A mouth full

Emily got her braces on today. She was so nervous that it was going to hurt and had to make a panicky phone call to Nathan on the way there to get the honest truth on how painful it is to get them on. Nathan reassured her it doesn't hurt at all. She believed him but wasn't totally convinced. After they were on she finally believed everyone that it didn't hurt at all.

For the next 2 years she will have these on. I personally think kids with braces look cute.

2 letters

Here are the two letters I got this week. What are the chances that I (we) would get both of them the same week? Monday, Jaron's came with his release date from his mission and also his itinerary. Wednesday, Nathan's came with is mission call. It been a crazy and busy week with a call, release, Thanksgiving and work.

Lights at Thanksgiving Point

Tonight I really wanted to go out and do something festive......and I wanted to go with Steve. So after I told him quite a few times how I really wanted to go out with him and do something fun he took me to Thanksgiving Point to see the lights there.

We went on the wagon ride and lucky for us there was only 3 other people on the wagon......no crowds!!!

They lights were really pretty and festive. It was cold but not as cold as it's going to get.

But to top it off was the manger scene.....isn't that what Christmas is all about?

We were freezing after the ride so we headed to Starbucks to get a venti peppermint hot chocolate. It was a fun way to start off the season :)

We are left to sleep it off.

I cannot believe how much we all consumed today. Just when you think you can't eat anymore......you do!!

Getting ready for the big meal took hours . I recruited Emily to peel the potatoes. She did quite a few and then gave up.

Then I recruited Steve. No....I didn't threaten him with a knife.....it was just a random shot Emily took :)

Darrell and Dyann came to enjoy the meal with us. It was so fun having them here!!

We ate and ate and ate till we couldn't eat anymore.

Even Maddox had fun time eating the yams. They looked nice on his cute little face.

This is what happened after the meal. I think it's a funny picture!!

Lesa made the pies and Oh My Heck....they were so good!!! When we thought we couldn't eat any more we did!!

Overall.....I think it was a very successful Thanksgiving. Now on to black friday. I have to work at 6am......lucky me :)

Mission call

It came...It came...It came...It came!!! But Nathan had to wait till 6:30pm to open it. Let me tell you.....what a long day waiting.

Lots of guessing was going on as to where he would be going but we never expected this....Helsinki, Finland. I would have never guessed that. Nathan was so excited....I think ecstatic was more like it. He goes into the MTC March 31st. It's going to take a while for all of this to sink in.

And by the way.......Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

It can't get any cuter!!!

Yesterday Jess posted some pictures of Kingston. Every single one of them melted my heart. I miss him so much and he is such a beautiful little boy. This picture is one of my favorites. He is so concentrated on Timothy's face. I can't wait to see the three of them again!!!

Maddox discovered his tongue and loves to stick it out. It's amazing how fast these little guys are growing.

So this Thanksgiving and every day I am grateful to be a Nana and the joy these cute little guys bring me....even when they are far away!!!!

Thankful

Do you ever have those days where things just go wrong? There wasn't a lot of "wrong" things today but enough to irritate me and put me in a bad mood. I know I shouldn't let things get to me so much and I started thinking about when we lived in Vienna and some of the people we met. I learned about some of their lives and the hard things they went through. It kinda made me mad at myself for letting little things affect me so much. But we met some people there that I don't think I will ever forget them and the things they have gone through in their lives. One of the women we met was a refuge from a country that was invaded by another country. A lot of her family was murdered and her and two members of her family escaped to Vienna. Her story is incredible!!! And she is such a survivor!!!

Another family we knew the mother died in child birth and the 12 year old son is raising the family of 4 kids while his dad works to provide for them. It really puts my problems on a much smaller scale. Sometimes I forget how good I have it or how minor my problems are till I remember those who have it so much harder than me. They would probably love to have my bad day!!

So I am grateful for my life!! And for my family and all my friends.

Mechanical arm

Emily had a school project due today to make a mechanical arm. I had no idea how to do this and Emily kinda knew a little more. So I gave the project to Nathan. He told me what I needed to get at the store and he put it together. I know.....Emily should have done more but with 6 dance performances in one week and all the homework on top of that I was more than happy to have Nathan do this.

He doesn't like it when I take pictures of him......can you tell?

Dancing Emily

Ok.....a bragging moment for me about Emily. This girl puts in hours and hours (10+) a week dancing and you can tell.
Steve and I went to the parent recital at the studio today and she danced beautifully....as you can tell by the pictures :)

Look at those toes...pointed!!

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She loves to dance. Can you tell?

Emily's boogy woogy bugle boy dance

This dance they just learned a month or so ago.

New Moon

Last night was "New Moon" night with the girls. Cheryl and I took two cars full of girls......and 2 guys!! Emily and Caitlin were so excited to see it and when the movie was over they both decided they are on "team Jacob".

I thought it was fun (and funny) and entertaining. When it first started all the screaming was going on in the theater from the girls.....quite funny. But overall, it was a fun show and I had a great time with the whole group!!

Jare-bear

Yep......Jaron is smiling!!! He's not one who smiles a lot but when he does.....I love it!!! I haven't started the count down yet for when he comes home but I am starting to work on his room. His bedroom has been more or less a storage room for the last two years. It's starting to look livable.

We still haven't received any official information yet but they said they aren't mailing it till the beginning of Dec. so I'll be patient.

BTW...Emily and I are going to see New Moon tonight with all the ladies. I will report back on it. Oh, and if you aren't a Twilight fan, at Amazon they are selling a t-shirt that says,"and then Buffy staked Edward.....The End." Pretty funny...don't you think?

Harry Slatkin at Bath and Body Works

Harry Slatkin is the guy in charge of the home fragrances at Bath and Body Works. I'm not sure of all the details but all the stores in the nation were in a drawing for him to come and visit. Our little store in Riverwoods and one in Chicago were the two that were picked.

This is some of the group that came with him. They were all very nice.

I even got a picture with him :)

volunteer

Yesterday I went and talked to some schools to promote the dance company Emily is in. When I got home Nathan asked me if I was paid to do this. Of course I said, "no". I told him it's all volunteer work. I reminded him of the hours and hours of work I did for marching band when he, Jaron and Christopher were in it. I try to raise the kids to do work without being paid.......that it's a good thing.

I think I benefited more out of volunteering with the marching band than they got from me. The band was like one big family and I loved those kids!!! It's the same with the girls Emily dances with.....a fun group!! So here is my plug.....volunteer!!! You will be the one who benefits from it!!!!

BTW..Jaron is 2nd from the right and Nathan is 4th.

Gingerbread Festival

Emily did a really good job dancing at Thanksgiving Point. I didn't do a very good job at taking pictures though. I had the camera in one hand and the Flip in the other trying to record the dances. What I ended up with is mainly blurry pictures and not pushing the record button hard enough. Saturday Steve and I are going to another one of her performances so one of us can take the pictures (Steve) and I will do the recording.

Here's one that did turn out.

Emily's Dance Video

Getting older

I would have to say that this stage of my life is strange, sometimes funny and can be very confusing. I've also noticed that I have become a little more opinionated and things bug me that never use to. Though I am more laid back and don't worry so much about how clean the house is or if I look a certain way or not. Maybe I'm just getting set in my ways a little.

Another adjustment is my kids leaving home. I've been a mom for over 25 years. I guess it's been my main occupation and I'm still a mom but not as needed as I use to be say 10-15 years ago. I think getting older makes me think more about what my role is now and what I want to do with the rest of my life, which I am still trying to figure out. One thing that has really been on my mind is Jaron coming home and Nathan leaving. I'm so, so excited to see Jaron but on the other hand I'm going to miss Nathan like crazy. I'm glad Nathan is leaving cuz I know it's the best thing for him and he will learn and grow so much just like his brothers did but there will be 3 of us here.....me, Steve and Emily. It just so weird to me.

There has been no adjustment to being a grandma. That just came naturally. What I am amazed about is the bond I feel towards my grandkids. I never expected that it would be so strong. Almost/or as strong as I feel towards my own kids. It's incredible!!!

Well...that's just some of the many things I've been thinking about lately. I asked Steve if I should blog about some of my thoughts or if I should just keep this blog surfacey. He said I should do some of my thought cuz this is sorta like a journal and honestly....I don't have many readers.

It's just been a very "thinking" day.

Baby...it's cold out there

Whenever I see it snowing I think of Jaron when he was little. We were living in NC and Steve woke him up one morning to show him the snow for the first time. After seeing it he burst into tears and said, "Who's going to clean up this mess!" He was such a funny little guy!!!
But we got snow this morning. I love the snow till about Feb. and then I need spring.

Winters are so hard cuz I am forever cold. Steve sleeps with one blanket on the bed and I have 4. That's how different our body temperatures are. So my goal this winter is to stay warm with as many layers as I need. Wish me luck!!

Sad Robot

Guess what? Christopher wrote a book. It's called, "Sad Robot". It's in hard back and paper back.
If you are interested here is the link....

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/sad-robot/7911487

We are really proud of him and he worked hard on it. Way to go Christopher!!!

The Scarf

This is what I've been working on for almost the last week. It doesn't look like much but I'm attempting to crochet a scarf for Jaron for Christmas. I have ripped it out 4 times now because I can't make it straight. It still isn't but I'm kinda at a point where it's NEVER going to get done if I keep ripping it out. It looks a lot better in the picture than in real life but Nathan and Christopher reassure me that it looks great and that they would wear it. It's almost a third of the way done. I think it will be a scarf that only a son could love.....I hope :)

Changing of the guard

Yesterday one of my best friends, Karen, son came home from his mission. I cannot believe it's been 2 years that Honest Mike has been out. Jaron will be home Dec 30th. I can't wait!!! I miss him so much!! But my heart is pulled because in my family.....when one comes home it means another one leaves. Great timing on our part. Haha!!

Yep....last night Nathan met with the Stake President and his papers are sent in. The soonest he'll find out is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I am so excited for him and I know he will do an awesome job...........I'm just going to miss him so much!!

Flu Fighters!!

Yesterday morning (around 7:15am) I drove to the Utah Health Dept. to get in a huge, huge long line to get an appointment to get the swine flu vaccine. There were about 500 people in front of me and even more behind. After over an hour waiting in the cold I got an appointment for me and Emily to go in today.

We waiting in line for around 45 mins. and got our flu mist. Emily was so happy it wasn't a shot!!!


Here we are as flu fighters.....stickers and all. I am so glad to have that done and over with!!!

It spins

Last night Lesa made us dinner. She asked last week if she could make us tomato basil soup with grilled cheese sandwiches for Sunday dinner. Of course I said YES!!! I was so, so good and perfect for a chilly day. Thank you Lesa!!!
Steve has a record player and Maddox loves it when Steve turns it on. It's not the music that fascinate Maddox but the spinning of the vinyl. He could watch it for a long,long time. It's funny whats entertaining to him :)

What were we thinking?

One piece of our siding came off on the 3rd floor of the house. The culprit???.....a beehive. So we borrowed a ladder from a friend thinking it would be easy to climb up, knock down the hive and attach the siding back on. Steve got up. Scraped the hive off but the ladder wasn't tall enough.
So I had a great idea!! Why don't we go on the roof and hang over the edge and attach it? So Nathan went up and Steve. They came back and told me the roof is too steep and that they would slide off. Steve told me to come up and see.
I have a thing about heights. I just don't do them. I got up and thought there is no way I can get up to the top here without shaking uncontrollably. I did but it was scary!!! And we didn't hang over the edge.....way too steep. It didn't look so bad on the ground.

The passing of xbox

It's true........last month xbox died. It got too hot and it fried. It was very sad for Nathan and he was mourning the loss for weeks.

But then Steve surprised Nathan by getting a ps3. You can see by Nathan's face that he is totally excited about it!!

Cool controller!!
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And this is where he's been since.