pumpkin carving

We were a little late this year on the Halloween prep since we were on our trip and also missed the ward trunk or treat. We finally carved pumpkins but now they are buried in the snow outside. Christen wanted to do her own so she did - she ended up with a big hole in the middle. Good thing we had the princess potato head decorations to add. Then she wasnt so upset.

Snow Days! = 3

Three days of Snow Days!

Above is the only picture I managed to take of our tree before our trip.

We have lived here for a long time now. 11 years in the area. Other than one spring break when we were snowed in - the kids were out of school anyway, this has never happened. THREE full snow days for the kids - OUT OF SCHOOL! Amazing. There is 2 ft of snow on our patio table outside. The boys have made an incredible snow fort in the front yard. It seems too dry of a snow to make a good snowman. Lots of hot chocolate, shoveling, indoor games, movies, and baking. As Christen and I were making pumpkin cookies we played a Princess Diaries trivia game together - asking eachother made up questions. She and I didnt do to well when we played Star Wars Trivial Pursuit with the neighbors!

I think that later today we will be able to go out. We will see. It is pretty outside although after our trip I really feel bad that our fall season is so short here. We had all the backpacks all set out last night just sure that the kids would be back and have their Fall/ Halloween parties. Oh well. Tonight Brandon was supposed to play in the band with the High School during the football game. I am assuming that wont happen now.

Our Fall Break to Illinois and Missouri

We had and amazing fall break! We took the kids out of school a few days early before fall break -- mainly because we were DRIVING to Illinois. My brother Doug and his wife Karen live east of Nauvoo about 3 hours. My siblings and mom had planned a siblings reunion there. Doug and Karen were fantastic hosts! It was a VERY long drive to get there but was totally worth it. We were determined to get there in one day - and we did. I learned a valuable lesson in that even though you have a GPS to get you places --ALWAYS take an atlas like the good ol' days!! When you think you know exactly where you are going and turn off the GPS to listen to the MP3 player that it also is - there can be trouble. We went a but too far on one highway and didnt turn where we were supposed to. OK - I admit -- Todd was a sleep and I was driving and took the wrong turn ......Anyhow.....

About and hour into the trip the kids asked where the DVD earphones were. Hmm maybe back in the garage??? We had 10+ movies but no earphones. It still worked, however everyone had to listen to the movies - thus, I was listening to the MP3 player!!

We go there late - very late on Wed night and they graciously waited up for us. My sister Suzy and her husband Chuck had arrived a few hours earlier. My mom had already arrived a few weeks before. We got some good sleep and then the next day prepared for Jay, my oldest brother and his wife Marian to arrive. Unfortunately, we had a few missing - my brother Ralph and his wife Teresa. Teresa's brother had just lost his battle with cancer and they were at the funeral. We MISSED you so much and were thinking of you!!

Thursday we also got to visit Doug's dental lab. He is a tech there and it is amazing to see his work and the process involved! They have a small lake a few miles away so we had a great walk and enjoyed the beautiful colors. Unfortunately, it was too cold to sail but we did all get to ride Doug's motorcycle!! The kids LOVED that! We went bowling together and had a pie making contest that the kids judged. Gma took first in looks and taste for her famous lemon merengue. Todd and I were close second with the a simple pumpkin - just because we knew they love that. I managed to do a crust although I will admit I need more practice. There was also an amazing apple pie. I kept trying to sneak away t o the grocery store but they wouldnt allow it!

Karen had also organized a service project where we prepared and sewed Christmas stockings for the military troops and we wrote letters to put in them. We ate a lot of great food and visited and played games. My brother Jay gave us a great presentation about our family heritage. I find that as I am getting older those sort of disscussions are much more meaningful. It was very interesting! Thanks Jay! We were also able to see 3 of Dougs kids and their families which was a treat. David, Michelle and Nathan. Doug and Nathan played their guitars for us. It has been so good for us to be better in touch with my family!

On Sunday morning we followed Chuck, Suzy and my mom to Nauvoo. I must say that we were all excited to see the Mississippi River and later to get out and touch the water. Before we even checked into the motel we went to the visitors center to check things out. We went to many of the Old Nauvoo presentations and displays that the senior missionaries do. The blacksmith, the gun shop, the Family Living Ctr - with ropemaking, candle making, breadmaking, pottery and more, the brickmaking shop, historical homes and Joseph Smith's Red Brick store and of course the temple grounds. It was all so amazing!! The next day we took a wagon ride and a carriage ride around, went the the gardens with the women's statues and went to the play, Rendevous. The play was so fun! We decided that the senior couples must just have a great time serving there as well as doing that play. The town was not crowded at all so we were blessed to see as much as we could as fast as we did.

Our last morning in Nauvoo Todd, Brandon and I had the opprotunity to do some temple work - baptisms - It was very special to be there with Brandon. He has done work before in our home temple with the youth but I have never gone with him. It was extra special because we were doing family file names that Todd's parents have been working on. It was a neat experience to part of the inside of the temple. The font is the biggest of any temple the exact dimentions of the first one.

We also had time to shop, swim a bit, get ice cream and have a catfish lunch. On the way to Missouri we stoppped at Carthage jail. What a sacred place. The kids had just been learning some of this very church history in their church classes so it was very meaningful to tham as well as Todd and me.

We met up with Chuck, Suzy and mom again in Missouri at my Uncle Dale and Aunt Mary Jo's Bed and Breakfast in Jameson - a mile from Adam Ondi Ahman. Their place is on farm land with several fishing ponds. The kids were thrilled!! It was so beautiful there and it was fun for me to take some cool pictures. Christen finally caught her first fish and we came home with 12 all together!! Bass, Croppy and Catfish. It was nice to visit and relax there and see my cousin Teresa and her family too. I would highly reccommend their place to stay if you are travelling through!

Their Bed and Breakast link is : http://marydale.com/ Check it out!!

While we were there we also were able to see Jamesport - the largest Amish settlement west of the Mississippi. That was a fun experience to learn more about their culture. On the way home we stopped off at Libery Jail. It was amazing to be there and to read the sections in the D&C after of that place and all of what we had visited.

It was an incredible trip for out family! We felt very blessed.

need to catch up, need to catch up.....

OK - it is 3:45 in the AM. Crazy. I CANT SLEEP. Lots going on with my calling and the kids and ... life. I have been catching up on other peoples blog and a bit depressed that I havent blogged for awhile....

Wed AM we are leaving to go to Illinois for a mini family reunion on my side and then going to Nauvoo and Missouri sites on the way home. LONG drive -- but it will be great to get away. The kids have fall breat and are missing a few extra days. We are excited to go though!!

Then I will HAVE to post.

Christen got her cast off - now in a splint, We have avoided the swine flu however several of us have had colds. I have not been exercising like I should, parent teacher conferences, bookclub at my house Tues (bad timing on my part), 9 Primary programs to attend, Stk Aux training, scout "stuff", Brandon's Eagle board after we get back, having to deal with "Drama" in several different venues, crazy Colorado weather, getting packed up for the trip and my kids bugging me about Halloween costumes ( they have to make their own this year) and asking why I havent bought candy yet. A friend told me she was almost done Christmas shopping. hmmm. Me - not so much at all. Should think ahead at least about Christmas cards.

Im going to bed now. I guess on the couch so I dont bug Todd - although his snoring was keeping me up partly too. SIGH. One day at a time.

A Day Gone to the Dogs

Last weekend we had a first. Our town opens up one of the outdoor pools -before they drain it- over to the dogs! Its called the "Pooch Plunge" and it is very entertaining! There were many labs that stayed in the water for an extended time but our dogs got out fairly quickly each time we put them in. Anyway, it was a fun activity and we were with our friends Dave and Denise and their dogs too. There was even music and toys for the dogs to play with as well as freebees galore. Very festive.

Labor Day Late

Trying to catch up - We had a fun picnic with Todd's parents at Castlewood Canyon for Labor Day and then went to the pool for the last time of the season. Had smores that weekend too.

Brandon Repelling

Brandon and his Scout group went repelling today at Castlewood Canyon. They had a great time!! Brandon even went down "Aussie" style which means he went down face down - see bottom middle picture. Glad everyone was safe!! It was a beautiful day.