A Happy Halloween

Grandma comes to town for a weekend of Halloween fun!

Nathan and Grandma carving pumpkins

Anakin Skywalker and Princess Leia

Wearing Sarah's "princess witch" hat

Busy Bees

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Books and Bears

Caroline loves to cuddle with her favorite bears and read books.

Two cute and lovable bear cubs.

A Sister's Love

This tender video clip reminds me of Sarah's love for Caroline and the joy she brought to our family at such a challenging time. I love the way Sarah softly touches and sings to her new baby sister.

Favorite Photograph

Maren was given the assignment at school to draw a picture of her favorite photograph and describe why the photograph was taken. She brought this sweet picture home for our family. I was impressed with her attention to detail and added touch--Sarah's favorite pink shoes. Although Maren is young, she has many precious memories of her sister that will never be forgotten. She enjoys writing these memories in a special book. I am grateful for her desire to keep the memory of Sarah alive.

Photograph taken by Amy Jo photography.

Ghosts on a Stick

Recipe for Ghosts
5 medium pears
9 squares (2 ounces each) almond bark
Mini chocolate chips
4 wooden craft sticks

Line baking sheet with waxed paper. Remove stems from pears and insert sticks into stem ends. Melt bark according to package directions. Dip pear into bark, spooning over top to coat evenly. Remove excess by scraping pear bottom across rim of measuring cup. Place on baking cup; let set 1 minute. Decorate eyes with chocolate chips. Repeat with remaing pears. Place spoonful of extra almond bark at bottom of pears for ghost tails. Refrigerate until firm. Our kids enjoyed making these, and dipping strawberries and pretzels in the remaining melted chocolate.

Ten Months

Today marks ten months since Sarah's passing. Our family is missing her as we decorate and plan for upcoming holidays. I remember her excitement over Halloween last year. She and Maren wore identical "Princess Witch" costumes. Halloween night brought such smiles as we dressed up and eagerly awaited nightfall. Sarah's weakness and fatigue did not get in the way of fun trick-or-treating. She slowly walked up to our neighbor's door and with her cute, high-pitched voice shouted "Trick or Treat!" After a few stops Sarah decided it would be best to sit in the stroller and nibble on candy while we pushed her from door to door. Reminiscing over last October, as well as years past has brought comfort to our hearts.

Sarah's Halloween Favorites:
1. Candy corn in a snack cup
2. Reading Halloween books
3. Watching the video "Max and Ruby's Perfect Pumpkin"
4. Wearing her favorite orange pumpkin shirt
5. Dressing up in costumes
6. Trick-or-Treating with Maren and Nathan
7. Filling her plastic pumpkin pail with favorite toys
8. Decorating Pumpkins for Halloween Night

First Halloween ~ 2006

Little Mummy with her Mama

Tinkerbell ~ 2007

Favorite pumpkin shirt

Princess Witch ~ 2008

Cutest Pumpkin in the Patch

Pumpkin Caroline

Pumpkin Sarah ~ October 2006

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Pumpkin Nathan ~ October 2001

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Pumpkin Rascal ~ October 2009

Thankful for Toads

Nathan said the prayer last night at the dinner table. In his prayer, he gave thanks for the food and for "all animals, especially toads." Upon returning from Cub Scouts, Nathan found two toads on the sidewalk in front of our home. Soon a third toad appeared. Nathan recognized this blessing came because he thanked Heavenly Father for toads in his prayer. He was thrilled and couldn't stop giggling. Here are a few pictures of his toad friends having fun together on our front porch.
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