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!

Pony Rides

The kiddos all loved the pony rides. It was the first time that any of the girls had been on a horse. I decided that Hayden is spoiled because he has been exposed to many different activities and events. He loves riding the horses, he is just ready to go on a trail, not in a circle. Maybe this winter we will have to go horseback riding. That would probably be a great Christmas present now that I think about it.

It was sheer joy watching the kids all ride the ponies. I was shocked that Brooklyn, who is terrified of all animals, actually got on the pony. She was nervous, but she loved it! Ariyona looked as if she had won the lottery, Taylor acted like she was 6 again and just giddy, whereas Makayla just looked really happy!

I love experiencing the joy through all of their eyes. It reminds me that life is about the small moments..

Goofy Golfing

Thomas and I took Hayden, Brooklyn, Taylor, Ariyona and Makayla to Schnepf Farms. Such a fun place to visit!!! For Queen Creek residents it is only $7 a person which included goofy golf, carousel rides, roller costers, all the rides, the petting zoo, pumpkin patch, corn mazes, and more!

Hayden got a hole in one! He was so proud!

Ariyona, Makayla and Taylor, the girls had never been goofy golfing before and loved it!

Brooklyn loved being one of the big girls!

Hayden loves goofy golfing, it is one of his favorite activities.

Geodes and treasures

Hayden and Thomas cracked open Hayden's geodes this weekend! He loved seeing the different crystals appear. He has a great rock collection with rocks we've collected everywhere from Italy to Disney Island and the mountains. He even chooses to get rocks for souveniers. He added his geodes to his collection. His Grandpa Bert had a rock collection and Hayden seems to have taken after him in this area and loves rocks and all the beautiful formations they create.

Snake!

Thomas left this morning to go to work and found a snake in our garage. I was not happy about it. Seriously, my two biggest downfalls about living in the desert, scorpions and snakes. It is not comforting to me that we had one in the garage. AUGH!

I asked Hayden what he would have done if he would have found it. He said, "I would have picked it up, strangled it and thrown it like in George of the Jungle". Great. I told him that movies are not real and he cannot be playing with snakes and it would bite him. He doesn't worry about anything. He thinks he is invincible. I am glad Thomas found the snake and not Hayden.

Still, very disturbing to me that there was a snake in the garage. And, even more disturbing that Thomas and Hayden think we need to keep it. Ann is even on their side. No way, no how, that thing is not living with us. I all too well recall Thomas promising me that the frog would not get out in my house, I would freak if the snake got out.

Baker man

Hayden is wanting to be my helper. Whether that is cleaning, baking, making dinner, taking pictures, weeding or cleaning the car, he wants to help. I love that he wants to serve at such a young age.

He wanted to make dessert the other day for Family Home Evening. Suzi helped him make chocolate pudding for us and a banana cream pie for Grandpa. He loved it and was so proud of himself. He had a ton of fun.

I love how much self confidence that helping brings him.

Grandpa let me leave today early and go take Hayden and Ann to see Beverly Hills Chihuahua. He loved it and just giggled during the entire movie. I love watching his excitement!

Daddy's little buddy

Hayden is in a daddy phase. He wants to be with his dad, he wants to be like his dad and do everything his dad is doing. It is cute. Kinda fun for me because if Thomas is around, he wants him and he wants Thomas to do everything for him.

In California this summer, Hayden and Thomas both got shark t-shirts at the 3 shirts for $10 souvenier shop. They were going to Home Depot this morning so Thomas could work on his "honey do list" around the house. Hayden had to go with him and brought Thomas his shark shirt, so that they could match. Luckily, Thomas is a good dad and humored Hayden and they wore matching shark shirts to the store.

Hayden then brought me the camera and told me to take a picture so I could put it on the blog. Hayden is so excited to get to help his dad around the house today. I know it will take Thomas longer with help, but I am so glad he is willing to let Hayden help and get to spend quality time with him.

Halloween Traditions

Hayden is all about traditions. He loves them. What is amazing is that he can remember from year to year exactly where we put each decoration. He can also recall every activity we did and starts asking when we are going to do each tradition. He absolutely loves Halloween and why wouldn't he, he loves to dress up and has the greatest imagination. One of his favorite Halloween activities is dressing up the pumpkin like a pirate. I love the joy in his eyes as his just throughly enjoys life and everything we are doing. He reminds me to find the joy in the little moments.

Here we go... more testing

Today was better but still a little hectic. I received a call from Hayden's pediatrician today on test results from the hospital last week. They are referring Hayden to see a urologist because he has an enlarged right kidney.

As I was on the phone with the referral person at the pediatrician's office. She started laughing, I told her this wasn't funny. She asked me which referral that I would like her to work on first, since Hayden has been referred to a uriologist, nuerologist, gastroenterologist and needs his thyroid and some other tests performed, all of which we have found out about in the past three days. I told her I would actually prefer her to just schedule me a day at Phoenix Children's Hospital and could we do it all in one day??? She laughed and said that would be nice, wouldn't it.

I also met with Hayden's teacher, Mrs. Angel today, and some other school officials. Thankfully, some of the paperwork is being finished up and Hayden will start receiving some services, including occupational therapy thru the school. I'm excited for this, as I have been pushing for it for the past several months. Now, he will have occupational therapy three times per week. Once a week at school, once thru insurance, and one time a week that we pay for. I think this should help him significantly.

Life is just a little busy and crazy at our house.

A day in my life

When I decided to blog, it was mostly so I could print my blog out at the end of the year and have a book of our year, the good, the bad, the fun times and days that I was just glad I made it thru. I miss my mom being here, but the thing lately I wish I had the most was a written account of her struggles. How she made it thru them, did she have bad days? Did she ever want to throw in the towel and say this is too much to handle? Everyone always states the good. I want Hayden to know someday that I had bad days, too. And, that is okay to struggle and be frustrated.

Yesterday was one of those days. It was hectic, painful and frustrating. I left the house early and had a 7am doctors appointment for Ann. From there, we dropped Hayden off at school, I had an emergency retreatment root canal done at 8:30am. It was painful and ever so sore with a terrible infection in my jaw. Boy did I ever hurt. I went in to work for a couple of hours, picked up Hayden from school early and headed up to North Scottsdale for a 3 hour appointment at Melmed Center for Hayden. We met with the psychologist and developmental pediatrician. I was trying my hardest to have a discussion with them about Hayden and what I felt was the best course of treatment for him. I was is SO much pain, had 2 percocets in me and just wanted to fall on the ground and cry.

However, I made it thru the day. I think we accomplished a lot at Melmed yesterday. Although, poor Hayden, more tests are on the way. I feel bad for how much he gets poked at. We are making an appointment to have him start seeing a nuerologist, his has to do more blood work, get his thyroid checked and he is continuing all other treatments. It was traumatic enough on him being in the hospital last week for tests on his kidneys and bladder. That poor little boy, he is just getting it from every angle.

I came home and crashed on the couch. I'm lucky to have two brothers who know so much about medication and how to alter medications to get me out of pain. I actually got the pain to subside enough for me to sleep.

And, although, it was a terrible day, I am thankful for wonderful people in my life that make the trying days bearable. I am thankful for a wonderful husband who would and does do everything possible to make my life better. I am thankful to Ann for driving me all over yesterday, so that I could take pain medicine while having to go so many different places. I'm thankful to Suzi, who did homework with Hayden last night and read with him so that I could lay on the couch. And, I am thankful to Jodi who encourages me and reassures me that I am making good decisions and doing what is best for Hayden.

Most of all, I am thankful that Hayden is in my life. And, although I do get tired of all the tests, appointments, therapy and constantly being at doctors, I am so grateful for each day I get to spend with my amazing little boy. He is the joy of my life. Every time a new doctor sees him, or we get results back, I am so thankful that he is such a miracle and is still here with us.

Halloween fun

Halloween fun has begun. I love fall. I love the change of the season from hot to cool. I love the changing of the leaves, the difference in the air and all the fun activities that fall brings. I even loved sitting outside and weeding last night, and just being in the cool air. I love the time between now and Christmas, there is so much to do, so much to celebrate and so many fun activities to take in.

The season has officially begun at our house. We decorated for Halloween on Friday. Hayden saw a gingerbread haunted house kit and was so excited to be able to make gingerbread houses twice, both for Halloween and Christmas. I wasn't as enthusiastic about the project, until Hayden said, "Mom, it is the perfect bonding activity for me and Ann." And, it was! They had a fantastic time together and they made a wonderful masterpiece! Hayden shows everyone that walks in our house his spooky haunted house.

Thanks, Ann for making his day and spending time with him. Although, I think Ann had as much fun as he did.

Poor Suzi

Suzi has been in surgery this morning for a hernia repair. I feel horrible that I am not at the hopsital, but Jodi is. She will be staying at my house for the next week or so, while she recovers. Thankfully, Hayden is pretty good and really soft and understands no rough housing after anyone staying with us has had surgery. I hope she recovers quickly. I feel bad for her having to have surgery again. No fun!

Hayden freaked out yesterday because he had to go to the hospital for some tests. He kept asking everyone if they were going to give him needles or cut on him. Poor kid, he has been around so many people having had surgery that he is terrified for his turn.

He was funny, he told the nurse that I was a good parent. She asked why and Hayden said, "Because my mom is nice to me, she tells me no alot, but she treats me with respect and doesn't boss me around like her slave." I laughed, I have no idea where he comes up with this stuff.