HAPPY NOVEMBER!

 I have always loved the month of November - the earth is hanging on to it's color, even if it is just for a few short weeks. Our lawns and streets are covered with leaves, my chrysanthemums are still blooming, and Fall wreaths are overtaking Halloween decorations. It is also Hot Chocolate Season, and no one could complain about that - Doesn't really need marshmallow's, or marshmallow cream, or cinnamon sticks, or whipped cream with colorful decorations, just a cup of warm/hot chocolate -mmmmmmmm

AND starting our first week in November . . .

 we get to celebrate Eilis' birthday which is tomorrow!  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Eilis!!!  

She has captured our hearts from the time she was little and it has been fun to watch her grow into a beautiful young woman.  She is artistically and musically talented, and such a hard worker. Best of all, she is kind and thoughtful, and fun to be around.  We are excited to see her for the birthday dinner tomorrow 😃

Sadly, Eilis has crossed over to the cat-loving side of the family - I think the dog-loving side is soon to be outnumbered 😳

We have some friends for our Ward, who moved back to Paradise, Utah (near Logan) several years ago, and this week she posted a video on Facebook of a bird that her cat brought into the house.  It reminded me of all of the critters, Adam has found in his house - thanks to the cats.  Anyway, it's a fun watch and thought it was appropriate to post in honor of Eilis ❤   just click on the link -

Look at what our kitten brought into the house! Yes, that’s a magpie that’s bigger than she is. And yes, our house is currently decorated as Hogwarts.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1115198104428387/

Last Wednesday, was actually my last day of work.  I am so happy that Courtney is feeling ready to come back.  She came in on Tuesday just to see where we were at and said she thought she might come in once or twice a week through November - but I had her take the desk, and I worked on the laptop, and together we got everything ready for our October Count audit, and she just took over from there.  I popped in Friday afternoon, and she was doing great, so turned in my keys and entry badge, and came home to celebrate.  (Dad thinks he's going to be happy that I'm home more, but he may have regrets when he sees all of the "house" things I want to get done 😃)

Over the last three or four months, I've noticed some changes in my eyesight, so I was so happy to finally get in to see my optometrist until she told me that new glasses wouldn't help because I have cataracts!  So Sad!  The doctor told me a few years ago that they were there, but didn't bother me until recently.  😟

Thursday, Dad and I had a "date-day", and went to see "Heart of the Beast" at the Icon.  It was so, so good, though we should have taken a box of tissues with us (Amelia warned me).  Brad Pitt did a great job, and of course, the dog, Oden, was amazing AND (the dog doesn't die).  Afterwards, we stopped at In-n-Out and then did a little shopping at Shops at Briargate.  We went into the new L.L Bean store that just opened up and this really cute girl came up to me and asked if I needed help.  I had my Utah State sweatshirt on and so she asked if I went there. She said it was on her list of schools she was considering for next year, so I asked her what high school she was going to.  She said she was a Senior at Ascend College Prep where Lily is, and she said she not only knew Lily and Paul, but that Adam was her counselor when she was at Timberview.  Oh, and her name is Annya.  It's a small, small, world!

LAST OF THE HALLOWEEN PICS -

 Kate did such a great job on Sayre's costume 

Emma is the perfect Bob Ross 😁

 And I couldn't pass up sharing some from past years

 Mike and Barbi never disappoint 😊

  Families are the best and I feel so blessed for the many fun adventures we've been able to share together -

 I hope you all have a wonderful week, take care of yourselves, learn something new, face your challenges straight on, and know that our Savior loves you and is cheering for your successes. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS PAST WEEK TO JONATHAN!

 So happy he was brave enough to join our crazy family😳 He is a wonderful husband to Kate, and an amazing Dad to Sayre - He is generous, kind, talented, and funny and we love him so much ❤ Happy Birthday, Jonathan 🎈🎂

And - Happy Heavenly Birthday to our sweet sister, Francie, whose birthday was yesterday.  We miss her! I am always so grateful for her example as I was growing up - She let me practice my babysitting skills on Matthew and Steven, and she was always so patient and kind.  I am so blessed to have such wonderful siblings ❤

OUR FAVORITE MISSIONARY is alive and doing well! 

His mission just posted some photos of a recent zone conference and I found this one of Elder Hopkins 😀

Last week, he sent a short letter that made me smile - 

"This week was kinda crazy, we got to have a fire on the beach which was super fun.  We also got to throw axes which I'm pretty sure isn't allowed but we can just say its a grey area.  Then I got bit by a dog so that was stupid👎 but me and my companion got to be in the primary program which was sick!! I honestly don't have a lot this week but it was still a great week! 

Spiritual thought: Elder Bendar has a devotional called "As Long as the World Shall Stand" if you get a chance please listen, it has changed my view on temples and made me realize how lucky we are to have temples so close to us. Please please go listen and then tell me what you think!

Also keep sending me emails I love to read them and hear about how everyone's doing!"

I loved this talk by Elder Bednar, who talked about the profound sacrifices made by the early Saints when trying to complete Temple ordinances while at the same time, being driven from their homes in Nauvoo. 

Elder Bednar compared that time in history to our time, when the world was hit with Covid-19, and temples within the United States stayed open for 3 days, 24 hours, before the required closing date of midnight on November 13th, 2020.   Many temple workers worked through the late hours of the night and through to the early morning hours of the next day, assisting patrons who had to change their temple appointments to meet the new deadline.  

One of my favorite quotes from this talk is by President Ballard, who said," Sometimes we are tempted to let our lives be governed more by convenience than by covenant. It is not always convenient to live gospel standards and stand up for truth and testify of the Restoration. It usually is not convenient to share the gospel with others. It isn't always convenient to respond to a calling in the Church, especially one that stretches our abilities. Opportunities to serve others in meaningful ways, as we have covenanted to do, rarely come at convenient times. But there is no spiritual power in living by convenience. The power comes as we keep our covenants. As we look at the lives of these early Saints, we see that their covenants were the primary force in their lives."

Thank you, Paul for sharing this talk with us!

FAMILY NEWS

Did you know our very own Chris Ellsworth played a huge part in the $2.6 Billion Terminal B transformation at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston TX?  Chris was there this past week to celebrate the opening of the new terminal which includes 22 new main gates, the largest United Club in the United States, and several new eateries.  

Congratulations Chris!!!  It looks beautiful 

United Airlines (this is just a short clip of one of the new restaurants)

These two cuties also scored big this week - 

Jonathan took Sayre to mini golf, where Kate said after 30 tries, he finally got a hole-in-one.  I love the determination to not give up!  Watch out, Uncle Ken!  Sayre might have your number 😎

 Jake is getting close to the end of his outdoor soccer season, and on Saturday he was excited because his team won and they remain undefeated for the last two seasons. AND he scored, which doesn't happen often as a defender!

 And if there is anyone who knows how to live - it's Ben.

He had his first pedicure this weekend, and learned how to make bread.

I think I'm coming to your house 😁

Blythe made it home for the weekend and had a sweet reunion with her puppy 

FINALLY - HAPPY HALLOWEEN WEEK!

Adam called earlier in the week and asked if I had any photos of him on Halloween when he was little.  I am so sad to say this was the only one I could find - 

 We had a good laugh at his "black face" (what was I thinking???) and Kim's pumpkin costume.  As I was looking through the photos I found some real treasures I thought you might enjoy - 

And one of my favorite videos of Sayre -

More to come next week . . .

Sunday Selfies - 

 

We love you all so, so much!  ❤

Include the Savior in your life everyday, and you will have a wonderful week, 

FROM OUR FAVORITE MISSIONARY!     

 

Serving a mission is such a wonderful opportunity for growth and learning.  It can stretch our patience with ourselves and with others, and can teach us to love as the Savior does.  Paul has been in Long Beach, WA for two months now, working hard and learning that sharing the gospel can change lives and help others find peace and comfort in this crazy world.  

Transfers came out last week, and though Paul didn't get transferred, he did get a new companion and they have been working hard at finding people to share their faith with.  In his last letter he wrote, "Unfortunately there is some bad too, our recent convert really really does not like me. It is ok because he us starting to come around but long story short he is very prideful and struggles with people so for some reason he either loves you or really doesn't, hopefully this next week he comes around especially because he came to church after 3 weeks of missing." 

He always closes his letters with a spiritual thought and this one was so great, "I loved the talk from Elder Rasband and when he quoted Elder Monson who said "never let a problem become more important than a person who can be loved" I think this is a super important reminder to not let our differences be something to complain about rather let our differences be something to celebrate."

Who could have guessed this Cheeto loving cutie would grow to be such an amazing young man!  (Actually, I knew it all along 😃)

AND

SPEAKING OF AMAZING MEN . . .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PAPA THIS PAST FRIDAY!

Papa & Emma

 He loved our Mom, he loved us, and he loved and was always so excited to see the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. (and my Mom would add that he loved the cows😊) 

"Trouble" & Blythe

I hope everyone celebrated on Friday with a big bowl of ice cream! You could even have "seconds" if one bowl wasn't quite enough. When we were visiting he would always ask me for a couple more scoops, and then he would say, "but don't let your Mom know" 😆.

NOTHING IS BETTER THAN FAMILY!

We were blessed with some special visitors over the last couple of weeks.  Kim and Chris came into town for a long weekend (Kim had Columbus Day off) and we had such a wonderful visit.  Saturday we went to Adam's soccer game at Liberty (his boys won) and it was a beautiful day to be outside, and in the evening we met for dinner.  We had a fun waiter who offered to take a photo for us, but then took one of himself too. 

Believe it or not, Kim and I didn't do any shopping, not even a trip to Target! But it was so nice just to spend some time together.  

She made some of Amelia's famous cinnamon bread (I observed) and it was so delicious.  I have the recipe so I may give it a try this week. 

Sendai also thought Chris was the best thing ever! Saturday morning, he took her for a long walk up the path and through the trails by the dog park. Thanks Chris, for spending some time with our girl! She loved it!!

This past weekend Max and Amelia drove over for a short couple of days. It was so fun to see them and wish they could have stayed longer.  Friday morning, we thought we would go to the Academy and do some grocery shopping - which we don't do very often -and they have new procedures now for taking non-ID card holders onto the base.  There were quite a few people waiting and a sign told us the wait would be at least two hours. We decided to try Peterson (which is not an Air Force Base any longer, but a Space Station) and there was only one person in front of us, and Max and Amelia had paperwork completed in just about 10 minutes.  We had a fun time - Dad got some inari sushi, we picked up some of the good Japanese rice they stock, and Max and Amelia got some snacks for their drive back to Utah on Saturday. 

We also got to see Josh and Ben for a few minutes.  They stopped by to see Max and Amelia.  Ben really spices up the visits - he is such a ball of energy, and says the funniest things.  I'm sad that the only photo we took while they were here is when they were leaving Saturday morning, and I still had my pajamas on. 😳

OH, AND JUST IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW . . . BYU WON THEIR GAME YESTERDAY!!!!  

24 - 28 OVER NOTRE DAME 😃

Sayre & his friend

 It's that time of year again, when Sayre gets to visit the pumpkin patch.  The families in North Liberty really know how to celebrate Fall and upcoming Halloween.  I love that everything is so family oriented.  

We are so excited to visit them for Thanksgiving!❤

Ben had his "trunk or treat" last night and it looks like he had a great time, 

and I'm sure he got enough candy to last for at least a month 😳

Yesterday morning, after Max and Amelia left, Dad and I drove up to Monument for Jake's soccer game. He plays defense, and some great saves.  Hopefully, we'll get to see Lily play before her season ends. I do love soccer season!

Thanks to Kate for last week's Sunday Selfie, which

Sayre in the middle of a sneeze 😂 

 Also, I hate to admit that while she was bundled up and freezing at Sayre's soccer practice, 

I was basking in the sun at Jake's game. 🌞 It was such a beautiful Fall day ~

Sadly, I know our days are numbered and we'll soon be facing those cold days and freezing temperatures ourselves ⛄

Have a wonderful week, and remember - Each day is a gift where we can find joy in even the smallest of moments. ❤

 "I cannot add more time to your days or eliminate the many concerns modern life brings.  But I can offer this counsel: Not all matters are of equal value, and maintaining an eternal perspective helps us priortize the things that are of greatest value. . . Focus on the Savior.  Seek for the precious gifts His Atonement can impart." 

Elder Renlund, October 2026 General Conference