A SWEET night.

Halloween is Tonight,

(YES, I know that it's the 30th, but living in Utah, Halloween is on Saturday when it the 31st falls on Sunday.)

So you better believe that with Halloween, comes bags and bags of Candy.

We at the Springer house, gave out over 300 pieces of candy in two hours.

Who ever thought that rain would keep the kids away... was WRONG.Here is the proof of the empty bags of candy that we gave out tonight.

The kids were all excited to go trick or treating and see just how much candy they could get.

For sure the rain was not slowing them down any. I even tried to bribe them by staying home, dressed up, with all the bags of candy, and watch a movie, but NO WAY were they going to "miss out."

This year is Kinlee's first attempt to go trick or treating; funny how fast kids pick up on the whole idea to it all.

Knock and get rewarded.

Handfuls of candy and smiles is how this sweet night ended...

We'll see what tomorrow brings; tummy aches and sugar high...I can almost guarantee it.

Thank goodness Halloween is only once a year.

What I ♥ about Halloween...

Homemade Caramel Apples.


Carving Pumpkins.


Lots of Treats.
(Go HERE if you want the free Monster Eye's printable)

Dressing Up.
Halloween is a Fun time to celebrate and with it just around the corner this upcoming weekend; it's Saturday here in Utah...we are truly crazy here, I know.
it is safe to say,
Let the PARTIES begin, and the Sugar Highs start as well.

Trick
Treat
and
Be SCARY.
ENJOY all the spooks & treats this season.

Adults Only.

Thank goodness for Halloween.
At least once a year, Halloween allows adults to dress up, play pretend, have a party, but mostly HAVE FUN.

With no kids invited, us parents were allowed to munch on goodies and dance till our feet hurt and even that didn't stop some of us.

Our kids were probably glad to NOT be there, for they would have been embarrassed by seeing their parents having fun...for they think that we are old and can't have fun anymore...

WRONG!

WE ALL HAD A BLAST!

Dan and I went as Troy Bolton and Gabriella from Disney's High School Musical.

Some of the others who joined the party were:

*Darla & Alfalfa
*Barbie & Ken
*Billy Rae & Hannah Montana

*Little Red & Big Bad Wolf

*Robin (the 4th wife) & Kody Brown

*Popeye and Olive Oyl
*Pirates
*A hunter & his Prey
*Peace & Quiet
*Vampires

See kids, Parents DO know how to have fun and we ARE cool, even if it is for ONE night,
thanks to Halloween.

The Great Pumpkin(s).

With twins, I have learned, and had to learn very quickly may I add, that all things must be plural.

So, when I was lucky enough to go with C&C on their preschool field trip to the pumpkin patch, I knew that there could be just one Great Pumpkin, in our case, we found TWO Great Pumpkins.

With the kids currently studying botany in their preschool... (I know, I don't even think I took botany in college, but that is just how great C&C's preschool teacher is.) Mrs. Hunsaker thought it would be the perfect opportunity to take the kids to visit the pumpkin patch.
Besides getting lost in a corn maze with about 10(+) preschoolers, having awesome animals to pet (and smell), and in between rainstorms, we all had a memorable time...to say the least.
(I did get some darling pictures before my camera died, not to add to the awesomeness of the afternoon.)
It got me thinking as I was chasing/trying to keep up with the kids in the corn maze, that this is most likely the last preschool pumpkin patch field trip I will go on with my own kids.
Kinda crazy, exciting, and sad all in one.
My babies are growing up.
So, even if the kids were crazy, I have to look at this field trip as if the kids were being kids and having fun; enjoying what life gives them.
(They kids weren't even naughty, just busy, but what 3-5 year olds aren't?)
Something I need to remember in my daily adventures and honestly, there is really no other place that I would have rather been, well, a diet coke in hand would have helped, but other than that, C&C loved having me there and THAT is the important thing.


So, with a picture of C&C with their favorite teacher and what they think to be as the Great Pumpkin, they both had a great time on their first preschool field trip, and so did I. ;)

Picture Perfect.

Opened up the curtains on the sliding door this morning to this...

How can it not be a good day with a view like this outside my window?

Another reason why I love Fall.

made with my very OWN two hands...

When there are things I should do around the house like laundry or cleaning, I have to ask myself why would I want to do that when there are better things to do, better things to do with my time that bring a smile to my face, like following many of the blogs I now "stock."

I am into the blogs that share great ideas on crafts and the best part... they actually "teach" how to make them, with step by step directions that are easy to follow.

Many of the ladies even tell you where they get the exact product to make and FINISH the project.

Here is what I have made with my very own two hands...

This shadow box frame and with each holiday/season, I am going to change it out. I got most of the items used for this project at the dollar store and the frame was from Hobby Lobby.

BTW...I ♥ Hobby Lobby!
This is our Fall "table scape."
That is a new term that I have learned from these crafty blogs.
I decorated the chairs and table with ribbon and some silk flower pick.
Cheap and Easy.


This dry erase broad has orange burlap behind the glass and with a pen in my hand, I wrote words down that describe Halloween.
(you can see that little kiddos have have fun trying to wip off some of the words, so snicky)
With a change of fabric, I will be ready for another holiday.

Yes, the pumpkin is 3D.
This project was under $10.00 and I love how it turned out.
Frame from Hobby Lobby. $8.00 (that is half price. reg. 15.99)
Pumpkin $1.00 from Walmart
Scrapbook paper
silk flowers

Hobby Lobby sells chipboard letters.
so, figure out what you want to spell out
(that itself is the hardest part of this project)
Paint and add glitter to bling up the letters.
Ta-Da.
Classy and Cute.

This picture has a few things:
*Glittered Chipboard stars.
* "AUTUMN" burlap bunting.
(BTW -Dan's favorite thing I have made so far)
* Picture on the mirror.

Here is a closer look at the picture that was on the mirror.
This project cost $4.00 and that is NO JOKE.
$2.00 frame from DI
$1.00 book from DI
$1.00 crate black paper from the dollar store
The glitter, ribbon, mod poudge, scrapbook punch (used with the pages from the book) I had already in my craft stash.
The vintage Halloween picture I was able to find and print from the computer.
Time is what was costly on this project, only because I wanted the frame to be really full of the 3D "book" paper.

When you come up to our front door, this wreath will welcome you.
Made out of a hay wreath is the base and then I added black burlap that was tied in knots around the wreath.
Also, I found a favorite thing doing all of these projects...tulle!
I love it and this tulle I used was black with white poke a dots.
I added some glittered holiday picks and ribbon.
To finish it, I found a sparkly pumpkin to go right in the middle of the wreath.
This project was finished in one afternoon and I was able to get everything I needed at one stop shopping at, yeah, you know it...Hobby Lobby!

So, now you know what I have been doing lately...NOT cleaning or cooking, but CRAFTING!
I love being able to look around the house and see things that I have made with my very own two hands...
I do want to give credit where credit is due.
These ideas were found on one of my favorite places to waste time on the Internet.



The ideas on this website are amazing and are seriously endless.
I am looking forward to what ideas that they will share for the projects that I can make for Christmas.
Be watching, because I can tell you these two hands are not done crafting.

FALL FUN.

You couldn't ask for a more perfect Saturday to go to the pumpkin patch, so I won't... Today we took totally advantage of the awesome fall weather, got dressed up in our Fall colors, and headed to the local (very local; across Main Street) pumpkin patch.

There was a lots of fun things for the kids to do...pony rides, hay maze, petting zoo, a wagon ride through the pumpkin patch.

Fall has to be one of my favorite time of the year.
Bring out the boots and cozy clothes.
I love the weather; mid 70s with the sun shinning.
The colors make it a great back drop for a fun photo opportunity.
Simply Perfect.
Other things I ♥ about Fall...
* homemade soup and rolls.
* the NBA starts-GO JAZZ.
* the smells of cinnamon and pumpkin warm up the house.
* the awesome color scheme of the mountains.
* the bugs die.
* the Holidays are right around the corner.

I just ♥ this time of year!
Here's to our Fall Fun 2010.

Why so serious??

When Dad is in charge and mom is away, that is when all the silliness come out.

Hence, why the kiddos have awesome smiles for this perfect picture.

Yes, Dan is an awesome dad.

Yes, he is a one of a kind.

Yes, the kids love it when he is in charge.

AND...

YES, even he is well trained to remember to grab the camera when mom is away.

When DAD is in charge, there is no reason to act so serious.

Drum Roll Please.

Dan is starting to dread Conference weekend, not for the talks or being able to have a relaxing mini break from going to church because we are able to watch it on tv in our jammies, BUT he is dreaded it, for he is seeing a trend...
A trend of "let's start a home improvement project."

Last year it was the crown molding.

This year, it is the FIREPLACE.

Here is the before.

Nice, I know, but I wanted a real mantel, so let the building begin......and now with it being a little over a week, the fireplace is done.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE....

TA-DA!!!

Here is the finished fireplace.

I LOVE IT!

I knew that Dan could do it, YES, the accountant in him can do other thing besides math and numbers.
In fact, we (I am the one with the ideas and Dan actually does them) have also done a few other home improvements in the past couple of months.

* Tile back splash in the kitchen

* Tile the tub in the master bath

* Bead board in the bathroom downstairs

* Custom panels with molding in the master bath.

Pictures will be posted soon, I have had some request to see what "we" have done.

In the meantime, I will enjoy the projects that have been done and I am sure that I can always think of more...

*Hint Hint Dan.

Smart kiddos.

This past week, we have had the opportunity to meet with the kiddo's teachers for the all dreaded parents/teacher conferences.

Dreaded IF my kids were naughty in class or were having issues with homework, BUT NOT MY KIDS!

All of the kid are doing GREAT in school. They have all their assignments in and the teachers say that they are a pleasure to have in the class.

SO, to celebrate the great outcome with the conferences, (to be honest, I really wasn't too worried, I know that I have GREAT kids.) the kids wanted to celebrate by heading over to Trafalga for an afternoon of play.

Amusement Park Rides, Bumper Boats, and even Pony Rides, OH MY!

The kids had a fun time.

(Even Dan got into the fun as well.)

You kids for sure earned today as a "fun day" for all the hard work that you are doing in school.

Keep up the great work and continue to make your dad and me proud.

all for a good cause.

Delanie and I have a whole lot of hair on our heads, "why?" you may ask.

For all of you who didn't know, Miss Lanie and myself, we have been growing out our hair so that we can donate it to Locks of Love.

(Locks of Love is a agency that makes wigs for people/children who have cancer. They make the wigs out of hair that people are willing to donate)

Here is the before: We are each about to cut off 10 inches of hair.

Lanie is so excited to finally cut her hair. She is nothing but smiles.
Lanie has wanted to do this for a long time and kept making sure that I was still going to cut mine.

I on the other hand, had mixed feelings. I know that I needed to cut my hair to help out others, but I really didn't want to cut that much hair off, I was starting to feel nervous, BUT Lanie made sure that I was to do it.

Look at all the extra hair that we couldn't donate, this was hair that was cut off in addition. Gross.

Wried creepy thought: when hair is on our head or even others heads for that matter, we can comb it, braid it, or even play with it, BUT the second it gets cut off...yuck! It becomes nasty and I don't want it near me.

Here is the after picture of both of us with our new hair cuts.

Sassy and Cute.
I have to be honest, I love Lanie's new cut, BUT I really love mine. I know, I know. I had mixed feelings, BUT I love that it now has a style to it. It is healthy and has an awesome shine again.

Plus, knowing that Lanie and I did this together was kinda a fun mommy/daughter experience, BUT the best thing about this whole thing, is knowing that Lanie and I were able to help others in need.

This was a great reminder that we need to be grateful for everything and remember to not take anything for granted...even the hair on our head, for there are some people who would give anything for some.

We did this all in the name of a good cause, but had a good time as well.

It was a win win day!

The letter of the day is...D.

D is for DADDY and DOG.

Little Miss Cassie Mae had show and tell this morning at school, so what else would a 4 year old think of that starts with the letter D than her very own DAD and DOG.
The kids came out from their "classroom" so very quietly in a line with their arms folded. Who knew that C&C could be that reverent, they don't even do that during church.
The kids were excited to see the DOG and were all wanting to pet and see Bentley, but when I mentioned that Cassie also brought her DAD, the attention still was on the DOG.
Sorry DAD, you were totally up scaled by a DOG.
The DOG was a hit, Cassie thought she was pretty cool, and Dad, you were just there to hold the leash.
D is for DOG and not so much DAD is today's show and tell.

Go for the GOLD.

I have always known that Delanie has amazing upper body strength, but what mom wouldn't think that their own kid is awesome at everything, but when Lanie's dance teacher told me that she really should really use her talent and go into gymnastics, I knew something had to be done, for this was coming from more than me, or Nana, but a public professional.

So, for Lanie's birthday, we signed her up, but didn't expect to be on a waiting list...come on people, she has raw talent that needs to be used. ;)

Finally, after what seemed like forever for Delanie, a spot became available.

So, after 2 weeks, she is doing great.

The teachers are impressed by her ability and strength, but if she would gain a bit of confidence, then amazing things would happen.

Who wouldn't trust another to catch you in mid back handspring? I know I would have a hard time with it.

So, with the dollars and time each week that I am willing to give up for Delanie, I am sure gold is in her future, but till then, her mom as her biggest fan will have to be the next best thing.

Seriously funny.

Seriously Funny.

While driving in the car earlier today, Cassie was seriously non-stop talking.

She was seriously starting to get on my nerves.

Cassie was seriously talking about everything.

I even tried to tell her to try and talk more quite...seriously or else.

I have learned that Cassie seriously doesn't have a volume control.

Carson then pipes in very seriously. "Cassie, you talk to much."

Cassie seriously didn't get it...She kept on talking.

That is our Cassie.

Seriously.

Seriously, you gotta love honest brotherly love.

Are YOU Listening??!?!

You better believe that I sure am!

Today David's new album came out; finally after a long wait and a prolonged release date, TODAY is the day.

I have it already on my itouch and have been listening and ENJOYING.

Let the listening begin and the songs play loudly.

Real or Not Real?

In case you are wondering...
This in NOT REAL.

BUT.....

This one is REAL!

Tonight leaving the Livingston's home, THIS was awaiting us on their door jam, as a nice farewell send off.

A REAL and HUGE Black Widow Spider.

Not Awesome.
I know that this is the month of creepy crawly things, but I totally could have gone without seeing the Spider.

FOR REAL.

Size doesn't matter.

Today, thanks to President Monson's talk during general conference, I was reminded that I need to remember to...

Big or Small, when it comes to my blessings, I have been blessed with many things in my life and I need to remember why that is...

For my Father in Heaven loves me and is awear of me.

He wants what is best for me.

So, whether it is one of my bigger blessings; of having my health, the gospel, and my family OR whether it is small blessing like my cozy bed, gas in my car, or the sunshine in the sky, I need to be thankful for ALL of my blessings.

It is up to me to find the positive in all things and enjoy what "blessings" may come my way, big or small.

Girls just want to have FUN...

...and when you bring together 6 girlfriends, a self serve candy bar, some music, and a late night,

You are bound to have a good time.

Tonight, Mackenzie invited some of her closest friends over for a late night "late" birthday party.

McKenna, Grace, Lexie, Kali, Lucy, and Kenzie were here for the party...and PARTY is for sure what they did.

There was lots of giggling, game playing, lots of finger nail polish being used,

and GIRLS JUST HAVING FUN.