That Time of Year

It is about that time of year that you need a jacket when you go out.. It is dark by 7 pm, and dark until 8am (time change will help). Leaves have changed, and are falling. SmokeAnd lastly, it is the time of year that I am full of treats, desserts, and good food until January comes accompanied by New Year's Resolutions. Here are some pictures of Halloween at the McArthur home.

Making and decorating halloween cookies with a few of our favorite people in the whole wide world.

Picking the perfect pumkin at the pumpkin patch. (Brinlee had more fun throwing the pumpkins...needless to say, we hurried!) Carving pumpkins. Left to right: Brinlee's pumpkin, Bailey's pumpkin, and Sam's...the one that says "sam". Could you tell?

Halloween morning. Everyone was so excited to wear their costumes all day. We had Tinkerbell, a pumkin, and an adorable little boy. We didn't get any pictures of them all fixed up, but you get the picture. They were cute. And we have enough candy to last us through the week :). Hope you all enjoyed Halloween as much as we did!

Stolen...But Worth It

Well, I was off "blog hopping", and I found this quote. I love it! I think I have heard it before, or at least something similar. Here it is:

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he's been robbed. The fact is that most putts don't drop, most beef is rough, most children grow up to be just people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, most jobs are more often dull than otherwise, life is like an old time rail journey,. . . delays, side tracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."

-President Gordon B. Hinckley of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

First of all, I love President Hinckley. Such an inspiring man. He was counseled once in his life to "forget himself", and I think that is the basis of much of his counsel to us, and so many of our struggles today. We want for us. To an extent, I think it is necessary, but I think that we let it grow to more than that. Again, a great quote. Thank you, whoever you are, for posting it, and causing me to take a look at what I am expecting out of life. And, more importantly, who is to thank for all of it.

Still Here, Sort Of

For those of you who were wondering "where on earth are the McArthur's" (probably none of you!), we are alive and well...and living in our new home! Should I post pictures? Or should I just ask please, please, please come visit and see it! It is so exciting, and I love it. So does Nate, and so do the girls. It is almost too good to be true sometimes. In fact, I just remembered that last night I had a dream that I had to move, and I was so sad because our "new" room didn't have a vaulted ceiling. It just makes a room seem so much bigger, even if it isn't. Anyways, I love it, and cannot wait to begin our new (and permanent) life of our very own right here in Eagle Mountain.

Let's see, as for the last month, and some, there is one monumental accomplishment. (drumroll please...) Brinlee is in panties! Yes, my two year old is going through the process of being pottytrained, and to be honest, she is very good at it. It all started when she took her diaper of, twice, in the new house. Follow that with her getting out of the bathtub to go potty, and me finding little "surprises" throughout the upstairs. It wasn't pretty. So the next morning we woke up and said "Uh oh, no more diapers". And apparently Brinlee said "thank you mom", because she has had fewer accidents than I can count on one hand. Still in a diaper at night, but in the day I have a two year old running around showing plumbers crack in the cutest little underwear. Yay! Bailey has been the best help for this. You can see Brinlee get all excited when Bailey claps and cheers for her (Bailey gets a treat too when Brinlee goes and she is excited).

Sam is growing up so fast. He has started to grab for things, and sit up in a high chair. He is still as smiley as ever, and loves his thumbs. No binkey, just his thumbs. And when his toes are free, he reaches down and grabs them. It is pretty cute.

Bailey is in need of friends in the new house. She asks "can I go play with my friends" all throughout the day. When I ask who her friends are, it is anyone from the workers down the road, to the local walking group in the morning. Poor girl. Hopefully it will all change after Sunday, and we can meet some of our distant neighbors. She is the biggest help with Sam, too. She can make him laugh, and you can see his eyes light up when she comes to play with him.

Lets move on to Nate. Nate turned 29 (it took some convincing to get Nate to believe that he was going to turn 29, he was positive he was turning 28!). I wonder if he ever thought that when he was 29 that he would have been married over 6 years, have 3 children, and be an owner with his brother in their own company. I am so proud of him. He seriously works so hard. I have recently made up my mind to tell him that more often. I love him so much, and am so proud of all he does for this family.

Well, in that past few minutes I have ended up with two little munchkins on my lap wanting to take turns pushing the space bar. This isn't going to work! I will put pictures on soon, but now is not the time. Thanks for sticking with me through my little "blog vacation"!