Once again, we experienced a deep sense of satisfaction as we roamed the neighborhoods begging for candy trick-or-treating and watched lightbulb after lightbulb go on over peoples' heads as they put two and two (and two) together and figured out we were all in costume cahoots together.  Halloween 2009 was a success (minus one hat and one wig which caused more drama - and laughter - than could have been expected).

The Campbell Crew, Toy Story style...



Mr. Potato Head and his Missus

 

Little green army man at least 1000x magnified...



Howdy howdy howdy.  I'm Woody.



To infinite...and beyond!



And Jessie the Yodeling Get-this-wig-and-hat-off-me Cowgirl

 

How sweet and cooperative she was the night before at our church's Trunk or Treat activity!  Like a completely different child.

 

You've got a friend in me...



Happy Halloween!

"This month is such a special one it's birthday time for..." Ben and Brady!  (If you're not singing a song right about now, maybe you should listen to THIS and you'll understand my little reference there hehehe.)  Brady turned EIGHT on October 5th and Ben turned TWELVE on October 9th.  These are really important milestone ages in our church so this has been a pretty exciting month for our family and especially our two birthday boys.

Here are a few pics from the boys' birthdays.  Yes, Brady's gifts are wrapped in leftover pink from Molly's birthday.  I assure you he was not the least bit offended.  In fact he requested it when I was pulling out wrapping paper. The boy heard the phrase "Tough guys wear pink" and latched onto it as his life mantra.  He calls it his favorite color, even.    For his birthday he got a scrapbook about him, age 6 (yeah yeah... I'm a bit behind), a High School Musical Dance game and mat (!!!!!) and some Pokemon cards, including a Charisard card he's been drooling over for months ( )  He was thrilled with his gifts, and delighted with his cake (must have sprinkles!)

   

Ben had asked for white cake with cookie dough ice cream.  I'd gotten off schedule on his birthday and hadn't picked up his ice cream or wrapped his presents, so I left the present wrapping in Grandma's capable hands (my folks were both here the week of the boys' birthdays!) while I bolted to the store to pick up ice cream.  As you can see from Ben's struggle, Grandma is much fancier with her ribbon tying than Mom is.  Ben got his scrapbook, age 10 (yeah yeah...), an XBox 360 game and a model airplane kit.  He was thrilled.  And for cake?  No sprinkles please! "I hate sprinkles!"  Yes, sir!  (Please no praise for my mad cake decorating skillz.  I already know how much I rock.  )

 

So the birthdays themselves were super fun and the kids enjoyed their gifts and treats and stuff.  But the really special day came for both of them on Sunday October 11th.  Ben graduated from the Primary program (children's group) at church and advanced to the Young Men group.  Age 12 is an important one for young men in our church.  "In the Church today, worthy male members may receive the Aaronic Priesthood beginning at age 12. These young men, typically ages 12–17, receive many opportunities to participate in sacred priesthood ordinances (like passing the sacrament) and give service. As they worthily fulfill their duties, they act in the name of the Lord to help others receive the blessings of the gospel."  (From www.mormon.org)  Ben was so excited to be ordained as a deacon, and was especially grateful that both of his grandpas were there to be part of his ordination.





Sunday was a very special day for Brady, as well.  In our church, we believe that children reach the age of accountability when they turn 8 years old, and at that time they can choose to be baptized as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Brady had been looking forward to this time ever since Ben was baptized!  He was so excited that his special day had arrived.   We don't take pictures of the actual baptism, but it was very special.  He was baptized by Willy in a baptismal font at our church, where he was fully immersed in the water.  It was so special to see my second son choose to be baptized and then be confirmed a member of the church.  I can't believe I didn't get pictures of it, but I'd made Brady a white fuzzy yarn lei for him to wear.  It turned out beautifully (if I do say so myself!) despite being my first attempt at lei making.  I'll have to take pictures of it another time.  I was really pleased with myself, and he was really excited about it, too.

 

And if all that weren't enough...  Sunday was the first day Molly (who has hit 18 months old!) got to go to the children's nursery for the first time.  And she actually stayed there and didn't cry!!!!    LOL.  So it was a special and exciting day for 3 of our 4 kids (and one especially relaxing day for Willy who usually has to try to entertain Molly while listening to Sunday School lessons and such hehehe)

Still working on playing catch-up, but I didn't want to let this part of the last month get any farther behind.   It was a really neat family week!!  Thanks for peeking.