♥ : An Attitude of Gratitude : ♥

The saying goes, "when it RAINS it POURS"  In our case, it FLOODS!  The Monday before Thanksgiving we had a small flood in our basement.  It was a fluke of sorts and we are not clearly sure how it happened but all the water came from the toilet.  By the time we stopped it, water had seeped into the hallway, each of the boys bedrooms and a walk in closet.

We had been hearing a lot about Gratitude and showing our Thanks in all things but this was NOT something to be grateful for!  I had been anticipating getting the holiday decorations out and so many other things could have used my time, attention and money than this hiccup in life. 

With a few phone calls we were able to feel so BLESSED.  A very good friend dropped everything and came to our rescue.  It was easy to forget our troubles when he entered our home, knowing him and his family were dealing with much worse trials at this time.  His Christ-like attitude to continually give as he was going without made me reflect on all I HAD and not what I had lost (which when it came down to it was just some carpet padding). 

I am SO grateful for good friends, neighbors and family!  Life wouldn't be worth enduring without them. 

A blizzard hit the valley the same week.  My next youngest sister, Melanie, borrowed a neighbors car, since hers was having problems to take Grandma to her dentist appointment.  On the way to get Grandma, she got a phone call that her daughter split her chin open and needed stitches.  Luckily they still had insurance even though her husband had recently lost his job.  On the way back home she hit ice and landed the borrowed car in the canal.  A tow truck had to be called to rescue the stuck vehicle.  Melanie's good friends weren't worried about the car and only about her safety. 

Thanksgiving morning is freezing for the next sister in our family.  Her furnace has stopped working.  Jessica's husband starts the car and leaves it running to warm up as he gets ready to head into town to find parts to fix the furnace.  When he goes to leave he finds that oil has exploded all over the driveway.  They are now without a car since they recently sold their 2nd vehicle. 

That night my next youngest brother slips on ice and thinks he has broken his foot. 

The only one to escape any trial this week was my youngest brother.  Seeing us all struggle with problems I think made us all realize the individual things in our lives we were grateful for.  Misery loves company but I hope it stays away for a long, long time!

~~Girls just wanna have FUN!~~

I put together a girls weekend in Park City.  Some of the most amazing women came and we had a fabulous time.  There were some last minute change of plans but it all worked out to be a great weekend even though some of the girls weren't able to join us (we missed you girls!).

We ended up having 2 full rooms with 7 in each room.  Unfortunately the walls of the rooms separated us for the majority of the trip since it was tough to accommodate such a large group together. 

The 7 in my room had a blast on the ride down, laughing 'til our cheeks hurt, sharing secrets, and learning all about a "Brazilian Blow-Out.  By the time we arrived at the hotel we all knew each other VERY well!

We were treated like stars at our dinner at Ciseros.  Our waiter was awesome and he even treated us to a   free dessert so we sang to our upcoming birthday girls.

We had a late night followed by a yummy breakfast and shopping at the outlets. 

Thanks girls for a Fabulous time!

Weekend in the Big City

Ryan had another continuing ed. course in SLC so we made it a fun family weekend.  It always seems like a good idea until I am dealing with kids who can't be quiet or behave in the hotel and think it is fun to play on the elevators, run and scream in the hallways and want me to purchase them everything under the sun. 
So, while Ryan was in class for 2 days I found every opportunity to get out of the hotel and find cheap entertainment. 

This time we stayed out by the airport so Ryan could be within walking distance to his course.  This made it more difficult to see sights since I had to navigate the freeway system with wild kids in the car. 

We toured Welfare Square with the sister missionaries.  We saw how they make cheese, milk, bread; how they can and bottle fruits and veggies; and how Deseret Industries and the Bishop's Storehouse works.  The favorite part of the tour was tasting the yummy cheese, bread and chocolate milk. 

We then headed to Temple Square to see the sights.  They have a new interactive display of the temple that the sister missionaries highly recommended us see.  It was incredible.  We got to see what the whole interior of the Salt Lake Temple looks like and watch a short video explaining the different rooms and areas.  It was very interesting to me since I had only seen marriages preformed there and have not experienced a live temple session. 

 The kids standing in front of the temple model.

The interior. 

The sides.  I didn't know there were spiral staircases...

 Ethan was fascinated by the fountains and wanted to collect the money out of them. 

 I took the kids to the Lion House for lunch.  They love the cafeteria style of eating and getting to choose their own desserts.  While we were there we ran into Santa!  He was visiting from Pennsylvania.  He even showed the kids his picture in his suit.

 Leaving the Lion House with balloons.

That night we went and saw Megamind in 3D with Ryan.  It was a good movie and Stockton loves quoting it.  The next day we headed to IKEA and enjoyed lunch there after shopping.  We came back to Temple Square to visit the Church History Museum.  Unfortunately, the children's area highlighting the Book of Mormon was still under construction so we will have to visit when we go down to see the lights.  

...::TRICKS and TREATS::...

I am a little slow getting these up but as I look back I realized we had a fun filled October. 

Enjoy the picture overload!

Stockton's Preschool class visited the Pumpkin Walk.  Peyton and I tagged along.  I am so glad we did because schedules made it so our family didn't get a chance to go this year.  I think it was the best yet.  The theme was Animations and all of our favorites were represented.   

There is a nice witch that sits at the end of the walk and greets the children.  Cookies and string cheese are handed out from our local factories. 

Stockton REALLY took a liking to the witch and didn't want to leave her side or stop petting her stuffed cat.  Later I realized that he was waiting for her to ask him what he was going to be for Halloween.

I took the kids to the USU Homecoming Parade on a Saturday Ryan was working.  Ryan could care less to go so we made a fun day of it with Kristi and Nikelle.  I think this is the best parade of the year.  And after seeing all the candy the kids got I figured we didn't need to go trick or treating the next week.

The annual pumpkin carving... we simplified this year and didn't use templates and just let the kids draw their own designs.  I, however, came up with Peyton's.

Stockton drew this "scary" face on a piece of paper and had me help him carve it out. 

Of course Ethan chose a sports theme... Maybe it had something to do with Uncle Travis showing up for the Jazz opening game with a D.Will Carved pumpkin.



And Princess Peyton's... self explanatory.

Halloween is a favorite at our house.  I like to have a theme for our costumes to all coordinate.  However, with the kids getting older it has become more difficult to dictate what I want them to be.  I think I made it work out OK - we were all "Super Heroes / Villains".

Ethan was Storm Shadow the villain on GI JOE, Peyton was Bat Girl, Stockton was Incredible Hulk, Ryan was the Tooth fairy, and I was Super Girl.

We didn't have as many parties do dress up for this year as we have in years past.  The ward party was held the same night as my mom's so we missed it.  Here are the kids ready to head to Grandma's.

When we arrived at the party, Ryan quickly made friends with Mr. Enquirer (aka Josh).  Here the Tooth fairy is showing him proper oral hygiene.

Bridget was the cutest Strawberry Shortcake and Jess was her sidekick Plum Pudding.

Jordan was the Mad Hatter and stayed in character all night.  Jordan Paige was Alice.

Lucy the "Pink Robot" doing her robot moves.

Kylie and Landon were a pirate duo.

We had a fun night of kids games with lots of prizes.  Here the kids participate in a cake walk.

Doughnuts on a string was entertaining for all.

And the winners of the lamest Halloween Costumes goes to...

Mom and Dad!  If you are going to get us all excited about your costumes you better have real ones next year!

Halloween was on Sunday this year so Saturday was the substitute for all the activities.  Peyton is ready to go.

I love trick or treating on Main Street.  Ryan does not.  Well, with him being off work for the day I made him suck it up!  The weather wasn't spectacular and the rain made us end early but it was fun!

Walking Main Street we ran into Wayne and Garth.  (aka Nick and Melanie)

It has become a tradition to go bowling on Halloween.  Thanks to Travis and Karen for starting it.  Lucky for us you get free shoe rental if you come in costume and they have cosmic bowling going.  It is always a fun time.

Jada and Stockton are Dancing...

Jolisa the Pirate sleeps...

Pirate, Colby takes a Vampire hostage (Janeth)...

Super Girl (Me) gets another STRIKE!...

Bat Girl twirls...

The Tooth fairy curtseys...

Travis the Tranny makes a game plan...

Mr. Stripes (man with no costume, Lex), glows...

So does Mrs. Pumpkin (SueAnn)...

Karen and Jada the Ladybugs...

The Green family of Super Heroes...

The whole gang...  Happy Halloween!