A week of playing dress up

With Halloween quickly approaching we have had plenty of opportunities to attend parties and play dress up. I participate in a group of full-time moms who practice and perform plays for children at our local library. This week we spent two days performing for schools, preschools, and the public. It was exhausting but tons of fun!
I am the one with the affro. I played the parts of a chubby pumpkin who ate nonstop, and I was also a ghost.

Last Saturday I went to a friend's party. When I spend time dressing up I like to feel pretty, so I decided to be a fairy.

The cutest pumpkin around! I know you all have seen Meg in this costume before, but I added the slippers and leggings since the last photo and I think those accessories complete the outfit!

Last Friday we attended a family party and costumes were required so Mark borrowed a M&M costume and Gavin was a bat. He makes a great little bat and he's been practicing bat noisy frequently.

Christmas shopping

As many of you know, Mark took up the hobby of radio controlled flying a few years ago. It is his way to relieve stress and a favorite Saturday activity. A few weeks ago a memeber of the local flying club passed away so his family put all his airplanes and supplies up for sale. Mark was grateful for the opportunity to add to his collection, I was grateful Mark was Christmas shopping for himself, and we both were grateful for the opportunity to help Darrell's family with medical and funeral expenses. He got several planes and parts for a really good deal.

These are the two new planes he bought.

These are all of Mark's planes and he has another one to build this winter. I am so glad Mark chose a family friendly hobby, and it is so fun to watch his collection grow.

Snow

We awoke this morning to the first snowfall of the year and Gavin and Megan were so excited! I didn't realize we'd be needing snow clothes this early in the season!

The day started with a few inches, but by afternoon we had at least 6 inches and reports of 6 more inches during the night! Crazy! A friend of ours has a sign posted in his dental office that lists the 4 seasons of Wyoming as almost winter, winter, still winter, and construction. I didn't realize "almost winter" started so early. I can't believe that on Wednesday we were in shorts and today we're in snow pants.
I love the snow but I'd like a few more weeks of sunshine!

Our temporary pet

A few weeks ago we went on a caterpillar hunt with our friend Melissa. I didn't have an eye for finding any, but Melissa did, and she was kind enough to give Gavin a caterpillar to take care of and watch for a few weeks as it became a butterfly. Gavin loved the process! Everyday he would check on his little pet and say "Look mom! My butterfly turn into a cocoon then a butterfly!" After 4 days it made a cocoon, then after 10 days the cocoon turned black and 2 days later the butterfly emerged.

This is the Monarch after just a few hours. If you look closely you can see the open cocoon next to the butterfly.
Isn't it beautiful?! We let it ret for 1 day then let it fly away.

Visit to the pumpkin patch

We made a visit to the local pumpkin patch last Friday and it was so much fun!

Megan will occassionally smile and say "cheese" for pictures, but she often gives this scowly look instead.
This is the lucky pumpkin we bought and brought home.
Gavin was more interested in climbing the hay bales than searching for a pumpkin.

Leaves Leaves Everywhere

We love Fall and have enjoyed playing outside in the leaves!

Welcome Home Mark!

Mark's potential 2 week deployment ended up being only 4 days and it has been so nice having him back! Having Mark gone reminded me how much I love him and how nice it is to have him around. I also realized how grateful I am for wonderful, helpful friends who would do anything for me. I had a girl's hot tub party here Thursday night that was tons of fun and very relaxing! Around 12:30 we were all eating cake, chatting, and having a great time when Gavin threw up in his bed (Megan did the same thing Tuesday night). Part of me was embarrassed and expected my friends to leave so I could clean up, but instead they all stayed to keep me company, change sheets, clean, and comfort Gavin. Thank you to all our family and friends who called and stopped by to keep us busy while Mark was gone.