. He talked about how when we are doing the things in life that we should like praying, reading our scriptures... etc our thoughts will be in line with the Holy Ghost. When we have the Holy Ghost with us we can do no wrong.

January 20, 1990 

Noah's baptism was so sweet to sit and think about this very room. I was baptized in this building in the very same font. My Dad spoke at my baptism and he was speaking at Noah's. It's crazy how life is. I never imagined I would be in the very same room with people I love experiencing this today, 26 years after my own baptism.

Noah Von Huber's Baptism Program:

Conducting: Bishop Curtis
Pianist: Lori Faler
Music Leader: Shelly Huber

Opening Song: Baptism
Opening Prayer: Larry Huber

Musical Number: “When I am Baptized” Mason, Noah, & Callie Huber
accompanied by Lori Faler

Talk on Baptism: Ron Huber
Baptism of Noah: by Ron Huber
Witnesses: Larry Huber, & Von Faler

Talk on Holy Ghost: Von Faler
Confirmation of Noah: by Ron Huber

Closing Song: I Stand All Amazed
Closing Prayer: Joyce Huber

They did so good on their musical number. Each of them had a small solo and it was fabulous. I could listen to them sing all day. Makes my heart happy.

Callie No Training Wheels

Today was a very unusual day. Noah was sick yesterday so I didn't go to work. I didn't want the sitter to have to deal with throw up. When I got home from the gym this morning I suggested going on a jog with the kids on their bikes. We rode all the way to Baseline and back (2+ miles total). Callie handled the freeway overpass like a champ and she yelled "Look Mom! No legs!" with her bike spinning downhill. When we got home Callie informed me that she was ready for us to take her training wheels off. Today was the perfect day for that since I was supposed to be working and had no plans. I took her outside removed them and off we went. I only had to hold and help balance her for a few runs down the street before she had it herself. I can't believe how easy it was for her. She is so coordinated and talented. (Doesn't get that from me!) We have been outside almost all day riding and practicing stops and turns. I'm not sure why I am surprised when Callie puts her mind to something she is going to do it.

Happy Birthday to Mason and Noah

This year I thought it would be fun to combine birthday parties. We went with a reptile theme and had lots of fun with it. My boys both spend endless hours chasing geckos around and catching them outside, so why not bring some fun reptiles into the house? I had arranged for a reptile company to come to the house and show off their animals. I think what surprised me the most was how enamored all the kids were. I've honestly never seen so many quiet and attentive children crammed into one room. I loved how educational the reptile guy was. He rattled off interesting facts and information about each animal that I enjoyed listening to and getting to know the creepy crawlers!

Mason and Noah got to be the "guinea pigs" and sit up by the reptile guy to hold each animal first.

Mike showed us everything from snakes, to lizards, a tortoise, and a monitor lizard.

They were only closing their eyes because they were instructed to.

   Jack the leopard gecko

 

 The Skink lizard

 Actually I lied... Callie surprised me the most. She loved every minute of it. I guess having 2 older brothers helps create a "non-girlie" little girl. 

 Meet George the Monitor lizard this one was by far the COOLEST! Crazy looking guy!

 When it was all said and done, Noah thanked me at least 4 times and Mason informed me that in 2 years (that's how often we do birthday parties) he wants the EXACT same party.