Halloween Tradition

I got the Halloween/Fall decorations out the other day. One of my favorite things in the world is the pictures of my kids in their Halloween costumes. I started this tradition one year when Talbie was 1 and Maddie was 4. Dave's mom had made their costumes and I wanted to get their pictures taken so I'd remember them. It became a tradition and I love getting them out every year and remembering! This is just a sample of some of our pictures - there are still some I need to frame (like last years!)

I wanted to share this idea. There may be some of you out there that already do this but if you don't - it's never too late to start.

We also do this with pictures of Santa! Maddie asked last year when she'd be able to stop getting her picture taken with Santa and I said, "NEVER!"

We're Having a Baby!

Gotcha!


We are having babies - 3 of them to be exact. We have 3 baby bunnies and they are SO CUTE!! Their names are Anne, Diana, and Gilbert (name the movie!)

If you're in the mood for a baby bunny, they will be ready to leave their mommy in about 2 weeks! Let me know!

Utah Drug House

Hey Everyone...this is Dave

Kellie wrote "this is Dave" so she wouldn't get blamed for my bad spelling and poor grammar.
This is the first time that Kellie has let me near her blog so I am approaching this task with sober resolve and maybe she will allow me to make more posts. Well here we go.

Many of you may be aware of the controversy over homes that have been contaminated by drug use or meth lab contamination. There are also thousands of police officers around the U.S. that are experiencing severe health issues, many cancer cases, as a result of exposure to the chemicals used in manufacturing methamphetamine. Now there are many people who have purchased or moved into houses or apartments that are contaminated and they are getting sick.

This has been an important issue for Kellie and I because I have experienced problems myself and I have lost some of my close friends to cancer as a result of exposure. Unfortunately many states, including Utah do not require sellers or land lords to disclose previous contamination of a property before you move in.

Kellie and I decided that we would put together a website that would provide information and give direction to people who believe their house has been contaminated. The site also includes a database where you can search and see if any residence has ever been busted with a meth lab. The database is Utah only right now but in about a week will include the entire U.S. Tens of thousands of homes. The site is at utahdrughouse.com hopefully this site can help raise awareness.

Thanks!
Dave

PS - feel free to link this to your blog for others to read too. The more awareness that's out there - the better!

End of the Garden

Saturday felt good because we cleaned up the backyard and picked the fruit from our apple and pear trees and picked the rest of the garden. We have tomatoes coming out of our ears if anyone would like some!

Notice my fabulous pumpkins! They are the only thing that grew like crazy in the garden this year - and the only thing that I DIDN'T plant! Last year when we carved our pumpkins (CLICK HERE), we did it in the backyard and I threw all the pumpkins guts into the garden spot. It just happened that I didn't plant anything in that corner this year, and 6 baby pumpkins plants starting coming up at the beginning of the summer. They grew and grew and we ended up with pumpkins! What luck!

Youth Conference

Maddie and Dave went up to the Heber Valley Camp this weekend for our Stake's Youth Conference. Dave is in the YM Presidency and this was his first excursion with the youth. He came home very impressed with the youth in our ward and stake.

Every Youth Conference has a service project that you do and this was no exception. Our ward had a pile of heavy logs they had to move. It was a challenge but they got it done - and Dave's arms have MAJOR scrapes to prove it.

Dave said the speakers were spectacular. The main speaker was Brad Wilcox (who many of you may have heard before) and he did a great job. I wish I could have been there (to hear the talks - not to move the logs :)

I was so glad that Dave had this opportunity to go and be with Maddie. I've had so many chances to be with Maddie because it seems like I've been her leader at every age. I was Primary President during most of her primary years, then in the YW presidency and at girls camp for 2 of her years. This was a great time for Dave and Maddie to be together!

Fall Festival '08

It's that time of year again! The annual Fall Festival at the elementary school was a big hit this year! Dave and Maddie were gone for Youth Conference so it was just me and the kids. We had a great time!

Bronson found Blake and Ryan the minute we got there and they glued together until it was time to leave.

Talbie found some friends too so it was just me and Emmie. We did the face painting, pony rides, and many other fun things!

We found Jill (Blake and Ryan's little sister) and Emmie was happy!

I Love it When...

...Maddie uploads pictures on my computer and I can steal them for my blog!

I Love Fall

Fall is my favorite season! There's just something about the crispness in the air and the harvesting of all the fruit and veggies. We have tried to have a garden (somewhat) and we have an apple tree and a pear tree that give us a few bushels of fruit. One of our favorite things to grow are tomatoes. It's been Emmie's job every day to go pick the orange/red ones, wash them, and put them in the fridge (or give them to the neighbors because we have them running out our ears!) It's the highlight of her day!

Our Weekend

The weekend didn't start out too exciting for Maddie and Maddie. They took a cat nap on the couch around 5:00 but they were all energized for the football game that night!

Saturday Dave and Bronson headed to the BYU football game...

......while Talbie and Emmie went to their cousin, Charlie's 3rd birthday party. I bet you can't guess what the theme of the party was?Talbie, Emmie, Ben, and Charlie

A few weeks ago Maddie decided to make a new bag. We got material and a pattern and she was so excited to start! She got it all cut out and then it sat in my craft/sewing room! I can't stand to have unfinished projects laying around so I started sewing on it on Saturday night and by yesterday afternoon I had it finished - except for the giant button that closes it up. Then Maddie got excited about it again!

She sewed the button on and it turned out quite cute!

Treasure

Dave's mom stopped by yesterday to give Dave this book for his birthday. It's quite a treasure. The title of the book is "Flashes from the Eternal Semaphore". This book was presented to Dave's grandpa on October 17, 1929 as he was on his mission in Germany. It was given to him personally by President Heber J. Grant and it has typed note on his letterhead with his signature on it.

Dave and I love antique things - especially old books. When his mom gave this to him he was quite excited. It's a great treasure.