We're Home and School Pictures

Hey Everyone!

We're back from Vegas and we had a GREAT time. It was so fun to see my parents. They live a mile from us but my mom has been in Vegas for a few weeks. It felt like we were visiting long lost relatives. It would have been a much sadder goodbye if we didn't know we'd see them again in a week or so! I will post pictures of the trip tomorrow. In the mean time - here are the other kids' school pictures that we got before we left on our trip.

Contest Winner and Las Vegas

Bronson and I just got home from doing the paper route. We are only doing it again in the morning and than my friend, Diane, is substituting for us until Sunday! I can not tell you how excited I am to have a few days to sleep in until my body tells me it's time to wake up. We are heading to Las Vegas tomorrow so with the hour time difference - my body will probably be telling me to get up at 3:00 am!

It's "UEA" break for the kids and so they are out of school for a few days so it's the perfect opportunity to get out of town. We haven't been anywhere for such a long time that we are all very excited.


We're heading to Vegas to see my parents. They just built a 2nd home (actually 3rd home) there because my dad started a bank in Vegas (click here) and had to establish a residence in Vegas in order to do so. The house was finished a couple of months ago but we haven't seen it yet and it will be very nice to have somewhere to stay besides a stinky hotel!

My mom doesn't spend a lot of time there and my dad is usually home on the weekends because he's still a bishop of a single's ward here. But, my mom left about a month ago and won't be back until the first of November so it's a good time to go.

I won't be posting any blog entries while I'm gone unless my dad's laptop is working but from what my mom said - she hasn't been able to check blogs because their internet isn't working. I will be having withdrawals - not being able to check my blogs everyday - but we will catch up when I get back!


And also...

I drew the winner's name for the contest on Sunday and it was Dustin (my little bro) who won! Of course he doesn't appreciate the cute bunnies but he is selling them on ebay. I told him he had to give me half the money so it's a win/win situation!

General Conference

Conference weekend is over and I feel more uplifted and rejuvenated. I enjoyed listening to every session and I'm thankful that my kids are getting older and it's actually a joyful thing to sit and listen to conference together. There aren't as many disruptions and they will say little things like, "I know that story" to let you know they are listening (to some things).

I know you aren't suppose to necessarily have "favorites" when you're listening to conference, but there are those who you are drawn to and can relate easily to. One of those people for me is Sister Susan W. Tanner, the General Young Women's President. She didn't speak at Conference this time and I was afraid that she would be released this weekend because she has been in for 5 years, which is usually the time frame before the women are released. I do have to say that Sister Julie B. Beck is another one of my "favorites" and I think hers is the talk I enjoyed most and could relate to and learn from. Sister Beck is the newly called General Relief Society President and I love her. If you'd like to listen to her talk again, click here.

This is the synopsis from her talk...

"Sister Julie B. Beck, general president of the Relief Society: Women in the church can be like the mothers of the Stripling Warriors whose story is recounted in the Book of Mormon. The young men were successful in battle because they had been taught "by mothers who knew." Mothers who know bear children, honor sacred ordinances and covenants, nurture others, lead in equal partnership with their husbands and teach. They may also "do less," not allowing unhealthy media use in their homes or the distractions that diminish good family life."

I'm excited for the Ensign to come out in November so I can reread all the wonderful talks. I hope you were inspired and uplifted as well and had a great weekend!

Maddie's Halloween Costume

Maddie isn't sure what her Halloween costume will look like, but she does know what her eyes will look like. She and her friend, Maddie, have been saving their money and went to Taylor Maid today and bought these contacts (for a mere $90 - what a rip!) She cleaned the house for 3 hours this morning but owes me another 3 hours to finish paying them off. This is what she looks like with them in. I could have bought Talbie a 6 month supply of her contacts for under $90. I hope these were worth it to her!

Happy Birthday Bronson!

Yesterday was Bronson's 9th birthday. We gave him a new "Nintendo DS". He got one for Christmas from my parents but after he had it about 3 weeks, he got mad and broke it. I returned it to Costco but kept the money and bought groceries with it because I was mad that he couldn't have anything without destroying it! I got him one for his Birthday and he was SO excited about it! He's taking VERY good care of it.

He also got the last 2 of the Book of Mormon figurines that he didn't have. He was equally as excited about those.

Then Dave and I took him out to dinner. He wanted to go to "Brick Oven". We had fun!



Bronson and "King Lamoni" and the "Lamanite Warrior"


Me attacking Bronson



Dave wanting proof that he was at the party too!

New Project

Bronson has found a new hobby. He tired of the tape ball (even though it's still hanging around his room) and now he is making a giant tin foil ball. He checked out a book at the school library that had all the world record holders in it. He's decided to try his hand at his own world record. We'll keep you posted on the growth!

Autumn Pillow

A couple of years ago I made this stitching and it was glued in a frame. I'd hang it up every fall. This year when I got it out of storage, it didn't look as good as it had in the past. I took it out of the frame, sewed an edge around it, and made it into a pillow. I love it again!

Scripture for the Day

On Sunday, I was released from my calling as 2nd counselor in the Relief Society. I have loved serving with the women in that presidency, but I was call back into the new presidency and I'm equally as excited to work with them. This time I'm the Education Counselor (Barbara we need to share ideas!).

We had our first presidency meeting yesterday and this was the scripture that started our meeting off. It's very appropriate if you know the new presidency...

D&C 60:5
"Let there be a craft made, or bought, as seemeth you good, it mattereth not unto me..."

JoLyn Jackson is our new RS President and we have gone to MANY craft classes together. It was a very fitting scripture!

Have a great day!

Saturday Picnic in the COLD!

On Saturday, Dave's family got together for a picnic at the park. We had no idea when we planned the event the week before - that it was going to be the coldest day so far this fall. It was about 35 degrees outside and we were freezing! It was also a birthday party for Charlie (Alisa and Roberts little boy) and the kids had so much fun. Here are some pictures of our day...



Bronson climbing to the top of a great pine tree


This is actually how high he got. He's in the picture with Ben. We wanted to climb higher but I knew he wouldn't be able to get himself down so we stopped him.


Talbie, Charlie, and Emmie


Megan and Maddie


Jessie, Megan, and Maddie


Dave and his sister, Lynn. Notice their BYU pride! Lynn's husband, Kevin is the BYU football trainer so we usually look pretty dang good on game day!


One of the games the kids played was "donut on the string." They had to eat the donut off the string and the first one done was the winner. Emmie's donut kept running up and down her face. It was hilarious! This is her "skunk" look!

Dave and I trying to stay warm!

By the way...

By the way...

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