December

After Thanksgiving things just seemed to happen faster than I could keep up. Here it is at the end of the month and I am still trying to catch up. We had a wonderful month ending with Christmas in Montana. We have done everything from sledding in the yard to cooking a 25lb beef roast for our ward Christmas party. Emma and Ethan were little stars with their performance with Bush Bronco singers. Emma also had her first piano recital at an assisted living place in Rexburg. Ainsley kept the holiday spirit by belting out carols all season long at home. Of particular mention is "Santa Baby" and "I'm getting nothing for Christmas."

Giving Thanks

I can't believe that it is Thanksgiving time, but here we are. Ainsley is excited that we got snow today, and all I can think of is the leaves in my neighbor's backyard that didn't get raked. Now I am not sure it will be done until May! Oh well! I am thankful for so many things, but my family is definitely at the top along with the gospel. I get to have my children home for the next week and I am so excited. I think the kids are, too. At least they are happy to have school off. We may even get to spend some time with Toni and Grandma Kathy. I look forward to pumpkin pie and having an official day to sit and count my blessings.

Halloween

We had a very nice Halloween. During the week we did little projects like making puppets and learning Halloween songs. Friday was the school parade and trick-or-treating on the Greenbelt sponsored by the Young Single Adults in the area. Saturday our ward had a trunk-or-treat. The kids weren't too big into the candy, believe it or not. They enjoyed dressing up the most. Ethan had 2 costume changes (Jedi and football player) and Ainsley 3 (cat, dinosaur, and fat pumpkin...aka..oompa loompa look a like). Emma was faithful to her cleopatra garb for all events. We also spent time winterizing the house and raking leaves. All in all it was a wonderful weekend.

October Happenings

Well, another day. My monchichis are all back to good health and enjoying the fall. The weather has finally started to cooperate and act like fall not winter. Yesterday we raked leaves and played in piles. We've hauled in the costume box and have had fun playing dress up. I can't believe how fast the kids are growing despite my best efforts to keep them forever. Oh, well. Above are a few random pictures from the last little bit. I had trouble transferring pictures from the camera to computer, but thanks to Kodak chat online I was able to resolve the problem. Believe it or not, little old me actually chatted online last night. Don't worry, it won't become a habit!

Finally Four

So, it is official. Ainsley is now 4 years old. She only asked for two things for her birthday....jewelry and makeup. Thanks to wonderful aunts she received both. Now she is preparing for Christmas when she just knows Santa will bring more makeup. I know, I know... I ask the same question. How much makeup does a 4 year old need? The question really is: How much makeup does THE 4 year old want? I am afraid of the answer. Do you remember when she was only concerned about eating and sleeping? Here she is at 2 months. How time flies.

And For Our Next Act

So life has added a new twist for our little family. Don was recently called to serve on the Stake High Council. This meant he needed to be ordained a High Priest. His brother Alan graciously drove down with his family and Jennie last night to ordain Don a high priest. Then the stake presidency set Don apart as a high councilor. Wow! Now I really do feel old!!!!!! No, in truth I am thankful to have the priesthood in my home. I think Don will do well; he even has his first speaking assignment on Sunday!

October?

I still can't believe we are in October, half way through to be exact! Technically, I am still somewhere in April. Oh well! October it is. The last few weeks have been wild for our family. I have been really busy with church..2 funerals, RS broadcast, ward activity, visiting teaching conference, sewing school bags for the Humanitarian room......The kids finished up the latest round of swimming lessons. Ethan is close to getting his wolf in Cub Scouts and Emma has been taking piano lessons. Then things began to get really crazy. Everyone but me go sick. Linay and Ethan weren't officially sick, but when I hauled the rest in to the doctor, he put all but me on antibiotics. Well, now 10 days later, Ethan and Linay are breaking out and I think it is an allergic reaction to the antibiotics. I am waiting for the doctor to get back with me. I'm still not sure why he put everyone on penicilan, except Emma and Ainsley tonsils were huge and I think he thought they might have strep even when that test came back negative. Oh well, long story short, everyone was sick, we got medicine, everyone feels better but Ethan and Linay look funny.

Other Pre- School Fun

Before school started, Jill and I took all the kids on some outdoor adventure. We went to the fish hatchery, then to the river to play, and then to view a waterfall. I needed to get out and it was just the trick for me. I think the kids had fun, too. On Sunday, I took my kids to the temple to take a few pictures before church started. Unfortunately, Ainsley did her usual thing of putting on some kind of makeup (lipstick) as you can tell by the pictures. Oh well.

Our last hurrahs!

On the Friday of Labor Day weekend we took our first and probably last camping trip of the season. We had to fit something fun in before school started. We did a little fishing, a little playing in the water and a lot of driving. I thought the dirt road we took would lead back out if we kept going since we saw so many cars coming from that way. Nope! We passed several other campgrounds and lots of vehicles only to end up finally at a little turn around spot at the very end. I love Idaho outdoors! Who else would allow you to drive in for hours only to have to turn around and go back, especially when there were so many cars up there. Then came the first day of school. I made a school bus cake to "celebrate" the occasion. I also tried to make homemade pizza, but a little 3 year old girl we won't name with a friend decided to steal the canadian bacon and eat all but 10 pieces. We still had pizza, just more of a cheese variety.

Can You Believe It?

So, Surprise. Many of you may be wondering what in the world I am doing since I am probably one of the last you would expect to see with a blog. I still wonder what I am doing! I have decided that despite my intentions to journal and scrapbook, I am not, and so this might help me in preserving a little of life in our household while allowing others to keep up on our lives as well. Also, since I don't plan on working for the government, I don't have to worry about having a security liability (a blog). I am definitely still learning and would not be to this point without the talents of my sisters Jill and April. But hey, I have now learned how to download pictures from my camera to the computer and even how to include them on this blog (somewhat). One day I may even be able to make everything as cute as April does. For now, enjoy the journey with our family as we learn to go digital.