"In the wee small hours of the morning..."

Is anyone familiar with that song? I only am because of "Sleepless in Seattle". Anyway, this song perfectly describes me tonight. Well, not exactly I suppose because I think that song is about thinking of some boy and therefore not being able to sleep or something, and I'm just awake for no reason. Regardless of the reasons, here I am, posting this marvelous post.

So, our most recent news is that Hallie is now "fbour" (that's Hallie code for four)! Thanks to everyone who made Hallie feel so special on, and around, her birthday. She had special visitors from near and far (or at least a little bit further than usual). Here are a few pictures from her special day.

Bree, Star, and Marmee came up on Sunday night especially to wish Hallie a happy birthday!

Hallie had been planning on having just a family party at Chuck-E-Cheese's, but then when she woke up on her birthday, she decided that she wanted to have a party. That's all well and good, but we didn't have enough time to invite anyone. Thank goodness for the Snarr's and their willingness to attend birthday parties on short notice. I think this is the 2nd year running that we've given them about 5 hours notice for Hallie's party.

In honor of Hallie's special day I thought I should include some Hallieisms.
Actually, it would seem that they are escaping me just now -- one of the hazards of blogging in the middle of the night I would expect. Anyway, we went and got Hallie's yearly pictures yesterday and they turned out so cute. The photographer just captured her adorable personality and I am so glad because it can be hard to get her at her best.
Just one last thing. Here are some pictures of our three fantastic kids. I had to show more than one picture because of course having all three look great at the same time is asking too much.

What's been happening with the Hansen's? Here's a picture update.

Snow Time!

Thanksgiving

Kale's new church clothes. A tie just like dad!

And lastly, the Christmas elves just paid our family a visit.

"This is Halloween, this is Halloween..."

It's that magical time of year again when you get to dress up in a costume and be something, or someone, completely different for a few hours (or in our case, a few nights). There is just something so fun about Halloween to me. I don't like any of the scary stuff, but it is so fun to think up costumes and get everyone ready -- somehow it's just cool to wear stuff that you wouldn't normally wear. For one night of the year this rule follower gets to do things, or at least wear things, that she normally wouldn't be caught dead in -- and it seems fun instead of embarrassing.
We started off the celebrating with a party on Friday night with my family. Everyone who still lives in Utah came (except Rob -- he had some kind of study group or something). I of course included a million pictures because I'm sure everyone wanted to be involved in every detail of our parties.

These are the costumes that we wore. Jon was Wolverine, and of course I was Storm. Rachel was a sorceress, Kale a cowboy, and Hallie was the most adorable Dorothy ever! And sweet little Sky was a lamb (thanks Mom for the great costume idea).

The guests -- obviously all the Snarr's came (like Alyssa & Peter) and also Mom, but I didn't have any pictures of those guys, so this is what you get. Pretty awesome costumes! The big headed man is obviously Ryan.

The kids (with some help from Jamie and Jon) mummified Grandma & Grandpa. They absolutely loved it (thanks for the great idea Heidi)!


On Saturday night we went to the Hansen's church for some serious trunk-or-treating. There is a serious lack of pictures because I wasn't in charge of the camera, but know that the Hansen's were in costume and they looked totally awesome. Almost every classroom around the whole building had someone passing out candy. The kids had so much fun. Kale was definitely into it. As soon as he saw the next candy post he would start running, yelling as he went "Candy, candy, candy! Over there, over there! More candy!" That kid definitely loves candy -- luckily (at least for Kale) candy is something that flows like water at Marmee's house.
After trunk-or-treating ended we went to the Hansen's just to be with everyone. Ruth and Matt and Nick & Heidi (and of course all the kids) came over to be together. And of course, any time you're at the Hansen's you can expect to be fed royally, and yesterday was no exception. There were sloppy joes, wassail (is that spelled right -- you know that drink?), donuts, caramel apples, and candy galore. For a girl who's been trying to not eat treats (what?! I had to wear spandex for my costume) it was like a dream come true!
Now Halloween is at an end, but the magic is only just beginning. Halloween is just the starting point for family holiday time festivities, and I can hardly wait for the fun to continue!

Halloween is coming up!

Here are the Halloween costume choices we have for the kids. Okay, actually Kale's the only one with any choices -- the pictures of Sky are of her in her costume, but mostly just to show you how ridiculously adorable she is. Notice how Kale's pirate hat barely stays perched on his head? Pretty hilarious!

Future Lunchroom Workers

For some strange reason my kids love to wear this weird little net as a hat. Perhaps they have future aspirations to become lunchroom workers (I would say lunch ladies, but obviously the term doesn't apply to Kale). That is definitely what they look like to me.

Sky's Blessing

Today was Sky's baby blessing and it was such a wonderful day. The blessing was beautiful, and it was just so nice to be able to sit through church and listen to what people were saying -- so thanks family for all the help with the kids. After the meeting we came to our house for some taco salad. It was fun having everyone over -- I love family get-togethers. Anyway, I just thought I should post the picture of Sky in her blessing dress. Anita surprised us with this beautiful little dress a few weeks ago. It was perfect -- exactly what I would have chosen.

Just thought you should see the picture in color. On the right we have the 3 new Castleton grandkids -- Joshua, Max, and Sky. Isn't that a kind of funny picture?!

Also, Rachel started school this past week and she absolutely loves it!

News Update...

It's obviously been a while since I wrote, so thought I would give just a quick update. Here is a recap of this past month in picture form (plus a few words).

As most of you know, Hallie had a run-in with the side of the tub. She was the bravest little person I have ever seen get stitches. The doctor said don't move, and she took him at his word -- she didn't so much as flinch the whole time she was getting stuck with numbing shots and the stitching needle.

Sky is continuing to grow and getting more beautiful by the day. I realize the middle picture is not showing her to full advantage, but it was just such a hilarious face I had to let everyone see it.

Well, that's all the time I have now, and frankly I've taken longer than Sky really wanted to allow.