FIRE!

 Yep, we had another one. This one wasn't as scary (or maybe it was but I didn't see the flames so it wasn't so bad for me!) Andrew sold his 150 motorcycle to Uncle Chris. On Saturday Chris, Ligaya, and Chase came down to pick it up and hang out for a bit. While we were hanging out inside, Andrew and boys were outside. Suddenly we hear the fire alarm in the garage going off. I don't get up, Christopher doesn't get up, and Chris and Ligaya are clearly confused why we aren't freaking out. Andrew is a smart kid. I trust him. I knew if it was anything serious he would come get us.

Well, it was serious, and he would've gotten us, but he was busy putting out the flames. Zack was able to grab the fire extinguisher (thankful for those - we need to add more to our household) and sprayed the table until it stopped on fire. By this time Christopher had joined the fun, but the boys had it handled.

Long story short - Andrew was heating up a part he thought he had cleaned all the oil and grease off of it. He missed some. His work table was messy - had gas rags and a few oil things - one thing after another - we had a fire. They carried the table out of the garage so our house didn't start on fire and all was well. Bonus - I got my whole garage cleaned out :)

Nick and Joseph

Nick LOVES school. I don't think I have the words to express how much he loves and adores going to school. Everyday he wakes up and asks if it is a school day or a video game day (we don't play video games on school days). His favorite part is seeing his best friend, Joseph. I love these sweet 4 year olds! My favorite is how every day after school Nick and Joseph have big plans. Some have included: Swim parties at Joseph's house, 3 weeklong sleepovers, moving in for 5 weeks, riding motorcycles at the park, and on and on.

 

Zack's Halloween Bash

Zack as invited to the cutest Halloween party. He is Mr. Party! They played our candy bar game, had yummy spooky treats, and watched Casper outside. Sadly his night ended early when he got a soda spilled on him. All in all it was such a fun way to celebrate Halloween weekend!

 

Ward Trunk or Treat

This year we only had one trunk or treat since Zack is now in Middle school, and Nick isn't quite in elementary yet. We still got way too much candy! This year halloween was kind of a last minute affair. Christopher has been traveling like crazy, and we didn't even decorate our house this year. Time and a season! So very quickly we borrowed costumes, made chili and cornbread, and headed out to the trunk or treat minu Andrew who had a football game with marching band. I was a clown, Christopher a witch doctor, Zack a Viking, Nick a racecar driver, and Xander an army man. We decorated our trunk as a gumball machine and learned we need to add more lights next year!

Christopher looked so scary with his facepaint on that mask! They had fun games for all the kids - including a star wars adventure complete with lightsabers, yummy chili, costume contest, incredible desserts, and the best event - the trunk or treating! Xander caught on really really quickly to going up and asking people for candy!

The popular costume this year was being a Viking. These are all the Vikings (minus Zack who we couldn't find). I think our ward has a little obsession!

And of course, Christopher is always a highlight with making kids tell him a joke in order to get a second piece of candy. Kids were coming back again and again with new jokes. He even got a few adults to come and tell him a joke. We had a blast, got too much candy, and stayed too late!

And had the strangest experience driving home. We stopped off to make sure we had Nick's helmet. When we got on the road, not 30 seconds later, we had no idea where we were. This is a route we drive at least once a week and suddenly had to google map how to get home - and then took a way home that we have never been. It was nuts!

 

Sometimes they get along

Christopher has been gone for awhile now. Like almost 10 days and I'm tired. Zack looked at me the other night and said "Mom, you look terrible. Go relax, I'll put the boys to bed". First, I was shocked I looked so terrible and tired my 11 year old could tell, but second he thought about how to help me out and did it. I soaked in a hot tub until I couldn't stand not knowing what the boys were doing and came out to see this. Zack, Nick, and Xander all cuddled up in Zack's twin size bed reading books. It just melted my heart. These 3 decided to sleep in Ben's queen size bed that night all together. I think I slept for the first time in 10 days. It was heaven.

 

The Day Andrew has been dreaming about....

 finally arrived today! He was able to go and take his permit test to finally get his learners permit. Not only that, but he got his MOTORCYCLE permit too! This kid could not have had a better day! To top it off we also finally got his motorcycle registered in his name. He passed both tests with flying colors and is itching to get out on the road! He is still upset he had to wait an extra 6 months from his other 2 cousins - but I'm sure these 3 pieces of paper help that sting a bit!