What's a vampire's favorite candy?

...SUCKERS!!!
(compliments of Jaycee)

What's a vampire's favorite snack?
...PEOPLE!!!
(compliments of Luke)

It's been all Halloween all the time around here as we prep for the SPOOKIEST day of the year!

Our family Halloween party on Sunday was packed with creative costumin', classic chili (served with a side of Fazoli's) eatin', game playin', picture takin', Braxton gazin', Treyson cuddlin', and orange frosted sugar cookie inhalin'!



The Oborns minus Ashton (darn strep throat) and Thom (he was going to be dressed as a bee keeper...cute!)



The Hallings...
bringing a little Christmas cheer to an eerie Halloween celebration!



Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus...nice to meecha! Plus...our beautiful girls who wanted to be..."hot guys!"


We have a nifty little "pumpkin patch" right around the corner from our house. There are loads of pumpkins to choose from right out of a convenient tawny-tinted(cardboard) bin!



Our ideal jack-o-lanterns-to-be were carved in a jiff thanks to Scott's ingenious idea and dexterity with a jig saw!




Jaycee was the only "Pebbles" at her Halloween parade this year! The pink wig and matching lipstick made her the envy of the fourth grade!

Luke hates his Batman costume ("it BUGS me!") (He REFUSES to wear the mask!) and is looking ahead to next year when he plans to dress as a "scary football player."



Trick or treating here we come...I am bracing myself for the onslaught of Reeses and Kit Kats!

Have a SPOOKTACULAR holiday!

Does anyone know David Archuleta's address?

...cuz we've got something REALLY cool to show him!

Jaycee's activity days "daddy-daughter derby" was held last week, and the theme for this years girl-infused pinewood derby race was "all about me." The girls along with their dads (and moms for creative input) were charged with creating a car that would not only sail along the metal tracks of the official derby race course, but would also reflect their personality, their likes and interests.

Thinking we'd construct something pink with lots of glitter and jewels to represent our girliest of girls, Jaycee surprised us by suggesting a David Archuleta car. "We can glue pictures of him all over the car!"

One third of a bottle of modge podge later, and we had a very unique expression of Jaycee's riveting interest of the adorable American Idol who captured her heart and managed to replace Hannah Montana as favorite/most fascinating/talented person alive!

I believe that though David is a national phenomenon there has been no greater homage paid to him as that of the pinewood derby car exacted in his irresistible honor.

We think...that he will think...that this car is awesome!

...attempts at well-roundedness...

Ballet
Tap
Jazz
Tumbling
Cheer
Soccer
Basketball
Karate
Gymnastics
Acting
Musical Theatre
Singing
Piano
Guitar

Each of these activities are ones embraced at one time or another by my girls over the past eight or nine years. The first week or two of each new undertaking consistently sees the realization of an unknown passion, the discovery of a new life dream...

By week three at the announcement of lessons or practice I inevitably receive "the look." You know the look I'm referring to...cheeks filled with air, lips pursed in that "do I HAVE to?" sort of way. Eyes rolled back slightly and nostrils flared just a smidge. As soon as I see "the look," I know that yet another extracurricular pursuit is about to bite the dust.

If we make it to week six, we are in full blown "I HATE dance/cheer/guitar/karate!"

At two months a decision must be made--sometimes we're done, no looking back, even after non-refundable registration fees, costume fees, recital fees, etc. Other times we persevere, week in and week out enduring the ensuing battle over thirty minute practice periods, extra lessons for performances, sore muscles, "really mean" teachers/coaches/instructors, and interference with inflexible social agendas.

Our latest pursuit is tennis and we are miraculously in our second straight year. It is more demanding than many of our previous attempts at well-roundedness, but it has produced far less complaining and criticism than the other undertakings combined.

Dare I say..."we have finally found it--their 'thing' their 'niche' their 'life passion'?" Well maybe passion is going a bit far, but for now, I am enjoying the good natured grins and lack of nasal flaring associated with the sport that may have just captured the ever-fickle hearts of my girls!




P.S. My darling cousin Ciara "tagged" me--so fun, but slight problem--I HONESTLY cannot come up with six random facts about myself that nobody knows!

Early New Years resolution...try not to be such an open book!

SYTYCD=best...night...ever

Joshua+Twitch+Katee+Kherington+Will+Bollywood+No Air+Bleeding Love+The Garden+Mercy (aka Door Dance)+Tabitha and Napoleon+Mia+Nigel=the most supreme form of entertainment on television surpassed only by the ultimate experience of seeing the top ten dancers live!

So You Think You Can Dance (absolute favorite show...transcended only by American Idol) finally came to Utah on tour, and we were there to welcome the most versatile and astoundingly talented hip hop, ballroom, contemporary and jazz dancers in America!

Joined by our fellow SYTYCD-obsessed friends, Lexi and I were on our feet, screaming for our favorites from the first chill-inducing moments of Cat Deeley's charmingly accented voice booming from the loudspeakers introducing each dancer, to the final group number performed flawlessly with the boundless energy and enthusiasm that made this one of the greatest concerts I have ever experienced.

After the show we shot out of the E-Center in true expert-fan fashion and secured a spot at the rear entrance where we were hoping the dancers would make an appearance for autographs and pictures. Just after midnight the first of the thirteen dancers sauntered out to the anxiously waiting crowd. Over the next hour or so we were able to talk with each of the performers. There is just nothing quite like actually meeting these iconic dancers that we followed each week throughout the summer months, hurrahing their unbelievable talent and dancing styles. They were funny and unassuming, affable and appreciative. They seemed as thrilled to meet us as we were to meet them!



Best part=hangin' out with my girl! (Fourteen and she still likes to do stuff with her mom!)