Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a great Thanksgiving. We all slept in and then got ready to go to Todd's parents house for dinner. Ahh the food!! It was a great day! One funny thing was that we were all ready to eat practically and we realized that we forgot the mashed potatoes!! We couldnt do without of course so we waited as Todd whipped up his specialty. It was worth the wait!!

We are so grateful for SO MANY things. If you are reading this you have touched our lives in some way and we are thankful for you, and great friends and family, the gospel, our home, a stable job, and much more.

The kids were invited to spend the night at Grandma and Grandpa's house. They like to help decorate for Christmas with grandparents. It is a fun tradition. As Todd and I were driving home it was snowing lightly. It was very festive. I had decided to brave the crowds today to get a few items on that we wanted for Christmas. I dont do Black Friday each year - only when I think I will be worth it for what is on the list. Sometimes I have actually sent Todd early before work. Anyhow, I invited my neighbor and friend Denise to come with me. It was fun. First Kohls, then Walmart (entirely crazy there) Michaels and Target. Then Sonic for drive through breakfast. We left around 4 AM and were home by 8 AM I think. I got alot accomplished so I was happy about that.

After I took a nap and read Breaking Dawn -3/4th finished. Todd worked today and it was a nice quiet day alone. I should do some laundry I guess. I did groom the dogs . They look so much better!

Later --Todd's brother Glenn came through town Saturday for business and we were able to see him for awhile. It was fun!

Starlighting Slidehow

STARLIGHTING 2008

We had a great evening last night at the annual STARLIGHTING. We met up with our friends and neighbors Dave and Denise. They had never been so we had to share the fun. After Todd played at the bandstand we took the trolley to the festivities where we walked around and got all of the free cookies, candy, hot chocolate and cider. We love visiting all of the different church booths. One church does a live nativity with real animals and it was also fun to see our missionaries caroling. The kids also got fre glowsticks and pens.

OK - we really love the freebes!!

The crowds gathered we were reminded once again why we love living here. We have such a great community. We sang carols and then Santa came to turn the switch for the star. The weather was great and the evening part of our special family tradition to start off the holidays. There were fireworks after and then our friends came over to our house for nachos and dessert.

Turn down my music below to watch and hear videos.

TWILIGHT

I went this morning with my friend Leslie to the morning showing of Twilight. There was a line up of ladies I knew and some I didnt know 1 hour before! It wasnt sold out - but it was fuller than usual AM movies. I know alot who went last night but I didnt think I could stay up and now that I can go to movies during the day with my kids in school -it is GREAT!!

Anyhow, I really enjoyed the move. I think that there was too much hype about it but most of it was good. I wouldnt say excellent -- of course there was a lot left out --some of it good to leave out for the tween crowd. Definately liked the book better - but worth seeing. What did you all think?

Let the Holidays Begin!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Let the Holidays Begin!!

We did this last year and it is too funny to not do again! -This time disco style. You will want to scroll down to my music and pause it so that you can hear the disco. Enjoy! We love you all.

Our Odie Dog

Our dogs like many LOVE their WALKS!! We cant even say the word or they go nuts. Sometimes we spell or sometimes we say camino - walk in Spanish. We really do need to train them better but when we get the leashed Odie is so funny! He always grabs at Misty's leash and takes Misty for a walk. It is pretty funny.

Poor Trevor

Today I substituted for Trevor's class. The kids all know me well enough and I have their respect. It was really fun - other than the fact that I had to take Trevor home before lunch even because he got sick! I actually just got him settled and went back to the school. I knew that he would just sleep anyway which is what he did. During the day I kept calling him and then finally I felt like I should get him into the dr. We thought it may be a migrane but then when I called in they said that it may be strep. Well - sure enough it was strep thoat and his fever had spiked. Anyhow, now he is on Amoxicilian and doing better. He and I will hang out tomorrow - although I may exercise because Friday I will miss. I am going to the 10:30 showing of Twilight with my friend Leslie. Anyone want to come? I am not up for the midnight showing. Sorry!!

Todd - the man of the hour

Sunday Todd was ordained a High Priest by his father. It was very exciting and special for him to have his parents there. Todd has and shows such deep respect and love for both his father and mother. I couldnt ask for better in laws!! Todd has been in the HP group leadership as a secretary - but has still been an Elder -which apparently is acceptable.

There were several changes in the ward and stake last week -one being that one of the assistants is now a High Councellor so we thought that Todd may be an assistant and thus be ordained as a HP. However, there were other plans I guess and he was just called yesterday as second Counsellor in the Young Mens presidency. We weren't super shocked becuse he has been very involved with those boys ever since cubs. He will love it. The funny thing that Brandon said was " Hey Dad, since I am the Deacons Quorum President and you are the Advisor over Deacons does that make me your boss?"

And then I quickly said, "no, I am still the boss!!" Todd just grinned knowingly!! I love that man!!

Time and Effort Well Worth It!!

Things have been so crazy here for awhile! I have been helping to prepare for our Stake Activity Day Girls Conference, which was today. It went so well! We were all very pleased. It never ceases to amaze me how much time and preparation and prayer goes into events like this --and then suddenly it is over. It is all so worth it of course - and - "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear" has been my motto. I actually was a few days ahead of myself so I wasnt really a stressed out basket case like I am usually. I think that Todd and the kids appreciated this too!! He has been such a great support during all of this!

My workshop was on the Birth of Christ. It was a great excuse to get some of the Christmas decorations out early to use - like my nativity from my Israel Study Abroad (Ok I just realized that that was about 20 years ago -I really AM old!!) and the manger that we put straw in to make a soft bed for Jesus everytime someone does something nice for them the recipient puts in a piece of straw. I also shared the story of the White Envelope. http://www.heartlight.org/articles/199912/19991225_envelope.html This is a great tradition that my brother Ralph has done with his family and shared with us last year.

I also never realized what an incredible resourse http://www.lds.org/ is! I have used it somewhat to get primary lessons and such, but REALLY -it is amazing! Use it for anytime you need to prepare something in a gospel setting.

Anyhow, when I got how I was exhausted. I ate soft taco Todd had gotten at Taco Bell and I took a great NAP!! The alarm went off and I was confused - wondering what time it was and if I was late for something! My feet hurt so I soaked them in the tub and used my foot care kit to pamper myself a little. Then I called my friend Lori - who I MISS SO MUCH! I love those free minutes on the weekends! I should call more of you more often.

I think it is a pancake for dinner night tonight - actually -Julie -- we have been doing A LOT of Fluffy Oven pancakes -http://southernfood.about.com/od/pancakesandwaffles/r/bl00804e.htm
lately thanks to your inspiration!! Thank you for a new family favorite!!.

wow - look at all of my links! Check them out. So -- how do you rename the links so it looks better? I guess I will be asking Ann this week!

First snow

This morning as the kids were waiting to get picked up for school it was snowing HARD! They could not resist sledding and snowboarding down the driveway! It actually was a bad storm that moved through very strongly and quickly. It took the kids one hour to get to school when it normally takes 10 minutes!! Crazy. They didnt even count tardies because everyone who was up iliving by us were all stuck in snow traffic. Then just a few hours later it looked like the second picture - bright and beautiful with the roads drying quickly. Amazing! That is why I love it here!!

Brandon's Early Birthday Celebration

Brandon wont officially be a teenager for one more month, but we decided to have his friend party earlier. We only do a friend party every other year and then we dont do one this big very often. :) He had 9 of his friends come over to spend the night. they did pizza , brownies and ice cream, a scavenger hunt around the neighborhood and a movie and gaming.

In the morning they had pancakes and we went to Brandon's long awaited Madagascar 2 movie. It was fun and the kids were very well behaved. I am so glad that he chooses such great friends!! He still gets very sentimental about friends who have moved away - Josh several years ago and Andrew just recently! We missed you! However, he was able to have Calvin come from up north. He and Calvin were very first friends as babies and we still keep in touch. Thanks for letting him come, Andi!

I'm not going to get to overwhelmed at the fact that he is 13 -yet - because I still have a month. I still cant believe it though. Wow. I do love the stage where my kids are now. I think we all enjoy eachother more than we ever have. Its a great life!

Brandon's Middle School Band

Last Wednesday, Brandon had his first big middle school band concert. I say big because even though he actually was in middle scool last year, the band program at his new school far exceeds the old one. We do appreciate what he did learn last year, but this is SO much better!! Anyhow, they had several of the elementary schools join for a 6th grade band performance and then Brandon walked in with his 7th grade band. They sounded great!!

His performance was recorded by his brother --in true Trevor form. The ony reason he recorded it was because I had the bigger videocamera which is still on VHS tapes. If you tend to get dizzy - just listen, dont watch. Then the 8th graders played and then the High school played. Brandon's group got to play the fight song with them like they did at the football game. Brandon was so excited and it was great to have the older kids there to get them excited for marching band!!

(You will want to go down and pause my music at the end of my blog so you can hear the band - if you are brave enough to listen!!)

Backgrounds

I finally figured out how to go on Cutest blogs on the block to change the background! I as pretty proud of myself! Maybe I will try a few more new gadgets!! Keri you inspired me to make the change! Love yours!!

Fall Break Fun

Hey, I got it to work! See same title below Halloween. Thanks for the tip KeriLyn! It was making me crazy.

The Lost and Found tooth

This past Friday I got a message on my phone from Christen. She was at the school office. Here is how it went: "Yeah, mom, uh, I found Brandon's lost tooth in my snack bag (with my cookies) uh, yeah."

CRAZY! -what? How you ask?

Yes - it is true.

Thursday night I was at a stk meeting until very late. As I came in the kids were in bed- thanks Todd- Todd mentioned that Brandon lost one of his last molars. I asked if he had taken care of "things" We still have a special visitor because of our youngest. Apparently, Todd was waiting for me to take care of it. I told him to go ahead because I had to do a few things before bed.

Friday morning was hectic because of the Harvest parties and the typical getting the kids out the door scenario. I quickly made lunches, proud of myself that we actually had fresh baked cookies for a treat.

Yeah -so how did the tooth get into the cookie bag? Well - the tooth fairy must have gotten hungry on the way out and had a cookie, mistakenly dropping the tooth in the jar!! -

OR - the tooth in the sandwich bag (where our family puts it and then under the pillow) got put in the tin foil/baggie drawer instead of "away" after. Todd is saying that he gave it to me, but I dont remember anything - hey it was 11 pm!! Shouldnt the dad take care of those things every once in awhile? Christen was grossed out, but I dont think it will send her to a therapist!

Halloween

This year I told the kids we were not going to buy any costumes. They had plenty to choose from in the basement or swap with whoever. Trevor ended up winning a prize at the trunk or trreat for being the most creative/taking the most time for a costume in his age group. He was a bag of trash! Christen used a furry dog costume that we were given a long time ago but no one has actually used yet, and Brandon did a great job putting together a spy costume with Todd's mission overcoat, a hat from grandpa and silly glasses along with a maginfying glass and note pad. I told Todd he should go as Joe the Plumber but he didnt. We now have tons of candy and I am having a hard time not eating all the good chocolate. Trevor ate so much at the school party that he actually did throw up! I helped out with Chistens class party and it ws really fun. Today as a nice Sunday activity we played poker betting with all the candy. -nice huh?