We voted today!

This morning Kevin and I spent some time reading up on all the issues that would appear on our ballot.  Some things (like President) are just obvious- others took a bit more research.  We were proud of ourselves for being informed, educated, and even early voters as we took to the polls this morning.

When we took the pictures at the end, we said, say cheese and Brielle yelled "Mitt Romney".

Bet you'll never guess who we voted for...

Pumpkins of 2012

Let the carving begin...

This year we mixed things up and painted a few pumpkins.  I also had the great idea to glitterize one of them.  It looks so cute- the picture doesnt do it justice- and it only took like a minute- compared to the much longer process of gutting and carving.

And it seems we couldnt help but get a bit political.  These days its in our conversation, on our tv's and on our minds so yes- it should be no surprise its also shown up on our pumpkins.

Brayden and Makenna both took on their own pumpkin projects this year and the theme was apparently pumpkin vomit.  Lovely. 

Makenna's

Brayden's (which was going to be a BYU pumpkin but didnt work out so the Y became a mouth and the rest just went from there.

A couple of these were made at the High School Haloween event.  The glitter face was Brielles creation tonight.  I love the glitter!

Officially 2!

Emmitts TWO!  I cant believe it.  Its exciting but as I typed it, I have to say I teared up a little.  I feel like it was just yesterday (cheesey I know) I was posting his month by month baby updates.  Now he's joined the ranks of the "kids"- who are awesome by the way.  He is so much fun and cute as cute can be.  We just all adore him.  I'll miss my baby Emmitt but this toddler Emmitt will be great too Im sure ;)

So we celebrated his birthday a couple weeks back when grandparents were in town.  But to commemorate his actual special day, I made this "choo choo" cake.   Its not the most incredible masterpeice but I think its pretty dang cute for something I just whipped up this morning before church.  Emmitt loved it as he loves anything "choo choo" related.  He just wanted to stare at it all morning.  It was so cute.  Im almost sad we had to eat it.

And of course I had to include the messy face pictures...

Happy Birthday Emmitt!

Oops

Brayden has fractured his heel.  I know it sounds so odd- Ive never heard of anyone breaking their heel before but the doctor assured us its not uncommon in children.  I guess he separated his growth plate from the heel bone- whatever that all means.  Poor guy had started complaining about his heel after being tackled in a casual game of football in our basement.  He still went on playing as normal so we just watched it until when he was playing baseball and slid into a base and felt a painful pop.  Then we took him to urgent care where they sent us on to see an orthopedic doctor.  He will have to wear the boot and be on crutches for three weeks and hopefully then be back to normal.  He readily admitted he was liking the crutches at first but by the end of the first day he had definitely changed his mind.  They are quite cumbersome for such an active kid.  Luckily its just three weeks- fingers crossed!

Makenna's Baptism

Makenna was baptized October 13, 2012

It was a beautiful day.

Makenna was baptized by her dad.  She wore the dress her mom wore when she was baptized that Grandma made.  Both Grandparents came for the occasion.  Both Grandmas gave talks and the Grandpas were the witnesses.  Makenna was glowing with happiness.  Many friends came to show their love and support. 

 

After the baptism, we had a dinner at our house.  Makenna enjoyed the extra time with her friends and everyone had a good time.

Congratulations Makenna!  We couldn't be more proud of you!

Brielle's 5th Birthday

 As is often the case, Brielles birthday was celebrated over many days in many ways.  We started with a party at our house the week before her actual birthday.  In Brielle's world, her birthday is a BIG DEAL.  For months she has insisted on talking about it every night before she goes to sleep.  She has been planning and dreaming of this big event.  After much thought, she decided upon a monkey theme, which I was happy to go along with.  It was the easiest party I have ever put together because Brielle really planned the whole thing.  She told me exactly what games we were to play and she made the decorations and even made the stuff for the games.  It all worked out great.  We might have a future party planner on our hands.

Party Itinerary:
Arrive, play, decorate monkey masks, go on a banana hunt, do the jungle limbo, kiss the monkey, break open the monkey pinata, eat the monkey cake, open presents, be monkeys!

The treat bags

Making their monkey masks

Pinata

The pinata was so tough, after all the kids had several turns, we had to bring in the big guns to break that monkey down.

Kiss the Monkey Game (hence the bright pink lipstick)

 

Eat the monkey cake

  

The guests

 It was a very successful party, but the birthday festivities did not end there.  On the day before her actual birthday we had both sets of grandparents in town for Makennas baptism so we did another little birthday celebration for both Emmitt and Brielle.  To keep life simple, we picked up a Dairy Queen cake, and opened some presents.

 FINALLY Brielle was able to open her long awaited American Girl doll which she has been wishing for since Makenna got her first doll last Christmas.  Oma gave her these most adorable matching outfits for her and her doll.  Arent they just so cute!  Mom and Dad gave her bunk beds for her doll which you can see in the back of the picture (barely).

 

And then on her ACTUAL birthday, we made monkey cupcakes to take to her preschool and ended the day with a trip to Chuck E Cheese.  It was awesome.

I cant believe you are 5 Brielle.  We love you so so much!

Punkin!

Emmitt has a new obsession.  Punkins!  He is loving fall and all the pumpkins around.  He is so excited to see them everywhere.  As we wander through the stores he excitedly yells "PUNKIN!" everytime he sees one.  The cutest is when he calls houses or sheds or barns "Punkin baums" (pumpkin barns).  Hes also obsessed with barns so now anything like that is a " pumpkin barn."  He is just too cute.  I took him outside to take his pumpkin picture just to remember the fall of 2012 punkin obsession!

Here he spotted an airplane.  Always very exciting!

I just love his blue eyes in this picture.  His trance-like expression is pretty cute too.

Sunday Morning Cuteness

Amidst the Sunday morning scramble, sometimes I just cant resist taking a few pictures of my cute kids when they are all dolled up.

Valas Pumpkin Patch 2012

On Friday, Kevin took the day off and the kids had the day off school so we thought it would be the perfect chance to make our annual trek to the pumpkin patch.  Our neighbors the Fraleys and Rivero's were also going to so it was fun to have company!                                                                                             

Cute kids.  Yes Brielle's outfit really is that awesome.  Im not sure what is with the facial expression.

     The Measurements    

This is us and the Fraley family getting ready to watch some pig races.  The Fraleys are Carsons family who like to tease us that Carson is more like part of our family because he is at our house all the time.  Its true and we love it!

Left to right: Makenna, Brayden, Emile, Ellena, Emmitt, Brielle, Carson, Maddie, Jacob.  It was a licorise and water break.

On the Hay Ride.

Where's Brielle?

Brayden with our souvenir pumpkin.

Me and Brielle on the Hay Ride. 

We might be getting too big for this picture.  It seemed to be easier to fit last year.

Emmitt is so obsessed with trains or "choo choos" right now that we couldn't resist taking him on the train.  He loved it.

And after our day of fun, We put him in his carseat and before we even left the parking lot- he was asleep.  It was pretty hilarious.