Scripture Power #175

 For our scripture challenge reward we went bowling which was fun because it has been a while since we have done that. Kayla was using the ramp and bumper pads and was getting pretty lucky knocking down most or all of her bowling pins.

 Austin was using bumper pads but wasn't having as much luck and was getting pretty frustrated that he was only getting a couple pins knocked down.

But thankfully his luck changed and the last couple times he bowled he was able to get all the pins down so his frown quickly changed and we ended up with two happy kids!

I am a Child of God

This year in Primary the theme was "I am a Child of God." I have loved teaching the music to the 50+ primary children in our ward. The songs we have learned this year are some of my favorites:

• My Heavenly Father Loves Me: I love that this song reminds us that this beautiful world was created for us because of Heavenly Father's love us and that we are his most beautiful creation.
• If The Savior Stood Beside Me: I love that this song challenges us to think about the things that we do and say knowing that the Savior is watching us. And I love the 3rd verse that reminds us that he is always near us and even though we do not see him we are in his watchful care.
• Families Can Be Together Forever: This song came so naturally to the children probably because family is one of the most important things we have and how wonderful it is to know that families can be together forever through Heavenly Father's plan.
• A Child's Prayer: How wonderful it is to know that we can pray to our Heavenly Father and that he hears and answers our prayers. And how much I want my own children to be able to grow up knowing that themselves.
• I am a Child of God: One of the most important things I want my children to know is that they are a child of God and that he loves them. That they are here on earth for a purpose and that Heavenly Father wants them to return to live with Him again. I love that this song teaches all of these beautiful truths of the gospel.

Austin and Mikayla did great in the Primary Program. They spoke their parts so well and sang their little hearts out. I was proud of them. 

Mikayla's phrase in the program: Jesus Christ is our Savior. "Hearken ye to these words. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world" D&C 43:34

 

Austin's phrase in the program: The priesthood is the authority to act in the name of God. It was restored to Joseph Smith at the hands of John the Baptist, Peter, James, and John, who received that same power and authority from Jesus Christ Himself.

Overall the whole program went perfectly. Those there watching smiled, and beamed, and cried, and maybe even giggled a time or two. The sprit was strong especially as the children sang the words of those beautiful songs. It really is the best Sunday of the year!!

On Your Mark 5K

On November 2nd, I ran in my first 5K since Brooklyn was born. Although I will admit that being pregnant is a nice excuse to put away the running shoes for a while, I really do start to miss it. So it has been nice to get out running again. I was glad that my long time running partner, Amy, ran with me. We have a similar pace and even though I try to keep up with her when we run on race day, she consistently pulls ahead. But she challenges me to push myself and maybe one of these days I will pull ahead of her :)

I finished with a time of 29 min 55 seconds. Definitely not my fastest 5K time but my goal was to finish under 30 minutes. And since it has only been 3 months since Brooklyn was born, I was pretty happy that I was able to meet my goal.



More Halloween Fun

We went to the Kiddie Park Spookarama again this year.

(along with the whole town---or so it seemed)

  Kayla with her friend/neighbor Jackson.

Austin with his cousins

 Austin is all smiles in this picture but during the ride I am not sure if he was enjoying it or a little nervous of getting sick.

 A cute little dinosaur

 Decorating pumpkin sugar cookies

 

 Halloween parade and dance at school. The kids were taught a choreographed version of "What Does The Fox Say?"........loved it!! Can you find Austin in this picture?

School Halloween party with Austin

Kayla with her dad at her school Halloween party

 Stopping at my parents car for the annual ward Trunk-or-Treat.

(love that my baby sister who was born on Halloween gets dressed up)

 It is fun to see our church friends in their costumes.

(Mikayla with her friend Buddy and his sister Mikayla)

Rya, Emma, and Kayla

 My mom had us come over for a Halloween themed lunch.

 Austin was put in charge of cutting the pumpkin cheese.

Mikayla helped with the dirt worm cups.

 The kids had a fun time digging through hay looking for quarters at our neighborhood block party.

Austin came away with over $20 of quarters.

 Some of the homes in our neighborhood really get into the Halloween spirit.

 We enjoyed trick-or-treating around our neighborhood this year and running into so many friends and neighbors.

 We also went to visit family to do some trick-or-treating.

 

The kids scored big at their Aunt Kelsey's house.

Happy Halloween!!

Halloween Pumpkins

We started our pumpkin decorating by making our Potato Head Pumpkins!

Love these pumpkins!

We also continued our traditional family pumpkin carving.

Austin had no problem digging in and cleaning out the guts.

Austin was pretty excited about the seeds inside and couldn't wait to plant a few in the backyard.

Kayla also did a little scooping. 

Pumpkin "guts"......yum!

 About the time we finished cleaning out Austin's pumpkin, Kelsey and Todd showed up and Austin volunteered to clean out Kelsey's pumpkin.

Then the rest of the crowd showed up and the carving continued.

Austin did a good job poking the holes and cutting out the pattern.

Some of the others hard at work

The Finished Pumpkins

(Top: Austin and Todd, Middle: Connor, Bottom: Kelsey and Clayton)

This year we decided to let the girls spray paint their pumpkins

Then they put stickers on them and were as happy as can be about their finished product.

Everyone with their pumpkins

Silly Face!!

Red Ribbon Week

 

For Red Ribbon Week and The Fight Against Drugs, the kids were encouraged to use there attire to make a statement.

 Hat Day: "Put A Cap On Drugs"

(Kayla had a hat but wanted to use her hood instead)

 Silly Sock Day: "Sock It To Drugs"
(I told Austin he should wear his soccer socks to school but instead he choose to wear 2 pairs of socks.....and 2 pairs of pants and 2 shirts......definitely silly)

Camo Day: "Join The Fight Against Drugs"

Team Spirit Day: "Team Up Against Drugs"