December Thirty-First

December Thirtieth

December Twenty-Ninth

December Twenty-Eighth

December Twenty-Seventh

December Twenty-Sixth

December Twenty-Fifth

December Twenty-Fourth

December Twenty-Third

December Twenty-Second

December Twenty-First

December Twentieth

December Nineteenth

December Eighteenth

December Seventeenth

December Sixteenth

December Fifteenth

December Fourteenth

View From Our Window

December Thirteenth

December Twelfth

December Eleventh

December Tenth

December Ninth

December Eighth

December Seventh

December Sixth

December Fifth

December Fourth

December Third

December Second

December First

Harvest Dance

Tom went to the Harvest Dance with Hannah.

Scary Costumes

Todd's and my Halloween costumes . . . Are you scared?

A Load

We bought three cords of woods so that we can enjoy many days snuggled up warm and toasty by the fire all winter long.

Fall Jazz Cocert

I love to hear the Jazz Band play! That's Thomas on the bass guitar.

Pizza

Last week I had a conversation in the car with Nick. He wanted to know why we don't go eat at restaurants very often. I talked to him about saving our money for other things and making food that was just as yummy at home. I asked him what kind of food he would like to make at home that is like a restaurant. He wanted to make pizza because it was Heavenly's favorite food. So . . . home we went and made homemade pizza. I should have taken a picture of the end result but here is Todd helping to flatten out the dough.

Birthday Card

After my morning bargain shopping, I found this fun birthday card in my mailbox from my brother. The timing couldn't have been more perfect.

Just because it's on sale,

doesn't mean you should buy it!

Monday Mornings

Every Monday morning I head out the door to bargain shop. I usually go to Walgreens, Rite Aid, and then Albertsons if they don't have a big sale. As I arrived back home today I was feeling like I didn't get very many bargains. But as I laid them out on the counter, I was quite surprised at how much I actually got.

No cash out of my pocket for these items!

At Albertsons I also got a few boxes of bagel bites for free, 8 containers of Yoplait yogurt for $1, and several packages of Tillamook cheese, 2 lbs, for $2.99 each.

Two Different

These two children are growing up in the same home. They are even related by blood. Yet it is obvious that children are just born with different personalities.

I gave both boys a haircut Saturday afternoon. Here are the conversations I had with each them following their own haircut.

Justin: (Doesn't say a word. He just gets up from the chair, turns around, and stares at me.)
Me: You need to go take a shower now.
Justin: That's why I hate haircuts, cause I always have to take a shower!
Me: (thinking in my head . . . don't you have to take a shower today even if you didn't get a haircut?)
Justin: (Muttering under his breath as he takes his towel downstairs.)
3 minutes later . . . Justin comes upstairs.
Me: Did you take a shower?
Justin: Yes.
Me: Did you use shampoo?
Justin: I'm clean.
Me: Did you use shampoo?
Justin: No.
Me: Did you use soap?
Justin: I let the water run all over me really good.
Me: Did you use soap?
Justin: No.
Me: Did you put clean underwear on?
Justin: I just put these on today.
Me: The underwear or the shorts?
Justin: The shorts.

Okay . . . I'm tired of typing. There is more to this conversation, but you get the idea.

Here is my conversation with Jay:

Jay: Thanks for the haircut mom! I really needed one! Should I go take a shower now?

Drums

Although I love to hear Thomas practice his music . . . not all of his instruments are as easy to listen to in the house.

They're Back

Nick and Heavenly are back.

Sorry, there is no picture of Nick. This is the only new picture I could find at this time of the night.

The Wedding

Kimberly and Travis got sealed in the Rexburg Temple at the end of August. What an amazing experience it was to see our daughter kneel across the alter to a worthy priesthood holder.

First Formal

Tom went to his first formal dance, Homecoming, with Hannah.

It was quite a different perspective with a son going then with a daughter. I got to make a corsage instead of a boutineer. We didn't have to start on his hair an hour early. Kim would share 15 minutes of details about the evening. This is what I got from Tom at the end of the evening, "I had a good time. The food was good, mom. Thanks."

Dinner was in our front room by the fire.

My handsome son.

Kittens

We thought we had 2 girl cats . . . but we didn't.

We had one girl cat and one boy cat. And then we had . . .

This is actually the second batch of kittens, first three, then six. And now our cat, Mary, has made a trip to the vet.

Aren't they cute? They have all been given away but one, a cute tan little boy ready to go home with you today.

Avocado Tree

Have you ever wanted to grow an avocado tree from a pit? You know, like in elementary school when you stick three toothpicks into the pit and rest it on top of a cup of water.

We did it! When grandma and grandpa were here in March they started the pit. It set on the kitchen counter by the sink for a few weeks. I was so tempted to throw it out many times because it looked like nothing was happening. Instead I moved it to the top of the fridge. And it sat for a few more weeks. It had a long root and a tiny green leaf starting to sprout. I planted it and put it in the Laundry room window. Ta da!