Halloweening Fun

Halloween 2010 rocked! I love watching the true personalities come out of my sons on this holiday...

Zach's Elvis costume proved that even 12 year olds know how to swivel those hips.

Kade decided to wear the dreds while in church clothes. The name of the costume kept changing all night but I think it started out as a Jamaican Missionary (Shout out to Brad). Tanner was a ninja and can I just say thank goodness that I have one son who enjoys wearing costumes from past years???

It is nice having one of those in the mix.

The others in the picture are our awesome neighbor friends.

Ryan landed on the Batman costume after literally

worrying the whole month of October which superhero costume wear. He has a minor, I mean MAJOR love for all superheros and has gone through each one wishing he had their powers.

My least favorite phase contained the words,"Hulk SMASH!" followed by something getting smashed.

After he got home from the trunk or treat, I taught him how to count his candy and pick out his faves (remember that when you were a kid? We used to sort and count the candy over and over again. I would seriously keep track of the number everyday until it was eventually gone).

Then, there was our little clown. I have always wanted a clown on Halloween and for some reason couldn't ever convince the boys to do it. But this was my chance and while she was still young enough to not pull off the wig. Although I kept seeing different color hair in her mouth all night.

She looks like she is shell shocked. I can almost hear her thoughts. "Seriously, Mom? Out of all five kids, how did I get to be the one that wore the clown costume?"

And yes, Tom and I did dress up but I don't have the pictures to prove it. We went to a Murder Mystery Dinner that was a blast. Our characters matched us perfectly. Tom was a Spanish professional golfer named Cougar Forest that flirts with all the ladies( he was hilarious) and they assigned me the character of Principal Amethyst. She was a mean, crazy principal whose students never make it back to class alive. I think my friend nailed me when she handed out the parts.

As we were leaving to go out the door, Tanner said, "Mom, you really could be a mean Principal." That's nice, hon. Big kiss.

Happy Halloween Everyone!

And Thank You. Thank you very Much...

Just a Little Slideshow for Fun

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Marsha and I had fun taking some pictures of her on Grammy's bed on a nice Sunday afternoon. I can't believe she is already 5 months old. It is going too fast------

This one is for all the Aunties that are far away. Here is your "Sophie fix" for today :)

My sons have just found their favorite song...and a new motivation for Scouts.

Draperland loves baby blessings.

There is nothing better than a big family party. Mr. T and I have decided that it is our favorite thing in the whole world.

There is magic when everyone gets together to celebrate something special like the birth of a baby, etc. We like to get a little crazy. But you mix that with good food and....WHAM-O! You've got heaven. Or at least I hope that is what heaven will be like. Especially the good food part.

We were so grateful for all the family that traveled many miles to be here to share Sophie's special day with us. We never expect very many to have to come because we know how busy their lives are, but just appreciate any that show up. Thanks to Tom's sister, Kelly, we have some fab photos of the elements that go into a perfect blessing day:

A cute baby with a giant bow on her head...

A thankful mother...

snazzy white clothes...

27 family members eating delicious-ness in the dining room...

and one proud Grandpa hiding while soaking up the moment.

Heaven.

Slideshow of Baby Sophia 5 days old

Click on the link below for a slideshow of photos by Wendy Vonsosen Photography.

Sophia Nicole

She Has Arrived

The stork has made a drop off at Draperland and it has changed our lives forever...
And her name is....

Sophia Nicole

8 lbs. 6 oz.

21.5 inches

Born 3/25

10:16 pm

The details are a little crazy! My water broke at a doctor's appointment--convenient huh? It was during spring break and my mom, Amy, and Brad were in town patiently (ok, not so patiently as we tried EVERYTHING to get this baby here! Chocolate, sit-ups, running stairs, bumpy car rides, etc.) awaiting the stork to make an important drop off. I had three nights of false labor. Yes I said,THREE, people. By the time I got to the doctor's office I was all but begging for him to put me out of my misery. And then she just decided it was time as I was sitting in the examining room...

Yikes. When that water breaks you feel such a mixed feeling of shock, excitement, and foreboding dread come over you at the same time as you try to keep your wits about and think of what to do next. Luckily the hospital was across the street and so Mom and Amy quickly got me admitted and we called Tom. The contractions didn't get going hard for at least an hour and so we hung out just thinking about the birthday party that lay ahead and Grammy Draper came to join us.

Words cannot express how much it meant to me to have both Grammy D, Grandma B, and my sister, Amy, there for this special occasion. I will never forget watching them cling together arm in arm, cheering in the final moments. I needed it so much and their love got me through some major contractions! It was wonderful to have them there to witness the birth of this little granddaughter they have waited so long for and there was sheer joy in the room when she finally arrived...

We spent a few days in the hospital and then it was time to bring this new pink thing home to a house full of brothers and uncles that couldn't wait for her to get there.
They were so shy at first around her and didn't know what to do. Tanner even came up and told me he was afraid to smile at her because she was a girl... we are crossing new territory.

The day that she came home, Tom turned to me late in the afternoon and said, "I feel such a peaceful feeling in our home. Don't you feel it?"

Yes. I did. And every time I hold her in my arms now I feel it.

As I stare at this little baby and think about the gift that my Heavenly Father has given us, all the world just feels right...

~Little Sweet Sophie~

I love this