Happy Halloween 2007!

As promised, here are pics of the VA Cushing kids' costumes this year. We bought them, but I don't feel one bit guilty because Rhiannon and Wade L-O-V-E them!

Cute horse rider! At last night's Trunk-or-Treat activity at the church, someone asked her if she was Jessie from Toy Story 2. Rhiannon didn't like that too much. She's just a horse lover, riding Applesauce or whatever name she gave that cute horse.

As you can imagine, this costume has gotten a ton of non-Halloween use this month, too.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, in the flesh! No masks at the church, but Wade will wear it tonight. He was quite the hit at his preschool costume party. The boys were quite impressed.

Wade loves this one. When his little buddy comes over, they dress up in his Turtle and Superman costumes and have a ball.

The Dynamic Duo!

Yesterday we helped our neighbor a little bit with her outdoor Halloween decorations. Stay tuned for pictures. I'll give you a hint--Harry Potter theme like you've never seen, including the tent from the last book, you know, the one that's invisible?

I really enjoy Halloween. I went all out and taped Smarties to my pants: "Smartie Pants!" It'll be nice when it's over, too, though. I've woken up every morning feeling the effects of too much candy eaten the previous day. Just gotta say no!

My daughter, the artist, and her great idea

Family Home Evening nights are a ton of fun around here. Last night Rhiannon gave the lesson on missionaries. She said, "Missionaries serve the Lord by testifying of Him," and then she handed each of us a piece of paper. She had drawn a missionary on each one and said we could "decorate" him. For my kind friends out there who aren't members of our church, please take these pictures with a grain of salt. Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are the sharpest dressed, most clean-cut young men and women on the planet, to match their important message!! But we took a bit of creative license...

See the lines coming out from the face? Wade said he gave his missionary "wings."

Rhiannon also did a great job. She liked Daddy's pants idea.

Jason said we all had it wrong--the rest of us forgot the white shirt. I think Jason forgot about the missionary haircut...

To make up for my switch from marker to crayon, my missionary accidentally spilled something on his suit at a dinner appointment.

We love the missionaries and appreciate all their hard work! :) On another note, the kids both finished up a swimming class yesterday and are ready to move onto Halloween tonight and tomorrow. Halloween costume pictures will be up here shortly!

Rain, funnies, and a very nice birthday

Previewing his Joy School birthday party cupcakes

Fun with the Spiderman theme

"What a big PILE, Mom!"

"BUMBLEBEE!!!!"

Make a wish, big guy!

We've had straight rain the past 24 hours or so--it is wonderful! You wouldn't know it by all the green here, but we've really needed rain and it is so nice to have it. The kids have enjoyed wearing their new rainboots (which are really snowboots) and using their umbrellas. This morning a friend offered to give me and Wade a ride home after we dropped Rhiannon off at school. She was really surprised we were "out in the rain." I explained that getting to use umbrellas was quite a treat for us! I think she understood.

Rhiannon made me smile last night by saying she wanted to do the dishes. I think she put 2-3 items in the dishwasher and then considered her job done. I looked on the bright side and appreciated her willingness to even attempt something like that without being asked. I had her help me finish "her good deed" later. :) Wade also made me smile. He was having a hard time finishing up his soup (tomatoes and beans are not fun for him to eat). He came into the living room and said, "Mom, will you please help me eat my soup? You can put it in my mouth and I'll say 'Mmm-mmm.'" It wasn't a bad way to try and fake himself into liking it, so I went ahead and helped him. Mmmmm-mmmmm.

Enjoy more pictures of Wade's 4th birthday at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jvrwfotos.
We had a great time celebrating!!

Happy Birthday, Wade!!!!!!!!

Our "little buddy" turned 4 today. Stay tuned for great birthday pictures and enjoy these "memory lane" ones in the meantime.

In Daddy's arms at Loma Linda Hospital

1st Birthday

2nd Birthday, when his wrist was broken

3rd Birthday--the theme was obvious that year

Days away from turning 4!

If Jesus came to our house...

This afternoon the kids were wound up and noisy. I turned on The Testaments DVD which portrays the life of the Savior from Bible and Book of Mormon accounts. We'd never watched it before. It was really good! Wade wasn't glued to the TV, but he was paying attention the whole time. Both Rhiannon and Wade were really quiet during the movie. When it ended, Wade surprised me by saying,

"Mom, I want Jesus to come to our house. When can He come here? Because when Jesus comes to our house, I want to show him my Transformer t-shirt."

Hey, I'll take what I can get! :)

Grandma Deb visits Springfield and DC!

World War II Memorial (part of it)

Gristmill Park near Mount Vernon

Wade and Grandma enjoying the river view on the porch at Mount Vernon

Posing with the gorillas at the Smithsonian Zoo

Grandma cozies up with "Buzz"

Hanging out in the basement

Pretty in pink, ladies!

Posing with Abraham Lincoln

Before I begin this post, I must mention that a visit from Grandma requires therapy afterwards. Rhiannon was so sad the day Grandma left that she asked her teacher if she could talk to the counselor. She felt much better after visiting with her. I told Rhiannon that it was great the counselor could help her out, but I reminded her to talk to me and Daddy, too!!! We saw some amazing things while Grandma was here, including several memorials and monuments in D.C. and the Smithsonian National Zoo. Grandma rode the Metro into DC one day and saw as much as she possibly could on her own, too. We also loved the simple things, like watching movies, walking to school, going to a bookstore, getting ice cream, and eating dinner with her. She is greatly missed! Many thanks to Grandpa Rod for letting her stay for so long!

Please see more pictures from her wonderful visit at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jvrwfotos

Haircut Dialogue

Wow, look at those brown eyes--lady killers!

"Hairy Man"

The following is a fair reenactment of Wade's buzz cut today. Superheroes saved the day, again!

Big Clippers: Hello, my name is Stinky Man. I'm going to give you a haircut today.
Wade: OK!
(haircut ensues)
Big Clippers, aka Stinky Man: Wow, I've never known a little boy to sit so still before!
Wade: Yeah, Stinky Man.
Stinky Man: Oh, my, there is hair everywhere on you. I think you should be Hairy Man!
Hairy Man, aka Wade: OK!!!
Mom: Hairy Man, I'm going to get Lady out now (the scissors). Be really still, ok?
Hairy Man: OK, but please don't cut me.
(Lady begins her work)
Hairy Man: OUCH!
Mom: I'm sorry, Hairy Man. Just a moment, while I go give Lady a talking to.
(Mom takes Lady to a corner and gives her a talking to.)
Lady: I'm sorry, I won't hurt you again, Hairy Man.
(Lady finishes her job quickly.)
Hairy Man: Hey, Hairy Man has hair on his belly button, too!
(Mom brings out little clipper.)
Little Clipper: Hello! I'm Little Stinky Man. I'll be quick, okay!
etc, etc, etc.



Hairy Man got a successful buzz cut in under 10 minutes--a miracle! AND he insisted on helping with clean-up!!!

Stay tuned for scenes from Grandma Deb's fantastic 9-day visit...