And We're Off!

We had fun with family in town this last week.  My family generally keeps pretty busy with family stuff going on and spending time with everyone.  Monday, my parents and Sandi and Taz went up to the cabin for the day and had fun up there, then came back in the evening.  For FHE, Dan got a used tire and a rope and hung a tire swing in the back yard for the kids - they had a blast washing it off and swinging in it!

Jon surprised us all by driving in and showing up to help Sandi out - Taz had been kinda clingy with all the changes, and Sandi wasn't feeling good and was tired courtesy of the little bun in her oven.

We met Grandpa and Doug and Frank and Tina and Frankie for breakfast on Thursday, then the boys (and kid)  left and the women went for a bit of pampering.  I am continually grateful that my kids are getting this chance to know my grandpa!  

On Friday, the family headed back to Texas and after school got out, Dan and I took the kids down to Aunt Tina's house.  We went and did a session at the Temple and  then had dinner together at Chili's.  After we went home to pack and do a bit of cleaning .

Saturday morning, we were picked up by Newell and Becky and headed to the airport.  We arrived in Galveston, checked into our hotel, and headed out to dinner.  It was rater strange being able to go do something with out having to worry about arranging a sitter, or worrying about kids bed times :)

Sunday we got on the boat - the Carnival Magic - and got lunch and got settled into our rooms.

Guests!

It's been a busy week for us - we've been trying to get our house ready for guests and get ourselves ready for the weekend and preparing for the cruise. Friday was our preschool day and we took a "Field Trip" to a pumpkin patch - a cute one with a hay maze and lots of animals - the kids had a great time - and even James did well considering he missed his nap. :) The kids loved looking at the animals - and LOVED feeding the goats who would eat any hay you put near their mouths. It was a fun little trip and we had fun with friends and talking to the kids about fall and the animals.

Saturday morning the kids had Soccer - Dan took them to soccer while I cleaned up and got rooms ready. This was the kids last day of soccer and they went out with a bang - both teams won! They came home with their little participation medals - very excited! I spent the rest of the day cooking for my Mom's birthday party - Deviled Eggs, 7 Layer Dip, Cheese Dip, 2 Cakes and Spaghetti and Guacamole. Dwayne and Nicole and kids came over to eat dinner and play games and make bread with us during the evening - we had fun playing and eating and playing. The kids all get along well together and their kids are sad to go at the end of the night - so they must be having fun too (lol - we hardly see the kids - they go run around outside, or downstairs, and keep themselves busy)

 My parents and sister got in around 8:30 - after getting them settled and finishing the cooking - I was totally dead on my feet! I'm not used to spending the whole day standing on my feet! Today was our Stake Conference - James was rather cranky since he didn't get a nap and hasn't been feeling very good. After - we went home - finished getting the food ready while James napped - then we headed over to Grandpa's for my mom's 60th birthday party. As usual at Francone get-togethers we had WAY too much food (lol - I wasn't even the worst offender!) But it was all yummy, and we all had a great time together.  Grandpa put together a slide show with pictures from my mom when she was younger, and even a tape with her singing both as a kid and as a teenager - it was adorable to hear her sing as a kid and kinda neat to hear how much she sounded like Sandi and I sound.  Our plan for her gift is to take her out to a spa for a morning with just the ladies and some relaxation!  We are looking forward to a week with Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Sandi and Baby Taz around!

I Love Music

This week started out like any other week, well kinda.  The weather is finally turning into that cool fall weather - the leaves are turning and I am craving soup.  Wednesday was a bit crazy with me having a dentist check up, Evie having a doctor check up and other errands that needed to be run - however, Dan was wonderful and worked from home in the morning to make it all MUCH easier - so it was a busy, but not stressful day.

This weekend we kept ourselves rather busy too.  I had concerts with the Colorado Mormon Chorale on Friday and Saturday.  They went well - I always enjoy the time spent singing.  I am so grateful for a husband who understands my need for music in my life and supports me by giving me up and watching the kids for rehearsals and concerts!

Saturday the kids had soccer in the morning - The teams coaches pick out someone from their team each week that they felt deserved a medal and this week both Aaron and Eileen got medals - Anna had gotten one two weeks ago - so here is a pic of our proud kiddos after a cold soccer morning and showing off their medals!

In the afternoon, Eileen had a birthday party - then after we went to hang out with Dwayne and Nicole and another MS friend.  We had fun chatting and eating - then i went to go have fun singing.  It's so fun having them live in this area!

At the Saturday concert I saw an old friend that I sang with in Texas who has recently moved to the area - it was fun to chat and catch up.  

Today - in addition to the usual insanity associated with Sundays, I also had a talk to give - I have only given a handful of talks in my married life - and I am perfectly content to keep it that way!  However it went pretty well - I at least went over 5 minutes long and I don't think i spoke too fast....   After church and ward choir, we went over to the Whelan's house for dinner and dessert.  I'm excited to get to be Jill's visiting teacher now - she's an awesome person and it's nice to make a friend that won't be moving any time soon.  :)  This was our last week of relative normalcy - after this begins all the insanity of the holidays and family and while part of me can't wait - the other part knows it's going to be an exhausting few months.... :) 

Snow!!

Dan left town Tuesday morning and as a result this has been kinda a busy and exhausting week.  Dwayne and Nicole came and watched the kids on Wednesday so I could go to choir.  Becky came over on Thursday so we could have fun chatting and crafting.  On Thursday night, the temperature dropped and we got a bit of snow, so that we woke up to this. 

Saturday was freezing cold and the kids and I all froze during soccer in the morning - so we hurried home after for hot cocoa, lunch and General Conference. General Conference, as usual was wonderful - a much needed lifting of spirits.  It was also fun to watch the kids get excited about it.  Dan got in late last night and we have enjoyed our day with him watching Conference, playing games and making food.