Downtown

Sometimes I want to feel brave with 8 kids.  We often just stay home and do things around the house because that is what is easiest.  Home is our safe space.  The kids can be as noisy and as crazy as they want to be.  They also already know the rules and expectations at home.  But every so often it is nice to get out and explore the world all together.  It takes extra time and planning to make it happen, but we are often pleasantly surprised that things can go well when we leave the house. haha!

On November 9th the weather was beautiful and it was one of our last calm weekends before the holiday busyness.  We decided to go on a family adventure to Downtown Salt Lake city.  I already knew that we were not going to brave the crowds to see the lights in December, but I thought it might be fun to see the temple and walk around. 

We ended up driving down to the area where traxs is free.  We rode the train to temple square and then we went in the Church History Museum. 

They don't have their fun kids area like they used to, but we walked around and saw the displays about the prophets.  After the museum we went to City Creek and ate dinner.  Thankfully City Creek has an awesome kids play area that helped the kids get their wiggles out.  After City Creek we rode traxs back to our car. 

Simple and fun! 

Random Fall Fun

Here are a few random photos from this fall that didn't make it into other posts.  These kids like to do some funny things...

One night we talked daddy into helping us carve some pumpkins.  It was a pretty big task to carve 6 pumpkins.  But he was so nice and the kids were thrilled!  

Big Sis is currently in dance and her class put on a little Halloween recital.  What fun it was to watch her perform and she did SO well!  Way to go Big Sis! 

Halloween 2019

We considered doing a family theme this year.  But after discussing it for a month or so we just decided to let everyone pick out their own costumes.  A theme with 8 kids and each one having ideas about what they wanted to be felt too complicated.  Halloween ended up being great so I am glad we let everyone choose their own costumes. 

Without further delay, here is our 2019 Halloween line-up...
Addie: Egyptian Princess
Jensen: Skeleton
Declin: Cat noir (He is a cat super hero from a Netflix TV series)
Big Sis: Ladybug Girl (also from the Netflix TV series)
Mr. J: Batman
Nola: Bat Girl
Little A: Super Girl
Rockwell: Superman

I loved our little super hero teams as well as Jensen and Addie's costumes.  McKay and I were Vampires for a party and then skipped dressing up on Halloween night since we were busy helping kids. 

Halloween night ended up being fairly cold, but the kids were troopers and loved going door to door for candy.  The babies stayed home with dad to pass out candy and I took the older 6 around to all the houses. 

Oh Halloween you are so fun!  The kids had a great time all month of October planning their costumes, going to Halloween parties, and anticipating the big night. 

 

Cannon Family Halloween Party

This party is quickly becoming one of our favorite traditions of the year.  My kids love dressing up and Grandma and Grandpa throw the best kid Halloween party.  The party has evolved over the last few years, but this year's party was a success and I say we have it figured out. 

We started the evening off with decorating sugar cookies.  You may think you have the best sugar cookie recipe, but my mom's is truly the best.  They are so good!  After eating a few cookies we played a few games.  Each of my sisters and I planned an activity.  There was a cake walk, a Halloween costume fashion show, donut on a string, and a ghost craft.

After the activities we had soup and bread bowls, which is a Halloween tradition from when I was growing up. 

This year was also fairly significant because it was the first year my mom has ever dressed up for Halloween.  EVER!  I think this just goes to show how much she loves her grandkids.  haha!  This was also the first time I have ever dressed up for Halloween since being married.  But that is only 10 years not quite as long as my mom's streak. 

And here is our one and only family picture from Halloween.  We look pretty cool and it only took us 2 hrs. to get all of those kids dressed up.