Halloween Fun!!

I love Halloween! I mean how could you not love a holiday where you get dressed up and go to other peoples houses for free candy! We had a very busy day today. It all started when we woke up and headed to the pumpkin patch. They were all out of regular size pumpkins so we ended up with a ginormus one! The boys had a great time looking at all the pumpkins. Then this afternoon we carved it. And by we, I mean the boys watched Pat and I. Then Mima and Papa came over for pizza and it was time for trick-or-treating. Sawyer was a dragon and Thatcher was a chicken. They had a blast! It was really Thatcher's first Halloween since he couldn't walk last year and he loved every minute of it. We have been practicing saying trick or treat all week. But when we would walk up to people he said, "Candy.... bag." Even Pat dressed up with Sawyer's dinosaur tail. I just love Halloween!!

Thatcher at the pumpkin patch. He could not believe how big they all were!

Thatcher trying to pull the wagon.

Sawyer pulling the pumpkin we picked out.

The boys looking at the big hole Mommy cut out of the top.

Checking out the face. (In the bathroom because it was dark.)

Mima and Papa with the boys

Sawyer and Thatcher with their friends Case and Camden.

Pat with his dinosaur tail.

Thatcher enjoying some of his loot!

Cat Cookies

At the Ganes' house, not only do we bake for Christmas, but we bake for Halloween! The kids just love making these cat cookies! Here is the recipe:

Cake-Mix Cat Cookies

1 cup peanut butter

2 eggs

1/3 cup water

1 box devil's food cake mix

sugar, for coating

Reese's pieces

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine peanut butter, eggs and water. Add cake mix. Pour sugar into shallow bowl. Shape dough into small balls. (I just use a cookie scoop) Roll balls in sugar. Flatten with bottom of glass coated in sugar. Pinch out ears. Place candies for eyes and mouth. Use a fork to make whiskers. Bake 7-9 minutes. Makes about 30 cookies.

Sawyer making the whiskers.

Thatcher putting on the noses.

Library

We just got back from the library, and I can not say enough good stuff about the Apache Junction Children's Library. We go to the AJ Library because although we live in Queen Creek, we are in Pinal County. The children's area has a huge castle that the kids can play in. And for smaller kids (like Thatcher) there is an area with a kitchen and puppet show theater. All of the books are at just their level. And if they need to run around a little there is even a playground outside. The kids just love going to the library!! We always come home with a ton of books, movies and even Wii Games! Check out their website for different activities that they have. http://www.ajpl.org/

Small twist of fate

Last weekend Pat and I had our 10 year high school reunion. When it came time to fill out my bio-sheet, I talked about graduating from ASU, Pat and of course my kids. I did not mention the fact that I am a 5 year survivor of cancer, Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Although I am very proud of this, you just don't write cancer in your bio-book.

My senior year of high school my locker was right next to Eric's. He was a football player and every Friday the cheerleaders would bring the football players treats. There were many times when Eric would come up to his locker with his hands full and ask me to open it for him. Several times, he gave Jenn and I his cupcakes.

So while Pat and I were chatting away with old friends at the reunion, I saw Eric come in and I wondered if he remembered me. I was talking with some people and someone had mentioned that Eric had had cancer. I was shocked to find out it was Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I was nervous about going up to him. But I walked over and asked if he remembered me. He said he did and I told him that I had Hodgkin's about 6 years ago. We immediately started sharing our experiences. We talked for about half an hour. He has a scar on his neck the same place I do. He had even been into the doctors office where I was treated. It was so nice to talk to someone that had been through it all too. We hugged (several times) and agreed to keep in touch. Meeting him and being able to connect was the best part of the reunion.

The cool thing is Eric is the mascot for the Memphis Grizzlies. He is able to go to the St. Jude's Children's Hospital and talk to kids about cancer and share his experience. I wish Eric all the luck in the world and I dearly hope we keep in contact.

It never ceases to amaze me what a small world it is sometimes...

Trip to the Museum

Today we went to Sawyer's favorite place, the Arizona Museum of Natural History. In our house we just call it the Dinosaur Museum. It has tons of dino bones and an area with activities and hands on stuff that the kids can do. We have had a membership for about a year now and try to go when we can.

Sawyer playing with all of the dinosaurs. He lined them up to make a dino parade!

Thatcher doing a rubbing.

Even Pat was coloring!!

Thatcher just had heard a dino roar!! Too cute!!

I miss Edward and Bella!

I am always reading. I usually read what is called chick-lit, which is like chick-flicks but books. My favorite authors are Sophie Kinsella and Jennifer Weiner. I love reading about the single gals and their romance. And then my friend Libby told me "you have to read these books. They are so good. It is about this girl and she falls in love with this hot guy... oh... and he is a vampire..." Needless to say, it took some convincing. But after succumbing to her suggestion I read all 4 books in the series (approx. 2500 pages) in about 2 weeks. I absolutely loved every page!! Now the only problem is, I have nothing to read. My usual books just aren't as good as they used to be without Edward and Bella. Those of you that have read the Twilight books know what I am talking about. I can not wait to see the movie that comes out Nov. 21!!

Thatcher's Baptism

On Saturday, October 18th, Thatcher was baptized at All Saint's Episcopal Church. He did so good! I thought for sure that he was going to cry. But when the priest took him, he bent his head back all ready to go! He looked like such a little man all dressed up in his white shirt. We were all joking that if he had a tie, he could go as Pat for Halloween!!

Blue Ribbon Winner!

As most of you know I entered a couple things in the Arizona State Fair Creative Crafts and Collections

Department. I entered my smashed penny collection and a scrapbook that I made. I was really hoping to win a blue ribbon and to my surprise I won a blue ribbon for both!! But the real excitement was that I won a purple ribbon, called a special award, for my scrapbook. The superintendent over the department said that they just loved it!! She even invited me back to the Maricopa County Fair to show people how to make them!! If you go to the fair you will have to check it out in the South Hall.

My baby is 4!

On October 8th my baby turned 4! I can not believe that I have a four year old. It seems like just the other day we brought him home from the hospital. Time just moves too fast. Everyday with Sawyer is definitely an adventure. He is so funny, Pat and I are always cracking up at the things he says. We just love our little dinosaur lovin man to pieces!

I am a blogger!!

Well I finally decided to jump on the wagon and start blogging!! I have so many pictures of the boys and so little time to scrapbook, so atleast this way everyone can see what we are up to at the Ganes house. Knowing how addicted I am to Facebook and Myspace, I am sure that I will be on here all the time!!