Vacuum woes

On Saturday Todd was gone with Christen visiting his parents. The boys and I had some "bonding" time working around the house and cleaning. I was vacuuming up in Christen's room when all of the sudden the vacuum made a horrible noise and stared smoking. It was not a good thing. I have repaired this vacuum many times, changing the belt, cleaning it out etc. No big deal. I thought this would be a great time to teach my sons how to do this very thing. We worked on it for quite a while and then I realized that a part of it that holds the roller thing had actually melted off (thus the smoke and bad smell) I realized that there was no way to fix it. I was so frustrated! The funny thing was when both my boys said at the same time, "Oh Mom! you need some chocolate! That will make you feel better!!" Then they got some from their ward Halloween trunk or treat stash to give me.

I love my boys!! Now if they can remember the importance of chocolate for their wives when they get married, besides knowing how to change the vacuum belt! BTW Todd has done both for me - surprised me with chocolate and occasionally changed the belt when he is around. What a good man!!

A few laughs

Brandon to his friend Christian: You have moved around alot. How many houses have you lived in?

Christian: I lived in 6 houses.

Brandon: I lived in 2 apartments and 2 houses.

Christen: I lived in 2 houses

Trevor (singing) : I lived in heaven a long time ago, it is true!

And we only thought that he never listened in Primary!!


Just now at the dinner table --

Todd: Turn off the TV for dinner. (We usually have dinner much earlier but Todd was home teaching)

Lisa: But it is the Amazing Race (my favorite show) and they are in Auckland New Zealand!

Todd: Look of suprise that we would watch the show during his wonderfully made Sunday Pot Roast.

Lisa: Hey! We dont have Dish or TiVo or anything anymore!!

Todd: Well, we have eachother!

Lisa: grimacing and still watching the show -yeah we do.

Trevor: I am going to New Zealand on my mission.

Lisa: Good! -- you can visit my friends there and then we can pick you up afterwards!

Brandon: I will go where the Lord wants me to go.

Lisa: Even to Japan? (this is our running joke because he HATES eating fish.)

Brandon. Yes! The Lord will bless me with gift of tongues so that I can eat the fish!

Brandon Plays with the Big Boys

This past Friday Brandon and his middle school band got the chance to practice and play with
the High School band before and during a football game. He had such a great time. Trevor and Christen and I were able to watch him. I was so excited to take some great pictures of him and then I realized there was no battery in my camera. I was so frustrated! I thought about going home to get it but didnt. I met one of the other band moms and she let me take a few pics. The only problem was that I jiggled somehow and they didnt come out too great. UHG! She didnt have the viewbox thing on (So I went for the special effects for this one)

Anyhow, he was so excited. They got to practice marching on the field and then had sectionals with them and ate dinner. Then they all played in the pep band. His trombone was a novelty because they dont march with trombones at this school. He was able to try out a baratone which is what he will play just for marching and some of the kids played his trombone. (with their own mouthpieces) I guess they march in a tight formation and the trombones are too dangerous -- slides flailing around hitting people. He will still play his trombone for concert band and jazz band.

Then at half time the middle school went out to the field with the HS band and all played the fight song. It was fun to watch. Too bad I dont have a little video clip to share. The Huskies won which was exciting and we had a great night. I havent been to a HS football game in say 20 years! I think we have a lot in our future though!!

Story of the Lost Key

On Sunday I noticed that the spare key that I have on my ring for Todd's car looked like it was going to fall off. Several times I thought to myself- go get some duct tape or something to fix the ring. I ignored the thoughts and went on with the day. The key had broken and had some material covering to keep it together. (see picture) The ring was small and not so strong.

I had picked up my friend Olivia to go to the Stk Center for a ward Primary Program. We met our Presidency and the program was great. Afterward, when we were about to get in the car I looked on my key ring and the blue key was not there! I dug through my purse and then told Olivia that I had to go back inside to look. She stared looking through my purse - which was ok because I know her pretty well - but I said dont let Melanie look!(our president was waiting to see if we found it) I was already embarrassed enough. As I looked in my purse I noticed some of those crazy fake glasses with the moustache and big nose attached. They were Trevor's. Of all the crazy things to find in my purse! She pulled them out and showed them to Melanie and they were both laughing. Only a mom would have crazy plastic glasses along with a wallet, coupons, hair things, gum, makeup, tissues and a few personals, etc etc. I was so embarrassed!!

Then we all inside looking and Melanie found it on the floor in the foyer. I sheepishly said thanks and we were on our way. I tried to explain why the key even looked like that - It would be $75 to replace the key. Anyhow, we all had a good laugh.

Then I went home and duct taped the ring together like I should have in the first place!!

Christen the Chef

Christen's version

Cookbook version

The other day Christen wanted to make a dessert all by herself. Usually, I have to help her but she found a no bake recipe from a fun kids cookbook. We got all of the stuff and she went for it. It turned out great - and very fun and seasonal. We were proud of her and she was proud of herself!!


Graveyard Pudding Dessert


31/2 cups cold milk
2 pkgs chocolate instant pudding.
1 tub cool whip 12 oz
1 pkg crushed oreos.
decorations - candy corn, and pumpkins, assorted rectangle shaped cookies, decorator icing.


Make the pudding and then mix the cool whip in. gently stir n 1/2 of the crushed cookies. spoon into 9x13 pan and sprinkle with the rest of the crushed cookies. Decorate with candy corn, pumpkins and cookies. Refrigerate for an hour. 15 servings

Yummy!

Saying goodbye

It was a sad Friday afternoon as we said goodbye to some of the very best friends we have ever had. Our friends Mark and Lori and kids packed up and left for back east. It just wont be the same without them and seeing their green van around town or meeting up to play or do scouts or go out, Christmas eve play, or have lunch or so many other things. I helped Lori start a blog so those of you interested can check my links. We had them over for dinner Thursday and the kds played Friday. Miss you already! Keep in touch! Brandon was SO SAD today when he was the only Deacon on the bench ready to pass. The other boys came late and there was no Andrew. He was teary eyed and it was really pathetic - poor kid. Finally, Todd got some men to help.

Love the Fall

Our neighborhood was looking so pretty this weekend. We have to enjoy it now because it could start snowing anytime. I hope that we can hold on to it just a little longer!!

New Hair

So, my hair has been driving me nuts for awhile now and my friend Cristen from my ward cut it the other day and gave me layers. I LOVE it! Why didnt I do this earlier?! And my perm is working much better now!! It's a great hair day! Thanks Cristin!

Hard things

Some things in life are just hard to understand. I am so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ which keeps things in perspective.

Conference

I love it. The older I get the more I appreciate General Conference. I have always listened or watched but now it seems like I am making it more personal to me and my family. You know when people say." Oh that talk was meant just for me. . ." There seemed to be alot of those this weekend. It also helps that my kids will either sit for awhile and listen while they are doing a little project or they know to not bug me if they havre had enough. I love that Todd and Brandon go to the Priesthood session together. Brandon is all about the ice cream afterward too!

Sunday morning we went over to Mark and Lori's with a buinch of people to have a pot luck brunch and watch Conference. They are moving on Saturday and my family and I are SO SAD!! We are happy for them to have the experience of living back east. We will definately be visiting and finally get to see Todd's brother and wife too. We will have to plan it out. Anyhow, we had a nice time - and it was nice for us because we just watch on the internet --which we are greatful for - dont get me wrong. I remember when I lived in Australia we had to wake up at like 2 AM and go down to our little chapel. There was no Tivo or recordings bake then. Wow, how things have changed!!

I love the church website too - http://www.lds.org/ . I was looking up some scriptures and studying some talks for a workshop that we are doing in November and it made it so easy. It has also helped thatr our friend Travis came over and fixed our computer to go MUCH FASTER than it was both for email and internet. IT people are so smart!!