Halloween Fun

Sweet Relief

Yesterday was our Primary Program and now its OVER!!! At least until next year. From about mid July till now the program has never been far from my mind and it feels so relaxing to not have to think about it. I'm pleased to report that it went quite well. Since I was sitting on the stand with the children I couldn't see any funny faces or mishaps that may happen when you put 77 children all squished up together in a small space. But I felt that each child did their best and I believe that the people listening really felt the spirit and the children bore their testimony through the songs and their words. And that's really what I was going for.
Now that I don't have to stress about the program any more and have some free time to do fun things, Grace is sick. She woke up yesterday throwing up so she and Rob stayed home from church. We thought she was on the rebound by last night but she's spent most of the day today just laying around which for anyone who knows our little bundle of energy knows it is not normal. She's no longer throwing up which is so nice, but now it's coming out the other end. Not so nice. That end smells alot worse.

Saturday was Sam's last soccer class. He's really enjoyed doing this every Saturday and was especially excited to receive his own ball at the last class. I got some cute pictures, which I'll spare you, but I did get this action shot of Sam kicking the ball so hard he kicked his shoe right off!
After soccer we played at the toys at the park for a bit. The kids had a great time and we got to enjoy the lovely autumn weather.
And speaking of autumn, I made another pie yesterday. Cranberry Apple, but what I was really excited about was the pie crust. I used a new recipe which calls for vodka and subsequently have shocked my sisters and the primary president's husband who may never allow me around his kids again since I had to go to the liquor store and actually purchase alcohol. But it was so worth it. I'm not sure that I've ever had a better, more tender and flaky crust ever! And the alcohol all burns out in the oven so no hangover either!

might change how you look at pizza...

With the weather getting colder we have reinstated Friday night pizza in our home. Grace is an odd little duck and prefers to pick the toppings off her pizza, preferably in one big piece that she then will eat, followed by the saucy crust. Tonight as she was carefully picking of the browned, crusty cheese she said, quite seriously, 'I'm picking off the pizza's scab'. Think about THAT next time you bite into your pie.

Commercial Christmas

This time of year I am always filled with conflicting feelings when I go shopping. On the one hand, I hate, Hate, HATE that we can hardly celebrate LABOR DAY before the stores are filled with Christmas cheer. I like keeping the holiday's in their own times zones and not acknowledge Thanksgiving till Halloween is over, etc., and it is hard to do that with Christmas, and to a lesser extent, Thanksgiving merchandise slapping you in the face wherever you go. But on the other hand, I love these three holidays that end the year so much that its hard to wait for each appointed season. I've already caved and bought Christmas decorations and knick knacks. And the other day I surreptitiously put on some Christmas music. And then turned it right back off. It just isn't time yet.

Going to Ohio

During lunch today Sam decided that it was time for us to go on another car trip. He has chosen Ohio has our destination. Why, I really don't know. No matter how many times I tell him that no, we wont be going to Ohio any time soon, he is convinced that tomorrow after naps we are hitting the road. He has also decided that we will stop in Iowa to get out and run around to stretch our legs. Maybe we'll see Erin while we're there. I've explained to him that it would take us a LOOOOONG time to drive there, that he'd have to sit in his car seat for days, that he would get so bored and tired, but he has an answer for everything. We've looked on maps to see that it is at least 2000 miles away, MUCH farther then driving to Utah, which is the last long car trip that he remembers. At times I think I've got through to him. But a few minutes later I'll hear him tell Grace about what will happen tomorrow when we drive to Ohio. What do I do? Live with his disappointment I guess. Because as much as I want to be able to give my kids the things they want, I am NOT driving to Ohio tomorrow after naps.

In other news, Rob had a great weekend in Seattle with his family. His brother Rick got married Friday (finally, he's been with Candace for 5 years!). I stayed home with the kids because the wedding was not a kid friendly function and we didn't really have any child care options. Also our first big primary program practice was Sunday and since that is my deal, I had to be there for that. We had a mostly quiet weekend at home, except for when a moving truck ran into our building and took out a main support beam and demolished our neighbor's deck. A few apartments were deemed unsafe for living for a few days until they could build some new support frames. Luckily it was at the other end of the building from us so we were unaffected except for having to reassure Sam all weekend that no trucks were going to be taking out our deck. I couldn't get a picture since Rob had the camera in Seattle, but I'll try to scan in the picture from the paper and post it. ---except now I can't find the paper. Maybe Rob already tossed it. Oh well, if I find it, I'll post it on a later blog.
Meanwhile, here are some pictures from Rob's trip:

Here's Elaine, doing what she does at every wedding she's a part of, making last minutes fixes on the dress

Getting center pieces ready

Rob, doing his part

Rick and Candace got married on the top floor on one of the oldest sky scrapers in Seattle. The top floor was given to the owner of the building by the Empress of China. She sent over Chinese artisans and all the materials to build and decorate the room. Here's a shot of the ceiling. It's kind of hard to see from this picture, but all those tiles are inlaid into the ceiling.

The always popular Bride and Groom Eating shot.

Ode to our car upon reaching 200,000 miles

Oh sweet Suzuki
So small and gray
You always get us
On our way.
For 12 years
And 200,000 miles
You've filled our lives with
Joy and smiles.
Taking us to places
Far and near
We've had nary
A moment of fear.
(Almost)
You may not be very fast,
In a race we certainly would always be last
But you've plugged on in spite of odds
Getting us to family, stores, jobs
Or anywhere we need to go
From Thatcher, AZ to Monroe.
May your engine keep running
For years ahead
And do not be
Filled with dread
The time may come
When a van we will own,
But with us you will always have a home.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OPA!

A BIRTHDAY MESSAGE TO YOU FROM YOUR CUTE GRANDKIDS!

FIRST, FROM SAM:
Dear Opa, When I heard it was your birthday I got so excited!

I wanted to come visit you, but my truck is too SMALL!!

So I'll just have to shout HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! really loud so you can hear me.

I LOVE YOU OPA!!!!

And now, from Grace...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY VERY FAVORITE OPA!!

I wish I could be with you for your birthday. When I think how long it has been and will be till I see you, I just want to cry!Me and Sam thought we would try to mail ourselves to you for your birthday, but we just couldn't fit in the box!

So I guess we'll just have to stick to saying HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND WE LOVE YOU!

love Sam and Grace

It's a SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

This weekend we made a quick trip to Coeur d'Alene to watch our niece Kayla participate in the Idaho Jr. Miss Pageant. She did fantastically well, winning in the talent competition and getting in the top ten of all the 30+ girls. It was definitly interesting, not to mention hilarious to watch all these teenage girls and their mothers get SO INVOLVED in the drama that is Jr. Miss. A few of the girls were genuinely impressive, a few fell apart from the pressure, but most were just regular girls, trying their hardest to be the most beautiful, graceful, talented, etc., and making funny mistakes along the way. Since I know too many people who participated in the program (the WA state champ is in our ward) I do have to admit that they do good work and it can be a positive experience for the girls. On the other hand, it is funny to hear so many of the adults connected to the program insist almost desperatly that it is NOT a beauty pageant but a scholarship program.
Here's some pictures from our weekend. This first is of the garbage goat at Spokane Riverside Park. You push a button and then can 'feed' your trash to the goat. The kids got a real kick out of it.


As we were driving around trying to find parking at the park, Grace mentioned that she needed to use the potty. A minute later Sam asked "Isn't there grass at the park?" I said there was. "Well, we can just use the grass to go potty then", says Sam. Rob patiently explained that we only go potty in the grass when we're camping. Apparently, John and Julie don't have the same rule in their family, as this picture of Porter shows. You'll notice Sam watching admiringly; it was indeed an impressive stream.

These next two pictures are at the hotel we stayed at. Rob's mom Elaine goes swimming any chance she can get, and so always tries to stay at a place with a pool.

Cut off Sam's head on this one, but got a nice shot of him losing his pants.

Grace, trying on Grandma's socks.

Funny Sam-ism

Said during nightly prayers: "Thank you for the morning when all the sleep will be gone from our bodies"