... and 5 years.

Happy 5 years of good health, guys!
We sent you a couple of porterhouse steaks, Declan. We hope you enjoy them!

... sisters-in-law.

When I married my husband, I also got his parents and his two sisters. I already have three sisters, so that brought the total to five. (Ryan gained one brother-in-law, my brother. So not fair to him. Too bad.) But I quickly grew to love them both and we are all one big happy family.

The first time I met Lorie she was 15 years old and we met at Ryan's band concert. (He played trombone in high school and in college; this was a college concert.) She was so cute - we were both wearing purple shirts in the same shade of purple and black pants. (No picture - sorry.) Fast forward a few years - she gave birth to her first son, Braden, just three weeks after Rachael was born. We enjoyed sharing the joys and sleeplessness of our first kids with each other.

It's her 30th birthday today, so in honor of having known her for half her life, I dug up a couple of pictures. I really should drag out the one from my wedding, but it's not digital. Yet...

Happy Birthday Lorie!

... and a Rachael moment.

This morning when we went to vote, Rachael was pretty sure I said "boat" instead of "vote." Other parents were explaining the election process, the long lines, and so forth; I was explaining the difference between "boat" (lots of fun) and "vote," which doesn't even involve a boat. Major disappointment on her end. We did get cool "I Voted" stickers, though, which helped.

Later in the day we ran into a friend at the grocery store who was wearing her "I Voted" sticker, too. Rachael asked her, "Jana, did you get to go in the boating machine too?"

... the democratic process.

Every four years we get to vote on a new president, and nearly every year we vote on changes to our system of government in one way or another. I'll admit I'm not particularly politically active, and I dislike that it seems to be so much of a popularity contest, but I think we are incredibly blessed to live in a democracy. I did my part, researched the options, and cast my vote today.

It's exciting, too, to be a part of an historic vote. Whatever the outcome, history will be made today.

... the Sharpie marker.

Rachael has just lately gotten into playing with her My Little Ponies all the time. Each of those ponies has a name, like Pinkie Pie or Rainbow Dash. Her favorites I can usually remember, but now her favorite thing to do is pull different ones out of the box and ask me what their names are. I knew this was coming - awhile ago I took a Sharpie marker to each of the ponies and wrote their name on the bottom of one foot. Now I can always remember what the names are!

... nap time.

Rachael has long since passed the time when she will reliably take an afternoon nap. I don't even try anymore to get her to sleep. She does still have what we call 'rest time,' though, which is time alone in her room most days. This helps me preserve my sanity.

Ryan and I, on the other hand, are developing a need for naptime in the afternoon, especially on Sundays. We sacked out together today for a little while on the sofa. Wonderful.

... Halloween again.

Our ward split recently, and tonight we had a combined Halloween party. It was fun to see friends that are in the other branch, as well as all the kids that were dressed up.

The highlight of the party (for us!) was Ryan dressed as a Jedi, and all the other boys dressed as Star Wars characters had a serious battle on the lawn outside. It was pretty fun to watch.


Rachael made a serious haul on candy the past two days... I'm grateful she's not a big sugar fiend or this would all be gone by tomorrow.

... Halloween.

Halloween is such a great holiday because it is really all about getting dressed up and having fun - great for all ages. We have had so much fun deciding on a costume for Rachael, carving our pumpkins, getting pictures taken, and especially eating candy.

Our neighborhood is just crazy with trick-or-treaters. People come from all over at least our half of town to go trick-or-treating; we're a real destination neighborhood. I gave out over 300 pieces of candy this year. (I buy LOTS.) It is so much fun to see all the kids!

This was the first year Rachael was really into trick-or-treating; Ryan and Rachael were out for nearly an hour and a half and she had so much fun. She made a great haul, too! Some friends of ours even drove up all the way from Berea (about 15 miles) to trick-or-treat and they brought their three kids, the youngest is six month old Eliza.

I love this picture of the two of them. Rachael couldn't be happier to hold the baby, and Eliza looks desperately like she wants to be anywhere else but on Rachael's lap.

We had a great evening, and we can't wait for our ward party tomorrow!

... spray paint.

Ryan has a Jedi costume that is fairly authentic - I know because I made it myself a couple of years ago. It has become something of an an obsession, every year now we have added a little something to it. (Last year it was a belt I bought on eBay. It's awesome.) This year we decided we needed some food capsules. (Not actual food in them!)

Like good students, we did lots of internet research. We finally settled on some pen caps and buttons to make our creation. (The pen caps I liked the best were $6 for a package of 3 pens... now I have three great pens with no lids. Oh well.) The best part, though, is spray painting the whole piece. I used metallic copper spray paint. It's my inner painter - I love to paint!

... pumpkin carving.

The annual poking, slicing, scraping, scooping, drawing, cutting, and lighting on fire tradition is over for another year. I love having fun family traditions.

All my pumpkins

Yes, we did a Cinderella pumpkin for our Cinderella

Check out the concentration on that little face!