Happy Halloween!!! 

 I just had to post this because it cracks me up.  My Syd is always making us laugh.  I love this kids personality.  She came into this world so fast that I had no time for any pain meds and holy moly this is still the kind of girl she is...  She wants to do everything fast, she wants it now, and she will do anything to get it.  I have to remind her that she is only 11.  I realize that she is my one kid that I can count on to get her chores done. Why?  Because she knows if she does then she will have money to get those things she wants. 

 Syd- our family would not be the same without YOU.  

Thank you for knowing when I need a hug, a helper, and a good laugh.  

I LOVE YOU!!!

Daddy was not a good example for General Conference weekend.  I think he slept through most of the talks.  I can't remember the last time he was this tired.  Poor guy...

This weekend we were able to watch and listen to General Conference for our church.    (www.lds.org)

I always look forward to this.  I look back to my childhood and I remember those feelings of recognizing the spirit that I felt through word and song.  Now as a mother I have a real desire to make it fun for my kids.  Every six months as we listen to our Prophet and Apostles I try to be creative with activities to keep the kids still and listening.  This year I was slacking and expressed to my oldest daughter Morgan that I had not prepared anything.  So late Friday night she came in my room to show me what she had done.  She surprised me and had packets ready for each kid.  She had games to play.  I still get tears in my eyes about this.  I am so thankful for her desire to help me out, but also her desire to keep this family tradition going.  I know that she will pass this on to her kids and that makes my heart so HAPPY!

OK so I have to say that we did listen "most" the time but this really got us LAUGHING!!!

This was one of the games we played.  So every time we heard the speakers say these words...

Love, Scriptures, Jesus Christ, and Prayer then we got to eat the treat.  I got too sick and gave up. Preston ate the entire time.  Oh boy how could he do it???

I learned so much this weekend.  I am so thankful to be a "Mormon",  or should I say a member of The 

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I know that Jesus Christ lives and loves us. I want to live my life following the Saviors example in serving my family and others.  I love that the Gospel of Jesus Christ 

gives me hope, feels me with peace, 

and a knowledge that I can be together forever with those I LOVE.  

This is Elder "Spencer" Rodriguez who served a mission in Oklahoma while we were there.  He was in our home ALOT.  We loved him.  He was so cute with our kids and loved to help in the kitchen.  His momma taught him well:)  He just recently returned home and is now going to start school in Provo.  So last Sunday he came over for dinner.  The kids wanted to do his hair and he was all for it:)

So fun to have these missionaries come see us as they return home!

Now that we are back in Utah that is one thing we really miss.  

The kids often ask "When are we going to feed the missionaries"? 

 I guess we have to wait because they are well fed with all the members here.

Go Brynlee Boo'

Brynlee and her friend Emma got to participate in a Dance clinic for the

 Brighton High School Drill team

The night of the performance Bryn wanted to stay home because she was so nervous.  We thought this would be good for her because she is not very comfortable in front of a crowd.

My friend Kristy is Emma's mom and they are in our ward.  

We sure LOVE the West family!!!

Morgan and Syd were very sweet to their little sister:)

And her biggest cheerleader of all...

HER DADDY!!!

He made this before we left the house.  He is so good to think of those little things 

that make the biggest difference.  

Oh- how I love him.

Dillon West and Preston were nowhere to be found.  

These two were up playing football with all the big boys, while the rest of us watched the game.

Bryn modeling our new sweatshirts for the snowy days ahead...

This was too cute.  Here we are at a high school game and Morgan is not one bit worried about holding her daddies hand!  This picture melts my heart.  I just hope this never ends!

This was a Fun Friday night out as a family.

Way to go Brynlee Boo!!!

Time flies...

So this is a picture of all my kids at the door of our friend Lindsay Felsteads Kindergarten classroom.. We met Lindsay in 1998 so I think she was about 8 years old?  Gosh- how time flies. I remember it like it was yesterday when I worked with her amazing mom Alissa and we instantly connected.  It was an eternal friendship and I love this family so much.  So we had to celebrate her new job fresh out of college.  We went over to help her set up the classroom. 

The kids were so excited to see her and help out.    

So PROUD of this girl!!!  I could seriously cry...

Thank you Lindsay for always loving my kids and being an example to them.  Who knows they may follow in your footsteps someday.  They look pretty natural in these photos.  The way time flies it will be here before we know it.

CRAZY!!!

Can I just say that this brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it.  I Love my family.  So thankful for my sweet husband and our beautiful children.  I have always loved pictures because they capture the moments that we might soon forget.  I love this photographer because she is my friend.  We met 7 years ago when we became neighbors and I now consider her my sister.  She does great work as you can see she captures the expressions at just the perfect time.  She is a stay at home mom and balances her job as mother and photographer so well.  If you live in Arizona you may want to schedule some holiday pictures with her. Look her up at photojenicblog.net and I know you will be happy.  Thanks Jen for another round of beautiful summer memories.  

Love ya girl!!!

Dentist + Drugs = DELIRIOUS

Holy cow what a day!  

This was a crazy experience.  

9 cavities later!!!