Happy Halloween

Sunday, October 31, 2010
Dear Max,
Happy Halloween! Today is the official day. We have been partying all weekend, it's strange to think we still have more partying to do. But we have a Page Family Tradition that we couldn't go without. It's Dinner in a Pumpkin night. Shortly after moving to Las Vegas we shared this tradition with the Ballantyne family, it's lots of fun to get together for this family tradition. Auntie Andrea, Tanier and cousin John joined us too!


!

Mommy and Max getting the Pumpkin ready for dinner

Max, you helped mommy get the pumpkin ready this year. It was so fun, since you love pointing out every one's eye's, nose, mouth, teeth. You were loving that the pumpkin was getting all these features you know and love so much.

Mommy getting the "brew" ready for dinner

There he is... our dinner in a pumpkin

Dinner in a pumpkin

Auntie Andrea handed out candy at the house why we went around the neighborhood.

Abby, Carter, Max and Blake all ready to go trick or treating

So much fun!

When we were out trick or treating we found a HUGE pumpkin. With your love for the pumpkin you can only imagine your excitement

Such a Handsome Jedi

Max, you have a pumpkin on your head?!

Tanier and Max

Ward Halloween Party

Saturday, October 30, 2010
Dear Max,
Today was our Ward Halloween Carnival and Trunk or treat. It was a LONG day for mommy. Luckily Grammie came back to town to lend a hand. Daddy had to work Saturday morning, so Grammie and you hung out at the house and I headed to the church to start decorating for the big night. We transformed the cultural hall into a big top carnival with games, carnival food and the most amazing witch that gave out "brew" to all the kids. We even had a hay ride out to the "Haunted Pavilion" By the time we had everything set up, I had exactly 30 minutes to run home get you dressed and be back to start the festivities. What a day!

We set up Carnival Games

Corn Dog and Popcorn Stand

And a Nacho and Churo Stand

Trunk or Treating... You love this concept!

Daddy and Max at the Carnival

Daddy trying to steal your Candy

Max and the witch who gave out "brew" at the carnival. This witch was the biggest hit! You seemed to be drawn to her, not afraid, what was even strange was that you really didn't question the green make-up. You are such an accepting soul!

On the Haunted Hay ride!

School Halloween Trick or Treating

Friday, October 29, 2010
Dear Max,
Today officially starts the beginning of a Halloween weekend whirlwind! I will admit you make a darn cute Jedi. Tonight we attended your school Halloween Carnival. All your teachers were so excited to see you, and you quickly figured out the concept of smiling, saying a little "trick or treat" and getting candy. I could see that you found this to be a brilliant concept!

Miss Carolynn

Miss Lee

Miss Davita

Miss Shelly

Oh, and your new favorite word... PUMPKIN! Every time we see one. Momma, Momma, Momma it's a PUMPKIN! It's so exciting!

Stake Relief Society Retreat

Sunday, October 24, 2010
Dear Max,
This past weekends adventure was the ending of a busy couple of months. Mommy has been (along with so much help from great friends) making 500 "take away gifts" for the stake Relief Society Retreat. Our theme, was Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain. We made these cute smashed bottle cap's with a picture of a dancing girl holding an umbrella in them. It was a lot of fun to make them and to display them. The best part of the weekend, Grammie was able to come down and spend the weekend with me. We went to the conference together and had a great time. Daddy said that the two of you had fun too - well, he did mention that you pooped out on him for a dude flick on Friday night (can never count on you staying up late) but other than that, you boys had some great bonding time too!

500 take aways on display..It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun too! That's the best kind.

That was one messy family home evening....

Monday, October 18, 2010
Dear Max,
What an evening! We decided for Family Home evening we would make Halloween cards for friends and family. It seemed like a good idea...but boy was it a mess. Well, the entire night was a bit of a mess. It started with a dinner of tomato soup and grilled cheese. At one point, their was an arm swing, by a little boy which resulted in tomato soup on the floor, walls, chairs, shutters...EVERYWHERE. It looked like a crime scene! Once we got that all cleaned up, mommy got out the black paint and had the great idea of putting your hands in it. What I didn't think through is we should really do this one hand at a time. I'll remember that next time! With both of your hands covered in black paint it was a two man job to hold one hand back while we used the other to create one side of our spider. The end result turned out!

Happy Halloween!

An evening bike ride

Your getting to be such a big boy!

The tomato soup crime scene

Yup... Both hands!

What a mess!

St. George Weekend

Sunday, October 17, 2010
Dear Max,
Well, we were home for a few days.... And then off to St. George. Daddy and I worked for 1/2 the day on Friday and then we all drove up to St. George. Daddy and I had tickets to see Tarzan out a Tuachan on Friday night. So you got to enjoy an evening with Grammie. Daddy and I enjoyed a fun date night, complete with dinner at Anasazi Steakhouse, where our meat came out "raw" and we cooked our steaks on hot rocks...interesting. The play was good. It was the closing night, so their was a lot of energy in the audience and with the performers. It was great to see.

Then Saturday, Mommy's friends from Las Vegas came up to St. George and we got to enjoy a full day of Shopping! It was so fun. We had great times buying and laughing and buying oh and lot's of laughing! We were just glad that Daddy was still in town and had brought the truck, we called him 1/2 way through our day to meet up with us and can you believe that all our purchases filled the bed of his truck! Oh we had fun. While I was out enjoying some bonding time with the girls, you were also doing some bonding of your own... with the baby doll at Grammies! You are such a loving little boy! I love you Max!!

Did we just go to Disneyland?

Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Dear Max,
Well, that was a sporadic decision! Auntie Julie called earlier this past week and said that she had 4 days off and really wanted to go somewhere. How about Disneyland? I made a quick call to Daddy, and he was all for it! We adjusted our schedules, I made a phone call to secure us a hotel room, Julie made a phone call to secure us some FREE tickets to Disneyland and California adventure and just like that we were on the road. Because it's always fun to go places to "celebrate" we decided that we would celebrate a couple of things, an early birthday for you and 10-10-10. Sunday was the 10th of October of 2010. So cool, especially when it was 10:10 in the morning, or again when it was 10:10 at night! Oh and another reason to celebrate, it was your first time at Disneyland and you loved it. Well, kind of. On the loud rides, you put your pointer fingers in each of your ears, but would look all around. You never got scared, not even in the Haunted mansion or pirates and by far your favorite ride was "it's a small world" The largest challenge of the two days spent in the parks was your lack of understanding as to why we need to wait in line for 20 minutes before getting on a ride. Even with 4 of us adults working together we couldn't keep an active almost 2 year old entertained. It only took mommy having to chase you under the ropes once to decide that maybe the best way to tackle this is to have you and daddy wait outside the line and at the last second bring you to the entrance and hand ya over. This worked well for the kiddie rides when the lines are not deep into the catacombs of the rides. It was such a fun couple of days.

Saturday, October 9, 2010. Our departure day. We woke up in the morning, and Daddy had prepared us a Disney breakfast complete with mickey mouse pancakes!

We arrived at the Hotel, and got checked in. Mommy's friend had hooked us up with a two bedroom suite complete with cookies and milk and a fruit basket, oh and a mickey mouse for you. I wasn't even sure if you knew who Mickey Mouse was, but as soon as you saw him, you ran over and grabbed him and said "MICKEY MOUSE!!!" Well, I guess we are in the right place!

Daddy and Max snuggling with Mickey Mouse

We woke up Sunday morning and got ready and headed to California Adventure. Our Hotel was at the Hilton, which is walking distance from the parks. It was a nice change to not have to worry about parking and riding the shuttles.

Here it is.... Can you see on Daddy's phone. It's 10-10-10 at 10:10 in the morning. I know, we are dorks! But at least we were "celebrating"

A boy after his mommy's own heart. Your favorite concession stand treat... CHOCOLATE COVERED BANANA'S! It's your mommy's absolute favorite! I'm glad you like them too!

Daddy and Max trying to stay entertained in the lines. Learning how to give a "thumbs up"

You are such a big boy. Riding way up high on the "Bug's Life" ride

Julie and Brian riding along

Disney by far puts on the best parades and this one had all your favorite's! You were so excited to see Lightning and Mater and Buzz and Woody all in the flesh!

There he is... Lightning McQueen

Sporting your 3D glasses for a premier trailer of the new movie TRON

Monday, October 11, 2010. We enjoyed the day in Disneyland. It was so fun to see all the Halloween decorations. They make it so festive.

The Haunted Mansion

Riding on the train. I'll be honest, this ride was a first for all three of us. Daddy and I had never gone on the train ride. You were so excited!

Oh the excitement! It was something around EVERY corner!

Riding on Pirates...I think something is making you nervous

Max, Mommy and Julie. I look like I've had a two year old on my shoulders for a little too long.

Kisses for Mommy and Max!

You loved Toon Town... I'll be honest, I wasn't a big fan. Again, had never spent anytime in Toon Town. It was fun to see you so excited to play with all the fun stuff.

And our Disneyland post would not be complete with out getting a line of this... the ultimate line jumper... Max.

I love you Max, and I'm so excited we were able to spend this time together. I will say, we are not as young as we use to be. We drove back from California Monday night, rolled in around 2:00 in the morning, and got up to go to work on Tuesday. My Thursday Julie had called to say she was home sick and guess what, so was Daddy. I take that back, Daddy and Auntie Julie aren't as young as they use to be... Mommy on the other hand made it through the week in flying colors!