Where in the World?

Where will Valesca be called to serve a mission? Well, there are quite a few guesses. The answer comes on Thursday.

Baptisms with the Cousins

We invited the cousins to come and do baptisms before Valesca leaves on her mission.  They had hot chocolate and muffins at our house afterwards.  Glad that they could do this together.

Christmas time

Everyone sporting the aprons that mom made for them.

 Our annual Christmas Tree picture.

Elijah performing on the recorder on Christmas Eve.

So grateful for family at this time of year...and so grateful for the child born in a manger.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Christmas Dance

Josh at the Christmas Dance

I am grateful

Today I am grateful for my children- their fieldtrips to sing at retirement centers, band concerts, school dances, dating, and wanting to serve a mission.  I am so blessed to be a part of their lives.

Arizona Wedding

We flew down to Mesa to participate in the wedding of Gary and Donna. We enjoyed being with family.

It was fun the see the lights at the temple.

Catch the Vision

 Noah completed his Eagle Project in November.  He worked with his school and church group to gather used eyeglasses that can be given to those who cannot afford to buy them.

 He actually took 222 pairs of glasses to the charity.  They told him that he brought in more eyeglasses than they usually get donated in a whole year.

We think that he made a big difference.

A Christmas Carol

 My brother was so excited to be a part of his stake's version of A Christmas Carol.  He didn't tell us that he got to dance with girls though.

 His main part was of The Poulterer- the guy that sells the turkey to Scrooge at the end.

 It was an amazing production and they were blessed to be able to perform it a the Valley Music Hall for 4 performances.

Thanks for inviting us to see you in the play!

Weddings- and all that comes with it

My niece got married the first part of November.

 Valesca and I hosted a bridal shower for her at our home.

 It was a beautiful day and she was a beautiful bride.

 Our family helped out in the kitchen preparing all of the food for the reception as well as keeping the drink dispensers filled.  It was a bigger job than we had anticipated, but we all worked together to get it done.

 Valesca and Noah had a a good time dancing...

and Elijah danced with his mom.

17 years old- how did that happen?

 So, my "taller than me" son turned 17 years old yesterday.  For some reason I have always asked my kids what kind of cake they would like on their birthdays and I find some way to make it happen.  Josh's requests are getting more and more difficult.  This year he wanted a sphere or globe!  What?!

 So I carefully figured out how to make a round sphere and then I had an idea...I could surprise him and make it a Death Star cake instead.  Well, I began making the frosting and then there was this EXPLOSION of powdered sugar all over my kitchen.  No kidding- it was clear across the room.  I cleaned the floor 3 times and it is still sticky.  Then I spent hours trying to bring the whole idea together.

So, about 25 minutes before he came home from school, this is what I had come up with.

He was very surprised and by the smile on his face, I think he was pretty happy with how it turned out.  Happy Birthday Josh!

"The coolest kid I have ever met!"

Today I went to watch Elijah participate in the Veterans Day Program at his school. Later I went to have a special birthday lunch with him. A 4th grader sat down by me and asked who I was waiting for. When I told him he said "I know Elijah, he is the coolest kid I have ever met!"...I think so too.

2012 Homecoming Dance

These are some of the pictures from the Homecoming day activity and dance.  Glad to see the pictures of the girls in their dresses since most of them changed before they got to our house to make cookies that night.

Missionary service

This will effect some of our family members.

Baking cookies at midnight

Homecoming dates ended in our kitchen with 12 fun teenagers baking cookies (blindfolded).  Many didn't leave until after 12:30.  Most of the cookies tasted pretty good.

Champagne colored tie

Scoping out the tie store at the mall for a champagne colored tie to match his date's dress.

Chillin' with Norm

Former Governor Norman Bangeter came and spoke to our youth group.

Mission Possible- preview

Our oldest 3 kids participated in a stake youth activity this morning.

Here are some of those in the band.

Here are our performers.

Janice Kapp Perry showed up to hear some of her music performed.

Our family after the recording.  We will have to show you the finished product in a few months.  It is AWESOME!

It's "Promposal" time again

 This was left on her porch with a large assortment of candy corns.

This is what was on our porch with shucked corn.

Eagles

Josh's cousin Jeremy received his Eagle Scout award- AWESOME!