Trick or Treat

We had a great time trick or treating tonight. We all went over to Jodi's house and Thomas and Troy took the kids around the neighborhood while me, Jodi and Suzi handed out candy. We sure didn't get many trick or treaters. But the ones we did get we gave handfuls of candy to. The kids had a great time but were exhausted after walking the neighborhood. I guess Hayden has had parties almost every night and is completely worn out.
Brigham freaked out if Thomas wore his mask! He kept yelling, Thomas no!

Scary witch!

Hayden, Brigham and Brooklyn

Belle and my Clone Trooper (he only wanted to be a clone trooper because he knew it was his only way to get a gun)

Pumpkin Carving

Thomas carved pumpkins last night with Hayden and Ann. They all had a great time. Thomas loves carving pumpkins as much as Hayden does. He is just a big kid and I love that about him. I love that he has fun while doing things with Hayden.

Ann carved Edward and Bella from Twilight. I am so amazed at all the incredibly artistic stuff she can do.

Thomas and Hayden carved a scary skeleton.

Hayden loved cleaning out the pumpkin.

"sBOOghetti" party

Me and Hayden just got back from the funnest school Halloween party. The kids, adults and teachers all dressed in costumes and had a fun spooghetti luncheon. The kids were wild and ran around and loved showing off their costumes and talking about trick or treating. Oh, to be a child again and feel the extreme excitement for all the festivites. They were all in heaven. I actually got some good shot of Hayden and his buddies.
Mrs. Angel, Hayden's 1st grade teacher, as Thelma and Hayden the Clonetrooper.

Spaghetti lunch... yummy. Hayden's favorite meal!

Hayden and Tanner

Hayden, Joey and Andre. These boys have been in the same class since they were 3 years old.

Hayden and his clonetrooper pose.

Simonton Halloween Party

Last night was Dad and Bonnie's annual Halloween party. It is always so much fun and so much work goes into making it perfect. We had a great time starting with a family talent show. Hayden decided to do a science experiment, and exploded his volcano. The kids all loved it. There was some funny talent, Josh's boys did Akmed the Terrorist Jingle bells song and were hilarious. Kaylee did gymnastics and Brooklyn, Kiley and Sadie sang "Best of Both Worlds" so cute. All the kids did a great job. So fun! It is hard to organize all 44 of us, but Bonnie did a great job and keeping the party moving and entertaining to all age levels.

The kids loved pumpkin bowling, the "trick or treat" game, candy corn toss, eyeball throw and more. We all brought spooky desserts and it was fun seeing the creations people came up with. We brought bloody popcorn balls with gummy worms. Rosie made scary cupcakes with eyeballs and earlobes, and there were ghosts, jigglers brain and all kinds of "spooky" treats!

Jerlyn as a witch.

Hayden with his science talent.

Kaylee, Katelyn, Kiley and Hayden

Josh's boys - Dallin, Austin, Casen and Braden

Kiley and Brooklyn as Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus.

Jake and Rosie

Dad and Bonnie

Thomas and Sadie - Sadie followed Thomas around all night and loved his costume.

Movie in the park

Thomas and I hauled blankets, pillows, a picnic, treats, a bunch of kids and headed out to see the Monster House in the park. It was so much fun and reminded me of going to the drive in movies. The kids were so cute cuddled up on their blankets and in awe of being able to watch a movie outside. I handed them popcorn and treats and thought they were ready to go. Within the first 5 minutes, Hayden ran back and jumped in between me and Thomas and covered his ears the rest of the movie. It was way too loud for him. A few minutes later, Kiley was at my side... then came Brooklyn, Victoria and even Logan. By the end of the movie, I was basically holding all five of them. I guess Monster House is a little scary, especially outside in the dark. But, we had a fantastic time! I'm so glad that we had a group of us. It made it so much fun! Thanks, Kelli & Scott, Jodi & Troy and Michelle for all coming with us. Can't wait to go next time for Kung Fu Panda.

Makayla, Tanner and Taylor all ready for the movie.

The girls getting their baby dolls ready for fun.

Hayden and Logan

Thomas

Jodi & Brigham and Kaylee

Halloween Carnival

What a fun neighborhood carnival. There was bobbing for apples, duck pond, bounce house, cotton candy, cake walk, ring toss, face painting, pumpkin painting, and the kids favorite... horse rides.

We had a group of us at the party, Hayden, Ann, Ariyona, Taylor, Kaylee, Katelyn, Kiley, Logan and Victoria. So much fun for the the kids. They played and laughed and had a great time. I think next to Christmas, Halloween offers the most exciting family events.

Hayden riding a horse.

Bobbing for apples... so proud of himself when he got one.

The kids all decorating pumpkins and race cars.

Kiley, Katelyn, Kaylee and Hayden with Bobo the clown.

Sidewalk Chalk

Tonight I took Jodi's kids with me to look for a Clone Wars gun for Hayden's Halloween costume. No luck, we went everywhere. I am thinking a regular dart gun will have to do. After dragging them to Walmart, Target and Party City, I decided they needed to have some fun. After dinner, they ate cupcakes and played with sidewalk chalk until pretty late. They were absolutely filthy! I think they had more fun in the bath then actually playing outside. The weather was gorgeous and I loved just sitting outside watching them play and have fun!

Saturday fun!

We had a lot going on this past weekend! The girls had a Halloween dance and Hayden and Suzi baked a lot over the weekend. Suzi, Hayden and I went to Arizona Mills mall, I haven't been there in such a long time. It was fun and while we were there I decided to get clothes for our family Christmas picture. Hayden is getting opinionated this year and would only wear certain things. We actually had to try clothes on in the dressing room. He is getting out of the superhero stage and is more in to the skater look.

Anyways, here are some cute pics from our weekend!

Magic Lock and Key

Hayden has been struggling in Primary. Somedays all is good, other days, he would rather go to class with me. Lately, he has been telling them to go get Aimee, instead of me. Yes, Aimee is more patient and just holds him in class.

So, Aimee brought this little magic gold lock and key to church yesterday. She had written Hayden a note to go with it. If he held the lock, he wouldn't be scared and if he got scared he could open the lock and it would release magical powers to not be afraid. It worked!

He loves it because it is golden and magical. He loves everything little and magical. I can't believe that worked so well! It is fantastic! Hopefully it will continue to work great! Only time will tell.

Facebook

I signed up on Facebook a long time ago and didn't get what the big deal was. Last week, Ann changed my profile and added Simonton to my name. Within a couple of days I started being contacted by people I hadn't heard from in years. It has been such a fun week getting back in touch with so many people!

I think my most wonderful moment was getting a sweet message from Lee Gyum Oak, my favorite Korean companion. Her sweet message was, "Are you my comp Sister Simonton?" It has been so fun to talk to her and catch up what is going on in her life plus the lives of so many Korean comps and friends that I haven't seen in a very long time. Another bonus, one of my favorite companions is moving to Gilbert next month!!!

Hayden, Ann, Thomas and Suzi have heard so many mission stories this week as I have had to tell them my favorite stories with each of my companions and friends from Korea. What a wonderful week it has been being able to catch up with such good friends and relive so many wonderful memories!

Schnepf Farms

Thomas and I took Hayden, Brooklyn, Ariyona, Taylor and Makayla to Schnepf Farms. It is the coolest pumpkin patch and farm with all kinds of activities. The kids were so excited and wanted to make sure that we did everything that was there. We started with face painting, moved on to goofy golfing, rode the rides, watched the pig races where Hayden was chosen to help and won a pig nose, rode ponies, went to the petting zoo, got lost in the corn maze, almost gave Thomas a heart attack on the road rally race and of course ate yummy chili! And, we topped the night off with a great fireworks show and each of the kids picked their own pumpkin out of the pumpkin patch!

We had the best time. I loved watching the sheer joy and excitement on each of the kids faces as they experienced the fun fall events. They all smiled really big all evening. I even felt a little guilty for how much pleasure I was having just watching them have fun and enjoying themselves.

In fact, my favorite moment was when we were walking from dinner to the petting zoo. Hayden was holding Ariyona's hand, Brooklyn was holding Taylor's hand and Makayla was pointing out things to the kids. They were all talking and just really happy. I had the strongest impression come over me, and felt like I am making a difference in these girls lives and I am having an impact on them. It was such a special special moment and one I will cherish always! I'm thankful that even in the middle of a crowded farm that I can receive answers to my prayers.

Me and the kids picking our pumpkins.


Ariyona and Hayden, since they are both only children, they have bonded and claim each other as siblings!

Brooklyn, Ariyona, Hayden, Taylor and Makayla - they love it when I make them stop to pose for pictures.

Taylor and Ariyona were dancing to the music. They were cracking up and just enjoying themselves.

Thomas and Taylor

Me and Taylor

Thomas and all the kids after we found our way out of the corn maze.

Hayden and Brooklyn during the fireworks show!

Petting Zoo

What is a farm without the petting zoo... they all loved it! They had the cutest little pigs and a donkey that the kids lovingly called Eeyore! I couldn't believe that Brooklyn actually went in with the goats. I was shocked! It was so funny, Hayden was making all different noises at the goats trying to scare them and Brooklyn was telling Hayden to be quiet so that they didn't attract the goats. It was so funny. They are so different. The girls loved feeding the goats.

Fun Rides

Of course the amusement rides were a huge hit! They loved them all. Our favorite was the road ralley. Thomas, me, Hayden and Brooklyn raced Ariyona, Taylor and Makayla. Okay the young ones took us out! In fact, we got stopped by the girls and Thomas had to get out and push us to get us going again. What a workout! It was so much fun.
Thomas, me, Brooklyn, Hayden Ariyona, Taylor and Makayla...

Makayla, Ariyona, Hayden and Brooklyn

Hayden and Makayla on the Carousel

Ariyona and Taylor - they are absolutely adorable!

Makayla and Hayden on the Bee ride.

Ariyona and me on the Rollercoster. Hayden hated it. It was really bouncy and it felt like you were going to go flying out but I loved it!