These Fallen Leave's Brought Us Together

It's amazing to think that something so little (which is really a huge chore) can be used as an opportunity. Such as a neighborhood get together. 

Have I ever said that I really like our neighborhood? 

Everyone is generally so friendly, and welcoming to everyone around them.

Wednesday night was no exception.

Our neighbors Pete and Anita finished raking their leaves and invited everyone over for hot dogs and s'mores while they burned away. What a great idea!

about half of the neighborhood kids

they all played so hard, Brandon started the theme of play for the night.

Spy.... 

He had on his back pack dark glasses and some plastic sticks for tools.

Watching in amazement as the bright flames crackle and burn while feeling the warmth from the fire.

Hayden helping once again.

He first picked up a stick to help rake.

Then, when handed an actual rake he kept on going until he was told to stop. 

What a hard worker!

Don't step away for a second!

What is a normal day for us? Well, at some point it usually includes something like this:

Hayden completely covered in something. 

Here his hair and hands and face are covered in soap, and that is a streak of lipstick on his head. At least it made for easy clean up, besides keeping it out of the eyes.

The other picture is of dry erase marker, this was one of about 3 times he covered himself in it. I didn't even get a picture of the nice spiral circles he drew on his tummy. It was lovely.

This usually happens because I have to step away to fix dinner, take the time to go to the bathroom, or just run into another room maybe for only 60 seconds. He then disappears and has some fun. 

I can not believe I don't have more pictures. I do have one missing I know I have of Blue marker all over the bathroom wall and door.

Some of the other things may include But are not limited to: Vaseline

, Mom's foundation, globs and globs of mouse and hair gel, Butt paste, lotion, and if he is outside, dirt, mud or sand. Those are probably the top of the list. 

There are many times I did not get pictures to my regret. The latest happening actually occurred while we were all still asleep early in the morning. He found a cover girl outlast lip gloss and put it right across his eye brows. That stuff does not come off!! It was Sunday morning before church.  Nothing worked. eye makeup remover, I tried Vaseline that did a little bit. I finally went to my neighbors house who came up with the idea of using Redken Glass smoothing serum.

 

Stuff you use on your hair? But, It worked! It came right off. No trace left. Amazing. So... I guess if you want to fork out $15 for a 2 oz. bottle or so it can be doubled as a face

cleaner. A little goes a long way. I wonder how it would work on fabric? 

A good little mom trick. You have to get creative sometimes when 

it comes to cleaning of little children.

Here is a great example of being sneaky right in front of me! I was just on the other side of the door as he was asking for something to eat. I did not hear him get up there in the 30 seconds it took. He just started asking for help.

He keeps us on our toes. 

At least I know he is not the only kid out there like this. I am afraid there could be worse. I feel sorry for that mom that I do know of. :) 

These are perfect examples of times he asks my feelings about what had happened and it goes like this every time in a very questioning voice....

"Funny? Angry? Happy? Sad?"

I love to see that he is so in tune to feelings and wants to know how I feel. Although a lot of times in the end he tells me "Funny!" With a nod of his head for approval.

Halloween 2008

I was able to help out with Alyssa's school party.

It was fun to be there with all of the kids and to take Hayden with.

(I know it is hard to see what I typed under these pictures, 

if you click on the photo into a new window it should be easier)

Finally a few pictures from Halloween. 

you can go here  also to see the album.  

Called to Serve

I love this guy! I am so proud of my little brother! Today he entered the MTC (Missionary Training Center) It feels like it's been a long road to get there.  

It's official! He is now a Missionary getting ready to serve the Lord.

I love him and I know he will be great in all he does!

If you are interested in how he is doing or to read his farewell talk you can see it here.

I have done a lot of thinking the past week (from the time it actually "hit" me he was leaving this week) about different things in life. One thing was when I think back to the time when I left home to be on my "own". (I was actually living with my sis. but that's beside the point.) Mike was only 8 years old.  I was worried about leaving my younger siblings behind! I wanted to be there for them and to help guide them to make good choices and just be there through any bad times that might come. And it was just really hard for them to grow up without me. But, I knew I was not in control, and I was just their sister not a parent, and I had my own life to take care of. So, looking back I think of how I feel like I have been holding my breath this whole time, seeing all of the good and not so good choices made or different paths that could have been taken for Mike to get to where he is, and I was just able to release it all today finally and breathe a little easier. Maybe that sounds silly, but it's really just my thoughts and it makes sense to me. 

1. I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go
2. It may not be on the mountain’s height, Or over the stormy sea; It may not be at the battle’s front, My Lord will have need of me; But if by a still, small voice He calls, To paths that I do not know, I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in Thine, I’ll go where You want me to go.
   • Refrain: I’ll go where You want me to go, dear Lord, O’er mountain, or plain, or sea; I’ll say what You want me to say, dear Lord, I’ll be what You want me to be.
3. Perhaps today there are loving words Which Jesus would have me speak; There may be now in the paths of sin, Some wand’rer whom I should seek; O Savior, if Thou wilt be my guide, Though dark and rugged the way, My voice shall echo Thy message sweet, I’ll say what You want me to say.
4. There’s surely somewhere a lowly place, In earth’s harvest fields so white, Where I may labor through life’s short day, For Jesus the Crucified; So trusting my all to Thy tender care, And knowing Thou lovest me, I’ll do Thy will with a heart sincere, I’ll be what You want me to be.

Ha-Ha Halloween Fun

A few of the pumpkins on display on the trail

This weekend we had more fun Halloween activities.

At Ha Ha Tonka they had a walk way up to the castle lined with around 100 pumpkins,

and scary things hanging from the branches of the trees

and other cool Halloween decor.

We enjoyed Hot Apple Cider (which was really just a little warm)

 

And of course....

Making yummy smores!

Daddy and Hayden, and Hayden's pose for "take my picture!"

Brandon's eye's are on fire like the dragons'.

They also had ghost tales, been bag toss and little prizes, and a small craft for the kids. 

Alyssa is always so terrified with anything scary that has to do with Halloween. She starts to cry in the store before we are even close the the aisles if she spots it.

So she keeps her distance, while the boys love it!

A Summer gone

Summer came and went so fast. I just want to remember Some of what we have really enjoyed and it is seeing all of the fun little critters everywhere.  They are just so fun, but mostly because the kids get so excited about them.

We saw so many turtles! We did not get many pictures of them though. This Larger one may have been the last one we did see. I like the picture of Alyssa reaching for it. She was crying because she didn't want it to go.

These are random... a baby cardinal, hummingbird, baby groundhog, sky before tornado warnings, the beautiful lake we are surrounded by, and a pretty harmless garden spider that lived on our porch for awhile.

More lake, ringneck snake, butterfly

Of course the frogs! We saw sooo many frogs this year. Brandon caught the one he is holding and was so proud of it. He seamed to like him, it just hung out for quite awhile.

Nature is the best part of Summer I think.

There is so much of it all around us here at the Lake and it is so fun watch and learn with the kids or just go for a walk on trails and enjoy it.

Pumpkin Patch Harvest

Parents As Teacher's has an activity every month to do with the kids.

This was so much fun with the kiddos.

First we went on a scavenger hunt on a trail and at the end there were scattered pumpkins for the kids to pick one and have.

They did crafts, painted and decorated their pumpkins, pumpkin sack races, and a few other various activities. More perfect weather and fun times with my kids.

Happy Anniversary To Us

October 14, 2000

On Wednesday the 14th marked 8 years of being Married.

I have such a wonderful husband and family, and I am thankful for every bit of what I have.

It's amazing how time goes on and you realize that you are constantly growing as a couple and are always learning new things about one another.

I am so lucky to have Justin as a wonderful husband, who really takes care of me and loves me.

He is so wonderful with our children and they love him so very much.

The past years have not all been that easy but I have loved every moment we have had spent together.

  I can't wait to see where our roads lead us in the future.

I love Justin with all of my heart and I am so thankful our family will be together forever!

Love you my Hottie! 

Happy eight  years together!

Tagged

8 TV SHOWS I LOVE TO WATCH

(if I had TV to watch....)  1. So, I don't love to watch TV

    although it is sometimes nice

    if I had it to watch...... 

    but here are a few.... 2. Extreme makeover: Home Addition  3. Smallville 4. Animal Planet 5. Some reality TV series 6. Any decor home show

7. How do I look 8. Any of the kids shows with them 8 PLACES I LOVE TO EAT  1. Olive Garden 2. Cafe Rio 3. Rubio's  4. Rodizio Grill

5. Panera Bread 6. Yia Yia's 7. The Mayan 8. The Cheesecake factory 8 THINGS THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY

1. Drove Justin to work 2. played with a cute tiny puppy

3.played with the kids at a fun park 4. drove Alyssa to school 5. went home and ate lunch and played with Hayden and Tre 6.cleaned  7. took the kids to the Parents as Teachers monthly get together

8. came home made dinner 8 THINGS I LOOK FORWARD TO 1. Alone quiet time to think 2. time with Justin  3. Mine and Justin's next get away alone

4. Mine and Justin's next date night!!  5. Mike going on his mission 

6. getting in better shape 7. seeing family again 8. Myka to be better trained

8 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT FALL 1. The cooler weather 2. spending more time outdoors 3. changing colors 4. festivities and beginning of the holidays 5 .hot chocolate (preferably Stephen's)  6. kids excitement over the leaves  7. new family pictures  8. bugs start to go away (such as ticks and chiggers!)

8 THINGS ON MY WISH LIST 1. Get more organized! 2. replace broken kitchen appliances.

3.kids to sleep in their own beds all night! 

4. time and motivation to finish some projects I started a long time ago! 5. make time to read more  6. more patience 7.pay off my car  

8. to decorate my house how I would like (probably = the $) 8 PEOPLE I'M TAGGING

Whoever would like to be tagged.....

I really don't like picking people, so go for it! 

Boat Races

The Horny Toad Offshore Super Series National Championship Power Boat Race

One of our outings out together a few weeks back we went to watch the boat races. 

there were fun things to see all over the place. 

As you can see in the above picture the boat coming around has an orange triangle floaty cone thing to the right. It was a track they made in the water with these cones. 

These boats are so big, they have to be lifted up into the water by these ropes attached to hooks on the top and a crane!

It's dark, but you can see us standing by one of the boats while still on the trailer, to give you an idea of size. And look at this huge truck to pull it! 

The boats weren't the only entertainment. Alyssa and Hayden loved their first bus ride on a school bus! That was really exciting for them. They were chartering people down to the race from a parking lot a mile up the road.

And they loved watching all of the big and little fish by the docks.

It was a fun little outing.

Happy Birthday to my Babe

Wednesday was Justin's Birthday.

Happy Birthday!

Since he was away camping with the kids from work we had to go to him.

Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures.

We went and found him at the camp site and hung out for a bit and walked Myka around with the kids then went to get a quick bite of food so we could hurry and get him back. 

We took him his most favorite treat I make... magic layered cookie bars.

I had to post these of him to show his true personality. 

Every photo session goes something like this. He is just one of the kids. He always try's to make people laugh. 

We were all happy we could still see each other and that he wasn't too far away.

I think the kids are way more excited about birthdays than we are as we get older.

This was good timing for his birthday... Thanks for this good Tag Jill it was good to use.

A little about Justin.......

Spouse Tag

1. Where did we meet?      That's not a simple answer. But can be summed up....

We met in 90' to 1991 in Kansas where our families were in the same ward at church. I was only there for a year.

We then ran into each other at UVSC in Utah at a fireside where we exchanged phone numbers to only wait another 6 months before seeing each other again at the Provo Tabernacle at another fireside, where we then finally came together. 

2. How long did we date before we married?  6 months

3. How long have we been married? 8 years

4. He surprises me by.... doing many little (sometimes big) things for me.  

 

5. My favorite feature of him is.... His eyes and his smile  (sometimes they go together) :)

6. His nicknames for me are... Hunny, Mamajama, 

7. His favorite food... Prime Rib

8. His favorite sport ....  Wake boarding and Football 

9. Where was our first kiss?  At my apartment by the front door in Provo.

10. Our favorite thing to do? Probably to watch movies or tv shows together when the kids are asleep and just be together.

11. Any children?

Three. Brandon, Alyssa and Hayden

12. Any hidden talents? Hmmm.... his ability to connect with people. ,  building things out of wood... I'm sure there's more 

13. How old is he? 32

14. Who said I love you first?  He did!

15. Favorite type of music? mostly alternative, his favorite at the moment is Angels & Airwaves 

16. I admire him most for.... his hard work in all that he does, and love, care and concern for his family.

17. Do I think he'll read this? Definitely

My little sis Heather shares the same Birthday! Happy Birthday girl! 

You're awesome! And we love ya! Happy 14th!