saw this, looked fun

right now… The children are off to school.  Grace packed origami paper and rainbow loom bands for the times she has nothing to do. I have dishes to do from last night, we had company and then went to bed so it's saved for me…just as soon as I am done here :)

Thinking…about Dani's talk.  She sent it to me this morning and I enjoyed reading it so much.  She is an amazing woman, I am so happy to have raised daughters that are so much better than their mother in so many ways.

Feeling… kind of tired, time change week is always annoying…why do we still do it?? 

Reading… Allegiant, but it's going slowly because so is Hannah and we are sharing one book and she usually has it and Jane Eyre.

Excited…About so many things.  This Friday I start horse back riding lessons! In April we are going on a cruise! counting down to that!! Holidays! Fun times!

Wondering…  how to raise the children the best we can (always)

Working…on house projects.  I have several in the works and need to get my buns in gear.

Proud…  of my husband.  He is searching for greater truth and light with honesty and passion.  His plane is doing well, their weapons systems are proving quite effective (as per the news updates)

Wanting…a date night

Stressed…about making Christmas lovely and affordable

Wishing… all my family lived near each other

Missing… Penny and Tate.  They should live by their grandma. 

Eating…  too much

Drinking… diet coke, water

Watching… Bones, NCIS, later this week Enders Game!

Loving… the beautiful fall colors and leaves.  The crisp air, pumpkin everything season.

bike ride

AHH Saturday! A day of fun, and chores, but mostly fun.  This morning Hannah had a planning meeting for the next calendar year.  All the class and quorum presidencies met at the ward building and had breakfast and then planned their year.  While she was doing that I went shopping for the stake youth activity and Rob fixed up the family's bikes.  We were all home by noon and ready to go for a ride.

beautiful fall colors!

car loaded, we still had to put one in my car

We drove up the road to a pretty bike trail and began our ride.  It was just gorgeous out.  The trees were ablaze with color, the temp was perfect and everyone was in a cheerful mood.

Lu did a good job riding until the end...the she pooped out.

Bub spent a lot of time trying to convince me that he needs a party, or that jelly fish are not immortal

November is here!

Tonight we went on a family date. We saw Free Birds. It was pretty funny! We had a nice time, did a little Christmas shopping, enjoyed each other's company. I am grateful for my family.

I was bummed because Hannah refused to go. We missed her.

Trick or treat

Vampire and her little bat

Gracie and Izzy and their daddies

This year we had our annual Halloween dinner and trick or treat festivities.  We had a few friends who called to see if they could join us and we happily said yes.  I made chili, Colleen made corn bread and mummy dogs, and Liz brought toppings and Jennifer brought a fruit salad.  It was all super tasty and it was fun to eat together!

Wolverine, Thor, Batman, Superman and ElasticGIrl

Liz and I sat on the porch handing out candy and the rest of the folks hit the streets.  There were lots of people out and we had fun watching everyone and admiring the cute costumes!

also known as Shannon, Hannah, Alyssa, Hannah and Chelsea

watch mom....I can fly!

Another holiday celebrated....check :)

Sister Bear and WonderWoman!!

Field Trip

Yesterday Dad was a chaperone on Ethan's field trip.  They went to DC to the Lockheed center and then to the Air and Space Smithsonian.  They had a good day and learned lots of neat stuff.

Grace had chess club after school so it was a long day with everyone gone.  I started a water exercise class so I went to that and then swam laps.  It's pretty fun and luckily the water isn't too cold.  I hate cold water!

They got back from the field trip too late to drive home and back out for our wednesday night activites so Lu and I met them close to church for a quick burger and then we went to the 100 year of scouting commemorative broadcast.  It was very inspiring.  It was celebrating the partnership of scouting (which is older than 100 years ) and the church (also older :) ) I am happy and grateful for a program that emphasizes honor and service for my boy.  Ethan was so tired I don't know if he got much out of the broadcast but he enjoyed the brownies and running around in the dark outside after.  

halloween in Utah ( I shamelessly steal pictures)

cute cereal boxes

Sierra and Friends

Sister Bear!

Kenz and Noah

Reggie, Andrea, Tal and Jakob

Tatum and her pumpkin

FHE

Yesterday R had a dentist appt.  No cavities! Yay!  Anyway that meant he was home pretty early so he and Ethan went mountain biking in the late afternoon.  They had a very good time.

Ethan "was an animal" according to his dad, and hit the trail several times!

I'm glad when R spends time with the kids.  It's really important.  The role of a father has such an impact on the lives of his children.

While he was gone Grace and I went to the barn for her lesson.  I think I want to take lessons.  I know I want to, I'm just thinking about can we do it?  should I do it?  am I too old?

Then we came home and had FHE.  Dinner was good, spaghetti and meatballs, dessert was burnt :( ..it happens.  H saved the day and made cookies.  We watched part of a BYU address I had really liked, it didn't go over very well so we bailed and played "Camp", which Ethan, Grace and I enjoyed.  Ethan won.  It's not often perfect but we try.