Halloween!

This year Halloween has been almost as big as Christmas. As my kids are getting a little older the holidays keep getting more fun, or as I like to say funner. A list of Pre Halloween Party's:

1. Last Friday we went to Heather and Jeff Lloyd's for a party. It was fun to see our friends and the kids had a great time. Thank you Heather for a great party. You are always such a great hostess. Pizza, carmel apples and donuts from a string!


2. Saturday night Ward Halloween party. My Ward has a big Halloween party every year. The kids had fun.


3. Family night at Jess and Wades on Monday. We carved pumpkins, donuts from a string contest which was hilarious. It was fun to see all the nephews and Lucy in her costume. Lucy was a darling Lion and Dan was a great Buzz light year.


4. Tuesday Andrew's preschool program and party, singing class party.


5. Thursday Halloween Train in Lindon. This was great the kids loved it and the people who put it on are great. They do it all for free, and accept donations for a local care center. It was fun to see Grandma Linda and Grandpa Rory. It has been a long time since we were at their house. Thanks for a great night


6. Friday finally Halloween has arrived. Trick or Treating. It was fun seeing the kids walking down the sidewalk to trick or treat. Jeremy took the kids and they looked so cute. When they got home they both dumped out there sacks and started digging in. Anna was right there with them double fisting it with suckers, it brought back memories. I remember doing the same thing. My mom and Dad came over to see the kids and we had clam chowder. It was fun to have them. You would think for as close as we live they would be over more often, but my Dad is a total homebody and after like 10 minutes he is ready to go home.

I can't believe were almost to November, time is really flying by. Michael gets home this month and I'm so excited to see him! Hope everyone had a great Halloween. Pictures to come!

The Joys of Motherhood

I just had this interaction with Andrew and it struck my funny bone. It was that or be mad. I walked in to his room and Andrew said," Hi, mom how was work?"
Me: "Good, were are your clothes?"
Andrew: "They got all Wet."
Me: "Did you pee the bed?"
Andrew: "Not my bed, your bed."
I just laughed. All I want to do is go to sleep and I have peed sheets. Life is ironic. I guess sleep can wait a few more minutes, it's waited all night.
Good night all, I'm headed to change my sheets.

The things they say

Andrew: "Mom does your work close?"
Me: "No, it doesnt' ever close."
Andrew: "Does Dad's work close?"
Me: "Yes"
Andrew: "My work doesn't ever close."

I guess none of our work is ever really finished. And it's hardwork to be a busy little boy.
Someone asked Lexie the other day, "are you a princess?"
Lexie: "Not yet but I'm gonna be."
She is being a princess for Halloween and is quite pleased with her costume, Thanks mom for making it.
I wish I remembered all the funny little interactions withmy kids and there voices and intonation. They do say the cutest things.

Gladden the Heart

I have been in a blogging slump lately. I think all the hub bub and financial crisis our country is in has had me preoccupied. Because of the Gloom and doom feeling I wanted to write and share what I have been up to which has made me happy, and express gratitude for the blessings in my life.

First piece of great news. I am all caught up on my laundry, this is no small feat. Second Yesterday Lexie and I cleaned my room while Andrew was at school. We did a bang up job, dusting, vacuuming the bathroom mopping, shower, tub, we did it all. I realize I am an adult and my room should be clean, but it always seems to get neglected. I try to clean up the house before bed, but sometimes by the time I get to my room I am out of steam, so I am very pleased with my clean room.

I have been enjoying the fall. I love it. It is a wonderful time of year, with all the color changes, preparing the yard for winter. I love the smell of grapes in the fall. Do you know what I mean? I remember running cross country in high school and there was this one route where we would go past a fence lined with grapes. I can still smell it and it is making my mouth water as I type. I have always loved the fall, and I think I just like the season change. Which is funny because in most other ways, I really do not enjoy change, it is hard for me.

Finally the last thing which has brought me joy as of late is a photography class I have been taking. It has been on Tuesday nights and it has been so much fun and I think I've learned some valuable things at it. So without further babbling I'll show some of the pictures I liked.

With the recent happening in the news I have found a renewed gratitude for the blessings in my life. I am so grateful for my job. Gratitude for my job is something which at times I don't always feel. I have always wanted to stay at home with my kids so sometimes I am less than grateful, which I know is shameful. But with so many people out of work I feel so very blessed to have a job and one that isn't going anywhere. I have been blessed with great opportunities as a nurse and have had the opportunity to work in many different areas. As a nurse I am very marketable and am grateful for this and grateful to my parents for encouraging me to get an education and one which I could use if need be. I am also so very grateful for my family, extended and immediate. I love my children more than anything and receive great joy from them and the funny things they do. I cannot nor do I want to imagine my life without them. They can be trying and taxing at times, but they truly are my greatest joy and blessing. I'm grateful for Jeremy. There are so many ways in which he is a great example to me. He is a hard worker and great dad. I love him and love that he is able to put me at ease when I'm anxious or worried about things. He always seems to know things will work out and be okay, and he is usually right. I'm grateful for parents, siblings, and in-laws who keep me grounded. I love that my sisters are my best friends and am so happy for there example and influence in my life. Lastly I'm grateful for good neighbors. We live in a wonderful neighborhood full of sounds of childhood. I couldn't ask for a better place to raise my kids. So with all the gloom and doom I want to think of what gladdens my heart and all my blessings and the day feels a little brighter!

LU LU at 3

Lexie turned three on the 28th. We had the family over for cake and ice cream and she was so excited everyone was there to see her! Lexie is a fun little girl to have around and I can hardly believe she is already three! Lex got three Disney barbies for her birthday and is now very into playing with them! Thanks to all our family and friends who helped celebrate and make Lexie feel so special. We think she is a great little girl, here are some of our favorite things about Lexie at three:

• When asked what does the Lexie say, she responds, "may I have some candy please?" she loves sweets
• She will pull a whole carrot out of the fridge and ask someone to take the crust off
• She loves to eat peanut butter off of a spoon
• "Daddy my tummy hurts can I have an apple?" Apparently apples are the cure for sick tummies according to my kids
• She loves to help clean with me
• She loves all things girly: lipstick, shoes, ponies (for hair), clothes
• When Jeremy leaves for a bike ride Lexie says, "Be careful, watch for cars"
• When we pick Andrew up from school she always says, "Andrew what did you learn today?"

We love her and think she is a doll face. Happy third Lex, we love you and are so glad you are a part of our family!

Lexie in her new clothes for play group






taking pictures outside the Kaysville Tabernacle