Fall Break Fun

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Ok I keep having issues with Slide.com. When I go to copy and paste my slide show it says that there is some error and then it wont post it how I want it. Any suggestions? I usually am trying to get caught up and it is late and I am too tired to work on it. Anyhow, if you click on view all images and them I think that it is original format then you will see what it should be. Please do so I dont feel like I wasted all this time!!!!

We did have agreat Fall Break. The weather here has been incredible. I dont remember ever having such a beautiful fall. we enjoyed the park, frisbee golf, having friends over, going to the rec center to swim, bike rides and also heading to the big city to the Mint!

We have been wanting to do that for a long time and finally did. It was very interesting. We learned that they were just barely working on the new Hawaii quarter and that the nickels will change soon so that the backs have four different pictures of where Abraham Lincoln lived to commemorate his 200th birthday year. They are also making presidential dollar coins. I will have to ask the kids what else they remember.

We took pictures around the area by the City and County bldg, the Library (does anyone know the story behind the giand horse on the giant chair?) and the State Capital bldg. It was a great day even though I hate driving in all of those one way streets. We also made it down to visit Todds parents and went ice skating down there. Todd took that Friday off - which he desperately needed.

Christen's new specs

For a little while now we have wondered if Christen needed glasses. We took her in during Fall break and sure enough. . . Actually, what he explained that she really needs is some eye therapy. Something about when she is studying up close for a long time and than as she looks up to see the board, for example, her eyes wont focus soon enough to see distance. Her muscles are strong but they dont expand and contract fast enough looking down and then up quickly.

As it turns out vision insurance usually does not cover eye therapy whach is quite expensive. It also turns out that Todd had the same problem as a child and his parents did exercises at home with him and then he ended up not needing glasses anymore. We are guessing that is what will happen. Until then the glasses are a quick fix so that she wont strain as much when she reads. When we picked them out and she got them fitted I almost fell over when I realized that they are essentially trifocals - but they call them graduated lenses. Anyhow, we need to google the eye exercises. We figures we could attach a baseball to a string for her to track cheaper than the other. I am sure there is more to it than that which we will need to check.

Anyhow, she loves tham and loves the butterflies on the sides. I am trying to make sure she undetrstands that they are not a toy!! We will see. The are fairly kid friendly

Sunset

We happened to be out and saw a beautiful evening right before us.

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!!