:: I'M SICK OF CANDY. COHEN IS NOT ::


Aside from Nerds and Taffy, I am so sick of candy. I'm kind of Halloweened out already. It seems like Cohen has dressed up about 50 times already. He loves it. Maybe I should dress up and get a little more into the spirit of it all. He has been so excited for the actual Halloween day (today) because he wants to watch the Halloween episodes of Dora, Diego, Wonder Pets, and Backyardigans (read:: It frees up my morning), he wants to ride the train to Mike's office (for Trick or Treating), and he wants to go around the neighborhood. He can barely contain himself.

We started two weeks ago (as Dash from the Incredibles) at the Nestman's house. A group that used to be in the ward still gets together a few times a year for a BBQ, Halloween, and Christmas. Sadly, they have all moved on and Mike and I remain in the apartments. Anyway, Liz set up a fantastic little "carnival" in the basement and all of the princess and super heroes played all night.

Next was the ward Trunk-or-Treat (as Link). More candy and fun. He could not get enough of the McDonald's orange punch and pumpkin bowling.

Yesterday was his preschool Halloween party (as Dash). I was helping in the classroom, so I didn't get a chance to sit back and enjoy the little program they put on for the parents. Therefor, no pictures. Lame. But again it was more candy and games and he came home with another bag of stuff. Again, SO MUCH FUN and he wore his costume the rest of the day.

It is 8:00 am and he is dressed as Link. We'll see what he decides to be later in the day. Happy Halloween. I hope it is nice and spooky and filled with lots of sugar.

:: I CAN NOW FOCUS ON HALLOWEEN ::


The Primary Program* is over and I can honestly say it was fantastic. It ended a few minutes late, but the kids were all well-behaved and cute while saying their parts and singing their songs. Even more than being grateful for a well-behaved Primary, I am so glad that it is over. Ahhhh. Now I can enjoy Fall and Halloween and all things that come my way until dreary January sets in.


Cohen and I made these pumpkins a few weeks ago. I found some paper mache pumpkins in the Michaels dollar bins and snatched the rest of them up. A little Elaine's craft glue and Martha Stewart glitter made them quite the centerpiece for a Fall table. Seriously, so easy. I was in charge of smothering glue and Cohen poured the glitter. I would have been easier without the kid, but he was great. (Another reason I am thankful for preschool. He's become a much more controlled crafter.)


The Link outfit has not come off in 3 days. We didn't let him wear it to church today, but it has been everywhere else. He was eager to get it on as soon as we walked in the door. I should be grateful that he loves it so much. There will come a day when he will no longer appreciate my handmade goodies.

Boy, these photos are junky. We have not reinstalled Photoshop so I did not edit the pics, but honestly I thought I was a better photographer than this... sheesh! Enjoy your week.

*For those of you who may not know, the Primary is the children organization at church. I am in the Primary Presidency, meaning I help this organization function (scary, I know). Each Fall we put on a little program in Sacrament meeting where all of the children speak and sing the songs they've been learning all year. It is definitely a highlight of the year as much entertainment can be obtained, but as a leader, it is STRESSFUL. I have the acne to prove it. Til' next year!

:: EXCUSE ME, PRINCESS ::


A conversation with Cohen at 5:00 pm on Thursday while old Legend of Zelda cartoons were playing in the background.

Lori:: What should I make for dinner?

Cohen:: Um... Let's go to Subway.

Lori:: What do you want at Subway?

Cohen:: A cheese sandwich and chips.

Lori:: I can make you a cheese sandwich and chips here.

Cohen:: You could make me a Link suit.

Lori:: A Link suit?

Cohen:: Yeah. It is green and brown with a hat and boots and a belt and a sword holder.

Lori:: Okay. *digs through stash and finds just enough brown and green fleece*

One hour later Mike walked through the door from work to find Zelda (me) and Link (Cohen) saying, "Let's go to Subway." It is by no means fancy, but he thinks he looks so tough. Plus, I'd way rather sew than make dinner. :)

:: INCREDIBLE ::


I just had a really good day yesterday. It all turned out fantastic. These are some of the things that made me happy.

:: I got Cohen to school on time - he's usually the last one there.
:: I wasn't nauseous all day - ALL DAY - HOLY MOLY!
:: I went to JoAnn's and everything I needed was on sale.
:: I went to Heartland Paper and they had a die cut of a skeleton tree - 3rd scrapbook store I tried.
:: I got all of the stuff on my list done - except clean the house, but that never really counts as done even when I do it.
:: A few mailboxes in our building got broken into and ours didn't.
:: I took a small nap.
:: I am still reading Frankenstein and LOVING it.
:: The weather is perfect and I had to wear socks and a sweater all day and never got hot. WAHOO!
:: I worked for 3 hours and Cohen self entertained the entire time.
:: It only cost $29.98 to fill up Mike's completely empty gas tank - seriously, I sputtered into the station.
:: I won a fantastic scarf and gloves and slippers and hot chocolate and candy at Bunco.
:: Steph put out a bowl of cinnamon bears at Bunco - my absolute favorite candy is chewy cinnamon anything.
:: My hair is finally long enough to start crimping again - and it looks great.
:: I bought a body pillow with a very soft pillow case.
:: I slept with said body pillow ALL NIGHT LONG - I haven't slept more than 5 hours at night in weeks. God bless 8+ hours of sleep.

Good day. Good day. Here is to another one.

:: THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF PRESCHOOL ::

I know these pictures are a bit late, but I wanted to show them anyway. Cohen has been in preschool for two months now and he just loves it. His school is in a local elementary school and he goes Mon - Thurs from 9:00 - 12:00. Theoretically, I could get a lot done in twelve hours, but really I've just sat around and enjoyed the quiet.


Outside of his classroom there is a bulletin board of all of the kids in his class. Each day when I drop him off, he shows me where he is and who his friends are that day.


I went with his class on a field trip up Millcreek Canyon. He was so excited to ride a school bus for the first time. He is here with his buddy Noah. They are two peas in a pod.

These are some little buddies on a hike. The had to gather Fall items to make a wreath out of. Of course they mostly picked up sticks and we had several Star Wars reenactments.


He is so happy at school which makes me so happy. I am so glad that we're both enjoying our time away from each other. This is just another thing to add to my list of why I am pro-education.

:: 1.2.3.4. Chickens Just Back From the Shore ::



Cohen doesn't even know what Sesame Street is because it is on way too early. Maybe I should start watching it a little more.

:: HAUNTING SEASON ::


Hot Diggity... the computer is fixed! Mike is my IT Guy in shining armor. He came through. The computer involved reinstalling the entire operating system. Now that everything is reinstalled, we're just doing the little stuff that you forget you've downloaded in the past... Flash, Adobe Reader, Java... you know, those little plug-ins. But I am so happy to be writing this post from my PC. Sorry Mac lovers.

I also love this time of year. I wish I was feeling a little better in the evenings to get out and go for a walk. I love when my nose is cold. Cohen and I have been doing some fall crafting and it has been fun. I've pulled out the glitter again. The Halloween decorations are out, Cohen's costume is purchased (he wanted to be Dash from The Incredibles), and now I can sit back and eat a bunch of Nerds and Skittles.

I've caught the knitting bug again. I am finally understanding everything and don't have to ask for help on every other stitch. FINALLY. Working at the yarn store has helped, along with the Oracle. The Christmas Art Inside Boutique has been canceled so I have more time to sit and knit now that the pressure to sew a billion bags isn't weighing so heavy.

I've also slowed down on reading. I only read one book last month. Wowzer. I am currently reading Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and I must say it is a RAD book. I am even more curious about her crazy premiscuous life (for the 1800's) and what must have been going through her mind to write a book like that while so young and before so many modern inventions. I've made a mental note to self to be a little more deep in my thought processes (read: yeah right).

Anyway, off to get some work done. Happy candy eating.

:: HANG IN THERE ::


I understand... this blog is totally lame lately. I have not forgotten it, I just haven't had the time or energy or PC to maintain it. I've been getting sick at night and that has caused a major lack of sleep. I don't love feeling groggy all day, but I get so anxious at bedtime because I know it is just a matter of hours before I wake up and it is 2:00 am and I have to run to the bathroom. LAME! Don't get me wrong, there is no other state I'd rather be in than the state I am in now (and I'm not talking Utah), but COME ON!!! It is month four... shouldn't I be feeling better by now? I had a great appointment today. My body is doing what it is supposed to, baby's heartbeat was beating perfectly, and I haven't gained a pound this month. Wahoo! My big ultrasound is scheduled for the second week of November and we'll figure out if this little dude in my gut really is a another little dude. I'll put money on it.

We had a great weekend at my parents house in Ogden. The entire family was in town. Conference was fantastic, the kids all love playing with each other, and my mom made her delicious cinnamon rolls. My SIL Heather (Jeff's wife) announced that she is with child and is due just a few weeks after me. Yahoo!

Are any of you out there IT guys/gals or married to one that might be willing to come and look at our PC. I NEED IT FIXED NOW! for my sanity. You'd have to be willing to work for cheap... like say... a plate of cookies or some Chicken Masala.

Oh - the picture above is my high school graduation. Oh boy, mom, we look lovely! My ol' buddy, Josh Abegglen is in the background. He is one talented artist... check out his portfolio.