Happy Halloween!

Disclaimer:  This is going to be a rather long post...beware.

Brad and I decided (OK mostly just me, I twisted Brad's arm) that we wanted to have a Halloween party (OK so really I just wanted an excuse to make Amelia a Halloween costume since they don't celebrate it here.)  So I started talking with Sharon and we decided to do it on a Friday morning and get the moms in the ward to bring their kids since the dads wouldn't really enjoy it anyway (Sorry Brad!)  So yesterday we woke up bright and early despite the nasty head cold that I have and got stuck into the decorating.  It ended up looking really cool.  Sharon did an awesome spiderweb, which I somehow didn't get a photo of, and we had streamers and balloons galore.  The guests were all a bit late, but we still had loads of fun.  We went trick-or-treating at Sharon's front door and garage door and my front door and garage door.  The kids LOVED the lollies, it was great!

So, I just have to share this before we get to the photos, I was at the grocery store getting a few supplies for the party and a mom and her kids went walking past and the kids asked the mom if they could get something (I am assuming something to do with Halloween) and she said rather defiantly "NO!  We don't celebrate Halloween, we're not American!"  True story!  I just wanted to stand up and shake her hand and say, "Hi, I'm from America, would you like to  come to my Halloween party?!"  

Here is Amelia's costume in all it's glory!

This is the real story!  I had to be very selective in the photos I put up, because most of them look like this.

The feet.

I love this!  Look at that head!

Isobel came as a lovely princess wearing a "pretty dress" as she always says.  She made that crown herself, with a little help from Sharon of course.  Words just can't explain how cute it is when Isobel puts on a "pretty dress."  Everything changes about her.  She loves them!  And this one was no exception.  She acted like a little princess.  For a while she wouldn't leave the safety of the garage because the wind kept blowing the feathers off her shoes.  It was so funny.  When Sharon finally worked out why she was staying in the garage, I couldn't help but laugh.  


This is when you know you've got good friends...look how good Sharon looks?!  She said she always wanted to dress up like a witch and I would say she made the best looking witch I have ever seen.  And Lyndsay came as a baker with a bun in the oven!  Best looking baker I've ever seen.  

How cute is she?!

And this is the AWESOME cake that she made just for the party!  Is that not the coolest thing you have ever seen?!


Jet was a little confused trying to figure out why everyone was dressed up so funny.

Although that didn't stop us adults from trying to pose a royal engagement.  Aren't they just the cutest couple?!

Arrrgh!  Jo me matey!  Doesn't Joseph make the all time CUTEST pirate you've ever seen?!  Apparently this costume was meant to fit a 5-7 year old, but Sharon worked her magic and he looks amazing!!

So stinking cute!  (OK so cute is my word!  What are ya gonna do about it?!)

Lilly is a beautiful fairy princess.

Emma, Lilly, and Sophia.

Sophia the ballerina.

Amelia used to always scream at Sophie.  Everytime I would go to mothers group she would just stand over her and scream and cry and hit her.  It was so scary.  I didn't understand it.  So we stopped going for a while because I was so embarrassed of the way she acted around her.  But yesterday I was pleasantly suprised!  Amelia LOVED her!  She just gently stroked her head and just loved being there looking at her.  I am so glad she outgrew that stage!

And the Trick-or-Treating!  Fun was had by all!

Our final arrival was Kiana (Sorry if I spelled that wrong.)  She was a beautiful Halloween princess.  Loved her cape!  Her little sister was dressed the same, but somehow I didn't get a photo of her.  Sorry Hannah!!

A little behind...

I just noticed this morning that I was a little behind in posting photos.  I guess that's what happens when you get so consumed with editing videos.  Oh well.  So I'm going to play "ketchup" this morning.  (I used to hate that phrase in school, because I ALWAYS had to be there on "ketchup" days.)  Here are a few photos from the last week.  

Who needs stacking blocks when you've got knock off tupperware?!  Amelia's new toys...and my newest headache!  I'm always picking these up!

Sneak preview of Halloween!  Amelia loves ducks (or "quacks", as she refers to them), so this costume was only too fitting.  I've had this idea in the works for a little while and I've finally pulled it off.  Made a few adjustments now so you can see the finished version tomorrow.  (Hopefully.)

Skyping with family.  Now you see why I am always fighting her for the headphones?!

And last night Brad texted me from work saying he wanted to make dinner.  I was only too happy to oblige!  He came home and got stuck right in.  What a good guy huh?!  And when Amelia and I came to sit at the table we were pleasantly surprised to find this:

WOW!!!  I know!!  It looked too good to eat.  Notice the two little bite marks out of the pancake?!  Typical Brad trademark!  (I'm sure his mom could agree.)  Below you'll see the stacked version with ice cream and fruit sandwiched between them...the ice cream obviously didn't stay so 'ice'y:

Amelia loved the syrup (she must take after Will Farrell's "Buddy" character in the movie Elf).  Whenever I open the "cooking" cupboard she runs as fast as she can to grab this and then throws her head back hoping to get some sweet rush from the stuff.  Crazy girl! (don't worry, its always screwed tightly so nothing hits her tongue...but she'll sure try!)

Opie, Andy, Richie, and the Fonz

Its great to see good ol' Ronny using an Arricam with an Arri FF-4, what looks like a huge Primo lens (or is that an Angenieux?), all resting nice and neat on an O'Connor 2575 head (nothing special, we have all that at Lemac)...why is he lensing the "B" camera tho???

Oh, I mean, its funny to see him reenact two of his most beloved screen characters - whether you like Obama or not. Enjoy!

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

Aquarium video..and good news! [UPDATED, better quality video]

Today Amelia and I went to swimming lessons, like we do every Wednesday morning, and discovered to our horror that we were getting a new teacher.  I was rather bummed about that because Amelia loves Lisa, her instructor.  (Here's my opportunity to brag about my child...)  But then we were very excited to find out that Amelia has graduated to the next class!!!  And Lisa teaches the older class!!  So good news all around!  Amelia has only been going to swimming lessons for about four months now and is in the graduating class of two other girls who have been swimming since they were about 5 months old.  So either she is a fast learner or they are just all about the same development level, I like to think she's a fast learner!  Hehehe!

And here's the video from our trip to the Aquarium, finally got it done:



We're sick of the rubbish quality of Blogger video upload, so we've gone to Google Video...let us know what you think!

Blogger upload was limited to approx 320x240@15fps

Google Video can do 640x480@30fps - much better. So feel free to click on the full screen button in the lower right corner.

And here's a test of the MobileMe embedded version:

General Conference...Finally!!

Last week we were finally able to watch General Conference (go here for more info.)  Brad got the computer hooked up to the TV and we invited Sharon and the kids over to watch it with us.  It was much easier to listen to what was being said at home instead of chasing kids around the chapel.  I have always loved General Conference.  It always seems like a bit of a pep rally for me.  I love listening to our Prophet and Apostles.  I love hearing their testimonies.  I know that what they say is true.

Brad gives it the old thumbs up!

Sharon's intent on the message.

Attempt at a group photo...Isobel look up!!

The kiddies had great fun playing around a tearing the house up.  We built a fort out of the couch cushions for them to play in.  (Didn't happen to get any photos of it.  Sharon might have, check her blog in a few months and you might see them.)  They had so much fun.  It wasn't until Amelia and Isobel went inside and got really quiet that we got concerned.  After peeking in, this is what we found:

Isobel was especially proud of this one!!  Just like make-up!

Amelia thought she would try her hand at it.

Check out those legs!!

Aw yes, just another reason why we love General Conference.  It brings out the creativity in us all.  Right Dad?  Remember the gummi bears?

A Bollywood moment [UPDATED w/ video test]

I just had to share this. I think it's so cute, maybe that's because I'm the mom! But this is such a cute little video of Amelia dancing, she does this every time she hears music (well, almost every time.) I have left it unedited...because, well, because I did and that's why!

Made for TV

So this morning, Australia's Channel 9 Today Show national weather man (the Al Roker of Australia) was broadcasting live from a park just up the street from us in Woy Woy.

We just couldn't resist the opportunity to be on national television, so we headed on up to check it out (plus they were offering free breakfast muffins and bacon+egg sandwiches...yum!)

And Amelia and I MADE IT!!! We were on TV, broadcast in HD!

(Brad showed up an hour earlier, but had to catch his train, but saw our two minutes of fame on the HD plasma at work)

And afterward I got a picture taken with THE Steve Jacobs, the weatherman himself (see below)! So much fun.

(Sorry Nanna & Gramps Smith, I tried to talk Sharon and the kids into coming, but it was just too early for them...)

Simple pleasures for simple minds...

Yes, we do this quite often.

Another video of Amelia

Enjoy! (There is lots more to come!)

its always good to laugh

Its great to take a break from the seriousness of the US presidential campaign, and watch the two primary candidates (there are more parties than just the dems/repubs...just take a look at the ballot! - the green independents? Ralph Nader is still trying to get elected? :) take polite jabs at each other. Its also great to see John McCain get Hilary Clinton laughing at her husband's expense! Enjoy these two great clips from the Alfred Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner held not too long ago...


McCain:

Obama:

Aquarium part 2

I have finally made it through the gauntlet of photos.  It's amazing that in this new digital age how you can snap so many pictures and not even realize just how many you've taken.  Sheesh!  But here are a few that I have deemed the best of the best...or so I hope.  Enjoy!

(Believe it or not that is a HUGE fishtank behind us.)

Amelia was quite scared at first and didn't want anything to do with it...

But Brad quickly set her straight.

Taught her that the sharks really weren't that scary, only if you were in the water with them.

Oh wow Dad!  You're so right!

Whoa!  Dad, come and check out this one!

Wooooooow!!!

It was so much fun to see just how intrigued she could be.

And just sit and stare!

This is probably one of the best parts about the aquarium...The Shark Tunnel!!  Two big long tunnels enclosed underwater with all kinds of aquatic life swimming all around you.  It's amazing and very peaceful!  (We have lots of video from the tunnels that I'm working on.  Should be up soon.)

Mom did you see that one?

This tank was cool too.  Under Amelia's feet is glass as well and the fish can swim under your feet.  Freaked Amelia out at first until she saw some other kids walking on it and realized it wasn't so bad.

Love this!

And the family photo!  

Afterwards in the gift shop we stumbled on these kangaroo and koala ears.  They were just so cute!