My day

I subbed 6th grade science. Grace was in one class with me which was fun. It was fun also to meet a lot of her friends

Right after school she and I went to pick up Steve from his surgery. It went well and he seems to be doing fine.

Then I went to get Ethan and we went to the clinic to get his sports physical done. He has to turn in the forms tomorrow so he can try out for soccer next week. We had forgotten and so were down to the last minute and had no other choice but the clinic. We sure paid for that poor planning.

We were in the waiting room for literally three hours before it was our turn to see the weirdest doctor in the world.

Luckily for me I had a funny waiting companion.  We laughed at a lot of dumb stuff and found ourselves very amusing.

After we were finally done E wanted to call Hannah and tell her about the weird doctor so he took my phone and looked at the contact list.  

He said "Cita? What do you have Hannah listed under??" 

I said "Hannah Utzinger"

He said "I looked under Shartifa and it wasn't there." 

I thought that was funny ...and so it went.

351 months

That's how long ago I met Dani:) in mortality at least. Almost as many months as days of a year. 

Ten things I love about Dani now:

1. I have to start with this, she is an awesome trip planner. Our Ireland trip this past spring was my favorite and she planned every detail!

2. She is a patient and kind mother. Who finds the joy in every day and helps her children see the same.

3. She is an awesome big sister.

4. She is creative and crafty.

5. Her testimony is strong and she is anxiously engaged in doing good.

6. She is a reader and it's fun to talk about books with her.

7. She is always up for adventure, driving across two states for a visit, staying at Disneyland until the park closes, jaunting to parts unknown to see what is there ~ it's all up her alley!

8. She is super kind.

9. She's fun to play games with.

10. Dani is amazing, she is not only my dear daughter but my best friend.

10 things I love about Grace at age 11

1. Grace is an animal LOVER! Seriously this girl would live in a zoo if she could.  She loves them all.
2. Grace is SUPER smart, Rory Gilmore smart. She remembers everything and spends a lot of time researching and reading stuff.
3. Grace is funny, she has a cute sense of humor
4. Grace loves her dad, they are partners.  
5. Grace is very friendly and social. She likes to have friends.
6. If it doesn't involve hiking she is adventurous and up for anything....not eating adventures though she is a chicken nugget, french fries, mozzarella cheese sticks, bread kind of a girl.
7. She has big plans and I think she will accomplish them.
8. She is creative and also handy.  
9. Grace has a sweet singing voice.
10. She loves to snuggle and will hop in bed with me and talk and hang out in the mornings, or at night if Dad is gone or working in the garage or playing video games. 

Grace has been a delightful caboose for our family, she knows her own mind and is strong willed and stubborn but those are going to be great qualities when she is a grown woman and I feel very blessed to be her momma (when I am not feeling frustrated :) )

Field show

Rylie, Heather and Katie are in the band.  We went to watch them play and it was really awesome if not a bit cold.

I had never been to a band competition before and I really enjoyed it. The bands were super creative and the music was upbeat. The girls were cold but I think they were glad that we went

littles

some things are just better with littles.  The trifecta of holidays: halloween, thanksgiving and Christmas. Going to the zoo.  Reading Fancy Nancy books.  Baking cookies.  To name a few.

River and Scarlett

I sure love these little nieces and nephews and grands.  They are just darling and such good kiddos.

Noah and Reggie

Joneaux and Deo

Penny, Marshall and Tatum

Halloween

Hannah got to deliver candy grams at school all day. That's a pretty good day!

Ethan also dressed up, he was a hydrogen atom. He was in a group with two other boys one of which was also a hydrogen atom and the other was an oxygen atom.

Grace did not get to dress up at school today. Last Friday they got to dress up and go to the graveyard gala right after school. When she got home she quickly got dressed into her giraffe costume and this evening after dinner we met her friend Mikayla and went trick-or-treating in their neighborhood.

Fun was had by all :)

Stake conference weekend

It was an amazing weekend. So uplifting and inspiring.

First for some not conference related news, Hannah and Grace babysat for the Packams and they had a very fun night.  Grace us really looking forward to turning 12 and being able to babysit.

We went to the adult session of conference last night and it was really, really great. It seems like whatever's going on in your life, whatever struggles or sadnesses you have you can always find peace, comfort and direction in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

It's pretty fun to go and see people I have known all my life. Yesterday Henry Greenfield gave a talk. He did a super job, talked about his conversion.  He and dad were great friends long ago.  Man, he is old looking now.  I was watching him after he spoke, and once I realized who he was, and frankly I thought he might actually die sitting up on the stand.  I wanted to say hi to him but he looked really sick so I left without saying hi.  Before I got out the door though I changed my mind and went back to talk to him.  He had perked up and we had a nice little visit.
Today the Clarks spoke, which was also so fun.  Julie and I both raced up to the stand to say hi right after.  Seeing your parent's friends, that you have always known, is kind of like seeing your mom and dad. It's a fun surprise.

After last night's conference we went out for gelato with the Chronis'. It was delicious.  Like so good I should go back tomorrow :)

Today we came home and watched movies and hung out.  It's been raining on and off for the last three days, which is super awesome and needed.