HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EILIS!

 How could the last 18 years have gone by so fast ?????

 One thing is for certain Eilis has grown into a beautiful young woman.  She is thoughtful, kind, a wonderful daughter, sister, and friend.  She is a great student, and hard-worker. 

AND, she is an amazing granddaughter who often stops by either before or after work to see us.  
Hope you have a happy day, Eilis ~  It will be birthday cake and ice cream tomorrow

             🍨🎂🎈🎉🎵     HAPPY BIRTHDAY

 Has our family become a CAT family?

 It would seem so . . .

What is 

happening

here ???

The Hopkins Zoo 😂 (this is what Adam called it)

Adam said that this week while the missionaries were over visiting with them, Stevie brought a dead mouse into the house and was batting it around under the table, while Adam and the kids were trying to retrieve the dead mouse, the missionaries were holding back Milo - 

I WAS SAD TO SEE DAYLIGHT SAVINGS GO 😕 Am I the only one????

I wish we could just stay on Daylight Savings time year-round - but guess I'm not in charge -

Sendai doesn't like it either.  She was ready for her dinner at 4:00 tonight and had a hard time being patient until 5:00

FROM SUNNY CALIFORNIA TO COLORADO SNOW ⛄

We landed in Colorado Springs Wednesday evening to a snowstorm.  However it is always good to get home after being away for a week, so we really didn't mind.  We tried hard to get in the spirit of Halloween but it didn't seem as much fun without having Jake to go Trick-or-Treating with.  We missed him, but that's what happens when adorable 5-year-olds grow up to be adorable 8-year-olds.  Watch out Angella and Kate!

Kate did send me some great photos of Sayre though -

Sayre was Sasquatch and Kate was the park ranger.

(And Jonathan was a tired Trombone instructor)

I think Kate should go into the costume-making business.  She is amazing!

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR   

 Adam and Chris spent a couple of days in the mountains hunting.  Adam came home empty-handed, but I'm sure he will try again next year.  I do appreciate that he doesn't just go for the sport, but he is great to freeze and use the meat throughout the year.  

THANK YOU FOR THE SUNDAY SELFIES!

Kate is going on a Hallmark cruise this week

Kim and Chris in London

Today after Church, our good friends Steve and Terri Jenkins came over for lunch.  We were stationed with them in both Tokyo and in Okinawa.  They are currently senior missionaries assigned to the Air Force Academy working with the cadets and the young adult wards.  They have so much energy and are perfect for this calling - they will be an amazing blessing to the Singles Wards.  

FINAL THOUGHTS

 This week in my Family and Child Advocacy class our reading and assignments were focused on technology.  I love that we always study from the secular perspective and in this case, there were so many evidence-based research articles that cited the effect of the over-use of cell phones and devices.  We also did some reading about AI companions (something I had never heard of before) and how all of these things are not only affecting young people but adults as well.

So, I thought it was interesting in the devotional for youth tonight from Elder Bednar, that he focused a lot on the blessings of technology but also the dangers.  He asked 2 questions which I think we should all consider - 

1. Does the use of various technologies and media invite or impede the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost in your life?

2. Does the time you spend using various technologies and media enlarge or restrict your capacity to live, to love, and to serve in meaningful ways?

Good questions to think about!

Have a wonderful week and do good things.  Be kind to others and to yourself.  Have some ice cream.  Love you!