HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD/PAPA

Dad celebrated his 91st birthday on Oct 16th.

He's looking good, blew out all of the candles on his cake (not 91, just 10), and enjoyed a birthday dinner at Sizzler.

Super Summer

It's hard to believe that summer has come to an end and we're back to school, work, cool evenings, changing leaves, and even a touch of snow.

Families are the best and we had such a great time visiting with all of you over the summer. We love you and thank you for helping each other, sticking by in rough times, and being there when we need you.

Summer started in Chicago in early June.

Kim, Kate and I had a girls night out at the Talbot's outlet. We decided to make it an annual event. Cory and Angella we hope you'll come with us next year!

We had fun riding bikes, exploring downtown Chicago with all of the kids, and meeting Chris for lunch at Macy's.

Thanks Blythe for sharing your room with me.

Tabernacle Choir at Redrocks

In late June we made our first trip to Red Rocks to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Getting there was easy but we hadn't anticipated the large crowd and small roads so after we got off the freeway it was slow going...but well worth it. We had a wonderful time. Music of the Choir was beautiful and the setting incredible. I'm looking for a good excuse to go back there again.

Marysville

I spent 10 days in Sunny California with Mom and Dad. We had a wonderful visit and accomplished a few things around the house that Mom had wanted to get done. They have hollyhocks growing in the back yard and Mom wanted proof of how tall they got this year.

The visit is never complete without a visit to Taco Bell!

Thanks Mom and Dad ~

Salt Lake City

We made a two day trip to Salt Lake City to pick up ammo (Kevin's gun habit). Josh and Angella had just moved into a new house so we helped unpack some boxes and had fun with the girls. Thanks Josh and Angella ~

Council Bluffs and the Mississippi River

We spent two days in Council Bluffs. While there we visited the Temple and the Mormon Pioneer Visitor's Center. I had to go back and take a picture of the oxen because I couldn't believe how huge they were. (as Sammi would say)

Kate and I dipped our toes in the Mississippi River. It was cold!!!

Nauvoo

We were able to travel to Iowa in late July to see Kate and Jonathan. We spent a night in Nauvoo, attended the Nauvoo Pageant, and went through a session at the Nauvoo Temple.

Thanks Kate and Jonathan for being such great tour guides and sharing your home with us.

After leaving Nauvoo, we drove up the road to Carthage and toured the jail where the Prophet was martyred. It was interesting to think that we were traveling through the same country, same routes as the Prophet Joseph and others did at that time.

Since October...

I know it's been a long, long time since I've posted anything on our blog and I think it's probably because I have such horrific memories of last time and trying to include photos and make them go where I wanted them to go and decided it wasn't a healthy past time for me (I'm sure my blood pressure surged...).  After much prodding and pressure and help tonight from Kate and Cory, I thought I'd give it another try.  

In October Dad and I went to California for Papa's 90th birthday.  This is a photo of Grammie on the afternoon we got there.  She was all "gussied" up with a new perm, rosy cheeks, and pink lipstick.  This picture really doesn't do justice - but she did look really cute.     

We started our Christmas holidays with another trip to California.  We enjoyed some quiet time with Grammie and Papa and helped them get the house decorated and some shopping done.

It wasn't too long after we got home that Kate and Jonathan, and Kim, Chris and family came into town.  We went to the dog park one afternoon and Spencer had a great time and made made many new friends of the canine variety ~

 

Who's really into the Nintendo DS?  

Jonathan tried to be jolly but alas...the flu bug bit him hard!!!  

 The boys were great and we had a really fun visit that went by way to fast ~

Kim and Baby Blythe off to Disneyland!

 (Okay, so I did lose a couple of pictures somewhere, but I guess that's just incentive to try again next week.)

 Aside from the pictures there are some things I wanted to share with you so here are some "Mom" notes that I hope you'll think about.

As we began the new year studying the Doctrine and Covenants in Gospel Doctrine I really loved the very 1st lesson and the emphasis that was placed on counsel we receive from the prophets.  They speak for our Heavenly Father - so, if the prophet is telling us at conference to have our food storage, get out of debt, read the Book of Mormon, etc., - it should be as Heavenly Father is speaking to us directly.  I know this is something we've all been told many times, but for some reason it really hit home to me during this lesson.

Mom note #2 - I read an article the other day by Elder Hafen and one of the quotes which I'll paraphrase is that we can't have one hand on the Temple and one hand on anything that would take the Spirit away from us.  We must live with both hands on the Temple.

(Do you all have current Temple recommends?  If not, get them now!!)

Mom note #3 - If you haven't had a recent review of your budgets, now might be a good time.  With the economy as it is I think it would be prudent to sacrifice if need be so that you all have some savings to fall back on if needed.  Dad and I are doing the same.  I think this is something we should really be serious about.

Mom and Dad note - WE LOVE YOU ALL

Grammie made me do it!

I'm still amazed...

Last Saturday, Holly convinced me, with Adam's help, to go furniture shopping for the basement...well we were out nearly 6 hours and spent way too much money... We bought a couch, a recliner and a wall unit.

Oh, we also bought a new chair and ottoman for the living room. Holly's decided the rocker goes downstairs too.

We get the chairs on Saturday, but the wall unit will be here in a couple of weeks.