Merry Christmas 2019

We had a fun week!  On Monday, Anna went down to babysit for Taz and Kai.  While we did laundry and had fun together around the house.  We had a fun family home evening night playing a game that Evelyn taught us called "Don't Eat Petey"  I think we all had fun playing - even the older kids who were skeptical at first.  :)  Watching David was the funniest - he was so excited to eat the candy, but he got so into it!  He loved yelling "Don't eat petey" with all the rest of us, even if he didn't understand why!  

Tuesday morning, we went to see Frozen 2 with Sandi and Taz and Kai.  We went to an early show hoping to beat the mall traffic - it turned out to be a good idea.  We got there before the crowds and we had a great time together.  The movie was great and we all had fun!  

We spent the rest of the day having fun at home and getting things ready for Christmas.  There was cooking to be done and cleaning to be done and stocking stuffing to be done.  We had a fun time acting out the nativity with the kids.  Eileen was the donkey.  Anna was an angel.  Aaron and Evie were Joseph and Mary.  James was a wise man, and David was whatever he wanted to be.  Sometimes he was a shepherd with me and sometimes he was a wise man with James and sometimes he just ran around and had fun.  Dan was our narrator and I think it was a wonderful way to do it!

After we had some egg nog and the kids opened their Christmas Eve presents. We all got some fun jammies, then the younger kids headed to bed!  David just LOVED his WOODY pj's!  

  

The younger kids headed to bed and we moved the presents out and stuffed stockings and got those set up and all ready for Christmas Morning.  

Christmas morning came early, but the kids were excited!  Even Eileen and Anna didn't grumble too much about getting up before 10.  :)  We started with stockings and paused to eat some breakfast before opening the rest of the presents.  They opened their presents from Grandma and Grandpa Jones while we video chatted with them, then they opened their presents from each other, and finally their presents from us.  We had a fun time and the kids seemed happy with their gifts.  

Dan got me a printed book with 2 years worth of early blog posts - our family journal finally in paper format!  It's so much fun to read through and talk with the kids about it.  I simultaneously want the kids to all read it and not touch it.  :)  Or at least not lose it/leave it on the floor/get food on it/tear the pages....  

Wednesday evening we went down to my parents house for Christmas dinner and presents.  The kids were so excited and they love playing with their cousins.  My parents found some presents Grandma Penny had gotten for the kids and gave those out along with their gifts.  The kids were very excited!  Evie especially so since she got her luggage for her trip to Scotland!  We teamed up with my mom to get my dad some painting stuff - he is going full tilt into these Bob Ross painting classes!  It's so fun!  

Thursday, We took Eileen and Anna out to get part of their present.  Eileen had gotten some crochet patterns and was told that we would take her to pick out yarn for the pattern.  Evie got a fish tank - Gregory died recently - he lasted almost a full year and Evie was very sad, so we got her a new fancy fish tank and told her we would take her to pick out some fish.  She also used some money she got from Great Grandpa and Grandma and Grandpa Jones to pick out some decorations for the tank.  Meet Hillary and Chelsea.  She got a couple female bettas 

Friday, Anna went down to babysit again and the rest of us stayed home and played with our new toys and I enjoyed having the full run of my craft room again now that the Christmas boxes are out!  

Saturday morning, Anna and I went to work out with Grandma - and we brought Evelyn too.  After, we stopped by my parents house to pick up some things and change before heading to the American Doll store for Evelyn's present.  She loved going in there and getting to pick her doll and an outfit.  She and Anna have been having fun playing and dressing up their dolls together.  It's so fun to watch them together!  Then on the way home we had lunch with Grandma and California Pizza Kitchen.  It was a wonderful morning.  Then we had a great afternoon together.   We played some games and I cleaned up my craft room. 

In the evening, Dan and I went to the temple together.  It was great to be able to go and we ran into some people from the Frisco 6th ward.  It was a wonderful way to close out the year.  We had a quick dinner after, then headed home.  I grabbed my organ stuff and headed right back out to practice for Saturday.  I love playing, even if I'm not very good, but I will be glad with Brihanna is back and we can switch off.  

Church today was great but a bit chaotic.  The talks today were wonderful and my organ playing wasn't too bad - not too many mistakes and the ones there were weren't too big or awful!  After I headed to primary where we were missing a pianist and a lot of teachers.  Somehow it all worked and we made it through the last week of the year.  We spent the afternoon playing games together and having a good time together as a family.  Anna spent most of the afternoon and evening working on her Christmas present - she even let David "help"

We had a lot of fun playing games - but it has not been my day for games - I lost once to Evelyn, once to Eileen and twice to Dan.... sigh.... maybe next week....  

More Christmas fun!

After making all those yummy cookies, we made up cookie plates and for FHE on Monday night, we went and delivered cookies to some families in our ward and neighborhood.  We let each of the kids have a chance to pick a song to sing when we dropped off the cookies.  David got to choose first.  He chose Baby Shark.  So the first family we visited got to listen to us sing Baby Shark.  It was great though, since they have a little girl who is one of David's friends and we are good friends with their whole family, so they were very good humored about it!  The kids were so cute!  We love dropping off cookies and singing to some of the wonderful families who have blessed our lives this year!

Monday morning,  I went with a friend to go help clean up from the nativity concert.  Our kids had fun running around and playing while we packed up decorations.  David spent the rest of the day asking to go play with his friends again.

Thankfully he got to play with them all again on Tuesday while mommy exercised.  We had some errands to run though, so we headed out a bit earlier than usual and David kept telling me he wanted to go back to the church.  He's so funny.

This was the last week of school and so the kids had half days and parties and all sorts of fun.  Wednesday, I got together to practice for the Christmas Program, then took the girls to their Young Women's activity.

Thursday, Dan and I headed out to do some Christmas shopping.  It was so nice to be able to go with him!  We had a fun time picking stuff out and goofing off together.

Friday we hosted our Bagna Caulda night.  It was nice and small this year - but we had good friends, wonderful family, great food and beautiful music.  It was kinda nice having it a bit smaller this year, and we all had a great time.  The Call's came and watching Eileen and her friend Daniel together sparked a bunch of questions from my mom and sister later - we had to let them know that they are just friends.  :)

Saturday, Anna and I went to work out with my mom, Sandi couldn't make it :(  We got our butts kicked and now we are both a bit sore in some areas!  Dan and did a bit more Christmas shopping and except for letting the kids pick gifts for each other from the dollar store, we are done!!!  Now we just need to wrap and stuff!  And Dan's been working on some of that, so there's a fair amount of that done too.  In the evening, Dan's company had their holiday party.  It was a lot of fun - food catered by Chipotle and a magician who made balloon animals for the kids and did a show.  The kids loved it and it was entertaining enough even for the adults.  We had a fun time, and still got home in time to get the kids to bed and for me to practice the organ before today's program.

The Christmas Program was today.  It feels like I've been preparing like crazy for this for awhile now, and while I was excited, I was also a bit stressed that it would go ok.  I asked for who was willing to help with music or narrating and mostly got crickets.  That meant that I was heavily involved in almost every song in the program along with preparing the narration.  I was also nervous because I'm not really a great organist, or pianist (though I was doing both in the program) and my voice was not at it's best - I'd hardly been able to speak when I went to bed the night before.  Thankfully all went well.  It was awesome because my parents and Sandi and her kids all came to listen and support us!  Every one in our family but Dan participated in the music.  Even David went up with the Primary kids and sang.  He was so cute!  The kids did a great job!  Eileen sang with a small group of young women and they did an amazing job!  I had a solo - and my voice held out.  Finally, I sang in a small group with a couple other women.  Plus I was playing the organ and Eileen was directing the music!  The power of the words of the scriptures along with the beauty of the sacred music brought the spirit so strongly and people were very sweet and kind after.

As wonderful as it was, it was so nice after to be able to relax a bit!  We spent most of the rest of the day playing games with the kids and talking to family.  We had yummy pancakes for dinner and had fun playing and then read scriptures.  Then more games :)  Dan got out his old balloon animal balloons and let James have at them - he had a blast just making anything his heart desired.  He spent hours entertained by that.

Cookies, Cookies, Cookies.

It's been a crazy busy week - as might be expected at this time of the year.  Monday is laundry day as always - and David loves to help with his laundry now - He wants to put the clothes in and take them out and push the buttons.  

We made a lot of cookies and fudge this week....  like really a lot.  The kids had lots of school stuff going on.  Mommy and David had fun working out and playing with friends.  Evie and Aaron had Activity Days and Cub Scouts, Eileen and Anna had Young Women's Activities.

Anna's band concert was Tuesday night.  Their band did a great job - plus we had fun listening with all the other families in the ward whose kids were in the band.

Thursday evening, Dan and I went to the temple.  It was so nice to be there and take some time away from the craziness of life to reflect and worship.  It did mean more to do on Friday, but it was totally worth it.

I spent Thursday and Friday making cookie dough and baking cookies in preparation for our cookie cook off.  Saturday morning we went to clean the church building.  Then Anna and I went down to work out with my mom and Sandi.  Then we went home and had a quick lunch before the cookie making and decorating began.  Sandi came up with the kids and they all had a blast making and decorating cookies.  My dad came up too, but instead of decorating he mostly just sat and chatted with us, but it was great to have him there!  Then once they were decorated out, we let them watch some Christmas movies and Sandi and I finished the decorating.  The kids had a fun time, and so did the adults

After that, we had the sister missionaries over for dinner, then Anna and I were going with them to teach a sister and her daughter who are investigating.  Unfortunately they weren't there.  :(  After that, we got the kids to bed then I went to practice the organ.

Sunday began with church which was great!  We had our priesthood and temple preview for the kids turning 12 this coming year.  I went both as a member of the primary presidency who was conducting and as Aaron's mom.  I can't believe that he is almost a deacon!   I'm going to have 3 kids in the youth program in just a couple weeks.

Sunday night was the nativity concert.  The children't choir did a wonderful job!  They had a great time singing and were a huge hit.  The kids were so sweet and I gave them all little gifts after with toys and cookies.  It has been so much fun getting to do this!   The rest of the concert was great too - some of the performers were just wonderful!  and all were great!  The only downside was that it got the kids home rather late.

Music Music Music!!

This week has been packed full of Christmas music!  And I love Christmas Music!!!!   The kids had a mostly normal school week - plus a bunch of UIL tryouts for the kids and Anna's all-region band tryouts.  

Monday, we decorated the Christmas tree for Family Home Evening.  We had a fun time decorating and singing Christmas music and drinking eggnog.  I had fun telling the kids about some of the ornaments.  

Tuesday is David's favorite day because he gets to run around the gym at the church and play with friends.  Then after piano lessons, I headed down for an extra rehearsal before the concert this weekend.  

Wednesday, Anna had young womens, but Eileen didn't, so I took Anna down and I practiced the organ while she had fun with her friends.  

Thursday was crazy.  We found out on Wednesday evening that Aaron had a band concert - that he hadn't told us about - we didn't even find out from him - we found out when Anna told us - she knew because they had asked the Honor band for volunteers to help out.  But we had already bought tickets to see the high school musical for that night, and he didn't seem to care about us coming, so we dropped him off and went to the play.  The play was Frozen - and it was awesome!  The kids had fun - David sat enraptured by the whole thing.  

Friday DMCO had our final rehearsal before the concert, and Anna had all-region auditions which also happens to be a big part of her grade, Eileen went down with the Call's and I went to pick Anna up and take her down to the rehearsal.  Thankfully the rehearsal was at the performing arts center instead of our usual rehearsal site, so it was much closer.  After rehearsal - I was up late hemming Eileen's dress.  

Saturday I had to squeeze in some organ practice before the concert - but thankfully it went pretty well and I didn't have to stay too late.  We all got ready - Eileen had to wear some makeup for the concert - she hated it and didn't see any difference, but I thought it made her look all too grown up...  We all got ready and headed for the concert.  

The concerts went well - my parents came and Dan brought the kids, we also saw other friends there too.  The whole night was amazing!  It was so neat to get to do this with my girls!  Eileen's feet started killing her in her shoes - so we traded shoes, but her's were much too small for me - had it just been discomfort, I could have dealt fine, but I couldn't actually fit my feet into her shoes, so I tucked the back under my heel and made do.  We survived (even our feet) and we headed home.  The girls wanted to stop for our traditional Chili's stop for a molten lava cake.  We had a great time together and then headed home full of chocolate, happy and tired.  

Organ mostly went well, though the program was incorrect which confused the chorister and caused a disorienting moment that made me mess up one of the intros. but otherwise, it went pretty well!   Eileen and another young woman were officially called as choristers, so we now have some more help!  Primary was more Christmas music and

Thanksgiving Fun

We've had a crazy week here.  Monday morning, Eileen had a doctor's appointment.  Then in the afternoon, we took Evelyn in to see the doctor because we were worried that she might have strep.  She was put on antibiotics and sent home.  David's tummy hasn't been feeling great either and he's getting new molars in.  It was a busy day - with all the kids home from school for the week, they went a bit stir crazy with all the sick-ies going around and needing to stay home and get better and not infect everyone else.  

Tuesday morning, David and Anna and I went down to the church for the workout group and playing, then David and I went to get our hair cut.  David did so well!  He sat still and listened to Cathy and was such a sweet heart for the whole thing!  After, he looked so much older.  :(  But he's still my sweet little boy!  Then I took him home so he could nap, then I dropped Koopa off for grooming and Anna had an eye appointment and then we picked up Koopa and finally headed home.  

On Wednesday, Evie had a follow up doctors appointment where it was determined that her sickness might be Strep or it might just be a viral infection...  Sigh.   With everything going on, we were worried we might have to postpone or cancel Thanksgiving dinners.  Thankfully, the kids woke up on Thursday feeling much better.  Fevers were back down and the kids were doing well.  We went to a friendsgiving on Thursday afternoon and had a great time.  Eileen found a new Naruto friend.  It was kinda funny to watch her attach herself to her new friend - (un?)fortunately he is a grown son of friends in the ward, so he isn't around much and I think he was a little confused by the 15 year old girl following him around wanting to talk about Naruto.... 

Friday, we got things ready for Thanksgiving with my family.  We went down to my parents house earlier in the day to decorate with Grandma Penny's ornaments.  Then we headed back to our house for Dan's yummy smoked turkey and a whole bunch of other super yummy food!  Then Sandi and I had fun singing Christmas songs together. 

Saturday, Anna and I went to work out with Sandi and Mom.  Then in the afternoon, Dan and I went to donate blood at a blood drive in our area.  It was done in honor of a young man in our ward.  Dan and I had fun being there and fun together.  Anna had fun and did a great job volunteering.  Dan and I had a friendly competition to see who would finish in the least amount of time - I won.  :) 

In the evening, we went to get our Christmas tree.  We headed down to Home Depot to pick it out and their employees miraculously managed to get it tied to the top of the van even without racks.  We had fun picking it out and getting it set up inside.  Now the kids are eager to decorate it - but they will have to wait until Monday!  

It's officially December!!!  That means countdown to Christmas!  We pulled out the Advent calendar tonight and the kids are all excited about it!  This morning in church, I got to play Christmas songs.  I've been practicing them on the organ forever, so it went well this morning - and I love Christmas Music!!!  We had a great turn out for the Children's Choir again - it's going to be wonderful!  We are heading into the craziest month of the year....  but also one of the best!! 

Lots of Music!

We've had a rather busy week, as usual.  The kids had school all week and were busy with their UIL practices and band practices and clubs and such.  David and I had fun at the church with other ladies in the area doing a work out class and a play day.  James had so much fun that he's been asking to go to the church every day since - though you wouldn't have known it at the time - he was rather quiet and mostly just wandering around watching everyone else the whole time.  

The older girls had young womens and I dropped them off then went to practice the organ - after a bit, I got a call that Eileen was not feeling well and asking if I could pick her up, so I went and got her and she came home and went to bed and I went back to practice until Anna was done.  

Thursday was choir - it was a rather exhausting rehearsal, but fun - we are getting so close to the concert - it's so fun to see everything finally start pulling together.  

Friday was the kids last day of school until December - they get the full week off for Thanksgiving.  They were all pretty excited!  

We had some trouble with James at school this week - we got a call from his teacher that he had stolen money from a boy at school.  We had a talk with him at home too - hopefully this will not happen again....  

Friday night, we went to the temple with some friends from the ward.  The temple has been closed for the last month and a half, so it was really nice being able to go again.  We had a wonderful time, then went out to dinner and had a great time!  

Saturday morning, we had another choir practice - a full rehearsal with the orchestra.  It was fun - hopefully we are ready!  It's so much fun having the girls sing with the choir this year!  We took most of the rest of the day a bit easier.  I spent most of the afternoon trying to get Sibelius music program to do what I wanted.  I've been trying to make copies of the music with an organ line to make it a bit easier on me, but with out much of a knowledge of the program, I struggled to figure out how to do things.  But, by the time we got the kids to bed and I went to practice the organ to prepare for Sunday, I had the two harder songs done and ready.  I think they really helped.  

Sunday was wonderful - again we had amazing talks in Sacrament Meeting.  I did ok on the organ and had fun playing the piano in primary.  The children's choir practiced today - they did an amazing job - we didn't have quite as many kids, but there were a lot of people out sick at church and it is the weekend before Thanksgiving, so it's wasn't a surprise.  I'm so excited though - they sound wonderful and I think they are really enjoying it!  

So a few years ago, Dan helped fund a kickstarter for a board game of a video game he really likes - he got the main game and an expansion awhile back.  This week he got a huge box full of expansions, so he and Aaron pulled the game out and had fun playing most of the afternoon and evening.  Aaron really had a great time with Dan!  

We got a smoker on Saturday - Dan has been wanting one for a long time and since we are doing the turkey this year, we decided to smoke it.  We figured we had better make sure we know how it works before Thanksgiving, so we got a bit pork butt and today, Dan started it smoking after church so that it would be done before bed.  The whole house and back yard has been smelling really yummy!! 

Where has the year gone.....

We've had a fun and busy week.  David is my little cutie at home as usual.  He's starting to push boundaries and trying to get away with things.  It frustrating at times, but then there are other times when he's just so sweet and cute!  

Wednesday was cub scouts, and activity days and young womens and organ practicing for me.  The kids all had a good time!  I picked a hymn that ended up being rather hard...  I worked on it so hard all week, but still didn't play it very well on Sunday.  Thankfully the rest of them went better. 

Thursday was choir.  We had our first combined rehearsal with all the choirs and orchestra.  It was awesome!  I love getting to this point in the season - everything begins to come together and it's amazing!  It was so neat getting to hear Eileen and Anna too - the Youth groups sound amazing! 

Friday night, a podcast that I have listened to for a long time was doing a live event in Dallas, so I got tickets and dragged Eileen to the show.  I had a great time and I think Eileen enjoyed it too. :) 

Saturday, Anna and I went to work out with my mom, then we got some lunch after.  After that it was a mostly slow Saturday - a bit of calm before the storm!  Dan and I went out to dinner in the evening, then Eileen and Anna had a youth game night.  I went to practice the organ some more during the activity.  Then we all crashed! 

Today was wonderful!  Church was wonderful (except my playing on the opening hymn- ouch!)  Talks were wonderful and primary was great!  In the afternoon we played some games with the kids, then I took the primary aged kids to the Nativity Children's choir practice.  We had a great turn out!  The kids did an amazing job on the songs and I'm excited for this to all come together! 

Here is David showing of his muscles in the outfit that momma vetoed.  :) 

After dinner, we watched the Face to Face about the new program for children and youth.  Early on, they talked about how this program is geared at helping our children and youth grow and develop into people the Lord can send to do His work.  It was almost word for word an answer to my prayers.  I have prayed to understand how I can best help my children learn and grow - not just for their own sakes, but for how they can bless the lives of others.  <3 nbsp="" p="">

What?? we're almost half way through November??!?!?!?

We've kept ourselves busy this week with the usual school fun, family fun, extra fun.  James and Evie have been having fun doing their sister's hair.  David wants to do it too, but really all he wants to do is spray hair with the spray bottle.  At close range.  Many, many times.  Until we are soaked.  

During the week, we had friends who needed a bit of extra help this week, so I watched their two youngest on Friday.  David loved it - he is always wanting to play with his friend and the older kids were so good with them and playing with them and helping out while I made dinner for us and their family too.  They were so cute on the trampoline - with their fuzzy static-y hair.

Yesterday, Anna and I went to work out in the morning, it was a great, but exhausting work out.  We had a great time though.  Then in the afternoon, I went to a primary training meeting with the General Primary President.  It was wonderful.  It was two hours of the spirit and learning and having our lamps filled!  I carpooled down with Diane and we had fun chatting in the car on the way there and home.  I had been looking forward to this meeting and it was so wonderful!!!!  Then in the evening, was a devotional for the Women and Young Women of the church.  It was all about the new Young Women's theme and it was amazing.  The whole day was full of so much good!  After the meeting, I took the girls home then headed back to practice on the organ for a bit before heading home and crashing!

Church today was also wonderful!  The talks in Sacrament meeting were wonderful.  I'm kinda starting to feel like a real church organist.  Not a real organist - but at least a real church organist.  :)  I find that I'm really enjoying this - I enjoy practicing, I enjoy playing and I just kinda wish I had gotten past my intimidation sooner.

Halloween and a Birthday

We've had a fun and busy week!  Monday morning, I had a quick doctors appointment - I just needed a blood draw and David and I got our flu shots.  Monday night we carved pumpkins.  Thankfully Dan found some down near his work since our Walmart was already out.  The kids had a blast - David loved telling Daddy what to do and they all had a great time!  

We usually put our pumpkins out in front of our house - but since it was supposed to rain for the next couple days (and did!) we left them in the garage until Halloween night.  

Tuesday - Dan's company had a Halloween party - Evie and Aaron had piano lessons though, and by the time they were over, so was the party- Evelyn was VERY mad at me for that....  But Dan brought back stuff for her.  Really - I don't think they missed that much.

Wednesday night was choir night (it was moved since Thursday is Halloween) But it was also the Ward Party.  It was a chili cook off and trunk-or-treat and lots of fun stuff.  Eileen and Anna were able to head there after choir and still get to some of it since the youth choir ended a bit early.  

Thursday was of course Halloween - The kids all got dressed up and ready.  We managed to find Eileen a Naruto character costume.  She was very excited about it.  Anna stayed home and gave out candy.  Eileen joined us for a bit, then went to join her friend Akira for a bit.  The four younger ones and I had fun going around the whole neighborhood.  There were tons of kids out and about and we had fun seeing all the people we had met at the fall festival!  Someone had a bit of a mini haunted house - Aaron, Evie and James wanted to go in and did - and they were ok with it at first, but I think it may have given some nightmares later. David was adorable in his little paw patrol costume.  He loved saying trick or treat and telling everyone "Happy Halloween!"

Friday was a no school day for the kids - but I wasn't feeling great, so we mostly took it easy, then I took the kids to get their flu shots.  They were super amazing and David has been talking about Pokies ever since.  

Saturday was a bit crazy.  It was Eileen's 15th birthday.  15 years ago - this amazing young woman made me a mother.  Dan and my Dad went and did a Bob Ross Painting class together and were gone most of the day.  Eileen picked Sushi for her birthday dinner.  She wanted to make a cheese cake for her cake (she made a pumpkin cheese cake) and she loved her gifts!  Dan found her a Naruto sweatshirt and head thingie - that she has hardly taken off since.  She was going to have a couple friends over - but one was sick and she had a hard time getting a hold of the other one, so we are putting that off until next week.  Instead she wanted to spend her time writing for NaNoWriMo.  

One of Dan's seminary students had a concert in the evening, so after we got the kids to bed we headed over - we were a bit late, but it was a fun concert and a fundraiser for their choir.  

Sunday was awesome!  We had my parents over for dinner, then after that, Sarah and Rob stopped by.  They were in town for a conference and the had some time to spend an evening with us!  We had fun chatting and laughing and playing games.  

Tired....

It has been a crazy busy week!!  Tuesday, after school and piano lessons, Aaron had his Band night - so we got to go listen to the 6th graders and hear what they have learned so far - the band program here really is amazing.  Anna was also there volunteering and helping with set up and take down.  

Wednesday morning, I picked up David's friend Addie to take them to the playground.  We had to interrupt the play time to run back to the house and use the potty, because the ones there were not use-able - but we headed back after and they kids had a great time together!  After, I took her home and we stayed and chatted for a bit and had some lunch there.  It was fun!  Then in the evening, the kids all had their various activities - Evie had fun making purses with with the girls and the scouts had their rain gutter regatta.  They all had a good time and Aaron took 3rd place.  Then the girls had a selfie scavenger hunt and I spent some time practicing the organ.  Then after the girls got home, Dan and I headed to a friends house.  The guys were watching Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure and I went and played games with the girls.  Fun was had all around, but Dan and I were both tired, so we headed home a bit early.  

Evelyn got her new glasses this week - she needs bifocals!  I think she looks so cute in them though!!  She also got some earrings with a gift card from a sweet adopted grandma back in Colorado.  She wanted to show those off too! 

Thursday was choir - but it was a bit crazier than usual since the kids usual ride home couldn't pick them up this week, so Dan had to drive down to get them.  But it all worked out in the end. 

Friday was the calm before the storm.  We did some clean up around the house and had a nice slow night. 

Saturday was nuts.  Anna and I went to work out with my mom in the morning.  My mom's knee is bothering her - hopefully things get better soon.  Then we got home, grabbed a quick lunch and headed for the Anna Fall Festival.  The kids had a great time climbing the climbing wall, playing on the bounce houses, and riding the swings.  Anna had fun walking around and doing the bingo board.  Anna and I did a medicine ball slam challenge at one of the booths - she did pretty good, but I didn't do too bad considering - and she had the best score of the whole day!  David loved collecting goodies in his bag and playing the little games.  Our ward had a booth there too and I had signed up to help out there for an hour, so I headed over there and Dan took most of the kids home since they were about done by then. 

 

After that, we headed home and the kids got dressed up for the neighborhood Fall Festival Eileen didn't care much about dressing up.... There was a good turn out which was awesome and the kids had more fun bouncing on bounce houses and there was lots of good food!  There was a chili contest and we got 2nd place!  David loved his costume, but he would take his hat off and Eileen would find it and pick it up to keep it from getting lost and put it on - and she looked pretty cute in it too!  

After that, we took the kids home and did scriptures and prayers and then Dan and I headed to our friend's 50th birthday party.  It was fun and a bit odd being there - it was a friend from back when Dan was teaching and coaching, so we got to see a lot of people we hadn't seen in awhile - almost like reconnecting with a past life.  But we had a great time!  Finally, we headed home and I went to practice the organ for a bit before crashing for the night! 

Church today was wonderful, the talks were wonderful and I almost felt like a real organist today on the organ.  It feels like I'm getting a bit better - but I guess when you practice something for 2-3 hours a week that happens... :)  After church, we had friends over to play games and then had dinner and pie and family scripture time.  It has been a great day!!  Now I need to crash again! 

State Fair and more

 Monday, we headed down to the State Fair.  It was insanely crowded, but we had a fun time anyway.  We had fun walking around and checking everything out, we watched the pig races and rode some rides and ate some junk food and had fun!

We got home a bit later than I had planned on, but Dan was amazing and had dinner ready for us so we could eat and head over to the Hubbard's for FHE.  We had a fun time watching the new Book of Mormon video and eating yummy brownies!  

David and I had a fun week - mostly just hanging out together - he thinks its so fun to lay down and have mommy put a blanket on him - he doesn't stay there long - but it's so cute!  

1. 

Anna had a rather crazy day on Thursday.  She had to miss choir this week because her Cross Country district finals were on Thursday, but she also had an award ceremony to go to and an induction ceremony into Beta club that she had to miss...  The school wanted to recognize her for her kindness toward the other girl she was racing with a couple weeks ago.  I think she is a bit embarrassed by all the attention she gets about it.  

Friday, I had a presidency meeting in the morning, but the rest of the day was pretty laid back.  Saturday, Dan took Eileen and Evelyn down to get their eyes checked - David of course loved trying on glasses.  Poor Evelyn needs bifocals.  Anna and I went to work out with my mom and Sandi, and then after we went out for a nice lunch together.  It was really nice to get together to just hang out and chat for a bit.  Dan tried to go help out with a move - but they were done before he got there.  I spent some time practicing the organ, since I am now the full time organist for the ward... at least for a few months.

Church today was wonderful!  I didn't mess up too badly on the organ and the talks were wonderful!  Primary was great!  The kids were so much more well behaved than last week!!  This afternoon was one of  game playing and having fun together and talking about the gospel!  What a beautiful way to spend a day!

Birthdays?

It's been a fun and busy week.  The kids had their usual school busy - seminary, cross country, band, clubs, etc.  We had a fun scripture lesson on Wednesday about walls and how to tear down the walls that separate us from the Savior.  The kids had activities in the evening and I spent some time practicing the organ. 

Dan and I met up for lunch and had a great time.  Then on the way home, I ran by Bath and Body Works for a birthday gift for my mom.   David loves to help mommy shop and he loves flirting with all the women - every woman notices him and thinks he's adorable - it's hilarious.  

David loves saying prayers all by himself and one night when he was saying prayers, he started blessing everyone - he started with Daddy and went around the room saying everyone's name... then he got to Eileen and apparently couldn't remember her name - so he just kept saying names and pointing at her until we helped him and helped him end his prayer. 

Evelyn has been enjoying having her hour up now that she is 10 - we played Dominion with her and she struggled a bit, but learned it and had enough fun to request it again tonight. 

Saturday was fun - Anna and I went to work out with Grandma in the morning, then we headed home to get the house cleaned up and things ready.  Then we headed down to Grandma and Grandpa's house for dinner and to celebrate all the September and October birthdays with cake and ice cream and presents.  It was fun!  Then we headed home.  After getting the younger kids to bed, Dan and I watched the newer Spider Man movie and then I spent a bit of time playing my new birthday present! 

Today was wonderful but crazy.  I was directing the music and speaking in sacrament meeting.  I'm not usually excited to speak in Sacrament meeting, but I was today because I got to speak on how music helps us feel the spirit.  Then we had a wonderful musical number that brought the spirit beautifully, and finally another wonderful talk - the youth speaker before me was also wonderful!  Primary was fun and a bit crazy.  One sweet little girl in jr. primary frequently resists going to primary, but she will come and sit with me - today she snuggled in my lap the whole time. 

In the evening we had friends over for dinner and games.  We had a fun time chatting and eating and playing Settlers with them. 

General Conference Weekend!

The week was mostly usual.  I had some sort of cold or something during the week - mostly I just felt icky and tired and sick - I had a fever for a bit - but thankfully I was starting to feel better by Friday after a blessing from Dan and a nice hot bath and a good nights sleep.  And by Saturday, I was totally ready for an amazing weekend!  

David found the crochet doll stuff and so he dressed James' doll up and laid out the doll with his pillow and blanket and then laid himself out with another doll pillow and blanket set and pretended to go to sleep.  It was too cute!  

Thursday we didn't have choir practice because of spring break (though our school district doesnt have one) but it worked out well since Anna had a cross country meet that night and I felt awful and just wanted to lay down and sleep.  

Friday, I was feeling better finally, We went down to the zoo with some friends.  The weather was about perfect for it!  It was sunny and warm, but not too hot.  The zoo was pretty quiet since it's a school day and all in all - it was a really fun day!  We looked at dinosaurs, and tigers and flamingos and saw the bird show.  Everyone had fun!  We got home just in time for me to go get the older kids.  David never napped on the way home though, so he was rather cranky and tired that night...  

After getting the kids down, we had some friends over to play games.  We had a lot of fun with them and ate yummy food and played fun games. 

Saturday was the beginning of General Conference.  Anna and I went to work out with my mom, but we left in time to get back home for the first session.  The whole thing was just wonderful!!!  The talks and music were so uplifting!  There will be some amazing changes for the youth programs of the church - and I left the women's session on Saturday night feeling like my heart was full to bursting - so grateful for the guidance of a prophet and for an amazing husband and amazing kids!  I am so blessed!  Sunday talks were also amazing - So many wonderful and powerful messages.  This weekend has just been so great!  The kids mostly did a good job with listening and not being too loud.  David is getting able to play quietly near by for a bit now and after, we were able to have a conversation with them about what they loved about conference and what they learned.  And they answered and remembered and discussed and it was wonderful!  I love General Conference weekends!!