Oh Christmas Tree

This year we could not wait to put the Christmas stuff up, so we didn't, and put it up before Thanksgiving. We saved the tree for last and waited till after Thanksgiving. It was the perfect finishing touch to bring the Christmas spirit to our home.

This year was so fun with the kids because they could do it by themselves. Dayton seemed to go after all the glass/breakable ones, and Camrie made sure we got every ornament we had on the tree bringing about 10 at a time to the tree.

Our Little Gems

Recently I went to meet with Dayton's teacher to see how he is doing in school. This was my first parent/teacher conference and I was not really sure how Dayton was doing. I was glad to go find out and as it turned out he is doing really well in all his school work, and had good to great behavior in everything but one thing. If you know Dayton I am sure you can guess what it is... his talking and not being able to stop talking. He has had to sit on the "sad pad" at recess a few times. His talking was the only negative thing his teacher had to say about him, and that is fine with me, but we have talked about it and he is trying to be better, not for me or his teacher but so he can play at recess.

And then there is our Camrie...

Just a few weeks ago she went with Dayton to our neighbors house to play and after a little while of her being there I get a call from my friend. She was laughing and tells me that Camrie just walked into her bedroom, found her jewelry box and put on every single piece. She then walked over to her bed, got in the covers and asked my friend to come and turn the TV on for her. After arguing over a few channels Camrie found one she liked, told my friend she could go and shut the door.

Then a few nights later Kyle went to get a snack and Camrie was at his heels asking for some. He got a candy bar and gave her a bite. She wanted more so he broke off a little piece and set the rest down as he sat on the couch to get his computer. When he turned back for his candy he found Camrie's little piece and she was eating his half. Sometimes all we can do is laugh.

And then just when you think she can't surprise you, for no reason at all she walks up to me and says, "I love you". So I say, "Oh, I love you too", and then she says, " thank you" and walks away.

Fieldtrip

A few weeks ago Dayton had a field trip and he got to ride a school bus for the first time. Overall he was most excited about that, but the rest was fun too. We went to a nature center where they learned about our state and things from long ago and animals.

Dayton making grain like they did long ago.

We walked through the woods and some trails learning about plants, trees and animals.

The kids got to see a tee pee and learned how some people used to live in them.

Inside the tee pee.

Pumpkin Faces and Trick or Treating

The kids got to dress up 4 times and got buckets full of candy. We took the kids to the store and let them pick out their costumes. Camrie was a witch, and Dayton picked Darth Vader.

We got our pumpkins Tuesday night and carved their faces.

Halloween night...

Kyle dressed up with the kids. (This was the best we could get of Camrie, she hates the monkey mask).

Dayton in costume, and the monkey mask. (Camrie would not put it on)

The kids with cousin Carson. Mitch, Jaci and Carson came for the weekend to go trick-or-treating with us.

Guess Who

We went away for the weekend up to Idaho for a little family weekend/Halloween party. Both the kids and adults dressed up, played games, and ate way too much.

The group.

7 of the 8 Decker kids.

Most the kids, (they were not happy we stopped their playing for this picture).

It took some convincing on both are parts, but we pulled through and dressed up this year holding little back. Kyle had a great idea and we were a hit at the party.

My sister Kim and Matt.

Cache and Amy. They are dress-up professionals, and the inspiration for the rest of us.

Jaci and Mitch.

Brady and Jenny.

Deck and Kristen.

Best Dressed of the guys... Cache, Kyle and Mitch.

One of the games, we dressed all the kids up as mummy's.

This is as much as Camrie would let us wrap her.

Some of the adults playing, minute to win it games.

We had to get a cookie from our forehead to our mouth just using our face, (I had the fastest time).

The kids just playing.

Rides out on the 4-wheeler.

Pumpkin Patch.

Carving pumpkins.

The masterpieces.