It was a THRILL---Halloween 2008

Our Stokes Halloween party is one of our biggest. The memories we have created from these get togethers have been priceless. Of course, for me memories are created by the ones you share the moment with. Whether good or bad, difficult or a breeze the ones with you make the moments.

Grandma Stokes hanging out on the stairs. Look what you started.

Dawnell giving one of her amazing smiles. Thanks for a great party!

Rebbecca and Crystal after consuming a powdered doughnut.

Johnny making things a little more entertaining.

Grandpa watching a rip roaring game of Where is Spooky. Love the look.

April looking forward to her date.

You heard of men in black? Well these men in red rock. (James and Caleb)

Tanner you look a marvelous....simply marvelous!

Let the Games Began

The action between these three was intense.
John only had eyes for the balloon.

Dawnell concentrating on not letting the eyeball drop.

Gettin Giggy wit it.

Where is spooky? A'leese and Caleb are finding out.

The boys seem to have the right idea.

Building a spider web was great.

Wrapping it up on Dawnell....Priceless.

Making Pizza

LA... LA-LA-LA... LA-LA-LA!!!! Funny thing is that's what we were singin'
Creating pizzas in a kitchen with lots of other people, how cool is that?
I love it when I catch them working together. Nicely.

As the masterpieces kept coming...

Dawnell kept us in line. Thank heavens we had a leader in all this.

Of Course, Brittney and my pizza was the best, right Brit?

Powder

Sweet yummy powder. There isn't a funner way to eat a powdered doughnut than on a string...right Crystal?
See look how much fun Josh and Ben is having!
Your suppose to eat it Steph

Sara you CHEATER!!!! You're still "Sunshine Rainbow" to me.

Now that's what I call a group effort!

ORANGE CONES

I bet you always wonder what happens to orange cones when they retire from the pesky calling of making the voyage to your destination a nightmare....well they become one of your daughters Nemesis' tools. This is what A'leese woke up to thanks to Jon. Gotta love it!!!! What in the world would we do if mature adults roamed the streets at night. Thank heavens we have the police to keep us safe from these hoodlums.

I Tag You

I am- Unique, Loud, Happy, Original, Irreplaceable, The oldest, A black sheep, A Best Friend, A Daughter, A Great Mother, Very loyal, Karrie.
I know- God loves me! That I am important in the eternal scheme of things and that I need to know a whole lot more......
I want- to be out of debt.
I dislike- being heavy.
I miss- The Ocean, feeling free, moving without pain.
I feel- There is a huge change coming for our country.
I hear- The still small voice when I listen.
I smell- Autumn in the air.
I crave- laughter.
I cry- when I think I can't be all that I need to be for those who depend on me.
I search- For a deeper understanding as to my purpose in Gods plan, For the answers to those things that would make my children healthy and happy, For true friends who will stand with me in hard times as well as good.
I wonder- How this world will be when I am 100 years old.
I regret- My feelings of inadequacy, how I look down on myself when I shouldn't.
I love- John. No one has ever helped me feel as whole. . . . everyday of my life!
I care- way to much about being "perfect".
I worry- about money.
I remember-How wonderful being on family outings felt. No matter what we did my mom and dad made it amazing.
I believe- This life is just a moment. That we will be together forever....all of us.
I dance- With my children!!!!!
I don't- like being alone for long periods at a time.
I argue- much to often.
I write- and it makes me feel free.
I win- when I feel peace in my life.
I lose- when I am fighting with John....even when I am right.
I wish- there was a lot less hate in the world and a lot more understanding.
I listen- to the voice that tells me, "I'm not worth much" way to often
I am Scared- of losing someone.
I need- to be a part of a family.
I forget- EVERYTHING! have you met me?
I am Happy- When the people around me know how much I love and appreciate them (co-dependent too)
I tag YOU!

Pickin' out Pumpkins

Karolyn finding one out of three of her pumpkins. . . . . . She can never make up her mind!
A'leese and Natalie finding squid squashes. Notice they are opposite?

One up one down. I am sooo glad they have a fantastic relationship.

Man, can my smile get any dorkier?
Johnny and A'leese after she chased him all over and kicked his butt.... I made them play nice. Isn't that cute?
Pumpkin head one, pumpkin head two
Of course, John finds a pumpkin that looks like a butt and is proud of it. BOYS!
K'Lee and her prize pumpkin.

Grandpa is cleaning his pumpkin with his finger nail so it won't make a mess in the car. Pumpkin hunting is a great tradition, most of the time we look for the ugliest or most unusual pumpkins. It is fun.

The Corn Maze

The corn maze was a fun family outing. Grandpa got a little "Corney" sticking corn in every pocket and pouch he had. John, Grandma, and Grandpa had never been in a corn maze. It was an adventure finding our way through it. I think we would still be there if Natalie and A'leese hadn't caught up with us and showed us the way out. Even then it took us 50 minutes from start to finish to escape.
At one point in time Johnny hid in the corn....K'Lee warned grandma and me about his little trick but we got talking and didn't even pay attention until he leaped out and scared us. Grandma almost fell over....It was hysterical!

Building Halloween memories

John or Jack which one has the biggest grin? Halloween is fun...this was our first time decorating for a holiday in our new house. We had fun.

K'Lee could figure out which costume to try on so she just tried them all.....
I'm not afraid of spiders. I am more afraid of the orange balloon coming at me from behind.
Natalie....Natalie....Natalie. What more do I need to say?
A'leese decided she wants to attend a masquerade ball. I think they would recognize her any way.
" One eyed one horned flying purple people eater"-Johnny in one of my favorite costumes. He comes up with the most unique costumes, from a grasshopper, to a fossil, to this one. Halloween is a great time to make memories.