Halloween and "Trunk or Treating"

It was a full day of "Halloweening." The kids got in their costumes early this morning, before school. Talbie was a witch, Emmie was "Raggedy Annie" and Bronson invented his own costume. They had a parade at the school that is always fun because you get to see all the other kids and the costume ideas. They had parties at school, and then tonight we went to our Ward's annual "Trunk or Treat." We had a great time. The only thing we missed out on was going to my parent's house for pizza at the end of the night. They won't be home from Vegas until tomorrow.

Mother/Daughter Party

Last night Talbie and I went to the Primary Activity Day "Mother/Daughter" party. We had a lot of fun. In the past this party has been a "Daddy/Daughter" party and Dave has dressed up with her. I loved going this year but I really hate to dress up. I was able to pull a witch costume together by using my nun costume from last year and buying a cape. This was Talbie's last year and then she'll be in Young Women's next year.

Halloween Flashbacks

Tomorrow is the big day. The kids are ready with their costumes. Bronson completely made his own costume so I think you'll all be impressed. I will post pictures tomorrow after their parade at the school. In the mean time, enjoy some "blasts from the past."


Maddie age 6 Talbie 3


Bronson and Brock - age 1


Last year's costumes

Carving Pumpkins

Last night we finally got our pumpkins carved for FHE. It has been torture for the kids to see the uncarved pumpkins sitting on the porch for a month. They wanted to start carving the first day I brought them home. I couldn't seem to get them (Bronson and Emmie) to understand that they would be rotten by Halloween if we did them too soon - so last night was finally the night. Dave was even feeling well enough to carve his too! Here's how they turned out...


Carving away - Emmie's mad because she couldn't use her own knife!



Still carving. I ended up doing most of the "gutting" and it was not fun! You'll notice in this picture that my "Vegan" spent most of the time eating the inside of his pumpkin. WEIRD!



All done! I think they turned out quite well!

Dave's ER Visit

I haven't made a post all weekend because it's been crazy and Dave's been so sick.

Dave's been a pretty sick boy the past 2-3 months. He has been back and forth to the doctor with various ear infections, strep throat, and sinus infections. After many courses of antibiotics, he still never got better. His doctor determined he had the "Super Bacteria" that you can catch in hospitals, but is out in the general public now. They gave him a shot (I forget the name) of some powerful antibiotic and then he was on oral antibiotics (the strongest) for 10 days. He thought he was feeling better after that, but he was wrong.

Many of you know that Dave suffers for headaches and has for the past 10 years or so. We don't know if it's because of the bullet in his head, all the meth labs he's taken down in his life when he was undercover, or if it's heredity because Talbie and a lot of members of Dave's family have headaches. But since he's been sick, these headaches have become increasingly worse - to the point he wakes up in the middle of the night because of the pressure in his head. He has also had the flu a couple of times.

So, on Friday when his headache and symptoms were still there and he started in on the flu again, I decided it was time to take him to the hospital and we weren't leaving until we had some answers.

He's never had a CAT scan done before and that's been a concern because of the bullet. He can't EVER have a MRI because of the metal bullet, so that's something we have to be careful of.

Very long story short... in the hospital they did a CAT scan, Spinal Tap (to rule out meningitis), blood tests, urine tests, and ultra sounds. Everything came back looking OK.

The biggest concern is that his liver functions are 10 times what they should be and they are trying to find out why that is. They tested him for hepatitis but that came back OK.

They gave him more antibiotics and he has an appointment with his regular doctor today. It sounds like it is just a bad bug that has to run it's course. That's fine if everything else is ruled out and we don't have to worry about it. We'll know more today about the liver functions and what the doctor has to say about it all!

Hope you all had a great weekend :)

Halloween Costume and 9th Grade Dance

Maddie and Maddie M. finally got their perfect costumes put together. They have had their funky contacts for weeks but needed to pull the rest of the ensemble together. I think they looked great. My Maddie dyed an old dress black and spray painted an old pair of pointe shoes black to complete her outfit. They had a great time at the dance and Maddie was in the top 5 of the dance contest they had!!

Crazy Hair Day

It's "Red Ribbon Week" at the Elementary school. Tuesday, everyone wore red. Yesterday was "Crazy Hair Day." We do Talbie's hair the same way every year and it's a big hit. Emmie wanted hers done the same way but her hair is a lot shorter than Talbie's so it was a challenge. This was how they looked going to school...

Home from Texas

Bronson came home from Texas on Monday afternoon. He had such a great time. I thought he'd come though the door and throw his arms around me and say, "I missed you so much mom!" No such luck.

Bronson had 2 (actually 3 if you count Brock) cousins around his same age to hang out with for 5 days and do nothing but do boys stuff, play video games, swim, and party. When they were driving to the airport in Dallas to come home, my mom said, "Bronson, are you excited to go home to all those sisters?" With a tear in his eye, he shook his head and said, "NO!"

I stole some pictures off my sister-in-law, Caleen's blog to show you. Brittany will also be posting some pictures so you can check them out too.



The boys running through a fountain at the mall

The Boys!

Texas State Fair


My brother, Bret and his family: Markelle, Ember, Aiden, Chase, and Caleen. For those of you that remember when they lived next door to us, you'll see how much they've changed and grown!



Everyone in front of the "fake" Alamo. It's in some huge hotel but I can't remember the name of it.

"Star of the Week"

Today in Emmie's kindergarten class, she was "Star of the Week." Each child has a week to do this and it's really something they look forward to. We made a poster of Emmie with pictures on it of everything she likes do. We show it to the class and talk about Emmie, then she gets to call on kids that have a question for her. She had a great time in the spotlight.

I got there a few minutes early so I got to go out and watch her at recess and take some pictures of her with her friends.

Emmie on the monkey bars
Emmie, Addie, and Jill
Headfirst down the slide
Waiting in line to go into the school after recess - the teacher playd a game and you raised your hand if you were wearing red, had blue eyes, had pockets, etc. Jill and Emmie are raising their hands because the teacher asked, "Who has a dad without any hair!"

Gone to Texas

Thursday morning Bronson left for Texas. He flew there with Brittany and Brock and were meeting my parents there, who were flying from Vegas. They are visiting my brother, Bret and his family. They used to live next door to us but they moved 3 years ago to Flower Mound, TX (close to Dallas). We miss them so much. Their kids were born and and lived in that house for 8 years so when they moved, it's like they took half my kids with them when they went.

This was Bronson's turn to visit them. He's actually never been. We have to go in shifts when we go. Maddie went first with my parents, Talbie and I went last year, and now Bronson.

Before Bronson left, I told him "You're not going to have a mom there - are you going to be sad?" He said, "Brittany will be there!" (His second mom). I also told him to call me as soon as he got there. He said, "What if I forget?" I said, "Then at least call me sometime while you're there." Again, "What if I forget?"

Brittany called me when they got to Texas because I was watching Logan and Dallin on Thursday and Friday while Jared was at work. I knew they got there safe, so I waited all day on Thursday to see if Bronson would call me - he didn't.

Friday I called my dad so I could talk to Bronson. My parents didn't stay at Bret's house and were still at their hotel. He said that he asked Bronson all day Thursday if he wanted to call me and he said, "NO."

I called Brittany's phone to talk to him but he was in the pool and wasn't available. She also said that she kept telling Bronson, "Bronson, I have my phone if you want to call home anytime." He said, "K".

It was about 2 hours later and he called home and talked to Dave for about 30 seconds. Dave told him that when he hung up, he'd better call his mom on my cell phone, so I wouldn't worry. Dave called me to tell me he'd be calling - No Call!

Last night they were heading to the Texas State Fair and my dad MADE him call me. When I talked to him I said, "Bronson, why haven't you called me? I've been worried and I miss you. Don't you miss me?" His reply...

"Mom - they have Halo 3 and a pool. I don't have time to call!"

He'll be home on Monday and will get his fill of mom quick. I guess I'll let him have his freedom for a brief moment.

Daddy the Hairdresser

I was so tired this morning after we did the papers, that Dave let me sleep in. He got the kids off to school. He told Emmie that he had to do her hair so she gave him a challenge. She said, "OK - I want 2 ponny tails - braided - with bows at the end." He did an amazingly good job! This is how it looked 10 minutes ago - 2 hours after she got home from school. It stayed in all day!

Big Thank You!

I've told you all about Bronson's paper route and how much he loves it. I know the reason he loves it is because he knows he's making money and will have spending money when he wants it. The thing is - he really hasn't spent any money since we started. He has a "savings account" and a "saving/spending account" that he can take money out of when he wants to buy something. He's going to Texas in the morning with Brock and Brittany (to meet my parents there and visit my brother, Bret and his family) and he is taking some of his spending money with him and he's excited!

Yesterday in the mail we got this nice card. It was from one of our neighbors (the Orme's) and it was thanking him for his great job and for putting the paper on their porch. They gave him a $10 tip in it too. You should have seen his face! People are so kind and they will give him tips with his paycheck. If nothing else, Bronson is feeling a sense of accomplishment and a "job well done!"

Family Pictures

We were so fortunate to have the super-talented - Nicole Hill take our family pictures today. I love her and she is the most talented photographer I have seen. Nicole grew up two doors down from my family but I'm so old that haven't known her until now and I feel very sorry about that! Thanks Nicole!!

Here is a sample of some pictures she sent me tonight. I love them all!

Vegas Pictures

The first night we got there we went and ate at the "Road Runner" - very yummy!



Grandpa teasing Emmie at the restaurant



This is at my dad's brother's house (uncle David). He is drooling over his car. I guess it's pretty cool but I wouldn't know!


Dave in for the ride of his life. Dave said the "G-force" in the car almost made his black out!


Another one of David's toys.


Dave and I eating - AGAIN


My parents


Emmie eating Cheetos!


Bronson eating Cheetos!


Talbie eating chips (not Cheetos)


My dad in the kitchen


My dad's new bank building - still under construction.