Halloween.

I think I say holidays are way more fun with kids every holiday, but I'll say it one more time (and probably again on Thanksgiving.) Holidays are way more fun with kids! Especially when they are old enough to really get into it with you. This Halloween was probably the best one yet. Not only did Liam pick out his own costume all on his own but he ran up to every house on his own, knocked on the doors, and managed to say "Please" at every door. (He said "trick-or-treat" to some but "please" seemed to make more sense to him and that's okay.)
He was proud of his collection of different candies by the end of the night and instinctively knew to dump it and sort it. What a natural. Next year we'll work on making sure he knows to grab more chocolate instead of skittles and gummy candy. 

Heber Creeper train ride.

I'm almost ashamed to say that I have lived in Utah my entire life and it wasn't until a couple weeks ago that I finally rode the Heber Creeper train. But that's okay because waiting until now meant sharing the experience with my 2 year old, and nothing makes things like this more fun than seeing the excitement on your childs face.
Liam is all about planes, trains, and automobiles. He was on cloud 9 when he got to not only touch the train but ride it!
On a side note: Anyone else have that one family member who can't take family photos seriously? In our case, two. *My dad and brother*

Hives Relief Roller Bottle.

I'm allergic to nickel. Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, anything with nickel left on my skin too long gives me hives. Though it's not as bad at it used to be when I was younger (I used to have to put nail polish over my pants buttons) I still have occasional flares. I'm usually pretty good at making sure I don't leave jewelry on too long but last night I forgot to take my necklace off after a wedding. (the prettiest wedding I ever saw, by the way.) And I woke up to a red, itchy, bumpy neck. I've been trying to ignore it for most of the day but about 6:00 pm, it was getting distracting. So, I decided "oils to the rescue!" Here's what I did.

Hives Relief Roller Blend
                                                                                                                                                                  

Ingredients

 5 ML roller bottle
 3 drops peppermint oil
 3 drops lavender oil
 3 drops tea tree (also called Melaleuca Alternifolia)
 V-6 (YL vegetable oil complex)

                                                                                                                                                                   

Directions

  1. add oils to roller bottle and fill the rest of the bottle with V-6.
  2. apply to affected area.

 6:12 pm: I am so itchy! I can't stop scratching, which is the worst feeling. I just mixed up some oil for a roller and applied all over my neck and chest. 

 6:15 pm: I felt instant relief from itching and there is a cooling affect, from the peppermint, I'm sure! 

 6:21 pm: The welts aren't as swollen now. I'm sure it helps that I'm not touching or scratching at them. 

  6:38 pm: What a difference! Redness is almost completely gone and at least 80% of my hives have disappeared! Can't wait to see how they look by later tonight. 

Notes: I'll probably apply more before I go to bed and let it do it's thing over night.  

Saturdays.

Saturday's around here are usually pretty random. Sometimes I wake up and feel like it's a perfect weekend to just enjoy home and sometimes it starts out one way and the next I'm in my car, with Liam happily in the back, on my way to do whatever popped into my head.
Today was one of those days. I'm technically supposed to me packing my home (I only have a few day left) to put most of it in storage for when we finally get to move together as a family. Soon, so soon!
I was doing so well with packing too! Really, I was! But then I needed a drink and a break. But when you see a line of food trucks on a street and dogs everywhere, you have to stop. You just have to.
Yes we stumbled upon Salt Lake Cities Petapalooza adoption event. Don't worry, for the major puppy hunger I've had for at least the last year, I forced myself to leave dog-less. *tear*
I did get some awesome truck food though. I left it up to Liam to decide which truck we should order from and he, naturally, went for the most colorful one. Freestyle Mongolian Grill. I was pleased and Liam was pleased with the balloons he convinced me to steal for him. Shhh.

Liam's portrait 4.

Liam was more than happy to help pick out our Sunday tunes today.