The Boys Went Hunting

 Earlier this year Justin had suggested that our whole family go deer hunting together.  Truthfully I wasn't excited but was on board since he asked.  I love doing things with my family but I prefer them to be in good conditions with potties.  I really don't like sleeping in tents either and after having a trailer it's hard to be happy in a sleeping bag with everything cluttered around us.  My daughters started to back out and I kept hoping they all would.  It was a few weeks ago that Natalie said she wasn't going to go and then I was off the hook.  Woo Hoo....I was happy that they guys could have some bonding time without any girls.  I was really glad that all my boys were able to go.  I know they don't all love hunting and actually it was Kevin and Jaydan's first time.  I think it's awesome that they made the time.  I love seeing them do things together.

It was a good hunt.  Friday morning they saw lots of deer.  Larry and Jared each got one.  One of the deer dropped right on the road and so it was super easy to pick up.  Jaydan and Kevin got some shots in but neither were able to drop the deer.  I thought that Julie was probably praying that Kevin wouldn't get one...Natalie thought the same thing.  Justin and Braxton didn't have tags for this hunt but they said they had a good time.  I think there might have been a few times they would have liked to taken the gun and shoot the deer themselves.

Parker had fun and made everyone laugh.  He made up a new language called orcma and Larry said he laughed so hard at Parker that he had tears in his eyes.  Parker is such a silly kid.  He reminds me of Braxton and Justin.  He's busy and adventurous.  He can be stubborn but his cuteness saves him.  He is witty and smart.  Since Parker had made up his own language, Larry decided to also.  He told Parker that his language started with a Z.  So everything you say has to start with a Z.  He asked Parker if he understood and Parker quickly responded with "Zes".  Oh the boy is fun!

I'm so glad this hunt happened.  I'm so thankful that everyone was safe and only had a few bruises after all was said and done.  Jared and Jaydan rolled a four-wheeler and were pretty shook up about it but were okay.  Jared admitted that he cried and he knew Jaydan was very concerned and frazzled.  The four-wheeler actually looked okay...it wasn't but it didn't look too bad. I am thankful for the pictures they took for me.  I love being able to see a little of what they did.  The pictures are nice to look at and they make me really glad I wasn't there.  I love all these cute guys!

Witches at Gardner's Village

Since Kimleighel and I didn't go hunting we decided to go to Gardner's Village.  We invited Carla and a few more friends but Carla was the only one that ended up coming with us.  We left at noon.  It was much busier than I had thought it would be this early.  There were lots of mom's with their kids going around doing the scavenger hunt.  The music wasn't as loud and it was nice being able to go in the shops and to see all the cuteness around them.  It was really wonderful driving home in the light and getting home before dark.  It's diffidently a different experience in the day.  The night time is loud and lots of witches every where.  I like both day and night.

We didn't take as many picture because I don't think Kimleighel enjoyed it much.  My favorite picture is the top one with the two mom's and kids.  The little girl in her mom's arms was so stinkin cute.  She really liked Glinda.  She kept saying how amazing or something similar.  Her expression just seemed too grown up for her and it made me smile.  She had me turn around and was just amazed with me.  I asked them if they had seen wizard of oz and they had.  I told them that I loved being in my glass bubble and floating around and how much fun that was.  The little boy finally said, "that really wasn't you though huh?"  I smiled and told him he was right I was just pretending to be Glinda. ☺  We had a yummy lunch and bought some caramel apples.  Carla got a cute Halloween banner to put on her front door and Kimleighel bought some awesome gold leggins and some striped socks.  We really did have a wonderful time.

On the way home we took Patti a "care" package we had put together.  Patti doesn't say much and just mentioned her family was going through some stuff.  When she had mentioned it she was brief and I could tell she didn't want to talk about it.  I had thought about it for a week and then again yesterday and so Carla and I decided we would just do a little something for her to let her know we cared about her.  I'm sure it made her day....I know it made mine.

I got a text after getting home saying that Jared and Larry both got their deer.  Yippee...somebody is going to be happy. Braxton must be taking the picture.  Larry, all our sons and cute Parker went hunting together.  I like that!

Monster Mash

Tonight for Special Needs we had a Monster Mash.  We thought it would be a fun change from our usual Halloween Carnival.  I think it went over well.  Dyan and Jason brought Halloween Music and we danced.  I do mean WE.  I haven't danced this much in years.  These friends need a little encouragement and someone to lead them sometimes.  I had a good time.  We  lined up on two sides and then danced down the middle of those lines and that was fun.  It was also funny because sometimes one of the outside lines wouldn't have anyone in it because everyone would go the other line.  We danced while we followed a leader and that was fun too.

Every 10 minutes or so I would blow a whistle and everyone found a circle I had taped to the floor that had a number on it.  I drew a few numbers and those standing on those circles got a treat.  We had pringles, soda, and cookies.  I laughed because when I would call out a number some of these cuties would say they won or call the number out again.  It was funny and a lot of fun.

Kimleighel came with me tonight which made me happy.  I think she enjoys this group too.  Kimleighel doesn't mind me acting crazy either.  She just records me acting silly but promised me she wouldn't share. ☺ We ate doughnuts and had root-beer.  Someone donated a bunch of pumpkins and those that didn't want to dance painted some.  Everyone got to take home a pumpkin if they wanted.  I think our Monster Mash was a success. I did have one gal complain that we hadn't invited another group but I didn't mind much since she usually complains about everything.

The leaders cleaned up and by the time it was time to leave my back was killing me.  Just a little reminder of all the fun and work I had done.  I seriously adore this group of people and love the leaders I get to work with.  They all make me smile. ☺

Bowling Buddies

I love bowling with these buddies of mine every Thursday.  We are tied for first right now but that doesn't matter to me.  I wouldn't even know that except my team likes knowing where we stand.  They are all more competitive than me. I enjoy winning but when we do our best and don't win I'm okay with that.  Plus, I'm not going to hope for others to do poorly just so we can win.  Last year we were towards the bottom of the rankings most of the time and I didn't really care then either.  I had to take a picture of my score today because it's been a long time since I have bowled over 200.  Debbie had mentioned before we started today that it's been a long time since she reached 200 and I got thinking it had been a long time for me as well.  I couldn't believe I kept throwing strikes. Last week I got one strike in the 9th frame of the third game. So today was exciting and fun!  I laughed when the second game started and how I had four opens in my first four frames. It's crazy how well you can do and then start a new game and miss everything.  It was a fun day!

Scary Movie???

Today we met at Carla's to watch a scary movie.  We watched Rear Window (Alfred Hitchcock).  Now that is my kind of scary movie!  We were all laughing so hard and noticing so many things about it that were just plain silly and quite impossible.  I imagine this show might be a bit more scary if you were watching it by yourself in a dark house that you were alone in.  But today it was funny and a lot of fun.

Carla loves to host parties and made chili and corn bread for everyone.  Both Jodi/Jody brought doughnuts that were all very yummy.  Yes, I cut pieces from all of them.  I brought a cheese ball shaped like a brain and some crackers.  We toasted our friendship with apple juice and the reason we even thought of that was because of the movie.  At one part of the movie a few people had "brandy" or something that they were twirling in their glasses and so we wanted to copy them.  We make ourselves laugh if nothing else.

Fun Day....Fun Friends.....Fun Time of the Year!!!

a Nice Day

Today I got up and went to ask Kimi's boss about some vacation days that she will need but are a surprise.  I needed gas and told Kimi that is why I was leaving.  When I did go for gas I had a thought that I had time to go visit Susan H before I went to play games.  I got Susan and I a hot chocolate and surprised her. ☺  She was fine that I just stopped by early and we had a really nice visit.  I sure love and admire Susan.  I told her I want to follow in her steps...I like where she's at and hows she's got there.  She is a great example to me.  I was a little late for games but didn't feel too bad since I was doing good things.  I forgot to get a picture.  Just Debbie, me and Carla played today.  We played Farkle and 5 Crowns.  We took turns winning.  It was fun as always.

Carla and I went and picked up Behr after games and went to the Dollar store for a few things for Special Needs.  We went and had lunch at my house and visited for awhile until I needed to go pick up Zaden.  I took Carla home and after picking up Zaden we went to my moms.  My mom thought I might have a spoon of hers that I might have used 13 years ago when I made pumpkin rolls for Trichelle's wedding.  I don't even remember her spoon but I decided to buy her a few since she was missing it.  I asked her what she has been using the last few years and she said she really hasn't made pumpkin rolls.  She makes them every year!  She's funny and was glad to get a few new spoons.  Our visit was the nicest it's been for a long time.  Right away she told me I was a good grandma.  Then she complimented me on the book I wrote.  We all had a good time and visit.  We went and checked out Trichelle's house before going home.  It looks really good.  The hard work and long hours is paying off.

The boys stayed at our house until after 8:00 pm.  They were tired and Zaden needed to do homework (I wasn't aware or would have had him do it) so Trichelle came and got them.  Larry and TJ stayed and worked a little longer.  Zaden loves coming to my house and so these long days here are good for him.  I love that the grands like being here with us.

Area Conference

We had an area conference today.  We went to our church early to get a seat since all the wards that use our building would be coming.  Not as many people showed up today though.  I think a lot might have went out of town.  We had plenty of room and we could have come at 9:45 and still found a seat in the Chapel.  I was surprised a little.  The conference was really good.  There was a lot of mention about reading the Book of Mormon and what a blessing it is.  Also of sharing the Gospel with others and how our fear will turn to confidence.  I love a story shared of a man that didn't want to drink beer with his boss.  The boss asked what kind of Church wouldn't allow a member to drink a little beer with his boss. The man's reply was awesome.  He told his boss it had nothing to do with the church but it had everything to do with his promise that he made with Heavenly Father.  The church has guide lines for us but really the reason we do or don't do something is between us and God. 

Living the Gospel won't take away our problems or challenges but it will help us get through them.  We will all have trials even if we keep the commandments but our trials help us grow. And, it is still possible to have joy through our trials.  The joy and happiness the Gospel brings into our life is visual.  

Another note I made was "a promise is a promise."  Our word alone should mean something and making little promises each day can help us become better.

Smile and Be Happy.....those two things are great missionary tools.  They influence others but they also bless us.  Someone brought up the song Jesus wants me for a Sun Beam.  That song is never sang without enthusiasm.   

We had another Halloween dinner ;) intestines, living brain, monster balls, frog juice, baked caterpillars.  Justin's family was having FHE with Nats family and so next week we will do this all again. ☺  I love our Halloween Dinners!