All Aboard the Alexander Express

Seeing that Alex is such a train fanatic, I thought that a train engineer would be the perfect costume.

Steve showing his University of Alabama pride. Being the supportive wife I am, I carved a big W in my pumpkin for West High.

I had to work Halloween night, but luckily there was a trunk or treat activity at church in the afternoon, so I was able to go to that. The rain fell hard for a while, but when it lightened up Steph took Alex trick or treating to a few houses. Once he warmed up to it, he was really getting into it, so Steph decided to pull out the "big guns", packed Alex in the car, and took him to the "rich neighborhood" down the road, knowing they'd have really good candy. Of course, she was selflessly doing this all for Alex, with no regards at all to her own benefit. Right, Steph?!

Tis the Season... For Pumpkins

As I sit here, freezing cold because I am too much in denial to turn on the heater on this damp and rainy Sunday, I'm glad that we took advantage of the beautiful early October weather we had over the past few weeks to do some fun and festive fall activities. We went to Wheeler Farm and went through the corn maze, took a tractor-pulled wagon ride and picked a few pumpkins. Alex's favorite part of Wheeler Farm was chasing and trying to catch the chickens and roosters that freely roam the grounds. He's such a boy.

Last weekend we took a trip to a pumpkin patch where Alex got to pick another pumpkin.....

But my favorite part of the pumpkin season? Why, eating them of course! Pumpkin cookies, pumpkin shakes, pumpkin bread.... but the most divine of all was this scrumptious pumpkin cheesecake baked by Stephenie. It was so yummy and I was so impressed.

I guess this isn't the ideal time of the year to "try to be good" when it comes to food. I say screw it... that's what January is for, right?!

Bath Time Blunder

The other night, I ran Alex's bath water and called for him to come hop in the tub. I didn't know he was going to take me so literally. Before I knew what was happening, I watched him run in to the bathroom and jump in the tub as if he were clearing a hurdle in a track meet. As you can see, only problem was that he hadn't stripped down yet.

My first reaction of course was exasperation, but then as I noticed the stunned reaction on his face, I realized that he had gotten so excited as he ran towards the tub, he had forgotten that he was still dressed.

Besides, who can get mad at a face like that?!

Tchau, Elder Eide

Tomorrow, this handsome guy, my nephew Andrew, enters the MTC in preparation to serve a two year mission for our church to Brazil. My parents came out for the weekend to have a chance to say good bye to him before he left. On Sunday, we drove up the canyon for a picnic. I was a little disappointed that the leaves weren't more colorful, but it's always nice to be in the mountains.

Alex, meeting his newest "cousins". My sister and her family now have chickens who dutifully lay eggs for a large family of teenaged boys, which is great, but I just have this aversion to chickens, so to see Alex go in the coop and pet and feed them was pretty impressive to me.

I was so glad Jordan was able to come to our family dinner on Sunday so that he could say good bye to Andrew. They're only a few months apart and have some fun memories growing up.

Seems like just yesterday I was 20 and going to see Andrew when he was a newborn. In January, my other nephew leaves for his mission to Indonesia. I sound like a broken record, but I really wish everyone would stop growing up, it makes me so sad!

Andrew played football at Southern Utah Univ. It appears that Alex thinks he can play with the big guys!

One last group pic before Andrew leaves. It cracked me up when I noticed that Alex (who idolizes his 7 yr. old cousin Adam) was trying to hold up a peace sign like Adam in the picture. But Alex is signing the number 4 instead... he got the right idea anyways.

On a whole other subject, this is Alex playing the drums along with what I deem to be the most obnoxious kids show on t.v. these days, The Fresh Beat Band. Annoying as the show is, it's pretty cute to see Alex sing, dance and drum along. He's such a well rounded child.... :)

Friday Night Lights

"Once a Panther, always a Panther". This is the saying that has been passed down for generations at West High School. So, it's a natural fit for Steve to be coaching there since he graduated from West. I, on the other hand, struggled last year after being a "Cougar" for many years. (Perhaps I should clarify, that's Cougar as in the mascot, not Cougar as in an older woman attracted to younger men. Although I have been accused of being that kind of Cougar too... wink, wink.) Anyhow, now that Steph has graduated from Kearns (home of the Cougars), I feel I can become a more devoted Panther fan.

Steve is the defensive coordinator this year. He's doing a great job, but it drives me crazy to see him rehash every little play all weekend long after each game.

The cutest Panther of them all... this little guy has been attending Friday night football games since he was two months old. It's no wonder he told me the other day, "I want to be a football player when I grow up"!

Twin Lakes

I love hiking, but usually have a hard time finding any takers in my family to accompany me. My nephew Raymond had been wanting to go, so I recruited him. Steve actually was on board too. (Just between us, the good thing about high school football season is that he secretly feels bad for being away from the family so much... I can get him to do pretty much any 'family time' activity I want!)

I remembered hiking to Twin Lakes back in our "pre-Alex" days, and that it wasn't too long or too difficult. I figured it'd be perfect for Alex. I guess I'd forgotten that although it's only a mile long, the entire thing is uphill. Whoever said chivalry is dead? I did! My big, strong football husband thought he was being such a gentleman by offering to carry the backpack so that I could carry Alex. He says he knows I like doing those kinds of things, so I can show how tough I am. (Secretly, he's right, but I didn't admit to it!)

Alex could have spent hours just throwing rocks in the lake. It was so beautiful and peaceful there, it was wonderful.

My little Moses and his walking stick.

One thing I can say I like about living in Utah is having beautiful places like this just a half hour away.

Child Labor?

Given the current state of the economy, we told Alex it was high time he started pulling his share of the weight around here. We've been training him to say, "Would you like fries with that?" These were his responses when he found out he would be entering the work force.... 1st Response: "What you talkin' bout Mama?"

2nd Response: "Noooo, you can't make me!!"

3rd Response: "You're teasin' me? Oh, what a relief!"