Returned with Honor

We are so excited to have Uncle Ron home from serving in Atlanta. What a refreshing smile he has! We really missed him. He has adjusted very well. Ron and two of my other brothers have already planned their trip to Hawaii in two weeks from now. Oh, to be single again and just get up a leave!! Hey, boys enjoy it while you can.

Anyway, Ron served a faithful mission and all who came in contact with this guy was truly blessed. We hear leaders talk about missionary work and just being kind and serving those who we come in contact with because we don't know what lasting effect it will have on their future conversion. Well, Ron makes a lasting impression on any who he comes in contact with so the faithful Bible Belt region of our country, that is very difficult to convert, was the perfect place to send this Elder. It'll be amazing to someday see all the people that were eventually brought to the truth because of this Elder.

'Tis the Season. . .

I am so excited to tell you all about our Christmas Season we had this year! It was busy, crazy, cold, and busy. . .

My family has a great tradition to play Sub-for-Santa each year in lieu of gifts. We had a very deserving family and I know we were blessed much more than they. I'm so thankful to my family for giving every year. I know this hasn't been the best year financially for a lot of people. But the blessings we receive far out way the cost.

The kids (Blaine included-those who know us well know I have four kids) decided that with all this snow they would build an igloo. We live in a circle so we need to give our thanks to the snow removal person for plowing beautiful mounds of snow (perfect for digging out igloos) in front of our house. This is an on going project as they are actually "icing" the igloo for safety! Our poor neighbors are going to see a mound of ice/snow out their window when everyone else will be looking at daffodils this spring, LOL!

Karli performed in the Annual First Grade performance of the Nutcracker. She was a "Snowflake" dancer and "Glow stick" dancer (just like her older sister last year!). I gotta tell ya, not much beats seeing your daughter up on stage, enjoying every moment.

Abbi and Karli are privileged to be in the same dance class yet another year. I don't think they like being in the same class as much as their busy mom likes it! Hey, one less drop-off and pick-up a week does wonders! They did so awesome. They are both naturals. Too bad they both pick soccer as their on going extra curricular activity. But for now they enjoy doing both and as long as everyone stays sane I'm up for it too!
I've got to give Ty-Man credit. He sits through two recitals back to back every year just to see his sisters dance for a minute and a half. Ya, I'll admit he doesn't have much choice right now but I know if he could choose he would support his sisters. That's my Ty-Guy


This is becoming one of my favorite moments of the season each year. The Christmas studio recital has been great both years we've been apart of it. This year Abbi played "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and didn't miss a note. Her teacher has them focus so much on tone and it really showed in Abbi's performance. Karli played "Away in a Manger" she didn't miss a note either. It's so fun to watch her because she adds so much of her own emotion to the songs she plays. She's our little Drama Queen. . . in this case it worked for her!

How many little kids can say they get to play for a full studio audience a few times a year on a beautifully perfect grand piano? What an awesome start to the season.

TWILIGHT

I hope you enjoy this awesome piano arrangement River Flows in you by Yiruma, AKA Edward's Lullaby; I know I can't get enough. It is now just after ten o'clock p.m. on Thursday night and the first showing of Twilight will be starting shortly. All I can think about right now is poor Marie (one of my YW) and hoping she can stay up through the whole showing, she's really been worried about that. I know she's been prepping for this for awhile now :). I can't see it until Abbi has finished the book. I'm kinda wishing I didn't make that promise now, I may have to wait another week :( Hopefully Hollywood hasn't embellished the romantic scenes too much so she can see it. Marie, you better stay awake so I can find out! LOL.

Congrats Abbi!

Abbi completed level one in her Suzuki training. It took her just over a year, which is pretty good. We held a concert for her in our home so she could show off what she has learned to her family. She played thirty pages of memorized songs! She did great!

We want to thank the whole Fam for supporting her.

It really means a lot.

I apologize, the sound is a little scratchy :(

BACK IN BLACK

view of the "blackout" crowd

This was taken before the game started. Ty was in his usual "game home"
underneath the bleachers.

Karli and Abbi down on the field after the game.

Game Highlights:

The kids looked forward to this one.
We wore black.

It was an exciting game.

The girls rushed the field (safely) with Dad and got some Utah garb.

UTAH WON!

"Grease is the Word"

Blaine and I had a blast dressing up this year as "Danny and Sandy" from Grease. Let me tell you, Halloween is so much better when the whole family dresses up. I only wish we could have found a better wig for Blaine. I've got to hand it to him for being such a good sport. I'm sure he's always secretly wanted a "T-Bird" jacket ;)

Halloween was great. We had the day off from school so we enjoyed parties with friends, baking cookies, the annual tri-ward dinner and trunk-or-treat, and of course good old door to door trick-or-treating. We finished off the night with carmel apples, hot chocolate and a cozy backyard fire.

Abbi won most exceptional costume as the Bride of Frankenstein.

Karli won most marvelous as a "Good" witch.

Ty won most fascinating as a Power Ranger. Fun, fun.

Must See T-ylerV-ision. . . Ty's Fire Safety Demo

Ty came home the other day after preschool and taught me how to be safe in a fire. When he got to the "drop" part of the demonstration I laughed so hard. I had him do it over and over again. (I know, it may be considered child abuse to tell your kid to repeatedly throw himself on the floor, but it was too funny.) It may be hard to hear him on the video so here is the play by play:

TY: "Stop............Drop..............Roll................Touch.......the Doooor..."

Thanks Des for teaching him the importance of fire safety and giving me a good laugh :) Ty wants you all to watch this so you too will know what to do in a fire!! (He really does)

"STAYCATION"

This year for UEA we decided to have a "staycation". You know, when you are on vacation in your own city (or close enough). We stayed in Park City at the Canyons resort. JUST BEAUTIFUL! Then we had our trip packed with activities close by. The first night we went to a pumpkin patch but it was closed. So we went for a drive and found an even better one. We have always picked our pumpkins from the vine so that was important to us. This place was like Thanksgiving Point's Cornbelly's. We went on a hayride, then we cheered on the red pig in a pig race, and slid down an enormous slide. Great fun! What a fun way to start our endeavor.

SO EXCITED!!

On our way to the pumpkin patch.

(We had an awesome

tractor driver.)

We found the perfect pumpkins

Mine was the smallest one. I seem to be the only

one that remembers that I end up carving all of them!

Wait. . . maybe they do realize that!?

It looks like Ty is standing up. That's because he

practically is. The slide was incredibly steep!

SATURDAY. . .GAME DAY

We first went to the Utah game on Saturday that weekend. It was perfect weather. I was so worried we were going to have to pack the kids with all their winter garb. It was awesome, Utah won, the kids had a good time, our game neighbors were awesome as always, and again the weather was great.

Because we were on vacation we had to eat out. So we went to Red Lobster.

Note the fishy faces :)

Finally, that night we went to the Real soccer game in their new stadium. If you haven't been it's a "must try". There's not a bad seat in the house.

I'm thinking that we will try this "Staycation" thing again.

VERY FUN!!

Konnichiwa!

Uncle Blake just came into town for a short visit from his current home in Japan. Blake and his wife, Naibi, are expecting their first baby in December. We are so excited! We've all been waiting along time for a child to come to this part of the family. They are so deserving of such a blessing. We just wish they were living a little closer.

The kids just love Blake and Naibi.

We Miss you Guys!

"I'M IN CHARGE OF MY DONUT!"

This was taken during our little adventure to Gardner Village. The girls wanted to taste his chocolate donut and he didn't want to share, which I was totally okay with. Blaine decided to snatch a piece off and give it to the girls. Once he had done that Ty yells:

"Hey, I'm in charge of my donut!"

He was saying this as his own mouth was full of the chocolate mess. I've got to say that I felt like a proud Mommy to hear my son have so much conviction about something he cared about so much. I just hope this continues in areas of his life when it actually matters! We all had a good laugh and he realized this was a good opportunity to be the "class clown" and proceeded to entertain us some more. We love our little TY GUY!

LET'S PLAY CATCH UP. . .

Abbi just after scoring.

President's Cup Tournament

Blaine is the coach of Murray Max U9 Competitive soccer team. It is very time demanding but very rewarding at the same time. The team has been doing very well. They are leading their bracket being undefeated with no new teams to play. They just recently finished the President's Cup Tournament and lost one game in the freezing cold rain and West Jordan wind. What an awesome experience to be a part of something so big.

Abbi had two goals in the tournament and played extremely well. She is working very hard right now as she is playing for the U10 team as well. That means double the practices and double the games (in the rain and cold right now :( ) She scored in the U10 game this last Saturday vs. Sparta. She currently has upwards of fifteen goals and many assist for the season!

CONGRATS ABBI!!!

Some say being a Mom is the hardest job in the world. I would agree with that 100%! But I would also have to say that we as moms receive the greatest reward when we see the fruits of our labor. Right now my fruit tastes very sweet. :)

SLUMBER or PARTY!!?

Abbi had a few friends, Hailey and Jayde, over for a "Slumber Party". We've done this before so we had a plan. . . We would tire them to death so they would have no other choice but to fall asleep by 10:00 p.m.. So that is what we did. We set up a canopy (thanks U9 Murray Max soccer team) that they used as a stage and turned on the High School Musical Soundtrack. They danced and sang 'til there was nothing left! We went for a yummy brownie treat at Kneaders and got ready for bed. Blaine and I went down to check on the girls at 9:45. They were out cold!!! Our plan worked. We will be keeping this one on file for future use!

M.I.T.

Mommy in Training.

Our Karli loves to mother. I really could have used her starting eight years ago when we started our family. My stress levels would have lowered dramatically. Well, I'd rather have her as a daughter than a nanny, but she does do an awesome job. Thanks Aunt and Uncles that trust their little ones under our care! This is cute little Will. We love having him around. Want more cute pix of Will? Visit Spencer and Aly's blog in my "Blog Town". Get ready world for another awesome babysitter and mother!

Which Witch is Which???

It's that time of year again. Autumn is my favorite season of the year. There are so many activities and colors. There begins to get a chill in the air ( I love sweatshirt weather :)), it's time to can all of the great harvest, and of course soccer game after soccer game. Okay and some football; we love the Utah games with you Blaine! The only downfall is that the season doesn't last long enough where we live. Winter comes too fast!!! So we try to get as much Fall as we can in the short amount of time we get it.

We went to Gardner Village. I love the quaint little shops and yummy bakery. Today though, was devoted to the witches; okay and the bakery. We started out counting each of them. That didn't last long. I guess it doesn't matter. They have enough to see a new one everytime you turn around. Our favorite was the airport they had set up. They had a witch on her broom coming in for a landing, one giving direction with those light sticks, and another getting ready to take off. All were set up high on a building and in the air. Very fun!!

Donut Falls

This is our annual hike to Donut Falls. It was so much fun. We didn't make it to the falls this time because we went with the purpose to take pictures for the school reflection contest. You know how kids are, they want to take a picture or two of every tree, rock, bug, cloud, and the list goes on. I wanted them to be creative and take their own so needless to say we doddled along our way and time was cut short. Our family really enjoys the outdoors. In fact I usually have to drag the kids indoors once in a while. This adventure will go down as one of my favorite so far!