Now for Halloween Present

Just a few more pictures. Try not to be too impressed by our creative costumes (I know, mine is especially boring).

I was just a chick in a wig.

Brick was a "popular online social network"...

Can you guess which one belongs to Brick and which one is mine?

Cooper the spider and Kenna the pink Tinker Bell.

We went trick-or-treating with these crazy folks, and Brick thought he'd try on their costumes to see if it would fit...

It was a little too big.

I'll never complain about the honda again...

I thought my mode of transportation was bad. My trunk may be bashed in, but I still have a trunk...and an engine for that matter.

My dad took this picture in the Philippines.

Knowing the generous spirit of the Filipinos, this man probably offered my parents a ride.

Halloween Flashback

Brick and I have shared some very memorable Halloweens.

It's Brick's favorite holiday (which, I must say, is dang cute) and so we try to do something special every year. Whether it's eating candy, dressing up, painting Halloween ceramics, watching scary movies, or getting engaged :), we really like to take advantage of this time of year.

However, even before we met, it looks like we both knew how to party Halloween style. I found these old pictures from each of our childhoods, and it was especially fun to see what Brick dressed up as each Halloween.

Enjoy!

Baby Brick as Batman's (who was played by his big bro, Brandon) Sidekick, Robin.

He looks like he's about 3 years old. At this point I think he was done being Brandon's sidekick, so he took it another direction. Spiderman has never looked cuter!

I'm thinking this is about 3rd grade. This costume gets my vote.

This looks like it must be the stage when Brick really started

getting serious about Halloween costumes.

About 3 yrs old, I'm guessing. I'm the princess in the yellow dress. I also love the John Deere tractor in the background.

2nd grade: I'm not sure what I used for facepaint, but knowing my mom, it was something unconventional, and it looks like it probably didn't wash off for a few days.

3rd grade (maybe?): This costume was made out of my aunt's old prom dress.

6th grade: My mom sewed this costume the night of, and it turned out great. It was probably made out of old sheets or something, because I know we didn't go out to buy the material.


This is the Halloween of '06, and it was this Holiday together that we decided to get married.

Halloween '08 at Gardners Village.

I love the witches at Gardner Village. It's my favorite place to go each Halloween.

'08. Mine is the less creative one on the right. Brick loves carving pumpkins, so he did two.

Brick as Nacho Libre. At this point I had taken off my nun costume, but I was Encarnacion.
Don't you love the STRETCHY PANTS?

FALL BREAK

This last week was Fall Break, and Brick and I decided to make the most of it. So we packed up the car and made the trip down to St. George for a FAMILY GET TOGETHER!!!! Yes, it was that exciting. I hadn't seen my sister for a year, and our family is getting too big and spread out for all of us to get together very often. So for even half of us to be staying in one house at a time was HUGE!!!

This recap is for the other half that we missed so much: My parents in the Philippines, my grandparents in Iowa, Kevn and fam in Colorado, Aaron and fam in D.C., Ammon and fam in AZ, Carrol and fam in Germany, Helaman and fam in AZ, and Hans and Cassi's other little boy, Ryker. We missed all of you more than you know!

The week consisted of lots of laying around relaxing, lots of good food, bike riding, swimming, hiking, and late night games. Also, and most exciting, we were able to go with Hansy to the St. George temple for him to get his endowment!

Kenna and Andrew loved throwing rocks into the river.

How cute is Andrew? He didn't hesitate to walk out into the river, pants, shoes, and all.

Hans and Cassi were able to go on their first "movie date" last week. I was lucky enough to hang out with Daxi and his "wamby" and "chooch" (lamb-y and pacifier) while they were out.

Taylor told Brick after a day of climbing rocks at Zions,

"I ALWAYS knew I was a good climber..."

Anyone up for Nielsen's frozen custard?

Relaxing after a long day of play.

Cooper was one big smile the whole week.

When Hailee and Jorgen weren't out riding the trails on the bikes, they were swimming with Uncle Brick.

Taylor loved his bubbles!

I would kiss the mirror, too, if I had a face and hair like that!



Notice the big crocodile tears, bare feet, and unbuttoned pants. Daxi is such a sweetheart! He chewed on a stick the whole shuttle ride back. He is all boy, that's for sure!

Esther's family sure is strong!

Cute couple, that's all I can say.

Kenna loved the hike down the Zions canyon.

Kung Fu Taylor

Taylor asked Esther at the end of the week, "Mom, what are we going to do about Brick?" As in, I don't know if I can live without him.

Then he suggested that he just stay and live with his favorite uncle.

Things I Wish I'd Learned Earlier

1. How to change a tire
Ok, I learned this when I was like 14 and in young women's, by watching, but who wants to change a tire by themselves based on that? I just picture myself trying to change my own tire and then driving down the freeway, and Whoops! there it goes! Well, luckily this week when I got a flat tire at school, the flying-tire-on-the-freeway thing didn't happen, and Brick's friend happened to drive in to the gas station I was parked in (seething because of my bad luck), and became my good samaritan. How do all guys make this look so easy?!

2. How to do a Karate Kick
Our car window was broken this morning so that some jerk could steal my wallet. I just really wanted to beat someone up. Thus the karate.

3. How to Swear like a Sailor
When I told my brother about my car and wallet, he said, "Cuss a little. I know you probably did already." I replied that, oddly enough, I hadn't thought of that, but that it was a good idea. Mark Twain (I think it was him) observed that under trying circumstances swearing provides relief denied even by prayer (a favorite quote for at least three of my brothers). I must say, it really is true.

4. How to Sew Well
Brick needed a suit jacket fixed, and I didn't know how. So Brick decided to do it himself, and in the process cut a chunk out of the sleeve. I felt bad and wished I could have the courage to just fix all his clothes when he needs it...Plus, I watched a Project Runway marathon (to get rid of the depression of getting my wallet stolen) and it really made me wish I could be a sweet clothing designer.

September in a Nutshell

So it's come to this...a check off of what we did this month. As is probably obvious, my postings have drastically decreased since school started. So here is a recap of the month of September:

Brick soaking up the last bit of sun before the colder weather hits full force. I love this picture because he looks so relaxed!

Brick's brother blessed his baby last Thursday. Isn't River Anna a cutie? She is such a calm baby, hardly ever making a peep and smiling anytime you glance her way.

On our drive to the family cabin this last Saturday we drove past a hill that had literally hundreds of sheep. Nearby there was a horse tethered to a bush, and the shepherd stood among his flock. It looked like it ws right out of a story book.

I love Fall! Every time it comes along I am convinced it is my favorite season. All the beautiful changing leaves, and "all you need is a light sweater." I must say that Utah really has Arizona beat as far as the different Fall colors go.

Anyway, after driving for a while, Brick and I walked the last half mile to the cabin, and were amazed at the gorgeous fall colors, which were so bright in some places that they almost seemed to glow. Brick and I stopped at one especially incredible point to mention that it took our breath away and made us think about how much Heavenly Father has blessed us with.

Now this one will require a little more explanation. The Flammers have a crazy tradition of "running th falls" up at their cabin. While it's such a beautiful place, it's hard to enjoy the surroundings while in in the water, what with the stinging nettle, the almost freezing temperature of the water, the allergies, numb limbs, and the mud.

So the tradition is that whenever someone wants to enter the Flammer family, they have to participate in the innitiation of running the falls. I did it when Brick and I were dating. When we went it was the middle of summer, and it was still numbingly cold. I opted out this last Saturday, but I can't imagine how cold it was in the Fall. Burg's husband Trevor didn't get so lucky to miss the run this time, and experienced full initiation.

The Flam Fam

I married a little boy.

I sure love this guy.

P.S. Here is Brick thinking he is super cool (which he IS, just so you know)....