Eliza Cut Her Hair

 This is our Miss. Eliza.  She is super cute.  She is super trouble.  You wouldn't suspect it, but this girl can cause quite a commotion.  Like today.  She walked in to her mommy and said, "Don't I look beautiful?"  Well, Delayne did not think so.  Eliza cut her own hair.  I have documented Eliza's work in these two photos.

 Delayne called distraught and we met at the Cool Kidz Cutz.  I had to suppress a giggle and look sternly at Eliza.  Well, no need.  She knew she was in trouble.  She would NOT smile for the camera.

I was very sad when I first saw Eliza and thought about her with short hair.  She has magnificent hair.  It turns out, she just might be cuter with short hair.  I'm going to put my scissors up now, though.  No reason to see how good she looks with a butch.

Ryan Lost His First Tooth!!

Ryan lost his first tooth last night!!  He was so super excited.  The tooth fairy was busy at our home last night, as Mac lost a tooth as well.  Ryan said that the tooth fairy took his tooth and left him a dollar.  She needs teeth to make fairy dust.  So, we really helped her out last night!  Ryan has had a loose tooth for weeks.  He finally wanted Spencer to pull it out last night, so Spencer did.  It bled a little, as you can see, but it was more than ready to come out.
As a side note, Ryan fell yesterday and knocked his front two teeth loose.  We had a trip to the dentist yesterday for that.  All is well, those teeth will fall out soon.

Fall Leaves at Grampie's

 After the soccer party, Ryan wanted to go by Grampie's house and show off his trophy.  When we arrived the kids were overjoyed to see lots of leaves to rake up.  They went in and got the rakes and got to work.  The raked up just enough leaves to make a pile to jump in.  I love fall!!

Dinosaurs End Season 7-1

 Ryan's fall soccer season has ended.  His last game went very well.  He's getting to be a very nice player.  He ran around and had a great time!  He was super excited to get his first trophy.  He also got a soccer pin that he wants to put on his shirt that looks like a Boy Scout shirt.  He loved eating pizza with his team.  He really liked his coach, Steve.  Steve is the dad of his buddy Robbie.  I'm so thankful for the people who are willing to be coaches and help all these little guys have a fun experience with sports.

Ryan wants to know which sport is next!  

SIFE Program at Chico State

Macky took part in an Entrepreneurial Camp put on by the SIFE program at Chico State.  He had the opportunity to start his own business (Macky's Mosaics) and then sell his product at the Farmer's Market.  He and Spencer came up with the idea to do mosaic's for people.  He collects one main image and 100 extra images from the customer to make his product.  We had super supportive neighbors who bought the product from Mac during the week so that he could practice and be ready for the Farmer's Market.  He sold 8 total, I think, maybe 9.  Mac and Spencer are still working out how much money he made total.  He did really well and learned alot.  I hope we get to do it again next year!  I am so super thankful for all of you who went by and helped to make Macky a success!!

Field Trip to Gateway Science Museum

 I got to go with Maddie's class to the Gateway Science Museum near Chico State last week.  The exhibits have all changed since we were there last and so it was very fun!  The first room had the children learning about different kinds of trees.

 The second room is much the same, with lots of hands on activities.  Maddie loved their pet spider and she happily made rubbings.

 The third room was my favorite.  It explores math in nature.  Maddie and her buddies had fun doing the Fibonacci spiral.

 The best part was going to Delayne's to get  John and finding this:

Delayne is a super awesome person, and a better-than-average Aunt.  She is just spectacular!  John doesn't just fall asleep on people.  Delayne filled up his tummy (no simple feet) and then he just crawled up on her and fell asleep.  I couldn't believe it.  I am so thankful for Delayne and for all of the love she showers on my children.  I just couldn't do without her!!

Happy Halloween

 The Smiths did not make as big a deal out of Halloween this year as usual.  Since the holiday landed on a Sunday, we did not do our door-to-door trick-or-treating.  Instead, we dressed up on Saturday and went to our FANTASTIC ward activity.  The kids ate and played games, then they did trunk-or-treating in the parking lot.  John did not quite get it, but he had a blast.  Mac dressed up as a hunter.  He got very hot in his waders!  Maddie was a zombie.  Ryan was the hulk.  John was Elmo.  Chandler was a Giant.  Jaycee (not pictured) was a queen - I forget now which one.  ??  After the ward party, we went to Grandma's house and then to Grampie's to show off the costumes and get some more candy.  I think the kids all had a nice time.
On the actual night of Halloween we went over to the Stapf's and played games.  Somebody egged their house.  That was no fun!!  We also watched some serious nature videos.  I now know more than I ever wanted to about kangaroos.

After seeing these pictures, I now know I must get a new camera before the next holiday.  Any suggestions?  I want one I can carry with me all the time, nothing fancy - just a reliable nice camera.