All Hallow's Eve 2009

Monday: FHE pumpkin carving.

All but Payton were home to make the traditional jack-o-lanterns. Sydney made it a goal to not ask for help and carve hers completely on her own. Everyone helped out and I think they were all successful!

Porter's Mickey. (maybe next year I'll get all the pals!)

Maisyn's flaming jack-o-lantern.

Sydney's spooky skeleton (done without any assistance!)

Riley's moon and stars.

Love this holiday!

Friday night: Ward Trunk or Treat.

Chili dogs, hot cocoa and a little bit of candy. One girl at a football game and another babysitting.

One Musketeer that looked an awful lot like a cowboy.

One dead Panther basketball player.

One lime-green-and-black-polka-dotted fairy.

And one realistic-looking maternity costume.

All made for a festive night.

Halloween night: All the goblins in a row - and plenty of candy to go around!

Antonia, Alyssa and Karissa joined in the Jensen gang for a fun night of trick-or-treating. They all came home with pillowcases FULL of way too much candy and lots of memories.

Now we get to start planning what we'll be next year.....

Homecoming 2009

Homecoming just doesn't happen. It takes a lot of preparation and support to pull it off. We learned this first hand as we sent our oldest daughter to her first one on Saturday night.

First, you start with an invitation from a good boy that your parents like.

Then you get the dress. Not just any dress, mind you. One that Mom, Dad, and daughter can agree on. And, in this case, one that your mother can sew!

You add in party hair...

... and party shoes...

... happy parents help...

Then you bring in the date.

Get a group of friends together and meet at a beautiful place to take pre-dance pictures, parents and all.

And don't forget the flowers...

And there you go. The makings of a memorable Homecoming night!

Payton and Dion

Laura and Jake

Todd and Cheyanne

The guys (yes, that's a crown- Dion was Homecoming King.)

The girls. (It was very cold, but they were troopers!)

They were very gracious in posing and letting the parents get lots and lots of pictures.

Like this one... tell it like it is!

We made sure there was time for family love, too.

Dion and his mom, Suzy.

Riley, Payton, and Cheyanne.

Payton and Maisyn

Payton and Porter (apparently doesn't like on-camera kissing)

Payton and Mom

Dad and daughter- love it!

His baby girl is growing up!

They all went to the Mongolian Grill for dinner before the dance. Then the Milburn's made a yummy dessert for everyone afterwards at their house. A good report all around. Lots of friends and fun to remember! There's nothing like being 16!