The Halloween Finale

For a person who doesn't really like Halloween, I sure have posted a lot about it. Well, this is the finale. I thought these pictures were fun of our family on Halloween.

{A pirate, beard and all!}

Daddy and Ayden (aka a mummy and a pirate)

Sophie and Mommy (aka Tinkerbell and Barbie)

Our ward had a trunk-or-treat so we decided we had to keep up our reputation of craziness by dressing up. Then we headed home for a lot more trick-or-treaters. Ayden decided he wanted Daddy to take him around so off they went. And I was pleased because they came home with lots of yummy things for Mommy to eat!! The candy. . . that's the one thing I can really get on board with!

Cousins galore!

Last night we had our Hammer kids pumpkin carving, costume wearing, pizza eating bizzar! The kids all come wearing their costumes and we hurry and snap a shot of them together before they all get dirty or start losing pieces. Then Brammy sent them on a hunt for their Halloween bags full of goodies and toys. After that we had some pizza and carved pumpkins! It's a crazy night with all those kids (18 to be exact) but we had a really great time!

We decided to let one person take pictures with their camera for the group shot so here it is. . . all 18 of them!

I caught a few of our kids before we left because I knew the cuteness wouldn't last long!

Captain Hook (minus the Hook) and Tinkerbell

Here is a shot of Logan sitting on the porch with a pirate and jesse.

And heres the finished product!


A special thanks to Brammy for letting us destroy her house and for feeding us all and always creating a fun atmosphere for great memories! We love you Brammy!

The spirit of Halloween

So it seems that I'm surrounded with people full of the spirit of Halloween. I'm not really sure what that is, but I guess a lot of people really get into it. Well, I've never been much of a fan, but I am trying to be a good sport this year.

On Friday night we had our annual adults-only Hammer Halloween party. I wasn't able to attend the first part (a really fun and interactive scavenger hunt) but I got there just in time to enjoy the delicious snacks and play some games. Of course we forgot our camera so feel free to check out some of my sister-in-laws blogs for more pictures! I know that Abi and Whitney have posted them.

On Sunday we decided to get out the pumpkins we got at a pumpkin patch a few weeks ago and carve them. We had all the kids sticking their hands in that gooey mess and seeds all over the kitchen. It was really fun though, and I know Ayden had a good time.

Making me look good

I'm sure every mother has those times when your child does or says something that really doesn't make you look good. I know that when I was little and living in Korea, I embarrassed my parents when (as the bishop's daughter) I was asked what we did in our home for FHE and I replied, "Oh, we don't have Family Home Evening at our house." We had it every week, but because it wasn't formally announced as FHE, I didn't realize that's what we were doing.

Well, while we were in NY with my sister, Ayden took the opportunity to make me bad. We were eating at a restaurant in the city and when they brought him his plate with a sandwich and carrot sticks, he quickly replied, "HEY!! CARROTS ARE FOR HORSES!" That's right, in our house we teach that veggies are for animals, not people.

Another night Laura was sitting on the couch reading to Connor and when asked if he'd like to join in he said, "No, I don't like reading. I just like watching movies." The funny thing is, he loves reading. He is always begging us to read to him, but for some reason he wanted to make it look like that's not something we promote in our house. What a nut!

I'm sure I will have many more times like these, when my children decide to make me look bad. For now, I'll just smile and remember that I'm not alone, right?

My baby boy . . . is 3!!

This week we had a wonderful experience! We celebrated Ayden's birthday. I don't think it's possible to celebrate one of your children's birthdays without reflecting on the previous years of their life. I was thinking about how excited I was to be pregnant and become a mother. When I went into labor with him I was so excited to finally meet this little guy. He was a dream baby. As an infant he hardly ever cried. He was always content. As a toddler he became a little more difficult (as most children do) but he has always been a sweetheart. He has a tender heart and he is a very affectionate child. He has started thoroughly entertaining us lately, which makes this whole parenting thing even more fun.

When he woke up this morning he came in our bed for a "lovin station". He asked for a story so I told about a little boy whose parents stayed up really late decorating the house for his birthday party. He was really excited when he realized I was talking about him. His face lit up when he walked out and saw this-

We had a blast with the balloons and Sophie's crazy hair! Of course, she loved it too! :)


As the guests started arriving, Ayden was all smiles. First up was pin the tail on the turtle. The kids waited patiently in line for their turn while Logan sprayed dots in their hair with green hair spray.


Next up was the turtle egg hunt. I found camo bouncy balls and we hid them in the yard. The kids had to crawl around like turtles and find the eggs.

The final activity was the turtle race. We set up a raceway on the side of our house and they had to race on their hands and knees for the finish line. By this point, Ayden was crying and didn't want to participate anymore. Thanks to some comfort from Nana, he joined us for the rest of the party.


We came inside for some lunch and to open presents. That was by far Ayden's favorite part, and is always my least favorite part. I can't stand the chaos. Well Logan came up with a system that proved to be very helpful! He set up some chairs and the child who's present he was opening got to come sit by him and help. The kids all waited patiently for their turn, it was a miracle! Best present opening yet!

The last present was a scooter from Mom and Dad! I think it was a hit!

After presents we had cake and ice cream. Yummy! I stayed up late trying to make the perfect turtle cake. Well, it's not perfect, but I think it turned out alright!


And last but not least. . . it was finally time for goodie bags and t-shirts! I know that's most of the kid's favorite part. They were really excited about the fun t-shirts that Logan made with a turtle and their initial on it. We got a group shot of all our guests in their new t's!

Top row: Bronson, Brandt, Sophie, Madi, Ayden, Bridger, Clara
Bottom row:Braden, Lauryn, Kathrine, Hadlee

It was a total success! I'm so glad Ayden had a birthday and was supported by all the people he loves. Happy Birthday my little tattie, I love you!

What would we do without cousins?

Ayden and Sophie are especially blessed with lots of great cousins. On Logan's side there are 18 and on my side there are 5. They get along with every single one of them too. For some reason Ayden and Connor (my sister's son) have always had a special bond. Ayden only gets to see him a few times a year, but he always remembers him. On our trip, Sophie and Abby got to form their own bond, and now they are little buddies as well.

We were so lucky to have this opportunity to go visit Laura in New York. They took such good care of us and we enjoyed every second of our trip. We made some great memories. So a special thanks to the Buchanan family for opening your home to us and showing us a great time on our visit! We love you guys, and we will always remember the time we came to stay with you.

Now on to the pictures. Unfortunately the battery on my camera died half way though the trip, but I think, between the 2 of us, we got some pretty good shots.

{The morning of Connor's birthday!}

{The very handsome new baby Andrew}

{Our three little guys}

{We put the binky girls in the crib together and they actually played for a little while!}

{Our costumes for the birthday party}

{We had a fun pizza/movie night after the birthday party!}

{Abby and Sophie took it upon themselves to clean up after the party}

{Our first stop once we made it to the city was at the famous New York Library}

{Ayden was a little more excited about going on the subway then Connor was}

{The cleaning sisters had a great time washing each other in the bath}

{On Sunday, Alan took Ayden and Abby for a walk to the park}

I know you are probably wondering who those gorgeous babes are? Oh ya. . . that's us! It's amazing that you can do with photo booth!

I love my sister SO much and I'm so grateful I had this opportunity to spend some time with her at her house. She always makes the trip out here to see us, and it was a really fun change to get to go there and be a part of her life. She is such an amazing example to me. She has three of the sweetest, most beautiful children I've ever met. I love her and I'm so glad she's my "big" sister.

PaRTy TimE!

We are having a blast here in Tuckahoe, NY with our fun cousins! They have such fun toys and the kids are loving their playmates. Sophie and Abby are so cute together and they are almost the same size.



Here they are in the bathroom after they got their hair done. They were the pony tail girls. On Tuesday we went to the park and the girls really enjoyed the swings. They sat there forever, and wouldn't let us get them out.


The boys wanted to be pretend elephants together so we whipped out some quick elephant ears for them. You wouldn't believe how much fun you can have with construction paper and staples!


On Wednesday we went to the Palisades Mall to ride the carousel and do a little shopping. We had a good time and the kids were actually pretty good. The boys really liked riding the Carousel and playing on the cars.

Sophie really liked the taxi cab. Check out that grin!

We thought everyone would fall asleep on the way home but the boys were talking in the back and kept each other awake all the way home! They are becoming really good buddies!

Ayden and Connor had a great time riding bikes and scooters today. Ayden got a kick out of the elbow and knee pads. He is also a big fan of the scooter!


Here I am with my "seester" and her new baby boy! I'm so glad I made the trip out here. Not only are the kids having fun, but I love spending time with my sister. I'm sad that we live so far away because I know we would have a blast raising our kids together. She's the best, and I really look up to her.