Our day

Today was our day!

I know the days are

coming fast when Jolene will

be in school full time and I

will be on my own, so the days

we have together

I take full advantage of!

We watched one of

our favorite movies.....

played....

and created a penguin
on water with an ice cube
with play dough!!

And I made cinnamon rolls for the very first

time...and they turned out!!

We had a really great day!!

Laughter

I can never hear

her laugh enough!!

Dance

This week was parent week at

dance class, we are invited to

come watch what our children

have been learning.

I have always loved ballet,

I am glad my girls do too.

There is something so graceful

about a ballerinas feet!

Holding her position.

Stretching at the bar.

Jolene took gymnastics the first half of

the year, as she was watching she

leaned over and said she was

missing ballet!

We'll switch in January!!

CATguard

CATguard on duty!!

Ella almost falls in the tub everytime,

but continues to come back. Jolene loves it!!

Musical

4th Grade Musical

This year they learned folk songs

from around the world.

They were introduced

"The graduation class of

Highland Elementary!"

It surprised me, but is very true.

This is Raychel's last year at this school.

Ward and Jolene enjoying the music!!


Take a listen, this folk song is in

Japanese! They did a great job!

What is it about watching our children

perform that gives us a great since of

pride?


Some favorite friends that make school
worth it!!

More friends.

More to listen to!!!

ABC's

Jolene has been learning her sounds in school and

figured it was time for Ella to learn also.

This cat CAN be so passive. She let Jolene

show her the ABC'c, what each one sounds

like and then how to put them together to spell!!Going over the paper

(near Ella's tail)

Going over the letters on

the refrigerator

Putting them together,

spelling like they sound, unless

she ran out of letters!!

Happy Birthday To Me!!

I know it's a week later, but I celebrated my birthday last week on the 12th. I am one year closer to 40!! Yep, 40! It actually started the day before when my oldest sister, Carey, called to wish me a happy birthday, then realized she was a day early!! Better then a day late!! She did call the next day EARLY to be the first to say Happy Birthday!! When I get up with Ward at 5am and come downstairs to get his lunch I always look out the window over the front door to see what the day will bring, if it rained or is raining, snow, frost you get the pictures. Well, that morning I came downstairs and couldn't see out the window. I looked harder and all I could see was white! I asked Ward could it be so frosty out it frosted the window? He said I don't know, open the door and check!! Well I did! What a wonderful surprise was on the front door! The Birthday Phantom (Tracy) decorated my door with birthday wrapping, balloons, streamers, and lots of little gifts taped to the paper. And don't forget the trail of candy up to the door. The very best part about the candy was there was no chocolate, she really thought of me!! The girls enjoyed it as much as I did!! Thanks Tracy for starting my day off!!

When we lived in Washington all the girls; sisters, sister-in-laws, mom and grandmother would get together for lunch to celebrate the birthday/birthdays for that month. It was always fun together eat, visit and catch up. I have truly missed those luncheons. This year I decided I was going to go to lunch with the two joys of my life. my girls. It was Jolene's day off of school so we went and got Raychel and off to lunch we went. Of course it was their choice, McDonald's! We had a great time. Those two sure know how to laugh and have a good time.

Later that night Ward called to say he would stop on his way home to get the gift Jolene wanted to get me. I told him that would be fine, he then told Jolene, who didn't agree!! So I dropped the girls off at Wal-Mart to meet Ward, then I came home and finished my birthday dinner. When they got home they were more then excited!! We had a great meal ;) opened gifts, received lots of phone calls had homemade cherry cheesecake and ended a really great day!!

The next day, a really good friend, Jodi, took me to lunch at the new resturant in town. It was the best couple of hours. I'm not sure we have ever been to lunch without the girls. It really made my day. We had a great visit and lots of laughs!! Thank you for extending my birthday one more day!!

Congratulations!!

Well, my youngest brother called last night, I was thinking WOW, this is the first year any of my brothers remembered my birthday!! But, he was calling to say him and his beautiful wife Katie will be having a baby BOY!!! I am so excited for them. This is their first!! They have so much to look forward to!! This will be a whole new chapter to their book of life they are living together.

Happy Birthday Carey

Happy (40th) Birthday to my

oldest sister Carey!!

I know it was yesterday, but I spent most

of it out of town in meetings for Stake Conference!!

I hope your day was as special as you are.

My sister is a great example to all

see meets, she has a big heart!! She is her

families loudest cheerleader (all her boys play sports!),

She is a mother of three great boys and makes it look

easy!! I am glad she is not only my sister

but also my friend!!

Happy Birthday to you!!

Vote!! 2008

I voted!

Did you?

Halloween '08

Halloween got off to spooky start, the lights went out then came on and off again really fast three times before staying off from 6:30-7:00am. We got ready by candle light and flash lights until the sun came and then the lights come on, but then off again at 7:30-9:30am!! It was crazy taking Raychel to school and walking in a dark school, they had a few emergency lights on, but it only add to the high energy levels of the Halloween spirit!!

Later that morning, I took Jolene to the library to do the trick or treating they do in town. This will be her last year, sad. It is hard to believe that chapter or our lives is over. Next year she will be in school full time. We had a great time. There were lots of kids, so many different kinds of costumes and lots of candy!! It's the safest way to go trick or treating. Several businesses pass out the candy in at their store fronts. The weather was beautiful!! Clear blue skies, no wind, rain, or snow!!

Then back home for lunch and a "cat" nap

before heading out to Raychel's school party!!

Raychel's party didn't disappoint!! Lots of fun, food,

and excitement to last me another year!!

Elvis lives!! And hangs out in 4th grade!!

After school we visited a friend then raced home to make a pizza, and an apple pie!! Yes, I kind of made an apple pie. OK, I used premade pie crust you just roll out, and apple pie filling, but I did have to add more spices to it!! It was great!!
And don't forget the melted Carmel inside!!

Okay, back to Trick or Treating...

Don't forget to pose!! I wish you could of heard

Jolene growl before the picture!!

Friends that came by.

Out and about.....

enjoying the evening. We all go out and

really enjoy the evening as a family!

Thanks again mom for making the costume!!