Trunk or Treat 2013

We had a blast tonight at the trunk or treat. Everyone looked so good!  Lisa Jastal and her girls came and joined us at the party. It was great to see her. 

The Allred's did it again. They looked like they came straight out of despicable

Me 2. 

We've got an 80's couple, a grouchy old man, a cop and robbers, and a little princess. 

 

Dinner On The Kids

A few weeks ago I started to give the kids a night of the week to pick what they wanted to make for all of us. I would get the ingredients and help them if they needed. Morgan is Tuesday night. Carmen is Wednesday. Graham is Thursday. And now Truman is wanting to help so we assigned him Monday starting next week. It's been a great success. It's a chance for me to teach the kids some skills in the kitchen (since I'm so skilled ha) and it actually helps me a lot. 

The first week, Morgan made chicken noodle soup:

Carmen made BLT's:

Graham made a really yummy crispy chicken and rice. He learned the idea from a mayonnaise commercial. Who knew?:

A Good Reminder

Little Piggies

Her first little piggies. ❤️

Owie's

We've had two little mishaps in our family as of late. Little Reese broke her collar bone when Morgan set her on the recliner pretty roughly. 

And Carmen got to go to the ER to try and rule out appendicitis. We still aren't really sure what the issue was. Her white blood cell count was really high: 16. So after an ultrasound and a ctscan they still couldn't find her appendix. The next day we took her back to check her blood levels and everything was back to normal. Weird. We are focussing more on her diet and watching her close. I'm hoping it wasn't a flare up and that it comes back. 

As for now, we are healthy and happy. :)

Painting Pumpkins

I told Graham not to smile here. :)

We Love The Farm Country!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Brooke had a birthday. She wanted to go roller skating all dressed in 80's attire. We had a blast!

Lizzie's

I love to crochet. I've made a lot of slippers. All have been from patterns that I buy from other crafters. 

Well, until now. I have officially come up with my own shoe. Without a pattern that I follow!  I'm pretty proud because I never dared to do it. Each pair gets a little more sturdy as I watch and see where I need to make changes. 

I'm toying with the idea of selling them. But for now I have a few friends and family wearing them and will give me feedback on what needs changed. 

I've given them the name: Lizzie's. 

Here they are:

I'm working on a pair for my sister for her birthday that has suede on them. Kinda fun!

School Picture Day 2013

On the way out the door this morning, I snapped a few photos of the kids.  Today is their school picture day and I don't buy the packets anymore.  It's just more money that I don't want to spend.  :)  Graham doesn't seem to be having it.  And Truman and Reese still have sleepy eyes, but that's okay.  It's fun to compare the pictures year after year.

My Birthday! 34 Years.

On the morning of the 10th, I woke up not knowing what my birthday would entail.  David was out of town and what fun is a birthday without my best friend?  We always do something special, just the two of us.  I came out of my room where the kids were all waiting for me.  "Come open your presents, Mom."  They all said in unison.  I looked at the fireplace where we always put the birthday presents.  To my surprise, there was a stack of presents waiting for me.  All wrapped with computer paper and glued together because they couldn't find the tape.  One by one I opened little presents that were made just for me.  Graham was sure to let me know that the though rock with a smiley face drawn on it was from him, he had no idea what it was.  Carmen had done it for him.  :)  Carmen gave me coupons for helping around the house.  For breakfast the kids wanted to make it so I could have a morning off.  It was shaping up to be a good birthday morning.
After taking the kids to school, I checked my email.  I had a gift card to Amazon from my big brother.  So I went online shopping!  It took off from there.  Texts, emails, phone calls, and messages came streaming in.  I was feeling quite loved.
Sarah stopped by with a balloon, chocolates and $ for me to buy something fun.  While we were visiting David called on his break in Philadelphia.  While we were talking there was a knock at the door.  A guy was standing there with a bouquet of flowers from David with a sweet note attached.  We laughed that David happened to be on the phone when they arrived.
A few minutes later my sweet friend Michelle shows up with a cute little chocolate cake the size of a large cupcake, a gift certificate for a pedicure (I've never done that before, believe it or not), and a sweet note.
For lunch Brooke took me to a modern little cafe called Communal on University Ave.  The food was so good and we had a great time talking without the kids.  Megan across the street watched Reese and Truman so I could go.
For dinner I got to go to Tortilla Bar with Michelle, Sarah, and Laurel.  The food there never disappoints.
I came home and put the kids to bed.  And enjoyed the rest of the evening home alone watching tv without any interruptions.  It really was a great 34th birthday.  Although David wasn't here to share it with me, everyone else pulled through and made me feel really special.

David Graduates!!

We are so proud of David and all he has worked for.  He didn't want to walk, but I made him.  :)  On the way to drop of the cap and gown, he said, "I'm glad I walked.  Thanks for making me do it."  It was kind of the final hurrah for the time he spent at BYU.  I was really emotional.  I felt overwhelmed with gratitude that we were able to get into this program.  And now David has a great job.  We never would've thought he would be steered into the direction of sex addiction, but it's such a huge need.  He just got back last week from a week in Philadelphia.  It was his first of four modules to become a CSAT (certified sexual addiction therapist).  His company is paying for him to get it.  And it's not cheap.  So on top of his MFT (Marriage and Family Therapy) license, he will have this too.  He will be needed and he's so good at his job.  Go David!