Top 10 Things We Like To Do At Halloween

This week's top ten is in honor of Halloween which is at the end of this week. We have done some great activities over the years during Halloween time and we thought we would share a few of our favorites since we have been a family.

1. Dressing Up as a Family - The last several years we have dressed up as a theme as a family. We have been Renaissance royalty, 70's hippies, Indians, Cowboys, and this year we are Greek Gods and Goddesses.
2. Ward Trunk or Treating - This has been a fun tradition no matter where we have lived. It is great fun to see how creating each person in the ward can be.
3. Chili and Cornbread - Scott loves chili and cornbread. He would eat it every week if he could.
4. Decorating and Crafts - The girls really love it when Scott decorates the outside of our house. We have a witch on our door that they especially love because it looks like she smashed into it. Crafts are a given in the DeGooyer house no matter what the occasion. The girls really enjoy them and Sundy is very creative.
5. Pumpkin Carving - Sundy and Scott first did this with Zane and Tara and then started doing it with the girls. We have had some real cool ones, including a NY Jets one!
6. Schnepf Farms - This is a farm here in Queen Creek that has rides and farm animals and food and corn fields. We have gone the last few years and it has always been a blast!
7. Sundy’s Candy Jars - Sundy made up some candy jars to put out as decoration. They have fun names on them like Cyclops Blood, Frog Eyes, Scarab Beetles, Spider Legs, and Blast-Ended Screwt Venom. These have been a hit with everyone.
8. Lots of Candy - Isn't this what Halloween is all about? We always have a ton of candy left over and usually wind up throwing some away.
9. Trick or Treating as a Neighborhood - In Las Vegas we had a wonderful neighborhood that did a ton of things together. One of them was to go trick or treating around the extended neighborhood. We sure do miss those days.
10. Celebrating with Matt and Lori - Halloween wouldn't be Halloween without the Haskin family. We have had so much fun celebrating with them over the years.

Top 10 Dogs

This week's top ten is in honor of Adopt-a-dog Month, which is October. So if you do not have a dog, you should look into getting one. They are wonderful pets after they are house trained. Sundy grew up with dogs her whole life, thanks to her brother Zane. He used to breed them.

1. Mutt - Kamelot’s a mutt! He’s a mix between a Pekingese and Lhasa apso. He is the best dog ever. Scott's dog growing up, Christy, was a mutt too.
2. Westie - Scott likes these dogs but trying to keep them looking white would be a pain.
3. Carne Terrier - Toto is one and they are so cute.
4. Yorkshire Terrier - Kevin and Kelly have Max, who is so fun to play with. Sundy always wanted one.
5. German Shepherds - These dogs are a lot of help with the police and the blind. Our friend Robbin has one name Levi. He is great.
6. Alaskan Malamute - Scott always wanted one of these.
7. Sheltie - Shell was Zane's dog growing up. She used to use Sundy's bedroom as an indoor bathroom.
8. Scottie - These dogs have a great name.
9. Husky - Another favorite of Scott's.
10. Golden Retriever - Sundy thinks they are gorgeous even if they are big.

Kiara's Birthday Cake

It is tradition for Scott to make the girls a cake for their birthday. This year Kiara decided she wanted a witches hat. As always Scott did a great job and it tasted delicious also. We took it over and shared it with our goods friends, the Haskins.

Top 10 Pet Peeves

This week's top ten has to do with things that annoy us, in honor of National Pet Peeves week, which is this week. We all have them whether we like to admit it or not. Warning this post is rated PG instead of G because of #8.

1. Computers that won’t cooperate or are too slow – we might have to purchase a new computer soon. :o(
2. “Hot Spots” – “Hot Spots” are those places in our homes that seem to collect junk. It’s hard to keep them clean and once they are clean, they get cluttered again quickly.
3. Not being in control – Sundy doesn’t relinquish control of the remote control.
4. Not picking up after self – Sometimes Sundy will lay a food wrapper on the countertop instead of throwing it away, because it is so funny to watch Scott (who can’t stand things not “put away”) literally pick it up ten seconds later to throw it in the trash. She laughs ever time!
5. Being late – We try never to be late. Sundy hates it when she is late or someone else is late. It is definitely one of her pet peeves….
6. Not flushing the toilet - why do kids have problems remembering this?!
7. People who won’t listen and try new music – Our whole family has a rule that all music is good, unless the lyrics are bad or it invites an evil spirit into our home. So we listen to all styles of music, country, rock, classical and musicals!
8. Being goosed on the stairs – Don’t try this at home. It sometimes results in wetting your pants!
9. Leaving lights on when not in use – Scott also likes to walk around and follow all of us as we move from room to room to turn off lights. He is definitely the Light Nazi.
10. Bad drivers – They suck!

Top 10 Talks We Liked From General Conference

This week's top ten is attributed to General Conference last weekend. We thoroughly enjoyed all sessions and there was a lot of good counsel and advice. Here are a few of the talks that really impressed us. They are not in any specific order of importance!

1. Elder Scott – We loved his talk about Spiritual Communication. We both felt we could always use more personal inspiration!
2. President Uchtdorf – LOVE is definitely a trait we need to have to be true disciples of Christ!
3. Elder Bednar – It’s always important to be “more diligent and concerned at home!”
4. Elder Watson – We both want to study TEMPERENCE because of this talk!
5. President Eyring – “I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus” is definitely one of our favorite children’s songs… and the message of continuing to improve is timeless.
6. Bishop Burton – All virtues are something we are admonished to emulate. But we loved how he described the “ITY” Virtues. (Especially Integrity!)
7. Elder Holland – He truly testified of the divinity and truth of the Book of Mormon. He was bold in his testimony as we should be!
8. Elder Renlund – His analogy of the ultimate operation is a spiritual operation being a mighty change of heart really hit home for us!
9. Elder Christofferson – Moral discipline is something we have felt strongly about in teaching our beautiful daughters! We loved his admonishment to “Not be neutral about the gospel – educate our children!”
10. President Monson – Our beloved prophet, spoke about service! The question “What did you do for someone today?” should guide our lives.

Top 10 Things That Make Us Smile

This week's top ten was inspired by World Smile Day. World Smile Day this year is on October 2nd. It always falls on the first Friday in October. It was started in 1999 by Harvey Ball, who created the smiley face that we all know and love. He thought that all of us should devote one day each year to smiles and kind acts throughout the world. I hope that we do that whenever we see the opportunity but it doesn't hurt to have a day each year dedicated to trying to make people SMILE. Here are some things that really make us smile.

1. Babies Laugh – Doesn’t everyone smile when they hear a child giggle?
2. Chocolate – Give me chocolate, and no one gets hurt.
3. Feel Good Movies – Newsies, Ever After, Glass Bottom Boat, and Liken the Scriptures come to mind.
4. Cuddles From Katia – Katia is such a cuddle-bug. And we love snuggling with her.
5. Kiara Dancing and Joking – Kiara makes us laugh with her “cool” dance moves and silly jokes! We love her great, big grin!
6. Playing Games – Our favorites are Skip-bo, Hand and Foot, Yahtzee and Say-Go.
7. Watching Glenn Beck – We don’t get to watch Glenn Beck very often. He is on a channel we don’t get… but we really do enjoy learning about the world from someone who is as wise (and entertaining) as Glenn.
8. Serving Others – Scott LOVES service! And he practices what he preaches! He’s taught his family how to serve others as well. We all enjoy cleaning the church on Saturdays and helping others when they are in need.
9. Christmas Music – Christmas music begins in August in our home. It would begin sooner, but Scott put his foot down… no Christmas music in June and July! J
10. Spending Time With Family – This has to be our number one thing that makes us smile! We love spending time with our extended families! Both the McCallisters and the DeGooyers ROCK!

Remember, to do an act of kindness and help one person smile this Friday!

Sundy's Anthem Honor Choir

This year Sundy has been really enjoying her choir class. Everyone in there loves to sing and wants to be there. They have already had a couple of different performances. They performed the Star Spangled Banner for a school flag ceremony on September 11th in memory of that day. They also had their Fall Concert. Here is a Smilebox of some photos taken and a few clips of how awesome they sound. What a great bunch of kids. Scott also designed the logo for the choir that is on the front page and on their polo shirts. Enjoy!

Make a Smilebox photobook

Kiara's First Concert of the Year

A few weeks ago Kiara had her first orchestra concert of the new year. She has loved the violin since she was three years old and has been doing a great job the last two years in orchestra. She got a new teacher this year and enjoys him. The following Smilebox is a few clips of the concert. They mostly did exercises and we look forward to the next concert in a few months.

Make a Smilebox slideshow