Work hard tonight little Trick-or-Treaters,

some are depending on you!

Carving Pumpkins

We always carve pumpkins a few days before Halloween after dinner, and have a pumpkin-cream-cheese-cake roll for dessert. Tonight, we were able to share our tradition with the missionaries- who were really good pumpkin carvers! (and my pumpkin roll worked beautifully! Every year it's questionable if it's going to turn out without falling apart and putting me in a rotten mood. But the stars aligned and it worked tonight! Yipee) Elder Evans carved a free hand man riding a bike... come to find out he raced in a 100 mile bike ride! Way cool! It is so fun having the missionaries over and learning about them. Missy and Little Dude just love it.

ps- looking back I realized Missy's hair looks funny - it was crazy hair day at school day today :)

Rally

Today we went to the Yes on Prop 8 rally at the State Capitol. It was great to see all of the support, and hear from lots of different speakers in support of Prop 8. One of the most moving speakers, a black pastor of a local church, shared his experiences with the black civil rights movement, having been a young man at the time. He expressed shock that the proponents of same-sex marriage would attempt to compare their situation with that of blacks, and call it a civil rights issue. Having experienced being forced to sit in the back of a bus, not being allowed to vote, being beaten for drinking from the wrong water fountain, and other despicable and violent acts, was a great lesson in History. I can certainly understand why any comparison between the two situations and the claim that this is a civil rights issue would be and is truly offensive.

Baby Belly at her first rally :) I think she was a little surprised at the noise level (at least I was :)

ONLY 7 DAYS LEFT UNTIL ELECTION DAY!

Soccer Party

The Soccer season is just about done, with our last game on Saturday. Hooray!!! It has been fun having Missy and Little Dude on the same under 6 team, but I will be so glad when it's all done. Little Dude tried so hard at the last game, and did really well (for being the youngest ), and I told him he got an A for effort. Missy, asked if she got an A for effort too, and I told her she got an A for trying to make an effort. LOL! Seriously, the girl wanted to play so badly at the start of the year, and it just fizzled to absolutely nothing! Coach called her into the game last Saturday, and Missy replied she needed a break! She hadn't even PLAYED yet! LOL.

But, they are both glowing today after receiving their trophies. Thanks Coach Petersen for a great season!

Sick-Out

Today we supported the State-Wide School Sick-Out, and "peacefully protested" to the CTA dontating $1 million against Prop 8. How ridiculous and frustrating is that? And some still believe that if Prop 8 fails it won't affect children in school. So, we spent the afternoon playing, making forts, watching movies, eating candy from the Trunk-or-Treat, and of course listening to sibling arguements. We had a fun day, but I will be glad that tomorrow is a regular school day :)

Grandma & Grandpa

Grandma & Grandpa Christensen from Alaska came to visit us and enjoy the warm California sun! We had such a great time with them, as always. We decorated sugar cookies for FHE one night.

And went to Apple Hill.

And ate Caramel Apples and Apple Donuts at Apple Hill.

Shauna always helps me make a dress for Missy while she is here. This time we made 2! (Actually 3 counting Baby Belly's). Here is one of the dresses they wore on Sunday. It was actually really easy- and they received many compliments :)

Thanks for visiting Grandma & Grandpa! We had a great time and can't wait to see you again.

The Parker Family

October is a crazy month! We've been busy with Prop 8 and the upcoming election as well as it being busy season for vinyl..... but I wanted to post this video about a family in Massachusetts. The Parker family sued the Massachuesetts public school system, and lost. The video is a little long, but I was moved to tears at the end, seeing a loving father and mother stand up for their rights, and ultimately not having any. Please vote Yes on Prop 8.