Halloween Ducks

Happy Halloween! Here is a quick shot of Preston before he headed out the door. Luckily he didn't stuff a pillow into his shirt this time, or wear his mustache. Jorja brought wolf ears from the Great Wolf Lodge in case she wanted to feel like she was wearing a costume.

Preston

 Mike and Waddluigi

 I was working on my blog when this popped up. Oh how I miss my little girl Maysen!

Halloween was pretty low-key this year. We had one bowl of candy and a popcorn machine. The kids liked the popcorn better than we anticipated. Jorja was a little disappointed because she didn't have any Halloween plans with her friends. I don't think she was too excited to stay home with us. Except she felt awful, so she was glad to be home. If that makes any sense. Too bad it was Halloween that she felt this way. Jorja and I did run to the store to pick up some photographs she had printed up. We brought home Zupas. Preston only wanted to do one thing on Halloween. It was super important to him. He talked about it for a week. He wanted to go trick-or-treating with the ducks. Jorja and Preston put the ducks in a basket. Preston carried them. Jorja held their other treat buckets. I'm glad she took him, especially with how awful she was feeling. Preston was so happy. They only went to about six houses. They were both happy with that. Preston loved showing off the ducks to everyone.

Jorja & Preston

Preston spent the rest of the night teaching the ducks how to climb the stairs. He would run down and pat them on their head to 'activate jump mode'. The ducks made it up the entire way. Kiki did fall down a few times though.

Even though Jorja felt absolutely miserable and was sad she wasn't out with her friends, Halloween this year was a thousand times better than Halloween last year. So glad she is in a different place emotionally now. She is growing up!

Chili & Chocolate

Jorja had to work today, but Mike Preston and I went to the ward 'Chili & Chocolate' activity. I made cornbread. About five minutes before we headed out I asked Preston if he wanted to go in a costume. I do not do anything creative in this family, that is all Mike. They hadn't talked about costumes this year. Preston asked if I could find the Wario hat Mike made years ago. Luckily I found it right away. He went and printed a mustache and voila, he has a costume.

Wario Preston

Mike even made a Waluigi hat for the ducks. They didn't like it much. Mike then tried several variations of duck diapers. Our kitchen table is now covered with sewing machines and fabric. He sure loves his crazy hobbies.

Kiki

 Kiki modeling a duck diaper

The ducks don't like the diapers. They have a hard time walking in them. Jorja liked being able to cuddle with them without worrying about them pooping on her.

Jorja with Kiki & Quacky Chan

 Jorja & Quacky Chan

 Wario Preston and Waluigi duck

Waiting

Jorja and Preston had the day off of school. Jorja was excited because she had her first non dance date. He told her he would pick her up in the afternoon. To Jorja that meant anywhere from 11:00 - 2:00. I had lunch at Becky's house, so I thought she would be gone by the time I got back. Lunch with Becky was so fun. Jacqui, Katie and Sara were also there. We talked and it was just perfect. Anyway, when I got home, Jorja was still there. I told her to text the boy and ask for an exact time. She thought that was too pushy. She texted him and said, "When you come over you should come in and see my ducks." When he replied okay she said, "At least I know he is still coming." Well, he still hadn't come by the time I took Preston to diving at 4:00. On the way home from diving we got a text that Quackletta was missing. She flew over the fence. Preston was SO WORRIED. Mike told us to keep an eye out for her as we drove home. Preston started looking early. There was no way he was going to spot her clear down on Wasatch Blvd. Anyway, right as we turned into the top of our neighborhood we received this text. Jorja had found her. She had been walking down our street and was walking up our driveway. Silly duck.

Jorja and Quackletta

Well, Jorja was still home when I got there. Her date had just texted and said he was on his way. Wow. Jorja was pretty annoyed. She had turned down plans from about five other people and spent the day waiting. She never felt like she could do anything, even paint her nails, because she didn't want to be in the middle of anything when he showed up. It was a good learning experience though. If you make plans with someone, try and get an exact time. Although saying you are coming in the afternoon and showing up at 8:30 at night is quite a time difference. Not a good start to Jorja's dating life.

Jorja also has been a little sad this weekend. She likes a boy. I wish she didn't. She thought the boy liked her, but then she kind of messed things up with him on her birthday. She sent an apology text late tonight and is hoping things will straighten out. I don't know what to think. I don't know what to hope for. I don't want her to steady date or even like someone. Last time that was a disaster. But how do I stop her from her feelings? I do know that when Mike and I saw the two of them together we were kind of shocked. When he left Mike said, "Well, that was interesting. I have never seen Jorja so happy. She was just glowing." I do want her to be happy, but I don't want her to have a boyfriend. She just turned 16 and has been looking forward to dating. Anyway, not sure what to hope for on that situation. I ended up sleeping with Jorja in the guest bed. Maybe things will feel better for her in the morning.

Hutch Surprise!

We had stake conference today. Jorja wasn't feeling well, but she managed to sit through the session. Maysen was with us too. Stockton went to Dani's farewell. Hutch came down from Idaho to surprise Jorja. She wasn't able to make it on Jorja's birthday and yesterday Jorja was too busy with the dance. It was such a great surprise for her! Jorja felt bad because she was feeling sick so she wasn't her energetic self. She loves Hutch. I hope it was worth it for her to come down.

Hutch & Jorja

After Hutch left Jorja fell asleep in our bedroom. She was feeling worse and worse as the day went on. Riley, Jorja's date from last night, came over and brought her cookies to thank her for the date yesterday. Jorja looked awful. We woke her up and had her come out. Riley didn't want us to wake her, but Jorja had literally said to me last week how happy she would be if someone randomly brought her cookies. She was glad he came and was able to hug him to thank him for the date last night. 

Jorja & Kiki

Maysen was waiting for Stockton to come home so she could go back to Logan. Dani's farewell was at 9:00. Mike texted Stockton "How was the farewell?" at 5:30. Stockton replied, "Going into the eighth hour of her talk, still going strong." Hahaha. He makes me laugh! It was pretty late and dark when they left. Maysen was driving home. I kept telling Stockton not to sleep on the way up, make sure Maysen was able to stay awake. They got back just before 11:00. I love it when I know they are safe. It was fun to have them here this weekend. I love how much my kids love each other. It makes me so happy. I hope they will remain close after Mike and I are gone. Family is everything.

Hippie Howl

Today was the Halloween dance. Jorja has been so excited about this. She is now officially sixteen! She was really excited to go with Riley and had been looking forward to this date for a long time. Parker's dad drove Jorja and their dates to Top Golf for their 'day date'.

Riley & Jorja

Jorja, Parker and their dates ended up being in one lane....is lane the correct term? I know it's not, but......Ella, Gabby and Eliza were next to them. One time when the girls were in the bathroom Gabby  told Parker and Jorja how lucky they were that their dates were being really nice to them. I guess when you have been buddies forever it is hard to switch into date mode. I'm glad Riley was nice to Jorja. She had a great time.

Parker & Jorja

 Riley & Jorja

I was pretty dead today. I felt bad because I wanted to go to the temple with Maysen, but I just didn't feel up to it. I did go to the church for a bit to help with Emery's tree. Our ward is donating a tree to the Festival of Trees in Emery's honor. She had brain surgery back in January and there were complications. She had a stroke and now has cerebral palsy. She is two. The entire thing has been heartbreaking. Anyway, I went to the church and finished my coral project and made a mermaid. I walked home and took pictures of the colorful trees in our front yard. Fall is beautiful.

Stockton was gone when I got home. He took Madison out to lunch. Madison's date for the Halloween dance cancelled on her a few days ago. She asked one of the special needs kids. A few days ago his mom let Madison know that he couldn't go anymore. Madison still went with the group (who all asked special needs kids) but Stockton was able to take her out to lunch. Jorja came home from Top Golf and played with her ducks. She painted Kiki's nails in the hope that we would be able to tell Kiki and Quacky Chan apart. The paint didn't stick, so she tried a sharpie.

Jorja painting Kiki's nails.

 Jorja & Stephanie with Kiki

 Jorja & Kiki

 Preston with Kiki and Quacky Chan

Jorja took a long nap before she got ready for the dance. Brenton picked her up and then they went to the Color Wall to take pictures. The pictures turned out great and Jorja looked sooooo beautiful!

Jorja

 Riley & Jorja ~ this picture is my favorite

 Eliza & Jorja ~ they were in student government together last year

 Parker & Jorja

 Ella & Jorja ~ these guys have been in the Chinese program forever

 Jorja & Gabby

 Gabby, Riley, Jorja

 Riley & Jorja

 Jorja & Riley

 Eliza, Noah, Ella, Cole, Gabby, Brenton, Jorja, Riley, Parker, ?????

 Ella, Parker, Jorja, Eliza, Gabby

They had dinner at Pizza Limon before they went to the dance. Everyone had to wait for Jorja after the dance. She had to clean up. Usually it doesn't take too long, but Packer got mad at them because some boys messed up the bathroom. She felt a bit bad for making them wait. They went to Ella's house to watch a movie. They watched The Sixth Sense. People fell asleep. Eliza and her group left and Jorja saw Riley walk out with them. She thought he was saying goodbye. Riley thought Jorja was asleep, so he got a ride with Eliza. Jorja felt so bad! She wanted to walk Riley to his door. She wasn't planning on kissing him, but she wanted to give him a hug and say thanks. The last girls choice dance she didn't get to walk Mackie to the door either. Jorja and Mackie got split up in cars because of the car accident. I was glad when Jorja was home safe and sound.

Stockton and I were up when Jorja got home. We had been working on figuring out everything he needed to do to defer his scholarships and college for his mission. Hopefully we did everything right. We were mostly worried about getting out of the housing contract. We were under the impression it would be easy, and it kind of was, it just took forever to figure out how to do it. (We didn't even figure it out today, Stockton had to ask someone on campus....but it is now done....hopefully.) Jorja was pretty happy when she got home. She went straight to her duck and started playing with her. Once Jorja was home I went to bed and left Stockton and Jorja to their shenanigans.