HAPPY 19th BIRTHDAY TO EILIS TODAY!

  Always so kind and thoughtful, we love it when Eilis stops by to visit. She has moved up to a management position at Cane's, so we are not the only ones who recognize her exceptional leadership qualities, her integrity, and her ability to make everyone feel at ease.  She is a light in our lives!  Have a happy birthday week! We love you, Eilis!!❤ 

 

I don't know about anyone else, but I am struggling to understand how the month of November could already be here.  The Bishop brought our Priests over yesterday, and they raked up 5 huge bags of leaves in our backyard.  We have a few leaves and pine needles left in the front to clean up, and hopefully that will be the end of yardwork for a while.  

  What is everyone doing for Thanksgiving this year??? It has come upon so fast that I haven't had much time to think about it.   Cory's sister, Kelly, and her family are coming to Colorado this year, so Adam and Cory are hosting Thanksgiving dinner at their house.  This has always been one of my favorite holidays, and it makes me sad that as soon as Halloween is over, the stores altogether skip over Thanksgiving and move directly to Christmas advertising, gifts, gadgets, the Grinch, and Santa, among other things.  Maybe, because life gets busy and I get busy, but I don't think I share my appreciation enough for even the small things I am thankful for - things that often get overlooked.  

*This week I am so thankful that I live in a time and place where we have easy access to washers and dryers. ❤ 

Can you imagine trying to get clothes clean, washing them in a river that is often filled with debris or mud? We are so blessed!

I hope everyone had a fun Halloween Night! Dad and I had some Halloween pizza, and watched Arsenic and Old Lace (our favorite Halloween movie).  Sendai let us know when trick-or-treaters were at the door, though this year there didn't seem to be as many kids out as usual.  Kate sent me photos of Sayre (he's the dinosaur) and his friend Jackson.

 "Scary" Ben came up and went trick-or-treating around our neighborhood for about 30 minutes and then decided he was tired and had enough candy. 

 . . . and it looks like Max had a great evening also (though I worry about some of his friends 😂)  

 Jake didn't have school on Halloween, so Adam dropped him off on the way to work, and we got to spend the day with this cutie!  He suggested we carve a pumpkin, and surprisingly, we had a difficult time finding one.  We finally got lucky at King Soopers (or King Snoopers as Blythe calls it) and found one that was the perfect size. We drew a face on it, and after I cleaned it out (because he couldn't tolerate the smell), he carved it all by himself.  I think he did a great job, and we put it out on the front porch before the trick-or-treaters came. 

Speaking of Jake . . . Adam is getting ready for the BIG elk hunt this week, and he and Chris took the boys down near Canon City to sight their guns.  To say that Jake was in a little bit of heaven
is probably an understatement - (Oh, and Jake will not be going Elk hunting - even though he wants to 😊)

  7-year-olds are just too cute!

 One got glasses

And the other lost his two front teeth!

I don't know how we ever got such amazing grandchildren! Actually, yes, I do - they have the most amazing parents ❤

I don't know why it is but on Sunday evenings, when I look at my calendar for the coming week more often than not, it shows maybe one of two things scheduled and I always think it's going to be a nice slow week, and I can get lots of school work, and housework, and maybe even get reaquainted with my sewing machine.  But it seems we always get a surprise or two - This week, we were asked to substitute for the Addiction Recovery Class.  I have such a testimony of the program, but I really didn't want to go out that night. We did, and as always, it was amazing.  Dennis is an older gentleman who is one of the most humble people I have ever met, and so faithful in coming.  He had started to come just before we were released.  He was the only one there, and then about halfway through the meeting, Ian came.  He is young and just recently graduated from nursing school.  It was the first time he had come to an Addiction Recovery class. He is on a 13-week contract with a young adult correctional facility, and then will be going back to Utah.  He is just another amazing young man who is doing his best to help others. The spirit was so strong, and I came away from that meeting inspired and so thankful that we were asked to help out. 

Also, this week, my friend, Susan, came over and taught me how to make biscotti.  It was easy and so fun! (and there is not much sugar in it, so I don't feel too guilty indulging.  This batch had cranberries and the mini chocolate chips that we added. Next time I'm going to try and make lemon ones. 

Sunday Selfies!

 So nice to have Josh with us this afternoon, and our weather today was perfect for sitting outside 🌞

  I hope you all have a wonderful week!  Remember your many blessings and be Thankful!❤