128

Purple Belt

Daniel recently passed the test to receive his purple belt in karate. The test is quite rigorous, which is why he looks beat. He has since been invited to join the teen/adult classes instead of the children's classes and he loving the greater challenge.

Issue 127

Halloween Fun

The kids all came up with their own costumes this year. Whitney was a witch, Steve L. a ceiling "fan" (his shirt reads Ceilings are #1 and Go Ceilings!), a Karate Master, a hula dancer (you can't see much of Janey's adorable handmade costume, that she spent a month on, in this picture. She couldn't wear most of it in the rain.) Ellie had her heart set on being a ghost with a sheet over her head. I couldn't talk her out of it, so I sacrificed a bed sheet and she was pleased as punch!

I unexpectedly accompanied Steve to Atlanta this week to get some much needed research time on a pressing issue. I don't have any pictures, as I stayed in the hotel and ordered room service while buried in my books the whole time. It was a timely and much needed break from the norm and although I came away with more questions and "to-do's", I also came away with the hope, peace and confidence I was seeking. My amazingly awesome and generous mother stayed with the kids on short notice and even heroically took the kids to the Ward Halloween party (where people thought she was my sister, I might add!) They also spent a day with Aunt Becca, who threw a Halloween Party of her own. Thanks mom and Bec!

Unlike my famous sister and her family who go all out for Halloween (if you know her, you know what I mean!) Halloween is a minor holiday around here. It may have something to do with the fact that I don't sew, can't stand the cheep discount store costumes and I'm too cheep to buy the cool looking ones. More likely it's the fact that I regret every piece of candy that enters one of my children's mouths, or maybe it's the regret that I'm allergic to candy and can't take "taxes" from my children's bags anymore. Regardless, we managed to have some "day of" fun.

We got all our Saturday chores done and tramped off to Wal-Mart for Pumpkins. Only they were out of Pumpkins. How can Wal-Mart run out of Pumpkins?! We finished our shopping and errands and finally tracked down some pumpkins at the local corn maze. By now it was 4:30 on the big day. In record time we carved them up, ate our traditional Halloween spaghetti dinner (traditional because it's quick and easy I think) and made our costumes. By 6:00 the younger kids were trapping in the rain in search of treats, and the older kids were off to a Halloween Party by 7:00. We finished the night watching the classic old movie "The Day the Earth Stood Still."

Issue 126

My Baby is 6?!?

Ellie wanted to ice skate for her birthday, so we took off for the rink after dinner. We took turns escorting her around the ice and towards the end she could manage all by herself. Grandma came to watch, which made Ellie so excited to wave and pose for pictures. Happy Birthday Ellie!

Tibble Fork and BYU

Daniel, Dad and Grandpa headed up to Tibble Fork for an overnight fishing trip. Not being hunters, they didn't realize that Saturday was the first day of the hunt. They woke to gun shots instead of bird calls. The fish weren't biting, but Grandma sent donuts as big as Daniel, so nobody cared.

Steve had tickets to the BYU game, so he and Daniel went straight from camping to the stadium. It was a great game to be at, since BYU actually won!

Issue 125

Cookies and Doughnut Falls

Blogger is refusing to load the rest of our photos of our hike this weekend to doughnut falls. I'm going to cry "uncle" and post them next week.

Lake Blanch by Steve L.

Blanch. The kind of hike scouts have nightmares about. 7 miles one-way. 2700 foot elivation in 7 miles. 89 degree angle all the way. Rocks all over the place. And absolutly no exaguration on my part. Ask anyone who has hiked it!
Well, thank goodness it was only a day hike and not an overnighter. That means only a day pack and not a 40 pound hike pack.
The scenary and weather were nice though, and I escaped with only a bruise a blister and a slamming headache, so overall it went well.

Issue 124

One Amazing Lady

Grandma B's health has taken a worse. She recently had surgery for a broken back, but other health concerns are taking their toll. We were able to visit her today as a family, and she is mentally sharp as ever. She says that when she can't sleep, she doesn't count sheep - she counts great grandchildren! She lays in bed and names them all (almost 90 and counting!) She was so interested in everything the kids are doing. She wanted to know about Steve's Eagle Project, Whitney's social dance class, Daniel's Karate and Janey showed her some clogging moves. We found out that Grandma used to take tap dancing lessons.

The day Steve and I met for the first time in his singles' ward, we ended up sitting next to each other at a fireside that night. Then went over to Grandma B's with a group of ward members with my cousin who was living with Grandma at the time. Grandma loves to tell us how we only had eyes for each other, and that she wasn't a bit surprised when we came by 6 weeks later to tell her she was engaged.

We also had the great privilege to tour around New Zealand with her when we went on vacation in 2004. She told us tonight that we had great courage to take our family to live there for a year and she was so proud of us. We told her that she was the one who had great courage first and we were only following in her footsteps.

We love you Grandma!

Issue 123

A King Twice Crowned

Steve L. took the challenge again this year to watch, read or listen to 17 Shakespeare plays in one week! He especially enjoyed it this year since he could understand what they were saying this time around. He was crowned with 3 others who finished the challenge. (They actually have all semester to complete the assignment, but they enjoy the competition.) He has been exposed to more Shakespeare in the last year than most people will study in a life time. The awesome thing is how much they love it!

Birthday Boy

25 Friends + 44 cupcakes + gorgeous weather + flowing candy + silly hats + crazy games = 1 fantastic birthday party!

Steve L. with Super Bacon. He also received (among many other gifts) a jester hat, a turkey hat, and an actual package of bacon. Hmmm . . . I think your friends know you well Steve!