Pre-Halloween Festivities

Late Sunday night, we heard the doorbell ring. We opened up the front door, and no one was there--just a fun gift bag filled with goodies. Inside the bag, there was a note telling us we had been "Boo-ed" and a sign to put in our front window. We were supposed to make 2 goodie bags and secretly deliver them to 2 neighborhood friends. We ventured the task Monday night...

We waited until we had the cover of night. (The greatest of secrecy was required, of course). I'm sure no one was suspicious of a family of five strolling around outside in the dark.


I don't know why my heart always pounds so much when we do any kind of ding-dong-ditching. I don't know what kind of reaction I'm expecting---maybe an angry old woman coming at us with a broom? At any rate, our deliveries were ultimately successful.


And because we spent Family Home Evening night "Boo-ing" folks, we furiously carved our pumpkin last night in order to have it on display for Trunk-or-Treat. The boys were horrified by the pumpkin's innards---Stevie actually got quite upset when we suggested he touch it with his hands. And even though I completely washed the seeds, added butter and salt and toasted them perfectly, they wouldn't DREAM of putting them in their mouths. Hadn't I seen where they'd been?!!


Stevie decided on the mouth, I got to choose the nose, and David picked the mouth. Daddy, the muscle of the group, was left to be the official carver. The boys stayed close by to supervise.


The finished result:

Jennifer Howsley Grundberg

LOVES (adores, worships, is devoted to, feels passionate about) her husband
LOVES her hilarious and perfect kids
LOVES (relies upon, is forever bound to) her sweet family
LOVES her fabulous friends
Loves her new haircut
Loves the people at the church
LOVES the girls I visit teach (though I guess they would fall under "fabulous friends")
Loves teaching music in Primary and leading the ward choir
LOVES her house
Loves her new(ish) red minivan
LOVES her neighborhood
Loves her wonderful, sweet and outgoing neighbors
Loves Stevie's amazing school (and especially his teacher)
LOVES having a baby in the house

Overall, I love a lot of things. What an amazing life I enjoy!

But I'd like to add to the list my growing love for the scriptures, church doctrine, the prophets and general authorities, and over ALL-- my love for the Lord and the recent reassurances that He truly loves and values me too.

If You Give a Moose a Muffin

Last Friday, Stevie came home with a little bag from school. Inside was the book "If You Give a Moose a Muffin," (which is absolutely hilarious, by the way), a journal, and a little stuffed moose. The assignment was to read the book, make muffins with the moose, and record it in the journal for his class. Here's some of the things we came up with:

First, Stevie, David, Moose and I read the book and had a good laugh.

Next, Stevie and Moose decided to get started on the Muffins. Out came the muffin tins and mixing bowls. They decided on blueberry. (Yum!)


They got a little bored while waiting for the muffins to finish baking, so Moose decided to have a little chat with Jake...

Next, Moose played a few tasty licks on the Ukelele...


folded a few loads of laundry (He's so helpful!)...

And then kicked back to watch a little TV...

FINALLY, the muffins were ready!

It's safe to say that Moose made a bit of pig of himself. He scarfed down two entire muffins and then immediately passed out on the kitchen table.

Everyone was pretty tuckered out after that. So we all got ready for bed, and Moose sidled up next to David for a good night's rest.

Makin' Friends

This little ball of cuteness next to Jake is his friend Journey. They seem to really enjoy each other's company. Journey was at our house last night, and they had a great time randomly bopping each other in the faces and trying to grab each other's hair (or lack thereof). They were all smiles and giggles the entire time.




The red IKEA bowls are a new favorite toy of all three of my boys. I'll find them randomly strewn about the house--which makes cooking tricky since they're my only mixing bowls. But I secretly love it when my boys make ordinary objects into play things. It just fills me with glee for some reason.

Things I've Done This Week Besides Clean My House

Monday- Birthday party of a dear friend

Tuesday- Cleaned my dad’s house in Galveston, took my dad to the doctor and post office, Stevie’s Open House in the evening.

Wednesday- Finally worked out, took David to library story time and had some meaningful, soul-searching conversation with someone who really makes me think.

Thursday- Worked out, babysat and chatted, planned for Stake Primary Music Workshop in the evening, reconnected with a dear friend and discussed the necessity of spiritual tune-ups.

Friday- We’ll see what I come up with. Possibly a family lunch at Stevie's school? I’m sure it will be something (anything to avoid the ever mounting pile of laundry)