Happy Halloween!

 It's Cameron's first Halloween! We spent the morning busy rushing between the elementary school and preschool to see his siblings, but he was a good sport.

 I wasn't able to even get into the gym for the Halloween Parade because of the crowd, but I did find a spot to stand at the exit.  Kenzie seemed happy to see me, though, so that's what counts.

 My goofy Batgirl didn't even take off her sweater!  That's McKenzie for you, though.  Always cold.

 Then Cameron and I went to Parker's preschool Halloween program.  It was pretty cute.

 Three Captain Americas, all in a row.

 

They sang a few songs, and it took Parker awhile to get warmed up.  The first song he mostly just stood there smiling at me, but then he started joining in after that.

Here they are singing a Sleepy Spider song.  Too cute.

And here's Parker telling his joke.  It's hard to understand, but I'm just proud of him for saying it.  His joke was, "What is the witches' favorite bedtime story?  Ghoul-dilocks and the Three Scares."  Parker of course didn't "get" the joke, but he was very pleased with himself (as is evident in the last second of the video).

Pumpkins

 Last night we carved pumpkins!  The kiddos picked out three pumpkins last week, but we discovered McKenzie's had gotten moldy.  So she used Cameron's.

 Here's pumpkin-less Cameron, hanging out in his seat at the table.  He is usually pretty content when he can watch everyone.

 Parker drew this face on his pumpkin for Daddy to carve.

McKenzie carved her own pumpkin this year!  She could not even be bribed to take a normal picture, though.  She was laughing like a goofball the entire time.  At least she was having fun!

Josh's Farewell

 Here's Cameron all ready to go to Josh's farewell yesterday.  Josh gave a talk in church because he's headed out to the MTC (Missionary Training Center) on Wednesday for his LDS mission to Kentucky. 

 The batteries died in the DVD player about 15 minutes into the trip.  At least it was "only" a 45-minute drive out to Stansbury.

 Somehow I wound up being the one to take a family picture for them.  I thought I would post it so the grandparents can admire them.  (You're welcome!  I know, I am the best daughter-in-law!)

 Of course, if I'm going to be taking pictures, you'll eventually wind up with this.

 We spent the rest of the afternoon at Arnie and Bonnie's hanging out with the family and eating.

 Brilee fought to be the first to hold Cameron.  He's well-loved!

 Parker and Paige eating cookies on the steps.

Parker got to play on Josh's cell phone one last time.  (Starting when Parker was about two Josh would hand him his phone and be very amused by how well Parker could find games on it.  They've been good buddies ever since!  Whenever we see someone on a skateboard, Parker will yell, "JOSH has a skateboard!"  He also kept a long-running argument going with McKenzie by insisting Josh was only his cousin, not her's, too.)  Parker will miss his cousin Josh over the next two years, but we're very proud of him for serving. 

2 Months Old!

 Cameron is 2 months old today!  I'm sure at each milestone I will say, "How did that happen?" but this week went by in quite the blur.  It started with Parker's cold that culminated in a ruptured ear drum at 11pm Tuesday night.  Seriously gross.  Also, I felt the need to tell everyone, "He never complained about his ear!"  We got him on antibiotics in time for me to come down with something nasty - worst sore throat I've had in a long time.  Not being able to talk is very frustrating when the calls of, "Mom? MOM?" are still coming from various points in the house.  Anyways, the point being, there aren't many exciting pictures of our adventures this week.  (Are there ever?) But here's Cameron at 2 months:

 He loves to be adored by his siblings (who still coo over him, bring him toys, beg to hold him, and shout to each other, "He's awake!!").

 The baby smiles are becoming a bit more frequent, and more of his face smiles, too.  That is, instead of just the mouth, his cheeks and eyes get in on the smile as well.  Still hard to catch them on camera, though!

 

McKenzie had Thursday and Friday off school for Fall Recess, and she spent a good portion of that time doting on Cameron.  "Mom, if I was at school I'd be missing this right now!" she kept saying.  We think she's finally letting herself believe Cameron is here to stay, because at least once a day she'll say, "I'm so glad Cameron is alive!"  I tell her we are, too!

All the Cousins

 Josh is leaving on his mission to Kentucky in just two weeks (!!), so I figured we should try and get a group photo in on Sunday while everyone was over for Cameron's blessing... unfortunately the sun was in their eyes, but once they were gathered I didn't want to then say, "Okay, now let's move over here instead," because it had been hard enough to gather them the first time!

 So we went with goofy photos instead -

 - because they're far more accurate.  I see Paige was listening when I said, "Make a different goofy face now!  Pick your nose!"  Gotta watch what you say to 4-year-olds.

One last attempt.  Funny that this generation is complete now!

Blessing Day

 Today was Cameron's blessing day at church, and he looked so dapper in his little white outfit.

 My new favorite picture!  I sure have cute kids. 

 After sacrament meeting the Arnold family descended upon our home for lunch.  We had 4 crock-pots (or "crack-pots" as Parker called them!) full of soup, and also salad, breadsticks, rolls, 2 pies, a sheet cake, 4 gallons of kool-aid, oh and ice cream too. 

 Parker was so happy that CJ had brought an extra toy gun.  He loves when he gets to play with the bigger boys, and it was literally hours before he would put the gun down to get changed and eat some lunch.

 An exciting game of Mille Bornes (at least, I'm assuming it was exciting?  I only popped my head in to see what they were up to and take a picture).

 

Kenzie and Camille recorded their voices into very odd programs that played them back into a dance mix.  I couldn't watch for fear the flashing lights would induce a seizure, but they thought it was hilarious.  (Also, I love Kenzie's outfit, and we all got a kick out of Camille's legs in this picture!  It looks painful almost!)

 

Cameron was well snuggled the entire afternoon, of course.  DianaLynn's exact words were, "He likes me best."  That sums up our day!

So close!

 I am so close to getting a picture of Cameron's [extremely fleeting] smiles!  He has a cold, but inbetween yelling at me for cleaning out his nose (like I want to!) he has been smiling very briefly.

 See?  Look how cute he is. 

 Couldn't resist posting this one either.  I just keep telling him, "You love when I take your picture!"  He'll start believing me eventually.

Big Brother tried to help by singing to him and telling him he's cute.  Cameron cooed at him a bit, probably in an effort to endear himself to someone who could save him from picture taking!

Chatterbox

We're not sure where Parker gets it from - Daddy and Mommy both don't care much for chit-chat.  Parker has recently started chatting it up the second he sits down for a haircut, though, and it cracks us up.  Daddy made a video on Saturday while they were getting haircuts. 

Sleepy Time

I get tired just looking at this... Daddy had a buddy for a very short afternoon nap on Sunday.  I tried to be nice and not take a picture, but it was too cute.  I couldn't resist.

First Family Outing

Cameron finally ventured out to do something besides accompany me grocery shopping - he went to his cousin Camille's birthday party.  He did well until later in the evening, when he got very fussy and cranky.  "Over-stimulation" is the word that comes to mind.  He was his usual easygoing self as soon as we got back home where it was quiet!

 But before he got cranky, I took a few pictures.  Here he is meeting Aunt Hannah...

 ...and taking another nap for Jessie.

 Parker made sure everyone used hand sanitizer.  He takes that job so seriously!

 Megan and Camille - Camille was holding him first, and I heard her call to me, "Tiffany, I don't know how to give him to Megan!!"  He is still a bit wiggly and floppy.

 Uncle Arnie and Cameron dozing together.

Josh and Cameron - the oldest and youngest cousins.  Cameron liked Josh; he stopped being fussy and dozed with Josh for quite some time.  He didn't even wake up through the loudest rendition of "Happy Birthday" this family could muster, either!