We have had a busy week. My grandfather died last week and although we mourn the loss of him, we know he is in a better place. It as so good to see family. It is the first time in 10+ years that all of my cousins have been together and 3+ years that my siblings have all been together. We visited all day and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Fancy girls

Talia Got new fake nails for Christmas and Aunt Kate helped her apply them. Talia couldn't

wait to show them off and looked at her hands about 23 hours of the day. Fancy Nancy! Stella wanted to try on the Napolean wig and glasses- too cute!

CRaig and I got to go to a FUN party where you had to dress as a movie character. Craig was Indiana Jones and I was (can you guess)--Napolean Dynamite. We played movie trivia and had fun with friends.

Does this sum us up or what? We recently got family pictures taken and this is how they turned out. Actually, we got some really cute ones but I thought this is more fitting. The interesting thing is- this is exactly fitting each of their personalities. We had a fabulous Thanksgiving doing gingerbread houses and Humanitarian projects. It is so good to remember how much we truely have. The kids all loved putting them together too. We had such fun with the whole crew, there are always good laughs! I went with my sister in laws to see the Twilight movie. I haven't read the books, but the movie convinced me not to. I did not enjoy it and and I feel a little "out of the group". I'll have to find another group to join! Anyway, Hope everyone had a great holiday. I am just starting shopping, unlike me for sure. Any ideas for my kids?

Let's give it up for SV! We had a great win on Friday over East 48-16 (or something). It was fun to be there. I took all the kids and it was a beautiful day. We went to the Durhams for trick-or-treating and a sleepover. Craig went home and watched film to all hours of the night, preparing for Timpview this next week. Stella and the neighbor girl even went Trick-or-treating on Saturday (I am sure the neighbors thought I was a crazy mom- oh, yeah.... I am). We went to Burley today to see a new cousin get blessed- we love being with the whole crew- we have such a fun time. The noise is high, the food is yummy and the company is FABULOUS! Conrad was recently caught climbing out of his window in the basement to play instead of reading. He wasn't embarassed or worried about getting in trouble as I saw him run past the kitchen window. He said he had done it multiple days in a row. His reply "That is what you do when you have a ladder in your window and your friends want you to come out and play." Duh, mom. We now had strict rules about climbing out of windows vs. reading time. Conrad also said I hadn't been clear on that rule, so now we are good. My kids parent teacher conferences were all so good, the kids are doing well. Interestingly enough, the comment all 3 teachers made was that they all need to slow down a bit... where did they get that from? I have made a commitment to slow down, tomorrow :).

GO CATS!

Yellowstone

We got a little adventurous over UEA and went to Yellowstone with the Anhder Crew. It was SOOOO much fun. It is the first time in many years Craig has taken time off from Football. We drove so much it drove us crazy! We saw many buffalo and elk and a coyote. The kids loved being with cousins and most of all.... the pools. We needed a break and it was fun to get away.

Fun with Costumes

So Halloween is coming and I was brave and took the kids (and the neighbor kids) to the school carnival. Those school activities are in a smelly gym with smelly elementary children which I do not enjoy. As much as I don't really like going, I love to see so many happy kids. Who would have thought a Halloween costume and fake fishing pond could bring joy. It makes me want to enjoy the little things of life. So this week I will enjoy the 2 hours I get to use to put 5 kids into a Halloween costume- it's some fun one-on-one time being crazy with glitter and face paint. And I will put the dieitian in me aside for a few days and enjoy having a bag of candy to barter with and eat. We also start state playoffs for football- Friday will be at East High school (yeah Brooke) at 2:00. Because it is Halloween, I don't know if I will be there- it is a difficult thing to decide for us. Happy Candy :)