Halloween

Brennan doesn't like things on his head or anything out of the normal clothes, so this is what we came up with for a costume this year ...

SURFER BOY

He wouldn't give a good shot of both him and his board!

He was not being very cooperative with pictures because there were too many other things and costumes to watch. We went to a little party here in TVA where there was a costume contest and cookie decorating. Later that night (Saturday) we joined some friends for more treats and hanging out.

They had sparklers left over from 4th of July and Brennan wanted to join in the fun. Taylor gave him his own and he did great until the second one when he got a little to curious as to what was on the end of the stick. He gabbed the fire with his left hand!!!!!!!!!!! He took his hand off and dropped it, to discover this middle finger was black. Still no sound of pain!!!!!! He then looked and Taylor and showed him and then ran over to me to show me. It was dark and he wasn't complaining so I thought maybe it was just ash. We went to wash it off and underneath the black was a nice burn. That night it because a nice blister that took up his entire finger (top to bottom)! At church during Nursery it popped so we cut the skin off when we got home and that is when he cried! Taylor thinks its because we took his toy away (a flap of skin). He hates band-aids so we have to tape them on which makes him mad because he can't bend his finger. Funny Little Boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Open House

Over the past (almost) 24 months they have been renovating the Laie Hawaii Temple (which is a block from our apartment). In doing so they have an Open House allowing anyone interested to visit to enter and walk through to understand more of what happens there. Since we live so close they have asked for volunteers to help clean and host guests who come. I have had the opportunity to serve cookies, welcome guests with a 12 min video on the history and importance of temples, assist those in wheelchairs or those who aren't able to walk 102 steps as their tour guide, as well as clean. Taylor cleaned with me and did security last Saturday (he has been the Brennan watcher to allow me the chance to get out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). The people that we have been able to talk to about their experience have been delightful! One lady told me how she heard about the event and it warmed my heart : ) Her sister who lives on Maui flew in for a few days and told her she wanted her to attend and Open House with her. This lady was a bit taken back because all these years she didn't know here sister had a house over here on Oahu ; ) What she didn't understand was the fact that is wasn't the type of house she was thinking. As she walked up to the temple it made more sense to her. She proceeded to tell me that as she walked through and talked with people it was obvious to here that THIS (the temple) was her sister's extended family and home and she never knew what she had been missing out on!

I wish I could have more time to serve there but since I am due on the 19th they told me they didn't want me to be on my feet that long : ( I am extremely grateful I at least had the few hours I did because it was an experience not many get to have.

After the Open House is done on the 13th they will close it for a time to do a super clean after all the thousands have walked through and then it will be dedicated by the Prophet and President of the Church Thomas S. Monson on the 21st. After that point only worthy members of the church will be allowed to enter and perform the ordinances for themselves or for those who have past on.

Bounce

About a month ago, the married housing (TVA) here on campus where we live, had a Family Day. There was anything from clowns, to games, to food, to water activities, to bouncy houses ...
Needless to say Brennan had his first bouncy house experience and this is how it went for him : )