HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 2010

We can thank Jacob that we have pumpkins to carve this year.  He was very persistent in asking me to take him to get a pumpkin to carve.  It's been really busy so I kept putting it off.  But he wasn't about to give up.  So the morning of Halloween Jacob and I headed out on a hunt for pumpkins.  And as you might have guessed, EVERY story was out of them, with the exception of Wal-mart who had small pre-painted, over-priced ones.  We bought one of Wal-mart's pumpkins just in case we couldn't find anything else on the rest of our hunt.  Just as we were about to head to more stores, I remembered a garden stand that is sometimes by the gas station...I turned around and headed to the Garden Stand.  Just as we pulled up they were unloading a trailer full of pumpkins--the last load of the season.  Jacob had GREAT FUN picking out the best pumpkins for him and all his siblings--and we got all the pumpkins for under $10.  Needless to say, it made Jacob's day, and I feel that a little prayer in his heart was answered.  We're blessed with promptings and guidance in even the smallest details of our lives.

They all had FUN carving pumpkins!

Sam as Darth Vader.

We almost didn't go trick or treating this year because of Sam's allergies to all the candy.  Then, we had an idea....Sam could turn all his candy in for MONEY.  He ended up with $10 which he gave to Jacob to buy a Star Wars Lego set.  Total WIN-WIN!

Jacob, as 'Smartie Pants' and our designated 'treat passer outer'!

I think Jacob had more fun passing out candy---he spent half the time trick or treating and half the time passing out candy.

BACK TO SCHOOL 2010

WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT TODAY?

When my kids stood at the foot of my bed with big smiles on their faces at 6:00am this morning, I thought it must be Christmas morning. After all, isn't Christmas morning the one time each year, that your kids wake you up with smiles?
Well, after my brain rebooted and I could assure myself it wasn't Christmas...although today may be some close competition...it became clear to my recollection that today is Star Wars Day!

When we were having a random family council about what to do with our last week of summer, the most exciting idea was to have a Star Wars Day. This entails watching all six Star Wars movies in one day. I'm hoping not too many brain cells die, and it looks like it'll be a great way to conclude summer vacation.

Anyhow, the kids get to watch Star Wars all day, and I'm off to meetings at the Preschool. It seems like since the beginning of this week, I've hit overload. There is so much going on in my life and in my brain right now...to say the least, I'm just a bit overwhelmed.

The boys finished their last week of swimming lessons...they did so GREAT! I've loved their teacher this year and so have they--it's been their most positive swimming experience yet.

The girls and I walked the junior high halls helping Kelsi find all of her classes. Wow!--2 in junior high!---next thing I know I'll have 2 in college...time is just flying by!

I did the finalizing of my purchase of a new violin and I love it! I'm so excited...it's something I've wanted for a long time. And I'm really looking forward to taking violin lessons this fall!

We're in quite the mess lately as our bedroom area is in 'ruins' as we're in the middle of a 're-model'...but it's an exciting change. The closets are finished and waiting for me to paint them.. Only problem is that right now is the worst timing possible for me to do something like paint closets! Hopefully, I'll find some time sooner than later.

Well, I'm off to tackle the tasks of today. It's all good...just reminding myself to ENJOY LIFE ONE DAY AT A TIME!

WE LOST A DEAR FRIEND.

March 13, 2009 - July 17, 2010

Our sweet bunny, Oreo, passed away last Saturday.
He was the best bunny ever. We all loved him and we all miss him a lot.

Here are some of our favorite memories:

His favorite place to sit and relax was under our apple tree. When he got loose, the first place he'd always go was under the apple tree. He liked to eat apples too.
He loved to eat raisins, raspberries, and peaches, and dandelions.
He would always listen to us because he would sit and look at you when you talked to him, instead of other bunnies who would turn around and eat grass or dig a hole or something.
He would nod in response to your questions.
We dressed him up in his 'bunny clothes', although that was not his favorite thing.
He would lick you...and give you kisses. He loved us so much.
He was very curious, and lovable, and cute, even though he ate some of our strawberry plants---which grew back anyway.
He was so fun to hold, and he always liked being held.
He loved his bunny mansion, custom built by our dad.
He loved to play at the park, and everyone would come over to see cute Oreo.
He loved to play in the snow--he would dig holes and burrow in it.
He was pretty obedient for a bunny. One time Sam brought Oreo to class for show-n- tell and Oreo obeyed every command Bryan gave him.
His favorite color was green.
As you can see, he was great at posing for pictures.
He was a loyal, loving friend, who brought much happiness to our family.

We are going to plant clovers over his burial spot because we got him in March.
We do not believe in superstitions because he was the luckiest bunny ever, and we got him on Friday, the 13th.
We're grateful we could have Oreo as our bunny.
With love to our bunny,
Bryan, Mindy, Karissa, Kelsi, Jacob, Sam

Blake Reunion Summer 2010

DISNEYLAND VACATION 2010

IT'S GREAT TO SEE!

Jacob is VERY excited to be seeing better with his NEW GLASSES!