Halloween 2013 (That Rhymes)

A lady bug, the Red Power Ranger, and Ninja Turtle

On Halloween night we stopped by our friend's the Hunsaker's  house for a little Halloween parade and pizza. Then off to the ward trunk or treat, and then around the neighborhood. It was a very chilly night and the kids didn't last much after dark, but everyone a had a fun time.

Christian was able to make it back from Utah just in time for the ward trunk or treat. For a guy who hates Halloween, he fought a good fight.

 

 

We also had Bethany and Brock with us for Halloween, which was very fun. This cute little cowboy and Indian duo made the holiday extra fun for us!

 

Halloween Hiding

Caleb's preschool class did their annual Halloween parade through the halls of the college. I did my annual hiding behind things so I could see him, but he couldn't see me. I was afraid if he saw me, he wouldn't be willing to go back to class, so al I have are these pictures of the back of his head and costume. He was dressed as the Red Power Ranger, but without better photographic evidence, you'll have to take my word for it.

Presents from Grandma Vicki and Grandpa Carl

Happy fourth and eighth birthday, matching coats and footballs!

Zombie Hunt Birthday Party

 

Carter and Caleb shared a huge birthday bash this year. With their birthdays only a week apart, it makes it fun and easy when they agree to a joint venture. This year we hosted a zombie hunt birthday party. Christian cut and assembled dozens of marshmallow shooting guns, and then made gun making kits for each friend. My dad came with his stage makeup and gladly turned small children into zombies.

Once the guns were assembled and marshmallows were issued to each child, the hunt began. At first the kids were leery of the crazy makeup, but by the end there were more zombies than hunters.

Caleb and Carter have always wanted to have an "outside" birthday party. However, November in Wyoming is not very outdoor friendly, so we had the party a few weeks early and the weather was perfect. It was a great way to turn 4 and 8.



 

Carter's friend "Zombie Ethan"



 

A super scary "Zombie Cali"



 

Zombie Caleb didn't want to shoot the marshmallow guns, he just wanted to chase... and get shot with the marshmallows. He may have ate his weight in marshmallows off the ground.



 

The walking dead for sure! Cali scared so may little boys, she loved every minute of tormenting them with out repercussion. 

 

Assembling the guns (and a good shot of my butt).



 

Fun presents and great friends.



 

Even Zombies need gifts!

 



 Carter's best brother and friends!

 

Last Soccer Game of the Season

Another soccer season came and went. We were lucky to have many wonderful days of good weather, that makes it more fun for everyone. Carter scored a lot of goals this year, I think he averaged two goals per game. He is fast, strong, determined and is a great team player. He had a lot of fun and a lot of friends on his team this season!

Scheels and the Olive Garden

We've been dying to ride the ferris wheel inside of the Scheels store in Draper. Carter was nervous, Caleb was impatient, and Cali didn't want to ride with me or her brothers she wanted to ride with Alexis. So there we stood in line for what seemed like hours. Carter's nervous energy was making me crazy and I tried to reassure him that there was nothing to be nervous or scared about. After what seemed like an eternity it was our turn.

Carter, Caleb, and I got on one seat together, while Cali and Alexis slid into the one after us. Carter began to relax, and that's when I realized, I was scared. I really hate heights. Standing on the ground, it didn't look that high. I could handle the movement of the wheel, but about puked during the slow time where each car holds its position while the bottom seat of passengers is unloaded. Hanging out at the top was the worst. Caleb tried to rock the car back and forth, and I tried not to scream. I most likely will never ride that ferris wheel again.



 

There is so much to see and do in that store, and we had to stop for a fake camping photo op. Cali said, "this is the first time I've been in a real tent...." I thought I heard an audible gasp from outdoorsy parents everywhere.



 

Caleb got busy lifting some 1 lbers.



 

And of course, some posing next to a bear.



 

On our way home Caleb started to fall asleep mid evening, too late for a nap and too soon to go to bed. We tried everything we could to wake him up, but he was out. I got off the interstate in Sugar House and pulled over to see what could be done about the sleeping giant, when Cali and Carter saw the Olive Garden. After a few minutes Caleb came to in the parking lot of the Olive Garden. We promised him bread sticks if he'd wake up.

We (Me, Cali, Carter, and Caleb) went into the Olive Garden and had a wonderful dinner together. For real. The kids politely ordered their own dinners, said please and thank you's to the waitress, quietly colored, and engaged in conversation. While I sat there taking in the magnificent behavior, a wave of hope washed over me. 

 

Nikki's Wedding

 

After the heartbreaking loss of her mother just days before her wedding, my cousin Nikki rescheduled her ceremony for her mother's birthday. Brandt and my dad both participated in the wedding ceremony with Brandt doing a small ceremony before, and my dad marrying the couple.

It was great to see Nikki so happy, and fun to catch up with the Cook cousins. We only have eight first cousins on the Cook side of the family, and several of them were able to attend the wedding. On the back row from left to right; Talita "Annie" Cook, Me, Brian Casselman, Nikki Cook Casselman, Bethany Peacock Gilson, Dory, Peacock, Brandt Peacock, Tina Cook, Joseph Cook. On the front row; Lisa Hayden Holliday, and Weston Cook (missing Doug Cook, Janna Cook Bushman and Paul Cook, Jayna Peacock Miller).

A Fall Stroll

 

In early October we spent a busy Saturday in Salt Lake. We packed a hair appointment, a wedding, and Carter's grandparent date into one fun day. We spent the time between my hair appointment and my cousin's wedding at a park in Bountiful. The weather was still nice and the trees were just turning fall colors.

Carter was with Grandma Vicki and Grandpa Carl at the University of Utah football game, so it was just me, Cali and Caleb. They had a fun time exploring the walking trails and checking out all the leaves. There aren't many trees in Rock Springs, so we were all in a leafy heaven!