Time to get it done!

The truth is it is time for me to get things done. Both literally and figuratively ~ it feels like a few things in our life are slowing down which means I have some time to get things done. Today is the first day in month that there hasn't been anything on the calendar!

But things really are slowing down, the huge school fundraiser I helped co-chair is over (we earned $15,000 for the school). Charlie's play is done this week (but practices are over -which means all the costumes I have sewn, shopped for etc are also done). I got 2 dads to take over the Wolf Cub Troop so that is off my plate. We have minimum days this week so life is a little slower at school and we seem to be in a relatively smooth schedule for a few weeks.

So today I cleaned the pantry and a ton of kitchen cupboards. I also cleaned my laundry room (the tiniest laundry room in the world that has to be home to tons of stuff). After that I went to Winco and restocked the pantry!!! For those of you who shop at Winco you know what I mean when I say this is like going to Costco where you get one item by itself but I save SOOOO much money. (I would spend easily 2x's as much as I did at Raleys or Safeway).

Tomorrow my goal is to clean out my closet and fold all the laundry and get it put away.

I know it sounds like nesting and maybe it is. The reality is Baby #4 is due in just a few weeks so getting ready for her is on the to do list. But there is a lot to do before she comes including celebrating Audrey's birthday so we also went to the Dollar tree today for goodie bag stuff! She is so excited to have a birthday and to be a big sister. THis morning she asked me if the baby was out of my tummy yet and when I said no she said "me be big sister tomorrow?".

Well I am starting to totally ramble so I am go to go clean off all my kitchen counters and the wall above the TV before it is time to make dinner! See it is a never ending list of things to do! But YEAH no school tomorrow!!!!

The Saga of the Gorilla

I don't think I can do justice to the Gorilla story at our house but these pictures are so cute I can't not try! John got a gorilla mask to wear for Halloween and has loved trying to scare the kids the last week. Audrey really didn't like it at all so she was not happy when he put it on right before the kids went trick or treating!

Audrey was not going to go near daddy, Charlie & Annie for a picture as long as Daddy had the mask on!


Audrey pouting because Daddy wouldn't take off the mask!


Audrey telling Daddy to take off his gorrilla mask and to put it away in the closet.


John took off the mask so Audrey would come take a picture with him.


Audrey was okay getting on Daddy's lap to take a picture without the mask!


John tricked her and slipped it on!


She likes the mask just fine when she wears it! Just not Daddy!!!


PS. John did wear the mask when the doorbell rang once and when 2 of the little kids ran away from the door he took it off!!!

Happy Halloween

I love Halloween. It is so much fun to see the kids dress up and enjoy it so much.

When Charlie was about 2 1/2 and Annie 6 or 7 months old we were in San Diego for Halloween one year (the month of the big EDCO flood!) and we went trick or treating with the kids in this neighborhood that was just ideal. Everyone was out front and friendly and there were pot lucks going on and kids running up and down the street. John and I always said that is what we want for our kids one day and we truly have found it.

We left our house about 6:15 and within 10 minutes Annie found a friend and they were off running down the street together. Charlie and John were soon faster than Audrey and I so we all kind of went our separate ways for a while. About an hour later we stopped by the house and picked up Uncle Brett who came out with us. John had run into Dante and his family at some point and he borrowed his golf cart. After dropping Audrey & I back off at home to rest they were out another hour or so! Now we all have way more candy that we will ever need and it is time to pack it all up again and get ready for Thanksgiving!

Trip to the Fire Station

Annie had her first Kindergarten Field trip on Friday. They went to the Fire Station.

It was awfully cute to see her with all her friends and John was able to meet us there! Each kid got a chance to try out the hose and Annie had everyone laughing because they were seconds away from her turning the hose onto them!

When dad goes to the Halloween Costume store

On Saturday morning John took Annie on a Daddy daughter date to look for her costume. She wanted to be a vampire but they couldn't find a costume in her size so she is a witch. But John surprised us all by buying a costume for himself & has been scaring everyone all weekend by popping out in his mask & gloves! He thinks it is hilarious, and Oreo is scared to death of it! He thinks it is so funny to run around chasing the dog! So if you come to our house on Halloween just know I warned you!

The Garrison Kids are ready

Charlie & Annie had their school Harvest Festival this weekend and I got a cute picture of all of them in their costumes!

Charlie is Zorro, Annie is a witch and surprise, Audrey is Cinderella (her favorite!!!)

Fish Fry...

So part of the fishing expedition involved a fish we had to cook. Well the sight alone turned my stomach so it was a dad job to help Charlie clean and cook it!

They chopped it up and dredged it in flour, eggs & bread crumbs and then they fried it! Who knew the kids would all love it so much!

(Audrey did feel horrible for the "poooor fishie" as she watched her dad chop off it's head!)