Work Party

Doug has always been one to dress up for Halloween to work. Usually he's one of the few, but this year he's at a company that apparently it's a big deal. It's the Boss's favorite holiday, so they not only make a big ole party out of it but they also theme it every year. This years theme was "the 70's TV shows".

It took him a little bit to figure out what he wanted to be, but he came up with Grandpa Munster!

He asked Melanie to do his make up because he knew I was not talented in this way! LOL But boy Mel is!! I left to go on my run this morning, when I got back this is what I walked in on...

I was amazed at the transformation!!

Later this morning I got a pic of everyone at work! Fun!!

Halloween Parade

With yesterday being the end of the term and no school today, the Halloween Parade and Class Parties were yesterday!

Boy did Halloween creep up on me this year. (I don't know why???) LOL

I think it was Wednesday night when I realized they had a parade the next day and we hadn't even discussed what the kids were going to be for the parade the next day!! So when I got home, I had Doug pull the boxes out of the loft in the garage. The kids were already in bed, thanks to Shawn! It was going to have to happen in the morning!


When the kids got up the next morning, I said hurry and eat and pick a costume out of the box! It doesn't have to be what you're going to be for Halloween, just something to wear for the parade this morning! They got all excited and for the next hour and a half, we scrambled to get clothes, costumes, and make up in place. Sent them to school, then I had to get me and Natalie ready, I didn't dress up, but Nattie did, (Now that I'm thinking of it, I don't think I got a pic of her.)

Tiff was a Snow Princess, Aaron was a vampire, and Kim was a witch!

Off to the school for the parade! We hurried and hurried and practically ran to the school to get there in time. (There's no point in driving when you live as close as we do, you end up walking most of the way anyway. The cars were lined clear up the street almost to our house! This is big here!!) Then we waited and waited for the kids to come through for probably 20 minutes. They go through all the classrooms, to pick up the kids then come through the auditorium only once for the parents, then back through the classrooms to drop off. I wish they would come through at least one more time, but oh well!!

It was fun to see all the costumes. I was amazed at the detail some of them went through for a parade 3 days before Halloween! I wish I had that much time! I am glad it all worked out, the kids were happy!

Gone are the days of themed costumes, Jack o lanterns, crayola crayons (all different colors of course!), One year we even did Mr. Potato Heads. I think the kids liked the ideas because even though we were the same, they got to design the faces (jack o lanterns & potato heads) As the kids got older, I stopped getting that kind of cooperation anymore, so I stopped worrying about it. Deseret Industries Thrift Stores are a wonderful resource for costumes. But we didn't even do that this year!!

Tonight is the Carnival at the church, then of course Halloween! It's going to be a long weekend!!

Lovin on...

Alex!

We sure enjoyed having Alex around, even only for a few short hours! Alex is my new little nephew. We really thought Natalie was the last of the grandkids, well, my brother decided to start all over, thus we have now have Alex!! Unfortunately, he lives in Beaver, 3 hours away, not good!!

This pic cracks me up...Natalie is watching Uncle David change Alex's diaper. I love the hand on her hip. I couldn't hear what she was saying, but David was cracking up!!

Dee, getting in on the lovin on Alex!! We definitely need some babies around here more often!! You'd think we'd had enough of babies at our house. Just isn't so!!! LOL

This isn't lovin on Alex, but it does have to do with some lovin!! This is our Stake President, President Hanks, at Ben's setting apart. (You can read about that on Elder Ben's blog) Pres Hanks did such a fun, wonderful job meeting everyone, joking around and making everyone feel welcome. He has such a way of endearing himself to people.

I just LOVE the way he's hugging Tiff here. You can see how much he loves her. He has a way of making all of us feel like he REALLY cares about each one of us! He even pulled me aside that night to give me a hug as well, and make sure I was okay and assured me that Heavenly Father was aware of me and the timing of all that was happening! Just amazing!!

Sorting out Feelings

It's hard to believe it's been almost two weeks since my mom passed away in my home.

Right in the middle of getting Ben ready for the Mission Field and finishing up Wedding Plans, my mom took a big turn for the worst. She had 3 TIA's (mini strokes) small, but big enough for me to notice and to wipe her out. She just didn't have to time in between each one to recuperate before the next one hit. By the time we realized she wasn't going to recover, things went down hill really fast! While she has been on hospice for 3 years, it still felt kind of sudden for most of us. It truly was a blessing for her to finally be free, but I'm still sorting through my feelings about everything. I've been taking care of her long enough, that I do feel some kind of relief, but yet I do feel her absence, profoundly. I do feel the Lord's hand in helping me to deal and cope with everything. I have a great support system, family, friends, and ward members who have helped with so much. Thanks to you all!

I'm hoping to be able to put more details on her blog about her final days, and after. We really had some wonderful blessings and tender mercies happen. This picture was taken the day before she died. I'm still planning on posting the story that goes with it over there. I'm hoping that everyone will help me to post memories and blessings with regard to Mom on her blog. If you are not a contributor, email me and I will add you so everyone who wants to, can post.

I love you, Mom!

New Blog!

To make "keeping everyone updated about Ben" more fun, I've decided to start a missionary blog just about him and his mission.

I might refer to it from time to time, but I will be posting pics he sends me, and snippets from his emails and letters over on that blog!

So if your interested on how Ben is doing, go have a look see!!

Bridal Shower #2 & #3

Kind of Condensing here! Melanie had a couple more bridal showers on Friday Oct 1st and 2nd.


The first (or should I say second) was given by her friends, Rachel and Kristen!

She had her friends from school and work come to this one.

Fun friends and food!

The second (third) one was given by her future sisters-in-law, Megan & Chelsie!

This one was for family on both sides. Those that couldn't come to this one, came to the ward one a couple weeks back!


More good food and fun!!

She took a lot of razing because a week or so before GG took her to target to help "beef" up her registry list and had "fun" in the lingerie dept!! She took it pretty well!

September Pack Meeting

I'm trying to play catch up, still working on September!!

September Pack Meeting was eventful for Aaron!

He earned his wolf rank in the cub scout program! He's been working hard to earn stuff every month. So far so good! I don't know about October, we'll see!!

He also earned his Summer time Pack Award! This means that he attended all three summer time pack meetings. He received a pin to put on his vest.

He also earned his on time patch! This means he was on time to pack meeting 3 consecutive months in a row! That's tougher than you think!

Afterwards the kids took turns shooting rubber band guns at pop bottles! I honestly can't remember what else they did!

Playing With Dad!

You'd think we'd had enough, after such a long day! No Way, the kids waste no time to pile up on Dad. It only takes one and then they all follow suit!!

It's so fun to see the joy and smiles on their faces when they get to play!

Poor Dad!! :)

Ben's Farewell - Open House

I wrote this post a couple weeks back, but forgot to actually post it, so here it is..

Wow what a meeting!! Ben gave a great talk! Melanie and Jon did an absolutely beautiful job on the song they sang, Shawn added so much sweetness to the spirit with his flute accompaniment! All my children were there, at least in body! So were both my parents and some dear friends, as well!
Afterwards we had a potato bar kind of dinner with yummy salads and desserts to go with it.

Poor Tiffany woke up that morning with a tummy ache and promptly started throwing up, and kept throwing up. What were we to do??? We put her back to bed and Doug stayed home with her during church. Thanks to a sweetheart of a friend, Melanie C. who came over during sacrament meeting so Doug could come and listen to the song and the talk. It was very appreciated!! Also a big Thanks to Doug who was absolutely fabulous to help me keep on top of keeping on eye on Tiff while she was in her room with all the company we had, as well as keeping the food all out and served to everyone. (A lot of hand washing!) It was truly a wonderful team effort! Thanks, Sweetie!!

Thanks to all who attended, helped with the food (I have a fantastic ward and family, lots of offers to send/bring food!), just came by to say hi and wish him well, gave him money to finish up what he needed, and anything else any of you did! It was a very successful day, thanks to all of you!!

He goes into the MTC a week from tomorrow!!

He's actually been in the MTC for one week!!

More Fun Pics

What do you get when you get great looking kids together with a talented photographer???....

You get pics like these!!!

GG came to spend some time with us last weekend, while she was here Melanie took some pics of her kids.

These are just a few of my favs!

Fun Pics

I just had to post these pics, Too Cute!! Nattie enjoying some cake!

Steven didn't want his pic taken for some reason??

Jon came over to do some work for me. Edging is just one of his many talents! Nattie decided she wanted to help! I had to catch this pic because I'm pretty sure I have a pic of him doing this with Aaron about the same age as Nattie! Fun!