Happy Halloween!!!!

Happy Halloween! I don't know why I love Halloween so much but I do! I have to admit that I miss the craziness of the few hours before getting ready for trunk or treat or trick or treating or whatever Halloween activity we were doing that night. From getting the kids ready early in the morning in their costumes, treats in tow for their class parties, to fixing the costumes and re-doing makeup and finding a fun but easy dinner (because they HAD to eat something healthy before they got all that candy). I miss them sitting on the floor with HUGE piles of candy trading with each other and pulling out a few special ones that they knew were mom and dad's favorites. Fun times!

This year I made a SPOOKY book with pictures of my kids when they were little in their Halloween costumes. Everyone had fun looking back at all the crazy costumes and remembering different things from those nights. I am SO glad I put all the Halloween pictures in one place. It will be fun to pull this book out every year. I may even shed a tear or two. I have some REALLY good blackmail video of Cory in his BUG suit crawling around on the ground and being CRAZY when he was 5. That will always be good for a few laughs!


Halloween just isn't the same without little kids at home but I am looking forward to all the little ones that will come through my office today at Midwestern and that I will see at our ward's Trunk or Treat.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Well, I'm the worst daughter ever! My dad's birthday was a couple weeks ago and while I DID remember to send him a birthday greeting, I didn't pay tribute to him on my blog. The guilt is killing me!

My dad is the most AMAZING man I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Seriously, he is!

My dad inherited ME, a 7 year old, when he married my mom. Never once have I EVER felt like he wasn't my dad in every way. He never referred to me as his step daughter that I am aware of. He just accepted me as his daughter-ALWAYS! I called him Daddy from day one. He allowed me to become a part of his family and to take on his family name and let me be sealed to him and my mom in the temple. He gave me the opportunity to be the "big sister" to the 3 most amazing "little" brothers *(that all tower over me by a foot or more). He taught me how to drive because he knew my mother would have killed me in the process. He took me to all my Daddy-daughter dates. We spent lots of nights at Disney movies together before my brothers were old enough. Always the "real animal" type- The original HOmeward Bound, Lassie, Where the Red Fern Grows- well you get the picture. I have the BEST memories!

He has endured many years of surprised comments when people find out that he has 19 grandchildren! The man is timeless- he NEVER seems to age!

I know that I can ALWAYS turn to him when I have a problem, no matter what it is. He is a spiritual giant and takes the time to share things that he feels are important with his family subtly. I remember a letter he sent recently when President Monson was called-testifying to us, his children, that he KNEW this man and his counselors were called of God. It was a very tender letter. He has given me blessing after blessing and I am so grateful for all that he has taught me and done for me over the years. I Love you Dad! Happy Belated Birthday! I still owe you dessert or something! BIG HUGS!!!!!!

little miss allie

I took these pictures of my niece, Allie, a couple weeks ago after Tyler's baptism and everytime I go through my pictures I stop and look at these. I wish I could be happy and carefree like that again and that something as simple as bubbles could keep me occupied. I miss my "little" kids! Thanks, Bren for waiting to start your family so that I could enjoy your little ones more! :)

Thankful Thursday

Well, it's that day of the week again! Thankful Thursday- so here goes...

I'm thankful that my gym buddy and I have gotten back on a somewhat regular schedule again. Thanks Robyn!

I'm thankful that my husband has been attacked by aliens and seems to be on a cleaning kick! A little out of character but Love, Love, LOVE it!

I'm thankful that tomorrow I get to see all of the darling Halloween costumes that hard working moms have put so much time into.

I'm thankful that I DON'T have to worry about darling Halloween costumes for my kids anymore! :)

I'm thankful for the gorgeous weather we are having and that I can sleep with my windows open.

I'm thankful that I got to spend time with Kami and Alyssa the other night and get sucked in to the whole High School Musical craziness! I wish all High Schools were that wholesome and would break out in song and dance every few minutes! LOL

Most of all I'm thankful for my family. They are the light of my life and I don't know what I would do without them. Well, maybe I wouldn't WORRY so much but other than that...

That's it for today-What are YOU thankful for?

Couldn't Resist...

Sunday night "my girls" (ok so one isn't mine yet) Kami and Alyssa were discussing how they wanted to go see High School Musical 3. Alyssa knows Matt would rather die than sit through it and Kami knows Vaughn would go to make her happy but would sleep through it. I was cracking up listening to how excited they were about going to the movie-they sounded like 10 year olds. And of course, I'm going too! LOL Can't miss more "girl time". If you know me, that is a rare opportunity with my house full of boys and their friends.

Anyway, Annie had posted a fun little HSM3 video that I just had to duplicate in honor of Alyssa's excitement to see the movie. (Thanks Annie!) It was really fun to do and Alyssa texted me saying she was crying from laughing so hard and thanked me so I guess it was a good thing so I will share it here. Enjoy!

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