Rock Band

Del does this every year - He'll bring something home a week or two before Christmas that we really should just wait and give the kids for Christmas. I'm not complaining because we have had a lot of fun but I just think it's funny because he really does this EVERY year. Anyways, Rock Band is a hit! We had the Jensen Family over last Monday night to play and the adults and the kids were fighting over who got to do what. Carli and Jolie and Savanna went down to the basement and found some "props" in our dress up bin. One of them was a mullett wig. It was pretty funny! Lindsey has decided have her birthday party in February be a "Battle of the Bands".Such concentration!

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Juliett, Lindsey, and Jeff

Carli's Birthday Party

Even though Carli's birthday was in October we didn't get around to having a party until the middle of November. There is a store called 'Nicky Nicole' that has all kinds of girly stuff and they do birthday parties and that is what she wanted. It was the easiest party I have EVER done. We just showed up and they did everything from getting the girls changed into their 'fashion show' attire to making bracelets to writing down the gift list. It was great and Carli had a fun time. I can't believe she is 7! (even though she acts like she is 17 sometimes) Our baby is growing up!
Lindsey and Paige were good sports and participated in the party. I don't really know how much fun it was for them but Carli was happy they were there!
Del looked a little out of place in that Girly Girly store! Oh, wait, he is used to that kind of stuff!
Dance Party

Catching Up - November 2008

I have a few things to catch up on. Here are some pictures of when Lori and Paige came to visit us in November.

It was so fun to have them out here. Lori hadn't been out to visit us and it was Paige's second trip. It's always so fun to have visitors!

Sadness

Friday was just another day until I got a call from a friend's husband letting me know he was on his way to meet his wife at the doctor and they needed my help with their kids. She was about 23 weeks pregnant and they couldn't find a heart beat. I was speechless when he called because I didn't even know she was pregnant. They hadn't told anyone except their two oldest kids and were waiting to break the news this week on their Thanksgiving visit with family. She gets sick at the beginning and loses weight and with jackets she was able to hide it. I've only known her for a little over 4 months so I wasn't really aware of any real "changes" in her energy level or her tummy. My heart sank and was filled with so much sadness only to be replaced by the joy that the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation can bring to someone going through something like this. How grateful I am that this family we have become close with shares our faith in Jesus Christ and knows that He has a plan for each one of us. She was able to have a priesthood blessing in the hospital from our Bishop and her husband and I know that has helped comfort her. They were worried that it could take a really long time for her to deliver but it went quickly and physically she is feeling pretty good. I will attend a short graveside service tomorrow with them and then they will be heading out on their vacation to be with family. I hope and pray they will be able to find comfort with family at this sad time for them. Things like this make you stop and reflect on the fact that we are not in the drivers seat and God has a plan for each on of us. As I was talking to her today we realized that her husband had planned to be out of town until Friday night and decided to come home on Thursday night. Just another tender mercy and blessing.

Halloween

I didn't really know what to expect for Halloween this year. I was so sad not to be able to hang out with all of the great families in Higley Groves that we usually see. I didn't know what the weather would bring and if my kids would be trick or treating in snow or rain or just freezing temps. It turned out to be a beautiful day - about 63 degrees and the night was beautiful as well - just chilly enough but not freezing. Everyone here dresses up! Even some of the high school kids. The houses are a lot further apart then what my kids are used to so they talked Del into taking them in the Rhino for awhile. Some people in our neighborhood do a haunted house that everyone goes to. I think it was too scary for Carli but Lindsey and Sydnee said it was fun. Melinda Jensen and I sat on our driveway with a fire and handed out candy. The kids had a half day of school so we carved our pumpkins that we hadn't gotten to earlier in the week and roasted pumpkin seeds. So Yummy!


Lulu the Dancer

Sydney and Sydnee - cute little chefs! Three little witches - Carli, Jolie, and Savannah
Ready to go get some CANDY

Happy Birthday Carli

I can't believe my baby is 7. She really is a special and very STRONG spirit! She can be hard but also so much fun. She amazes me every day at how smart she is. One night we were reading scriptures and Del's jaw was dropping at the words she was able to pull off. She loves school and started taking piano lessons recently. I'm so grateful to be her mom! She definitely keeps me on my toes.

Company

I love having company! My mom and sister came for a week and we got to do some fun stuff. We celebrated Carli's birthday, went to see some Amish communities, went to the John Johnson Farm, and did some shopping. They got to see beautiful Fall Colors and also a little bit of snow which they never see in Las Vegas. My kids love having them here and fight over who gets to sleep with who every night. I'm glad that even though they are far away they still will come visit.
It's really funny to see my mom with MOJO. She has never been a pet person but for some reason she really likes MOJO. When it is cold outside I leave him in the house when we leave and she always wanted to turn on a TV show for him! So unlike her...