Que te pasa Calabaza?

We went to Home Depot and picked out the perfect pumpkins. Dan went for the biggest one he could find. Emily went for the perfect round shaped pumpkins without any dents or rough spots. I went for the butternut squash shaped pumpkin. It reminds me of the pumpkin on Raggedy Anne and Andy Halloween movie. After they were loaded up we went home and drew up the faces that would fit each pumpkin. Emily had painted pumpkins but this was the first time she has carved one. I thought she did a pretty good job. I love the smell of pumpkins and the slime between my fingers. (I think I was the only one though.) When we were done we put candles in them and tried them out on the front porch. They were cute, cute, cute!

Dan and Emily gutting pumpkins

Gross!

Say Cheese!

Finished Products

Our Cute little pumpkin

Happy Birthday Dan!

Dan turned 35 this year. We had a birthday party at my parent's house. My parents got him tools. The pliers set was from my mom.

My dad got him a drill. Grandma gave him a tool box. I framed his BYU diploma and mission call to hang on the wall together.

We all love Dan and I am glad to have him in my life.

Emily's Birthday Party

The best part of Emily's birthday was her party. We have been planing this birthday party for weeks. We had the party at my parents house. My sister Holly decorated with cute streamers and tissue puffs. I made "pupcakes" that had a close resemblance of a gift that she would receive a little later that night. During dinner Emily had to run to the bathroom and pull a loose tooth so she could finish eating. She pulled it herself. I was impressed. We then opened the presents. (what we had been waiting to do for so long now.) She got a cute skirt from Grandma and Grandpa Armstrong. Pajamas from Bruce and Susan and the kids. The last gift was from Dan and I and my family. We all got her a PUPPY! We got her a cute little black and white Lhasa Apso puppy. When we handed her the box it was silent but was jumping and shaking. Emily of course was surprised. This is a gift that she has wanted for a while. She exclaimed later that night "I can't believe you actually got me a puppy. It's been on my list for years." Dan and I felt pretty good I must say. This little nameless puppy has been with us for almost three weeks and tonight she got a name. I thought this would take a really long time. Emily loves tasks like this. She gets paper out and makes long lists of possibilities. But surprisingly this took about ten mins. She quickly looked through a baby name book, wrote down about ten names, asked everyone there which one they liked the best and then picked the one she liked the best in the end. Our little puppy received the name Matilda. It actually fits. A big name for such a little dog. But I think she will have no trouble filling it. Over all it was a fun night. And one that I don't think we will forget.

                                                                               "Pup Cakes"

Emily with my parents new puppy

Thank you Bruce and Susan

This puppy did not like being in a box

Emily and her new puppy Matilda

                                                                       Blowing out the candles

Pupcakes and Birthday Surprises

Happy Birthday Emily!

Emily turned ten this October. Dan and I got to go into Emily's fourth grade classroom and bring treats and sing her "Happy Birthday." It was fun meeting her class mates.

Emily was just in her primary program.Emily did a good job. Dan was up there too with his primary class. My family came to church with us and then to dinner at our house afterwards. It's nice to have family close to go to these things.

  I made her this dress for the program. I don't think she liked it very much. But I thought she looked cute. I guess we all had to wear a dress our mom's liked but we didn't.

Emily's Surprise Birthday Gift

Emily is turning ten this week. We decided to use her birthday as an opportunity to get a new member of our family. We got her a PUPPY!  Emily has no idea yet about her present. I have the box that I am going to put the puppy in already wrapped with a bow. I put some heavy objects in it and have it sitting in the family room. I have had her pick up when she is at out House and try and guess what is in the box. I hope this throws her off a bit. On her birthday I am going to replace the heavy objects with a puppy. I have had the dog for a week now. And I will have the dog for another week or so until we see Emily again. So far the dog is nameless. We are waiting for Emily to name her. But she answers to puppy, baby, sweetie, and poopy.