Visit to Rexburg and my finished pillows

We drove up to Rexburg and took Jordan Coe out to dinner. We met a few of her roommates and walked around the temple grounds of the Rexburg, Idaho Temple. It was a lot of fun. The kids have missed her. They told her that "next week we are going to Powell River to see Serena and Grandma and Grandpa." My kids sure miss their friends and family in Powell River. I also finished making the pillows to go on my recovered couches. I love that I had all the fabric and pillow forms in my house already so it didn't cost me current money to make them. :)

Pictures from my Birthday

Here are a few pictures that Rita took before and after I got to my house for the surprise birthday party. Thanks Rita! Enjoy the picture of me catching my breath and calming my heartbeat of coming home and having my nephew run at me out of the dark. :) The top picture is the birthday cake I made for our joint party on Sunday.

Emily's First Field Trip

Emily's first preschool field trip was during the second week in October. I decided to take a personal day and take her on the field trip. I drove Cassie as well as Rita had Maggie's dance class. We were all excited to go to the corn maze, do some fun activities and pick out some pumpkins. Sadly, just after we arrived Cassie accidently squirted hand sanitizer in her hands. It was really sad because she had gone into the porta potty proud to go all by herself, and the hand sanitzer didn't squirt downwards but right into her eye. I asked her if she wanted to sit out but she wanted me to carry her in the corn maze. I told her the tears would help the eyes feel better. I carried her crying through the maze. Sad to say I lost patience with her because Collin kept running away so I couldn't find him and I wasn't able to carry her the whole time so sometimes she refused to walk and would just cry. It was a really long maze for that reason. I felt extremely bad for all of the kids because of my poor attitude. It wasn't the kids who were upseting me so much as it was the fact that there were parents everywhere who knew what was going on and no one offered to help. Instead they would loudly tell their kids about how some kids push in mazes and they shouldn't (when Collin would push by), or remind their kids that parents should keep their kids with them at all time in the maze, etc. I was very disappointed and extremely embarrassed. When we got out of the maze Rita was waiting for Cassie. (Cassie was better by later that afternoon.) My kids were excited to play with the bean bag toss, and the kiddie corn maze. They loved picking out mini pumpkins to take home.

The kids all ready to go (It was cold outside when we first left but it warmed up.)

The kids at the beginning of the corn maze

Collin running through the kids maze

Emily and Collin with their pumpkins

Halloween 2011

I haven't had much time for our family blog lately so I am going to try and do some catch up. I am not sure anyone reads this anymore but for the sake of family memories we are going to fill in some blanks. Emily and Collin were superheroes this year. They were able to wear their costumes to library time the Wednesday before Halloween. Emily wore her costume to dance class and school the Thursday before Halloween. I was able to have a coworker switch after school homework lab with me so that I could be home to take the kids to our ward's trunk or treat. I got home with enough time to get the kids into their costumes, dump the candy in a big bowl and head to the church. We got there 10 minutes early and it was packed! Landon had to take our car into the shop so he got there 20 minutes later. Rita's neighbor was nice enough to pass out our candy for us so I could go with his wife, their kids and my kids. Their son, Jake, is 5 years old and he and Collin call each other best friends. It was great because he helped keep an eye on Collin for me because he kept wandering off. There were so many cars that it took about half an hour to weave our way through all the vehicles. The kids saw lots of their friends and people in our ward. Collin had to empty his small bag into Emily's because it was full. By the end I was carrying Emily's because it was so full. Our friend's the Stein's invited us to pizza at their house and then trick or treating around their neighborhood. Before we ran up there my friend Lorilee and I went to old town to take the kids trick or treating. They had just ended so we went to a few homes in the ward instead. The kids were so excited to see Kestrel. They had a "moster in the bush" that the kids thought was fabulous. We left Lorilee to trick or treat with our friend's the Moores and headed up to Steins. It was a lot of fun to visit with them. Not many people go around their neighborhood so the kids made out with a HAUL! I could not believe it. Emily and Collin were most excited about the microwave popcorn, juice box, and pencil they got. :) It was a great day! Enjoy a few pictures.

On our way to the Trunk or Treat

Jake, Collin, Caleb, Emily

Lorilee and Emmet

Rita and her family

Caleb, Kestrel, Collin and Emily

The Monster in the Bush

Our Haul (before we went up to Stein's)

Emily's Bat Cat pumpkin (We had Stein's over the previous week to carve pumpkins. She and Collin painted the other pumpkins)

Videos for Emily and Collin

Every year Santa sends a video to Emily and Collin through the PNP. Enjoy!

Collin's Santa Video

Click Here

Emily's Santa Video

Click Here

Beautiful Heartbreak

You know those days that you just are looking for the end. And then in the middle of it you hear a song or receive a letter and suddenly the clouds are gone and you can feel the sunshine. This song was that for me today. Enjoy!

Beautiful Heartbreak by Hillary Weeks

One of the best things about being a parent....

It was a magical moment tonight watching Emily's face as Santa Claus came down the chimney and talked to the little girl in the movie. Emily got so excited. She kept saying, "It's Santa! It's Santa!" What a magical moment!

I just bought the book, "Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" from Maceys. It is a wonderful book and makes me even more excited for this Christmas Season. I highly recommend the book. It shows how Santa shows us how to live the true spirit of Christmas and why it is a wonderful thing. :)

(Not taking away from the real reason for the season but it shows us why it is an important lesson to teach our children. The reason Santa exists.)

Emily's favourite Christmas Movie

Landon wanted to choose a Christmas movie to watch as a family tonight. He and I were comparing our favourite movies and we decided to watch The Santa Clause 2. Emily strongly voiced her opposition to our choice. I said, "It is one of Grandpa Hull's favourite Christmas movies." To which Emily replied, "It's not my favourite movie." I asked her what was her favourite Christmas movie. With a big grin she declared, "Dora's Christmas Movie!" And then regaled us with tales about Swiper and Dora. Landon groaned and declared he was not going to watch Dora. Emily rolled her eyes and said she guessed we could watch The Santa Clause 2. She has picked up many adult phrases and expressions lately. It makes me laugh!

Remembrance Day Canada 2011 - Requiem To Sacrifice

As tomorrow we celebrate Remembrance Day (Canada) and Veterns Day (USA) let us not forget the reason for the day. Thank-you to my parents for instilling the respect this day needs. Thank-you to all the veterans and current military who serve.

Mark Wills - 19 Somethin'

Heard this on the radio today and came home and watched the music video. It made me smile! I hope it makes you smile too!