The Monday night before general conference, we talked to the kids about going into conference seeking guidance and to have a question we'd like answered. We promised the kids that their query would be answered if they listened prayerfully and carefully. Then we went around the table and wrote down each of our inquiries for our "question wall". We promised to help each other find answers in the talks. Going into this, I wasn't sure what kind of questions we would get, but I was impressed with the quality and sincerity of each child's question, even little Oaklie. I may have even teared up a little bit.
We also asked the kids to come up with a few predictions about what they might talk about in conference. They came up with 5 main ones and we used them as labels on jars in front of the tv. Each time they heard one of these words, they got to put a pom pom in the jar. The question wall, and the jars helped them to listen with more of a purpose.
Conference starts at noon, so Dave took them on a little outing to "Mr. Bulkie's" to make a few candy purchases, that we could add to our conference sundays.
It was tough to decide what to get, but they did, and made it back in time for the main event.
We had a picnic on our living room floor while we watched.
I am saving boxes up for a future idea and decided to use some of them to make "conference cabins". Right before conference started, we talked to the kids about the wise man and the foolish man and how important it is to build ourselves on a firm foundation. We explained how we learn TRUTHS in conference that we can use as a foundation in our lives. I made paper conference rocks for the kids to take notes on, and tape them on their conference cabins as a foundation. (You can kind of see them in the pictures that follow)
Sunday picnic.
We also had s'mores over the stove.
And they made their own pizzas. Having yummy food is a must. Conference feeds your soul and your belly:)
A couple weeks after conference, Dave had a conference for work in Florida. So, I packed up the kids and drove to Michigan, and dropped them off with my SAINT of a sister for a week, and flew down to meet Dave in Orlando. Saying it was life changing probably makes me sound like a caged woman...Haha, but it WAS life changing. Better than a honeymoon, because when you are first married, it is always just the two of you, and so everyday is like a honey moon. Our lives are so busy now, that we really appreciate time alone MORE. I loved every minute of it!
The first full day, we headed to Universal Studios to Harry Potter World. We both love Harry Potter!
Diagon Alley
Hogwarts
Gringotts Bank
Hogwart's Express
Butter beer was so yummy!
I thought these were the cutest!
Then we headed South West to Sarasota to get some sun, and beach time in.
Can't beat views like this!
I took a ridiculous amount of sunny beach pictures to get me through another arctic Ohio winter.
I plan to look at these when I am huddled up in 3 layers of blankets in the dark, biting, intense kind of cold, that an Ohio winter can bring.
Dave caught hermit crabs.
The sand was like icing sugar.
White and velvety.
Like heaven on my toes!
We made a little home for the crabs Dave found.
And enjoyed sunsets like these.
The first day we were there, we watched the sun set on the beach and we couldn't believe that there were dolphins playing in the water as the sun set. I wish I would have gotten some pictures, but most of our pictures are from the second day on the beach.
It was perfection!
The second day, we walked about 3 miles down the beach and found a private beach and spent the day with beautiful sand and waves pretty much all to ourselves.
Pure bliss!
Getting ready to head down to the beach.
The last full day, we drove back up to Orlando and visited the temple. The Orlando temple is georgous! I love the way the palm trees look against the white stone.
Couldn't think of a better way to end our trip!
Then, we got home and picked up our little munchins, who we missed so much. They were in such good hands. My sister not only kept them alive and fed, which is all I expected with 6 kids, 6 and under(4 of which are the same age, so it was like she had twin babies, and twin toddlers and a four year old, and a 6 year old), but she actually did fun activities with them and made it a memorable time for them as well! They have not stopped talking about it since.
Here are some of the things they did on THEIR little getaway:
When we got home, we did a few McGarry family traditions. October is one of my favorite times of the year.
We had Canadian Thanksgiving.
The kids and the neighbor kids decorated these branches with yarn for our centerpiece.
We went to Amish country and got a few little treats at the grocery store there. They had these cute little carts, which were our kid's favorite part.
We went to the petting zoo and picked out a couple of pumpkins.
And brought home some perfect looking pumpkins.
Landon needed new pajamas because he had outgrown his, and Pax needed a couple too. When I went shopping, saw these matching ones and I couldn't resist.
Paxton is still growing so fast, and I missed him so much on our trip. I felt like he grew a lot in 5 days. I am taking care to document all of the little details I cherish and want to remember. Like these cute little candy toes that I love to kiss.
These toes just melt me!
We also had Halloween and did family costumes. I know I only have a couple more years left of family ones, so I am soaking it all in. We asked the boys what they wanted to be. Landon wanted to be a ghost, Easton wanted to be a vampire, and Oaklyn didn't know what she wanted to be, so we built the family theme around them and decided to do a monster family.
I like to make as much of the costumes as I can. It is my one craft for the year, and I start early, so I have something to work on, on nights Dave has to work.
Our ghosty:
Vampire:
Witch:
Our little werewolf:
Bride of Frankenstein:
Frankie:
(Dave is a REALLY, REALLY good sport)
McGarry monster mash:
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