being responsible

Anna was recognized yesterday in the Character Education Assembly as being responsible. Here she is pictured with Sharky, the school mascot.

Anna is very responsible. When she puts her mind to it, she can accomplish anything including having the best attitude or being the most helpful or getting her room cleaned up in record time or memorizing a piano piece.

She's a great girl and an important part of our family.

Jeremy

Yesterday I was asked to make a clever (or not) handout for those judging the Reflections contest at the elementary school and I agreed. It was a busy day. Jeremy agreed last night to go purchase the 100 Grand candy bars ("Thanks. You're worth 100 Grand" was the plan) while I got the kids ready for bed.

I'll be honest, sometimes bedtime isn't calm, nor is it a sweet, bonding time at our house. Not that I wouldn't love it to be that way. So I'm in the bedtime process, a little irritated, and the phone rings. Sigh. The caller ID identifies that it's Jeremy and I mumble, "you're the creative one, just pick something that works." I answer the phone and I hear: "What about 'don't be an Idaho Spud.' No, that's not quite it. What about 'Thanks for judging even if you're a nerd.' No. Oh, here we go. 'You're a red hot tamale and a good judge, too.'" On it went for several minutes while Jeremy made me laugh, helped to change my attitude, and made me feel grateful for the blessings that I have been given.

pumpkins and leaves

Jeremy is so good at so many things. He completely orchestrated the pumpkin carving--you may notice that each pumpkin was designed by it's holder--and leaf cleaning up. It's a good thing he's here to provide fun, memory making opportunities for our kids.

I love fall for the crisp air, sweaters, pumpkins, zucchini bread, and crunchy leaves. I love these little people.

halloween festivities

This is Jeremy's idea of Halloween decorating. He's pretty amazing. Here's the fabulous cowgirl and cowboy.

Just down the street is a fun little nursery called Engh Floral. Each October they set up a pretty fun straw maze and other cool fall things. Here are the kids on the Black Pearl; the weather was very pirate appropriate.

The kids humored me while I took lots of pictures. Naturally, this one is their favorite.

El Dia De Los Muertos

We had our annual Dia De Los Muertos party a few weeks back. We ate delicious Mexican food, enjoyed visiting with family and friends, and even had a few newcomers (welcome John and Sarah with the UPS man). The kids played in the Haunted Back Yard (compliments mainly to Zachary and Jeremy) and watched a Halloween movie (projected on a bed sheet) from the trampoline (it wasn't quite as cold this year so none of the kids came in with frost on their blankets). Jer was hill folk (you can't quite see the arrows coming out of his back) and I managed to squeeze into my prom dress (the "dead" aspect was very disturbing, especially to Griffin and Jane) and assigned myself the title of "prom queen." It's amazing how your body changes over time (and babies).

shoot 'em up

Last Saturday was the ward Primary party. Here are the kids in their cowboy and cowgirl get-ups. Fun.

Showtime Utah

My sister, Sarah, and her husband, Neil, have been instrumental in the goings-on and the start up (May 2) at the Showtime Utah Theater in Pleasant Grove, Utah. For Mom's birthday, we enjoyed an evening at the theater: good, impressive music, and a fine meal. Good times, and happy birthday, Mom.

l-r: Hollie, David, baby Brooklyn, Michael, Colette, Mom, Sarah (Miss Ruby) & Neil, Jen, Jeremy, Anna, Zachary.

is he big enough?

Griffin can ride a bike, a real two wheeled bike, no training wheels, and no help. I get that he is 5, but isn't he growing up a little too fast?

This morning as we were walking to school Griffin said, with a very serious face, "Did you know that Mrs. Smith knows everything?" It doesn't surprise me, really. After all she's a super awesome Kindergarten teacher who loves him and he knows it.

In the summer sometime we were sitting down to dinner and I admit it wasn't the greatest meal. Griffin asked who made the noodles. I told him that I did. His response: "Maybe we could just get pizza instead."

I love Griffin.

I want candy

Anna has been dancing with the Glitter group at the Guyz 'n Dollz Performing Arts Studio for two months. She completely loves it. Their first performance was at the Scarecrow Festival at Thanksgiving Point last week. They danced to I Want Candy and Anna had a solo part. We're working on remembering to smile. :)


There were loads of things for the kids to do. They mostly played in the bounce toys/slides. The boys stuck together and the girls stuck together while Jer (who is walking mostly without a limp and getting around nicely) and I got to relax and observe and visit. Later on they built paper rockets and launched them. It was a very enjoyable afternoon.

flag football

So, a whirlwind 4 weeks of playing flag football and it was a ton of fun. Zachary got to play lots of positions, ran in a touchdown, and caught the football in the end zone for the extra point. Here's the one thing I managed to get on film: a kick off. Is he really 9.75 years old?