Pumped for Halloween

 While on the hunt for a Japanese novelty item, we went to a super-fun store.  It had some pretty impressive Halloween items, but at $50 most of them were a bit beyond what I would pay.  And we don't need them anyway.  The kids had a marvelous time though, and the giant heads HAD to be tried on.

The best part about this one you can't even tell from the photo.  The mount opened and closed!  It was pretty creepy.

Eeewww. 

Very cool, but hard to get a picture that showed just how awesome it was. 

 Callie was a great model! 

And when your neighbors are Marines, you get saluting skeletons on the lawn!

Homecoming

 So.... Josh is having a busy time!  He turned 16 in September, and started his Driver's Ed class in October, and in mid October, he went to Homecoming.  Which, I realized, was his very first date.  My baby boy is growing up!

He went with a great girl from church, and it was more a friendly date than a date-date.  She wanted to go to the dance, but needed a date.  Josh was happy to be the date.  I think it was a good experience for them both.  Joshua said he had a fantastic time and had a blast at the dance.

Slightly awkward since they are not actually dating. 

But they agreed to do a "James Bond" pose for me!

Quilting again

 I got my fabrics out and set up my sewing machine and finally got some sewing done.  Ahhhh....  I do love sewing!

I thin stripped this one because the batting needed to be sewn every 2-4 inches.  It came out pretty cute, even with the odd colors.

And the backing is this adorable cotton Japanese themed print.  I love it! 

And this one I absolutely adore.  The colors are bright and fabulous! It is kimono on flannel, with no batting, so it is super soft and lightweight. It just went to a gal in the Branch who is having a baby in the next few weeks.

My little friend Taylor picked out these colors and I have hanging onto it and finally sat down and put it together.

The back is the sparkly butterflies.  Very cute, but it is not as soft.

The girls had a YW activity that involved sewing.  They asked if I would stay and help, so I did.  And I learned to make a fabric banner.

So cute and so easy!!

Levi

 Levi loves to go in the car.  He always looks so sad when he can't come.  So he is thrilled that each afternoon he gets to go out and pick up the kids from school.

He really likes to ride with his head out the window, sniffing all the smells.

Isn't he cute?  He's watching for the kids. 

There is even a teacher who has to come over and pet him when we get to the pick up line.  He is quite popular! 

This is how Levi spent General Conference. 

The girls gave him a stuffed animal.  This is what Levi did with it! 

 Snuggling with Marian.

Suddenly a noise is heard! 

And Levi must go investigate!

Finally!

 After way too much waiting and drama, Josh had his orthodontist appointment.  They said it was just to discuss the treatment plan and that nothing was going to be put on that day.  However, the ortho said they had time and he could go ahead and put the top braces on right now.  I said do it.  Josh was not pleased.  But he got his braces on finally and I was happy.  Josh was disgruntled that he did not get a week to say goodbye to the foods he can't say for another year or two.

He has adjusted well.  Much less complaining than I expected.  They put the top braces on to help pull his teeth out, to give them enough room to put braces on the bottom teeth.  They need to pull the teeth outward and move them a little to give the eyeteeth some space to come out.  Once there is room, if the eyeteeth do not come out on their own, then they will have to have some assistance.  So that's what is happening with his teeth.