Happy Halloween!!!

For the past couple of Halloweens, we have gone to our friend Heidi's mom's house for a Halloween party. She makes the best soup and rolls and her house is decorated really cute for Halloween. Afterwards, we trick-or-treat around the neighborhood. We always have so much fun!

We first had to trick-or-treat Nana and Papa's house. Tanner was a frog this time. He was three different things for each of our three different parties. I'm not sure why.

Here's Landen, Ava, Zach, and Gage. Tanner had a cold so he stayed behind with my mom.

I don't ever remember getting pulled around to go trick-or-treating. It was probably a good thing because we ended up getting rained on a little bit.

Ava and Landen are so cute together. They used to fight a ton but they have got a long really well the last couple of times we have hung out.

It's always trouble when the two of them get together!

Halloween Square Dance Party

My grandparents are awesome square dancers. They have even won some medals at the Utah Summer Games. Well, their square dancing group put on a little Halloween Party last Thursday. The kids had so much fun! Gage and Landen didn't want to be the Ninja or the race car driver for this party for some reason. They wanted to wear costumes from their dress up trunk. Never mind I spent good money on their Ninja and race car driver costumes. Whatever!

Here's some of the great grand kids posing with my grandparents.

Gage is a policeman, Landen is a cowboy, and Tanner is supposed to be a pirate.

We tried to learn a few square dancing moves. Tried is the key word here.

I had two partners so it was kind of difficult to dance. My grandpa tried to help but we'll never be professionals. We had fun anyway.

Landen was all business. Gage is always so silly!

My mom really got into the chicken dance.

Afterwards, we stopped by my grandma Liz's house to show her the kid's costumes. My kids don't do well in small places. My grandma lives in an apartment. In just 5 minutes, Tanner had torn off all of the refrigerator magnets, thrown some figurines (luckily they didn't break) and puked all over her couch. We felt our visit was over after all that. It's always nice to see grandma though.

Landen's Halloween Program

Today was Landen's preschool Halloween program. Usually, the programs are held at the library because there are 45 kids in his class. For Gage's programs, I was always really stressed out the morning of because I was worried about getting a good seat. I would make Mike go like 1/2 hour early and save the front row. We got some glares from other parents, but hey there were no rules about getting there early. Anyway, because of the early voting this year the school wasn't able to book the library. So, they divided the class into 3 groups and each group had their own program at the school. I loved it. I got to sit in the front row and actually see and hear my child sing.

Landen has been really excited about his program. He has been singing the Halloween songs around the house for weeks now. He was also excited to introduce us to his two favorite girlfriends. Thankfully, they both ended up in his group.

We are so thankful that our family is so supportive. Landen had a great cheering section!

Tanner thought Landen did great. It's fun to imagine that one day it will be him up there performing.

Here's the group.

I love watching little kids do actions to the songs.

Landen was a little off on some of the actions as you can see, but at least he did them. I loved being able to actually hear him singing.

After they program, they got the bags they had made at school and did a little trick-or-treating.

The princess on the left is Kate and the bumblebee on the right is Presley. These are Landen's favorite "girlfriends." It was so fun to see Landen in his element. He is so social. He said hi to everyone when they came and told me each of the kids' names. I wonder sometimes how he knows everyone. What does he do during the 2 1/2 hours he is at school besides chat with his friends?

Neighborhood Trunk or Treat

Last night, we went to our neighborhood Trunk or Treat. This is the first ward we have been in that has done one. They are really fun. We had soup and donuts first and then went outside and flipped open the trunks. The kids made out with a ton of candy. The weather was perfect. We didn't even have to wear jackets!

We brought the Hoovers along to join in the fun!

Tanner was a 70s disco dude. He didn't try to pull of his awesome hair. He just kept itching his head.

Landen was a race car driver. He really enjoyed the donuts.

Here's Gage demonstrating his Ninja moves.

Peyton was Ben 10 and Bailey was a 3 eyed monster. Aren't they cute?

How precious!

The results are in....

I went and saw my orthopedic surgeon on Monday, and we discussed my MRI results. It shows I have torn my meniscus in the same spot I previously did. So, my doc doesn't know if I tore it again, or if the radiologist is simply seeing where my surgeon cut the meniscus out previously. There is no MRI to compare it to. It also shows 2 spots of full thickness chunks missing from my cartilage which are from my original injury. The surgeon said this is common, but most knees compensate for their defects, but for some reason mine isn't. My surgeon then proceeded to tell me that the pain I am having is real, it's not in my head. I instantly said back at him that I knew my pain wasn't in my head. I knew it was real. He could tell I was a little offended and said that a lot of people come in thinking the pain is in their heads and that I am having swelling which isn't normal so he knew it was real. Whatever.

So we discussed options, and I kinda got on the attack with the doc. I asked him why he didn't see these things in my original surgery and maybe done something then. He got a little defensive and said he wasn't perfect and no one can predict how the knee will turn out. I should have had my dad or Mike come with me to the appointment because I didn't understand a lot of what he was saying about the future of my knee and what it would be like when I got older if I did or didn't do something now. In the end, we decided to stop playing soccer (for 6 weeks), hit the weights and see him in December. If it's not better by then, there is some surgery he can do where he will drill holes in the bottom of my femur and hopefully fibrous tissue will grow in place of the cartilage and create a new cushion. Well, that's sounds pretty invasive doesn't it? I asked what rehab time are we talking afterwards. He said 6 weeks on crutches!!! Are you kidding me? That's worse than the original ACL surgery.

After crying all Monday after the appointment, I made the decision to get a second opinion. I have an appointment in November with another doc that supposedly did Tiger Wood's knee. I just want to see what other options are out there. I know I am kinda being a baby about not being able to play soccer, but I can't even run or go up and down the stairs without my knee hurting. Good thing I live in a two story huh? I also hear about all these people that go back to skiing or playing their sports like nothing ever happened. I can't imagine myself ever skiing or wake boarding again!

So the saga will continue and I will let everyone know what I find out in November. Hopefully it will be good!

Syracuse Pumpkin Walk

Every year Syracuse City puts on an amazing Pumpkin Walk. Volunteers carve pumpkins and the city arranges them in a huge circle around a park and strings lights in them. We have been going for the past 4 years or so. It started last night at 7pm. We usually get there right when it opens, but we arrived last night at 7:30 and it was packed! We stood in line for 45 minutes before even seeing the pumpkins! By the time we got to the front, Tanner and my nephew Noah who is the same age as Tanner were done. Mike and his brother Matt took the babies and let them run around at the fire station while my sister-in-law Jamie and I took the rest of the kids and enjoyed looking at the pumpkins.

Here are the kids waiting in line.

I tried to get Landen to pose by his favorite cartoon Dora, but he wouldn't.

Here's Brayden by some scary monster. I couldn't get Gage to lean down quickly enough to snap a picture. Mike kept telling me I was holding up the line by taking pictures. By darn, I waited in line long enough because other people took pictures. I was going to do the same.

Here's the months of the year. My camera battery died so I wasn't able to get many pictures. They had some really cute ones of Disney characters and famous people. I don't think this year was as good as last year. Who am I to complain though? It's not like I donated a pumpkin!

Gage didn't want to pose.

To Play or Not to Play

So, my knee has been bothering me ever since I started playing indoor soccer back in July. Then in August we started playing indoor twice a week. My knee swells up a lot now. I wear my huge, expensive brace, but it doesn't seem to hurt where my ACL surgery was done. It hurts everywhere else. It took me a month and a half (my doc is a hunter apparently) but I finally got in to see my ortho doc this last Monday. I wasn't really impressed with him. He isn't quite sure why it's swelling up. He thinks maybe I could have torn my meniscus again. I don't know how I could have with that huge brace. He drained my knee, but wasn't able to get a lot of fluid out. I hate it when he does that. He asked me how bad I wanted to keep playing soccer. This bugged me because when I initially went and saw him he talked up how people go right back to playing their sports.

Anyway, I think I haven't been the best at lifting weights and strengthening my thigh muscles and in turn it has put a lot of strain on my knee. He agreed that this could possibly be the case. He suggested to stop playing soccer for awhile and hit the weights. I could go back to playing once my knee felt better. Since I have met my insurance deductible, I asked if I could get an MRI. He thought this would be a good idea. I never had an MRI because I was pregnant when I first injured my knee and he didn't need one before surgery. He knew I had torn my ACL and meniscus. I just need the assurance that I am not further damaging anything.

My dad is always great at making me feel better. He told me things could be a lot worse than simply quitting soccer. I play rec for heavens sakes. Look at Tom Brady. He might have to have his entire ACL redone. I just don't want to be 30 with a 55 year old's knee. Decisions, decisions.

Mike wants me to stop playing. When have I ever listened to Mike? It's not just about playing soccer. It's about getting out with the girls and having "my time." I think I am going to continue lifting weights (I have been doing so for the past two weeks and my knee does feel a little better when I play) and still play soccer. My team is going to tone it down to one day a week which I think will help a lot. I meet with the doc on Monday to discuss the MRI results so I will keep ya posted.

Real Salt Lake 3 FC Dallas 1

Last Saturday night, Mike and I went to Real Salt Lake's second home game in their new stadium. It was amazing. The stadium is awesome. We sat on the very last row in the upper deck, midfield and our seats were great. We could see everything. The sound system and TV screen are perfect. We haven't gone to very many games, but they have never lost when we have gone. They won 3 to 1. The fact that FC Dallas had a player thrown out in the first half might have helped them a little, but who cares about minor details? One complaint though is how expensive the food was! I had a root beer and a plain chicken sandwich for $10 and I was still starving when I was finished. We will definitely have to eat beforehand next time. I highly recommend seeing a game for any of you who are soccer fans!

Frightmares 2008

Last Friday, Lagoon was open all day because of UEA. We had yet to go to Frightmares so I decided this would be the perfect day. Mike had to work so I was going to try and go by myself, but I am so glad my mom offered to tag along. I wanted my mom to get her money's worth so I let her go on all of Gage and Landen's favorite rides.

They started out by going on the Musical Express. My mom looks like she's having fun doesn't she?

They wasted no time and next went straight to the scrambler!

Tanner was sad. He wasn't tall enough to go on the scrambler.

They finished up the swirl motion rides with the Tilt a Whirl!

I thought my mom was going to throw up.

My mom said she was done for a little while, but Gage begged her to go on The Bat next. Gage must have been showing off a little for my mom because he hated The Bat the last time he went on it.

Afterwards, Gage wasn't done with my mom yet. They headed off to the Wild Mouse while Landen entertained Tanner and I. Thanks for being such a good sport mom!

Landen loves the song Disturbia by Rhianna. He is singing the beginning Hum Dum DeDums that are at the beginning of the song. I think his rendition smashes hers!

Landen next gave us a little taste of Alvin and The Chipmunks although you can't hear him very well.

When Mike saw these pictures, he wasn't too happy I let him wear my new Smith sunglasses.

This picture cracks me up. Gage offered to let Landen be in the front so he could stear the plane up and down. I thought to myself at the time, "Oh what a nice brother Gage is." I soon found out that Gage was intending on teasing Landen the entire ride. There is a controller in the back seat as well and when Gage pulled back on it he overpowered Landen's and they stayed safely down near the ground. Landen freaked out the entire ride!

Lagoon has a cute, friendly Spook a Boo Hanted House for the kids where they were able to get lots of candy!

Don't even say it Dad!

We had so much fun! I was able to go on my favorite ride The Spider and Gage road the White Roller Coaster for the first time with me! Thanks for helping out with the kids mom! They had a blast going on the rides with their Grandma Pedri!

Annual Trip to Gardener's Village

Every year, the kids' Nana takes us to Gardener's Village around Halloween to see it decorated. It is really neat to see the many different witches and decorations they have. We went last Thursday and it being UEA, everyone else in Utah seemed to have the same idea. It was so crowded! It took us almost 1/2 hour to park, but it was worth it. The kids had a blast running around looking at everything. I told Vickie I want to go some time without the kids so I will be able to shop!

Here's Tanner in his stroller of course. He did really great. All I have to do is keep giving him food to munch on and he's set. My sister Brandy gave me the great idea of making waffles and putting them in plastic baggies for a snack. The kids love it! That's what Tanner is eating in the above picture.

The kids are always happy to strike a pose for me. We had to get one by the hoola hoop witch.

Gage and Landen's favorite witch is the one where she's going to the bathroom. Good thing we found her this year!

So a major part of going to see the witches is stopping by the candy shop so each grandkid can get a bag of candy. You can see they waste no time eating their purchases.

Here's my boys with their cousin Brayden. I'm not quite sure why Landen looks so happy to be there.