Halloween

Now that it's over, I think I have to say I really enjoyed Halloween this year. The kids got just the right amount of candy, and I am proud to say that I didn't raid their buckets...not even for the Reeses Peanut Butter cups. Although there is still one left in Meagan's bucket, not that I was looking.

The kids of course had all kinds of ideas about what they wanted to be this year. Isaac decided early in September that he wanted to be Cosmo the Cougar. Thankfully we had the jersey and the hat. I added a tail and some "furry" (maybe fuzzy is a better word in this case) arms and legs. He had a great time, even though no one at school knew who he was. There was a boy in the ward dressed as Cosmo to for the ward Trunk-or-Treat, a couple of our BYU fan friends gave them an extra handful of candy. The mismatched socks were not intended to be part of the costume, just Isaac's added bonus.

Aaron wanted to be Woody. After a lot of tinkering, all I have to say is that I did my best. He didn't seem to care to much about any of it once he had the neckerchief on.

Miya dressed as a bear, making use of the coat I bought her last winter that she was never big enough to wear. As you can see from the picture she is now to big to wear it. :) She looked so cute with her little hood on. She never figured out that she had black makeup on her nose so she didn't bother to smear it all over everything.

Kip tried to convince Meagan early on to be Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. She wasn't to interested until her best friend at school (who also moved here this year) told her that she was going to be Dorothy. She loved the costume, and I guess that is all that matters. I am not sure I will take on the big of a project for Halloween again.

I debated about what to say about these pictures, in the end I decided they pretty much speak for themseleves. Thanks for a good laugh Grandma and Grandpa.

Miya 8 months

I had to post these fun pictures I took of Miya (and Aaron) today. It is hard to believe she is almost 8 months old! She is so much fun!

Blooming

Today we had a gentleman come to the home to survey our goods for the move. He was an 80 year old man whose zest for life was rather contagious. When he found out we were moving to Kansas he asked me if I was excited about it. I gave a positive response. He said that he always tells people that if they think they will like it, they will. If they aren't sure, they'll never know. If they say they won't like it, they won't. It made me think of something my mom used to say...or I heard somewhere when I was growing up...bloom where you are planted.
I took this picture a few days ago in our back yard. Kip detests anything that grows in the cracks of the sidewalk, and goes after them with a grimace on his face and the weed killer in hand. I admired this little flower for it's simple beauty, but even more for it's determination to make the best of the situation it was given. I only hope I can do the same. I will miss all of my dear friends in Michigan. I find each day I am here the harder it is to leave. I am positive there is something more than a crack in the sidewalk for me to grow in. I leave feeling as though I have taken all the water and fertilizer and given little in return, I will take it with me...and pay it forward I suppose.

Noteworthy

It's been six months since I posted and life has been busy! I decided this couldn't wait another day.

Our noteworthy news is the addition of Miya Maryann Kimball to our family! She took us all by suprise when she can 5 weeks early, only 3 days after Christmas. She weighed 5lbs 7 oz and was 17 1/2 inches long.

It is hard to believe that she is four weeks old tommorow. We are loving holding her and getting to know her. The kids are very sweet with her and can't get enough time with her. My favorite comment from the kids that sort of sums it all up is something that Aaron said the other day. He woke up first thing in the morning and asked where Miya was. I told him she was on my bed. He climbed up next to her on the bed and said "I wuv her." He looked at her asleep there on the bed for a few minutes and then exclaimed "It wook wike she wuv me too!"