Halloween 2018!

Happy Halloween! We had a great time with the kids this year. Each year it is hard to push the kids to be something reasonable that Shantel can put something together for their costume. This year as part of Lydia's homeschool they read "The Tale of Despereaux." Then they watched the movie together. They all liked the book and really loved the movie, especially Austin. So this year they all decided (with help from Shantel) to be characters from the book/movie. 

Lydia was Princess Pea, Austin was Despereaux and Caleb was Roscuro the rat. They all looked cute and Austin's costume was especially perfect. Especially with his tail and sword (a needle). 

A few days before Halloween the kids and Shantel went to Cornbelly's. 

On Halloween Shantel made the kids pumpkin pancakes. I love this picture because you can see Austin holding the spatula. He loves to help in the kitchen and does a great job. 

We have not really mentioned this, but my office just expanded the Lehi Office space to include an area for auditors and tax accountants. As part of this, I officially moved my office to Lehi (which is amazing, who does not want a 3 minute commute). Maybe we'll write about that more later. However, that meant this year we did trick or treating from the Lehi Office. The kids were excited and come see my new office. Caleb really picked up on the trick or treating thing right away.

Caleb in costume (Roscuro the Rat)

Austin in costume (Despereaux)

Lydia photo bombing Austin's pictures.

Lydia costume (Princess Pea)

After pictures we headed inside for dinner and Shantel made Octopus Hot Dogs.

Then one more picture (with Shantel wearing the book around her neck) and off to trick or treating. Shantel took the kids around half the street and then we swapped (except Caleb who was tuckered out).

Cute picture of Shantel cuddled up with Caleb back at the house while I was out with Lydia and Austin.

Also, this picture if fun because it gives you a glimpse of rush hour trick or treating in our neighborhood. It is hard to really give the full picture, but there are people everywhere and it is awesome.

While we were out we can into the Perkins and Lydia got a picture with Amy Perkins and their dog Riley. Lydia was so excited to see Riley.

After we finished the other half of the block we headed home and Austin sat with Shantel and opened his glow stick and cuddled and ate some candy and Lydia and I headed off to the far side of the neighborhood. Austin loved the time with Shantel and Lydia and I had a really great time trick or treating and getting some Apple Cider and donuts at one of the houses.

Once we got home Lydia and Austin got in some warm pajamas. Then they each picked 15 pieces of candy to keep and the rest they left to be traded in for a prize. This year Austin got some little cars and Lydia got a little stuffed animal. They headed to bed and then in the morning found their prizes in place of the candy. We like doing that because then they can just eat all of the candy they have whenever they want it, but still feel good about turning in the other candy and getting a prize. 

insta-october

insta-october


{10.3.18}     A dream of a morning today at @burgessorchards in Alpine. I am SO glad we rearranged our morning to be on this field trip. We got a tour of the orchard, along with some history, lots of singing, learning about trees/bees/fruit and picking our own apples. (And I want to spread the word, because not only were the apples delicious and the people SO kind, but they said they do tours for families, and they love doing family nights!) 🌳🍎🐝


{10.4.18}      Why homeschool? There's not a simple, or even a single, answer- so it's so hard to know what to say. It's about choosing goodness and filling our days with light and love and curiosity. About combatting the word "busy" and living our lives from a place of peace. It's about being unhurried, and being together. Doing hard things, and doing them well. Sleeping in and laughing together in bed because that's exactly what is on the schedule, and even if it wasn't that would be okay too. It's about fighting and forgiving. Figuring each other out and figuring ourselves out, too. It's about building a house, a boat, a family and bringing Jesus Christ into the very middle of it. It's about listening to what would be the best for OUR family, and having the courage to act. It's about work, but also about peace. I knew it was different, but I didn't know how wonderful it would be. #peadensdohomeschool



{10.5.18}     Several years ago I posted in Instagram when gas prices were down to $1.67. (Those were the days!) The other day I was thinking that I should post again, for... You know... posterity. Ha. Gas has been ranging from $3.06-$3.38 but today I filled up for $2.87 and I may have done a happy dance! #minivansusealotofgas

{10.24.18}     Our first lost tooth! Literally. She's been so excited to finally have a wiggly tooth that today we pulled it and then we could never find it. #literallosttooth #fail She is hoping for a small prize under her pillow, like a plastic jumping frog or a little top. #lowexpectations I know it's trite, but I can't believe how big she is getting!

Gardner Village 2018

We hit up one of our favorite Fall traditions this last week and it was great as always. We try to go each year to see the Witches at Gardner Village with Melissa and Zachary. The weather this year was beautiful! (Last year it was so cold.) The only downside is that the only day we could get out schedules together was on the Witchfest Weekend. There were so many people. I brought the stroller instead of putting Caleb in the baby carrier because I thought he'd want to get down and walk around a bit, but it was a big mistake. I should have stuck with the carrier because it was difficult to navigate through all the crowds. But I guess there were some good things about it, too - because they had some fun little programs and things going on. Our favorite was a spell casting class where a witch came and taught the kids how to wave a wand and cast a spell. It was just cute and well done.  

And of course, the cookie prize at the end was a highlight of the trip. 

I appreciate having this established tradition because I enjoy the time we are able to spend with Melissa and Zachary. Melissa is such an example to me of faithful living and endurance. Even though her family has some very difficult things in their life, she's always kind and clearly does her best to look at things with the best attitude she can. She's a hero and I'm grateful for her example.