Halloween

2 months ago we celebrated Halloween. And I took some photos so it was only a matter of time before they ended up on the blog!  Ha. Anyway, I probably say this every year but here it goes...I love doing a family theme costume but I hate (and I don't use the word "hate" very often) spending money unnecessarily. And costumes that are worn once are unnecessary to me. I'm happy that my kids have a costume bucket and enjoy dressing up but for me to spend $40 on a cheaply made Dorothy dress that is far from flattering is ridiculous!! Anyway, I'm all for reusing things we already have and only purchasing things we will use again. So my boys wore their Christmas pajamas and old clothes, some of which I cut up and I made them elf booties with felt (which are now part of their dress-up bin). We first got our costumes on to go to the ward trunk or treat at our church, of course we were still getting ready when it was time to run out the door so Miles is the only one that got a photo....Cutest Munchkin ever!

Anyway, we enjoyed chili dinner and trunk or treating, and if I was really cool, I would have made a yellow brick road leading up to our car, but I didn't. However, I did hang green streamers in the back of our car that may have somewhat resembled the Emerald City. It was an unusually warm night, so we were all warm enough, usually our halloween costumes are covered in heavy coats. haha

On Halloween, I got to help in Miles classroom with his Dia de los muertos party. They made sugar skulls and skeletons, and masks. 

 They also had an offrenda in their classroom and Miles was able to add a picture of Green Grandma and Mumzy who had just passed away the weekend before.

Then on Halloween night we got a late start since Max ran out of gas on his motorcycle on the way home from work and we had to rescue him. So we were rushing to do some photos before the sun went down and we went on our way.  They even learned the lollipop guild song and I'm still kicking myself for not making a video of it. I don't think I have many more halloweens of them gong along with my ideas, but so far they still seem to like it. (I mean, they got lollipops out of the deal...which they still haven't eaten..)

They're preforming the song here, kicking their feet. 

And, it was getting dark and we took some remote control photos and ended up cutting Max's head off. yep, can't win 'em all!

 Oh yea, and for my costume, I just got a gingham apron (which I have since used multiple times...winning!) and red shoes (ruby slippers) that I have worn many times since Halloween! That's my kind of costume! I did get max the hat so he could be a scarecrow, but other than that, it was all stuff we already had! Thanks to the chickens for the hay!

Anyway,  This year we only visited my Red Grandma and trick or treated on her street. We brought pizza over and while it was cooking, Max took the boys up and down her street while I stayed and visited with my grandma. It was a perfect relaxing Halloween. I liked seeing how excited my grandma gets for each trick or treater. I thought I would be helpful and pass out candy so she wouldn't have to keep standing and sitting but She didn't want me to, she liked seeing all the costumes and counting how many people came by. Anyway, we were so grateful that there was no school the following day so we stayed late and then made our way home. 

Mumzy

At the end of October we found out that Max's Grandma "Mumzy" was not expected to live more than a couple days. Her health had been declining for years and her alzheimer's has taken over to the point where she hasn't recognized us for the last couple of years. Cancer had spread though her body, she had been losing a lot of weight from her already small frame. On a Friday afternoon, Max went straight to her house after work and after I fed the kids dinner, we made it over there. Most of the family had gathered. Max took each of the boys into her bedroom and had them talk to her as her breaths became more labored. Even though she couldn't communicate, in her last years (pretty much the whole time the boys have known her) she did light up whenever she saw a young child. When the boys visited with her, her eyes were closed and she was unresponsive but each person got a chance to talk to her. She passed away shortly after 8:30 pm. She was surrounded by family in her small bedroom while I was out in another room with the kids. It was an interesting experience that I believe the boys will remember for a long time. 

This photo is mumzy with Max's mom, Kay

Some things about Mumzy, she grew up as an only child to a single mother who worked multiple jobs to provide for their family. Growing up, being alone so much, she knew she wanted a big family and for them to always have a place and be welcome. She worked so hard her whole life, she was a model and a leading woman in the real estate industry in Oregon. She had properties all over. (Including where we live right now) Everything about her was eccentric and dramatic. She had a huge house, she liked to be pampered and would go on many cruises, she had a huge car to always have room for more people. She loved to be surrounded by people. 

She was quite fierce, she spoke her mind. One of Max's memories of her was when he was younger and his teeth were crooked and he gave mumzy a big smile and she responded with "Close your mouth, you look awful" haha! That being said, her no-nonsence, speak her mind, bold, worth ethic  took her far in life. Later, she also contributed to Max's fund to get braces and he is forever grateful for that. 

Another memory max shared was that she always made sure that her grandkids knew they were welcome to stay with her. They all had toothbrushes at her house, they could always stay in her huge tent (nicknamed the Taj mahal) on rafting trips. She would travel with a huge motorhome so she could be surrounded by her family. She always drove massive vehicles that could seat many people. 

She joined in on the rafting trips much longer than any elderly woman should, but she had always made sure that her family knew she wanted to be cared for by them and not in a nursing home. She would be carried into the rafts and rowed down the river. In the last couple of years, she became incredibly confused when her sons were carrying her onto the raft but once she was in the boat, she loved it.

 One of my memories of mumzy is when I was pregnant with Charlie and we would walk together, it only happened a couple of times but she liked the company and we would walk her dog and she would tell me how she really feels about a whole lot of people, holding nothing back. We'll just say that if Mumzy didn't like you, you knew about it. haha!

Anyway, I'll end this with these photos we took of Mumzy sleeping on the rocks on a rafting trip ten years ago.

And here's Mumzy and Max's dad all dressed up on a rafting trip.

Mumzy's funeral was held at our church building, it was a celebration of life. We sang Que Sera, and How Great Thou Art. Her children and grandchildren shared stories of Mumzy one of my favorites was when she met Elvis and didn't know who he was and sassed him a bit. They say there's a picture of them together somewhere. When it was time to leave the chapel and convene for a luncheon, Max handed out kazoos because Mumzy would always give all her grandkids kazoos and march them around in a parade playing yellow submarine. We marched out doing this. 

 Anyway, I think the best things we can learn from Mumzy and what I want my kids to remember is her love and value for education, her tenacity for accomplishing goals, her value of family and how that was her motivation for everything she did.

Dry Leaves

Back at the end of October we were having unusual dry weather so we spent many afternoons raking and playing in leaves. One day I took some photos. Miles got into it the most. Can you see Charlie in this photo. 

They full-on buried their faces a couple times, and were completely filthy when we were done, but it is so rare to have dry crunchy leaves here that we just decided to live-it-up!

Those were the days, back before the downpours!

October in review

October was a blur and my phone is full of photos from little activities we did. Mostly just me and Edwin, but I just decided a photo dump would be a good option. 

We attended scripture story time at the temple visitor center then went on a temple walk in the sunshine. 

One of my children had a doctor appointment (Charlie?) and Edwin stunk up the room and was given a biohazard bag to take care of it.

Another day we went to "green swing" park. My kids have unique names for all their favorite parks. 

We got to go out on a date, and were planning on going to the temple but it didn't workout with the babysitter's and temple's schedule so we checked out the food carts at French quarter, a place we drive by almost daily. We lucked out and there was live New Orlean's jazz music and good food, also all the stores in Multnomah village were open late and we explored the shops and spent time enjoying a little bookstore! And this is the only picture I took. ha!

Charlie doing his soccer.

Another park day, taking advantage of the sunshine with friends. This one is affectionately called "toilet seat" park.

Sometimes we get to enjoy sunrises on the way to the bus stop, 

Miles going on a leaf hunt. 

 Fall is when the biggest and littlest boy have their eye exams. They are the best since they get to play with toys and watch cartoons.

 More Edwin time! Tongue out, focusing hard!

 Visiting Charlie's classroom.

After a photoshoot at a very beautiful place, Charlie, AKA my assistant, and I went on a scooter date. The cell phone photos didn't do the fiery sunset justice. We were at the highest point in Portland and the views were amazing. I should have taken more scenic photos during the photos shoot, but I didn't, I guess I'll have to go back. 

A crumbl cookie store opened near us so Edwin and I made our way for a free cookie. they were decent.

Boys running wild while Charlie plays his last soccer game of the season.

Blowing bubbles on a chilly morning. 

 I got to go help in Miles classroom on Halloween for a dia de los muertos party.

They had a classroom offrenda, And it was extra meaningful to Miles because this year was his first experience with losing loved ones, My grandma passed away in July and the weekend before this celebration, Max's grandma Mum-z passed away and Miles was there with her. (More about that in its own blog post)

Anyway, it was a busy october and mostly I want to remember that I actually did spend time doing meaningful activities with my children. I'll do Halloween in a separate post.