Halloween and Baby Blessing

 Claire was "Princess Zelda from Super Smash Melee Edition"--that apron was a beast to create! I sewed it out of felt. Her armor is craft foam that I cut, hot glued and then painted gold. I sewed the pink dress too. Thankfully, Sophie wanted a turn to be Squid Girl and Eloise wanted to be "Minna" so I didn't need to sew anything else!

 Posing at Hooma's house. We went to Idaho for Halloween because Daddy's doing an internship there and staying with the Schmutzes.

 Borrowing Fritz' lightsaber (he was Yoda). She refused the ears, gloves, tail and make-up and for the actual trick-or-treating ("Tricky Treats!" she likes to call it), she wouldn't even wear the dress.

 Photobombing Aunt Hannah. Hannah was a Korean trickster nine tailed fox spirit called a Gumiho. Hooma sewed her gown and made all those fox tails in back. The headpiece is a replica of one that a darling little girl was wearing in the Korean girls' chorus at Women's Conference this year.

 We were so happy to have time with Daddy!

 They don't call him Senior Serious for nothing!

It was Hooma's nader week after chemo for blood counts, so she had to wear a mask but turned into a bunny costume--smart! Eloise loved it.

 "When can we have doughnuts and cotton candy? We're tired of chocolate!" Those are my girls alright...

 Waiting to bowl over Uncle Anthon and the other young men in a human bowling game.

 Every time we see Hooma we throw her a party.

 "Open! Do you open please?" Eloise speaks like a Yellowstone tourist, ha ha :)

 Miniature Priesthood attire for his Blessing that Sunday morning. The circle contained Dad, Grandpa Fritz, Uncle Chris, Uncle Anthon on microphone duty and the bishopric. Adam blessed Fritz with a keen intellect and good health. That his interest in knowledge and personal growth would translate into the power to teach others the Gospel and to build the kingdom of God. That he would be a source of joy and peace in his family and that he would have a strong testimony always of his Savior Jesus Christ. Fritz was very good and quietly listened to Dad during his blessing--which the bishopric had never seen. They probably had never seen an 18lb three month old either!

 "Pictures?! You my me too okay!"

 Poke.

 Great Grandma Regular

 Uncle Chris drove he and Grandma up early that morning and took them home that evening. What a champ!

 Uncle Anthon is smitten with Fritzie.

Little Guy loves his Hooma.

Sophie's 4th Birthday Party

Last year I saw an ad for a Dora the Explorer themed party at a children's gym in Corvallis (The Little Gym) and I mentioned to Hooma that Sophie had seen the ad as well. This year, Hooma's birthday gift to Sophie was to have that seriously awesome party! We had the whole gym to ourselves to fill with friends, presents and cake and there were three young workers who were happy to race around with the kids on a pre-recorded adventure for about two hours. Best part of all--Sophie's face. Second---no clean up!

 Eloise was probably the most enthusiastic guest on the list. She tried four different outfits before deciding she was ready for "Sah-feeah's" party.

 The party hasn't even begun here--we've only just arrived.

 Getting some instructions. Claire says "Wait, there are going to be rules?!"

 The workers told silly jokes to get to know the children and they really learned everyone's name.

 Friends Amalyn and Kalia

 They lowered the bar for Eloise so she could reach without the step.

 Running like crazy people was popular, although Eloise requested a ride from Helper Julia.

 This is an identical pose to a picture of me at a similar age.

 Walking around the "sleeping turtles" on Big Log Bridge.

 Climbing the Candy Mountain.

 Fritz has only two expressions--this non-plussed one...

 And this totally joyful one.

 High speed Weeza.

 Claire invents her own obstacle course.

 A genuine smile!

 Magic straws to swim through the Stinky Swamp.

 Claire has an awesome leap style.

 Twirling--ever twirling!

 Note Daddy sitting with parents in the lobby. He was watching joke videos with his friend (another dad).

 Look at Sophie's face.

 "Touch your nose if you can hear me."

 Inflating the floor--Eloise wanted to ride with Julia again.

 Then we ran a circuit with the bouncy floor.

 Eloise doesn't mind being landed on if she's being included.

 Claire is so awesome!

 Riding the floor back down.

 They gave her a special hat and matchy plates and cups.

 Claire made the cupcakes for Sophie as her gift. The eyes are made of sugar.

 Helper Tyler lit the candles while Helper Rose got everyone to sing.

 Black frosting...

 Amalyn

 Kalia

 Zoa

 Sophie

 Kjersten

 Gaius

 Tristan (Adam's friend from earlier)

 Claire

 Fritz and Mom

Opening gifts before going home for enchiladas and Women's Conference streamed online. It was SO AMAZING--thank you Hooma!