Countdown to Halloween- Thursday 10/30

MMM, Pumpkin Brains!!!

A family tradition growing up in the Watts home was Halloween dinner. My Granddad lived with us and he didn't want to eat it if it had been in the pumpkin, to weird, so my Mom always had to fix his plate first. My Dad was always such a good sport and although he would roll his eyes and think my Mom was kooky, he always joined in on the fun. It was always a big event and we had so much fun trying to gross each other out. I downsized a little this year due to the fact that there are only three of us and I didn't want left overs for a month. As we began our family meal we all share a "Ghost" instead of a toast, this was started by my Brother when we were little, anyways in all the hustle and bustle last night and with out life long "Ghosters" this was forgotten and I was quite sad. On the other hand dinner was yummy!

Our Main Dish: Pumpkin Brains
(whole wheat spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, ground turkey, fresh veggies cut up)




Chilled Bats Blood (cherry crystal light),
Seaweed (salad), Puss (ranch dressing), witches teeth (corn), Baked Witches Skin (french bread)
and for dessert (not pictured) Swamp Mud (Chocolate fudge brownie ice cream with chocolate syrup).

Hmmm, can you tell which one is just humoring his wife...
Well if you make an ugly face, you know where its going to end up...

Dinner was fun, and I love, love, love traditions and am so thankful that my mom had a tradition for everything! Well, maybe not everything but pretty close. There were other meal items we used to do as well and there are so many more that I know of that you could do. The plus with this meal is it looks normal, so kids aren't freaked but yet you are calling it all sorts of funny things, which they love!!!

I found this recipe last night, to late for me to use, but maybe someone could use it as a snack for today. It was on www.craftpad.com

Monster Munch Recipe

pretzels (bones)
mini marshmallows (monster toes)
Reeses Pieces (frog eyes)
raisins (dead flies)

Countdown to Halloween- Wednesday 10/29

On Wednesday we went to dinner at the clubhouse for pizza and fruit provided by MWU, and then I headed out for visiting teaching with my awesome companion Melinda. While I was gone (with Ava) Brent was going to take Katrena to a local haunted house that was taking donations for a charity. When they got there they found out it had been closed down that morning, more not meeting fire hazard codes or something like that. Anyways this was just a little haunted house put on by some people not a big deal, but I guess it had begun to draw a big enough crowd that it was also drawing attention, so it got shut down. They were both disapointed. I suggested they go home and start carving a pumpkin and that I would join them shortly.

When I got home they had just finished cleaning out all the yummy guts and brains (tonights dinner by the way), and Katrena was drawing the face to be carved by Dad.



Here they are with their finished product.

Ava's first Jack O'lantern.

Mr. Jack O'Lantern (yes, he has nostrils).

We hope everyone is having a fun/spooky countdown to Halloween week.


Tonights Countdown activity will be our traditional Halloween Dinner, its just too hard to do on Halloween night. We (well the majority of us) are looking forward to Pumpkin Brains, Witches Teeth, Seaweed with Puss (aren't you hungry), Baked Witches Skin, with Chilled Bats Blood to drink. And to finish the meal off we are adding something new this year, Swamp Mud.

Countdown to Halloween- Tuesday 10/28

Our Tuesday activity did not turn out quite as planned, I was sick and didn't feel well. So no creative cooking, no craft, and no pumpkin carving. I said to Katrena after we finish eating (grilled cheese and soup) we can watch a fun Halloween movie. Well out comes the drama...she didn't want to eat her soup, so she sat at the table stalling for 2 HOURS!!! Yes, a 7 year old sitting at the table crying or whining for 2 HOURS straight. I thought I was going to scream (ok, so maybe I did at one point, remember I was sick).

I was determined she was not going to ruin my night, so I told her to go get all of her Halloween books, and Katrena, Ava and I sat and read all of the fun Halloween books. So, the evening was not a total flop, just not quite what mom had in mind.

Countowd to Halloween- Monday 10/27

Because this is the week of Halloween, I like to make it a week long celebration of fun!!! (My Husband just thinks I am crazy and wishes I would throw all my crazy traditions and kookiness away{By the way THANKS MOM} I personally like my kookiness and think my kids do and will too...)


So for Monday, I decided to so something simple no overkill on the Halloween. I decided we needed dinner with something pumpkin (sorry you get the left overs shot). I made Pumpkin Waffles (yummy) with homemade apple cider syrup.



Katrena and I made these little bats last week, and I just wanted to share. They are super simple and cute to boot. The super tiny bat Katrena made at school, he's cute too, we're going to put a magnet on its back so it can actually be used and enjoyed.

Clay pot bats

Get a small clay pot and paint black for the body.

The head is made out of a round wooden ball with a flat bottom (this is either a small or medium size) you can just match the size that fits with the clay pot size you desire, and paint black.

The wings and ears are made out of craft foam.

Small squiggly eyes, and puff paint for decorating.

Voila adorable bats to adorn your home at Halloween time!!!



We will be continuing our activity a day countdown to Halloween, I think I am more excited than Trena. And I know I am more excited that Brent and Ava.

Do you have any kooky traditions???

couldn't resist...

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

Ava at 12 weeks...

Although Ava is 13 weeks now I wanted to post some photos of her at 12 weeks, and tell a little about what she is up too...

During her 12th week she started to reach up to touch my face while I am feeding her, and also anything else she is curious about.
she also started to pull herself up into sitting postion when she is in your arms and during tummy time holds her head very high, she is one strong turkey or should I say chicken... She has also started to recognize toys and things hanging above her, she watches the mobile on her swing and has started smiling and cooing at the dog on her bouncy seat.

Ava at 12 weeks 10/17/08



Ava 10/19/08 (outfit from Grammy Ann)

Ava 10/21/08 smiling at the puppy on her bouncy seat
(a gift from Uncle Wade, Aunt Traci, Tyler and Megan)

We are excited to see what week 13 will hold...

Trunk or Treating 10/25/08

Last night started our Halloween fun. Our ward as well as Brent's brother Gary's ward were having their Trunk or Treating, after discussing it, we decided to head to Gilbert for Gary's as it would be the last time we would see them for awhile.

Gary and another guy in their ward also put on a little haunted house in the back of the church, which the kids really enjoyed (until the kids got a little rowdy and started to beat on Gary's nice stuff and even pushed things over). Its pretty bad when a 7 and 6 year old are trying to get the kids to stop and get out... Katrena was nervous to go inside, but finally went through with Dad and really enjoyed it, she even went through 3 more times.

We had chili and hot dogs to eat, with apples and cinnamon carmel fruit dip, and loads of cupcakes. They had some games set up in the front and Trunk or Treating. All in all the kids had a really fun time.

So here are the kids in their costumes...

Ava our adorable chicken (my mom found this costume at the DI in UT and sent it to us, just in case. She knows that my MIL loves chickens and so does Brent).



Katrena, Ava and our nephew Caleb as a Vampire.

Our beautiful girls

Our beautiful Angel, Katrena (everyone at all the cars kept telling her how pretty she was, I have to agree. Don't you love the orange sunset)

Here's to the beginning of a FUN Halloween week...

Lunch with Katrena

This post could also be titled good (or cool)mom, bad mom...

Today was career day at Katrena's school and I'm not really sure what that means, but because of this the kids had a BBQ and the parents were invited to join them. I decided to go, after all what was $2.50 for school lunch, when it makes your child feel valued. I am so glad that I went, there were not many parents there, maybe a couple per class, but I was the only parent from her class. She was so happy to see me and Ava that she took off running (and yes, she hugged me before Ava). She was so cute and so proud. I got to meet her two best friends Sarah and Melanie, both adorable girls. And her two year running crush, John, what a cutie. The four of us (technically 5 with Ava) sat in the shade and ate together, it was so much fun, just to sit and chat with her and her friends. I think we both needed that time and I am so glad Ava just sat in her seat and looked around so that I could truly focus on Trena.

They had music going in the speakers outside and the kids could either play as normal or dance. The PE teachers were out there dancing and had hula hoops and jump ropes. It was so much fun, and the best part since Trena is in 2nd grade it was cool to have mom out there dancing!!! And boy did I have fun working off my 8 point Hot Dog!!!

Now the BAD mom part, do you see something wrong with this post? I do, no pictures!!! That's right I forgot the camera. Here I am at Trena's school, one on one with her Best friends, picture op after picture op and do you think I could have my camera? Of course not. Well next Friday is the Halloween Party and I am the Homeroom Mom so I am in charge (and so excited), you can guarantee I will not make that mistake again...

Name statistics

I used my maiden name for kicks: Kimberly Watts

• There are 769,586 people in the U.S. with the first name Kimberly.
• Statistically the 59th most popular first name.
• More than 99.9 percent of people with the first name Kimberly are female.
• There are 112,995 people in the U.S. with the last name Watts.
• Statistically the 289th most popular last name.
• There are 285 people in the U.S. named Kimberly Watts.

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 285 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Sunday October 12th

Katrena had her Primary Program today, she did awesome. She had her part completely memorized, I was so proud of her for working hard to memorize it. Her part was "The Family Proclamation states: All human beings-male and female- are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of Heavenly Parents. And as such each has a divine nature and destiny." We had her read it multiple times and then we printed it out in big words and took words away one by one until she had it memorized.



Ava 11 weeks

Ava just looked so cute today in this cute dress, that was Olivia Hansen's from our home ward in Utah, that we had to share.

#1 Song...

I just saw this on my Sisters blog and thought it was kind of fun.

The #1 song the day I was born 5/16/78: "With a Little Luck" by Paul McCartney & Wings (Sadly, I've never even heard of this song at least I know who Paul McCartney is :)

The #1 song the day Brent was born 9/26/79: "My Sharona" by: The Knack

The #1 song the day Trena was born 1/19/01: "Independent Woman part 1" by: Destiny's Child

The #1 song the day Ava was born 7/24/08: "I Kissed a Girl" by: Katy Perry

And on our wedding day: 12/28/04: "Let me Love You" by: Mario (Glad to see it was a love song)

If you want to find out the # 1 song on your special day go here: http://www.joshhosler.biz/NumberOneInHistory/SelectMonth.htm

Here is Ava talking and smiling...

Ava has really started cooing lately and she started smiling on 9/26/08 and we finally got a picture of it.

Hope the pictures made you smile!!!

Finally a Decent Candidate

Conference weekend and Flagstaff

We had a great conference weekend. On Saturday we got up and watched the morning session of conference, and then headed to Flagstaff with Gary's family. We were all missing fall and decided it would be fun to go see the leaves changing and leave the 90 degree weather behind (Go figure it actual dropped to the 80's that day!). We stopped and ate lunch at Subway along the way at the Cottonwood/Payson exit, it made it almost feel like we were in Utah. We then continued on our way and it started to rain, and not just rain, it was pouring, but we continued on. When we got to Flagstaff the rain cleared up, and the sun even poked its head out for a little bit, although the high was only in the 50's that day. I loved it!!! I loved feeling the cool air and getting all bundled up (and the best part doing it without the snow). It was fun to also remember how tired the cold makes you or at least me. I love fall and miss it here. Back to my story, we then found a campsite and bundled up the Turkey Butt (AKA Ava) and roasted marshmallows and had smores, yummy! It took awhile to get a fire going thanks to all the moisture we had just received, but Gary and Cameron did it. We then just hung out and enjoyed nature for awhile. We found deer legs at the campsite and kept hearing rifle shots, Gary found a huge, ugly green bug that he had to scare the kids with. Then Gary took the kids on a nature walk, where they saw a wolf, and Katrena swears her and Caleb saw a tiny snake, unfortunately no adult can back this up. We then went to dinner at Cracker Barrel and headed home, it was a great Saturday spent with family and feeling like you had gone on a mini vacation away from your everyday world.



Ava (10 weks) and Mom

Gary and Cameron

Katrena and Caleb

Brent and I

On Sunday we got up and watched both sessions of conference and totally just had a lazy day, I sewed, trena played, Ava got passed around and Brent did some school stuff. I love being able to sit and listen to the words of our Prophet and his Apostle's. Brent and I both really enjoyed President Monson's closing talk during the Sunday morning session, what beautiful words, if we keep wishing for our tomorrows, ignoring our today's we have no yesterday's!!! I need to remember the sorrows of yesterday to appreciate the joys of today, and I need to remember the joy's of yesterday to help me through the sorrows of today. The whole conference was just beautiful, and I am excited to study my Ensign when it comes next month. After conference about 8 families from the ward got together for a potluck at the clubhouse it was yummy and fun to visit with one another and let the kids run and get wiggles out before bed. Thanks for arranging it Liora.

Just saw this on someone in my wards blog

Who loves purses and even more who loves something that is free? me, me, me. Go here http://www.handbagplanet.com/ to enter to win a free hand bag, no strings attached. I just did it!!!

Daddy turns 29...

Brent's Birthday was last Friday and he turned 29. We didn't do much (money, rotations), but we tried to make the day as special as possible.

First Katrena made Dad Breakfast in Bed all by herself, I did take a picture, but Brent said I could not post that one.

Next up Ava (9 weeks) wore her "La la la la la, My Daddy Rocks and Sings to Me" shirt, which he does.

When Daddy got home we were still making his cards (he was home early and the 2 month old wouldn't let me put her down ALL day)! So cards were covered and he was sent to his room.

We all then went in and crawled on the bed while Dad read his cards from the girls, and opened their present, new basketball shorts, that actually go to the tall boys knees!!!

Then I hurried and made Mellow Cake (see card section for reason it was not already made), its a recipe his Brother got in Jr. High and is a family favorite and its very dense. Although the cake was yummy it wasn't nearly as dense this time, we are blaming it on the altitude, we'll have to tweak it for next time.

And then we were off to eat. Brent decided on Charlie's Steakery, we ate at the one in Mesa with his Brother and it was pretty yummy, so we thought we'd try the one in Glendale. Ya, mistake. After trying forever to find a parking spot we finally get in there (it's 8 o'clock) and they are cleaning the kitchen, and the mop is in the middle of the dining area. No one acknowledged us to say they were closed, but they obviously weren't cooking, so after standing there staring and each other and smile/laughing, we walked back out the door to the car. We then went to Shane's Rib Shack at Happy Valley for BBQ it was yummy and something new.

I hope you had a Happy Birthday Babe, you deserve it, after all the hard work you do.

We love you!!!