Happy Halloween!

We left the house at 4 to go to the library to trick or treat (we had been invited yesterday during story time). After picking up Matt at work, we headed to CarrieBeths parents house and then to our friend Kim's house to go trick-or-treating in her neighborhood. All the kids looked precious and we had a blast! I can't wait for the kids to go to bed so I can "make sure all the candy we got is safe".

This was our first time neighborhood trick or treating, and it was Matt's first time too (he didn't ever when he was younger). We had a blast!

A busy morning.

Today's half over and we've been busy! This morning we headed out to the library for preschool story time. Ella behaved better than she did and the librarian handed out candy as we left which made it even more fun! We left there and went and voted. The kids didn't really want to pose for the voting picture, but I wanted to take one. I remember going with my dad so many times to vote while I was growing up! He helped me to realize how important it is to vote. After voting we came home to carve the pumpkin we had bought yesterday. I have never done this with them and they were both excited. Ella ended up losing interest, but Noah had a lot of fun. The one picture is of him trying to see the candle that we put inside the pumpkin for tomorrow night. The one thing that I found out today about carving pumpkins, is that the prep work is nasty!! I had to keep telling myself "it's just a vegetable" as I was pulling all the nasty stuff out. I know now I will never be able to pull anything out of a turkey!

Today's Playdate

Today we went to a fun playdate at Ms. CarrieBeth's house. She fixed us a wonderful lunch (yes, those are pumpin shaped sandwiches!) and the kids all got to play. The pictures are Ella and her fabulous lunch and Noah leading everyone in the blessing (he makes me so proud!). I love this mommy's group and their support means the world to me!

Once upon a time while I was folding laundry...

Saturday morning I was folding laundry and I had given Ella some fruit loops in a bowl. I escaped to the living room and I thought I left Ella at the table. Noah started yelling for me to come into his room and there sat proudly miss Ella. She had used her mammoth strength to put a chair on the table, and somehow climbed up without spilling her fruit loops. I freaked out, but Matt was calm enough to have me grab the camera and take a picture before I reprimanded her :).

You can't see it, but it's there.

This morning we woke up to FREEZING temperatures and flurries! I took this picture as we were driving down the road to a playdate. Pretty cool to have flurries in October! I wonder if this means we're in for a cold, white winter!

What I did this afternoon...

During nap time I became absorbed in another couples blog and read it from start to finish. It is the story of a young couple, missionaries. I found it through a friends blog a few weeks ago when Cody passed away, but never went to check it out. I said a quick prayer for Amy, and went about my day. Today I remembered that I wanted to check it out so after Ella was asleep and Noah was absorbed in a movie, I dove in.

A month after their marriage (last October) he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He lost his battle this past September, less than a year into their marriage. However their ministrygrew so much just through their sharing what they went through, and is still touching people today. If you've got a few hours to kill, visit www.tribespahr.blogspot.com and learn about Amy and Cody. It will remind you of not only how faithful God his, but how His grace can show through in any situation. It also makes you want to hug your hubby and let him know how much you love him too.

Little Mommy

Ella is so cute with her baby dolls. She feeds them with spoons from her tea set, she attempts to put her diapers on them, loves to have their clothes changed, and she makes sure they get their naps. Today she was laying on the couch under a blanket (it was in the 50's today - cold!) trying to get her baby to go to sleep. When the baby wouldn't go to bed, she said "no nap." and tilted her head, squinted her eyes in the concerned way she always does.

Noah wanted a picture under the blanket too. They're a riot!

Responsibility chart update

Noah is doing so well! He has only missed a few magnets this week. He's taken on his "grown up" chores without complaining too much. And for the first time in his life he will brush his teeth without a fight just so he can get the magnet. Keep up the good work buddy!

Will this be the answer?

We've decided to give Noah some responsibility around the house. It's past time. I'm going crazy and failing miserably trying to do it all myself. So, I found this responsibility chart/magnet system and he is SO excited about it. He cleaned his room, made his bed, and brushed his teeth this morning with the anticipation of getting to place a magnet on the board. I hope the excitement stays with him!

I need your phone number!

Ella, as sweet and innocent as she is, broke my flip phone in half last weekend. I spent the week without a phone (which killed me) until today when I got LJ's (thanks!). Unfortunatley due to the damage that happened to the phone, they cannot transfer my phone numbers to my new phone. So, I need you to send me your phone number so that I can call you!

Email me at sarahsiak@yahoo.com or call me at 828-803-1473. Thanks!

Pastor Appreciation Month

I passed a church sign that said "October is Pastor Appreciation Month" on the way home today and thought, "oh crap, I need to send something to the guys at the church." So, I've broken out the brownie mix and I'm going to town tonight.

Having lived the life of a preachers kid, and worked alongside ministers for a few years, I have seen all that goes into being a pastor. I am amazed at the dedication all the "Rev's" in my life have shown. The selfless life dedicated to bringing people to know intimately their Savior, and walking with them as Men of God through all of life's ups and downs.

Thanks dad, for being the same man in and out of the pulpit and introducing me to my Jesus through your words and actions. Thanks Jerry, for walking beside us through so much. Thanks to all my other "Rev's." I appreciate you.

Asheboro Zoo ~ Saturday

We had the most wonderful time at the Asheboro zoo yesterday. The kids had never been to a "big" zoo. We got to see animals of all kinds and enjoy some quality time with Nana and Papa Siak. Noah especially loved the baboons with "red hiney's." I think Ella loved getting to see Uncle Jake, Nana and Papa's dog. We are going to make this an annual event because there is so much to do at the zoo that we have been missing out on and because we want to see our Nana and Papa Siak more. Thanks for everything Nana and Papa!

More Zoo Pictures

Fraiser Firs, cookies with icing and sprinkles (especially Alison's recipie), carols, twinkling lights, nativity scenes, family, and pure joy...

So, I made myself wait until October 1st until I did it. I broke out the Christmas music. Anyone who knows me well knew it had to happen soon. The kids have LOVED it and even asked to wear their Christmas pajama's tonight (they are).

I found this fabulous online radio station that plays Christmas music 365 days a year: http://loudcity.com/stations/north-pole-radio/files/show/listen.html. If you want to be a dork like me you can listen to!

IT'S ONLY 77 DAYS AWAY!!!!

Mark is famous

Today at 11:00 Mark wowed the Price is Right crowed as he won his showcase. He didn't make it past spinning the wheel (he was robbed!) but he was so entertaining! Ella couldn't figure out how Uncle Mark was in the TV, Matt and I were clapping even though we knew the outcome, and it was the most exciting hour of tv we've seen in awhile.

Drew Carey knew Mark was a performance major and told him if he won his showcase he had to play the piano. He won and Mark played through the classical version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star twice!!! It was so fabulous!!! Congrats Mark!

Spending time with Granny

If it wasn't for having such a gracious granny, we would have been up a creek this past weekend. Granny watched Noah and Ella a LOT while I was out for 3 nights in a row with friends. They sure do love her. The pic of Noah is getting tickled by Granny, and Ella is laughing because someone else is laughing.

Thank you Granny!!!

Reunion weekend

The reunion went off so very well. I got to see a lot of people I hadn't seen in a long time! Everything came together and I am glad that it is finally over so I can get back to focusing on just being a wife and mommy. These are just a few of the many pics I took during the weekend.

Go Bearcats!

The fam is heading to Hendersonville this weekend to be a part of the reunion festivites for my 10 year highschool reunion. Can you believe it has been ten years since I graduated highschool!!! I got the pleasure of being the chairman of the planning committee and I hope that everything will go off without a hitch. I'll post pictures soon!

Monday's with Katie

We had another eventful day with Kate on Monday. First we had all our friends over for lunch, and then had naptime, and ended up at the park where Kate's mom picked her up. It was a great day!