Witches and Fun

Hubby is out of town this week.
Its been a long week.

For some fun I took the kids to Gardner Village on Monday night for FHE.

I was surprised how much they all enjoyed it. We spent some time in some of the cute little shops there and even Only Son was impressed by a couple of them.

There were lots of places to take cute pictures. I wish I had been better prepared for that. (there was even one mom there with her baby in an Ann Geddies outfit taking some really cute photos.)

But the main reason we went was to do the witch Scavenger Hunt. It was actually a lot of fun trying to find all the cute witches. When we finished we went to the bakery and had fresh chocolate chip cookies.













The weather was nice but we did get a little cold at the end so we came home and had donuts and hot chocolate.

We still really miss hubby but it turned out to be a good evening for all of us.

What a nice weekend

Excuse the mess but this has been such a great weekend. It started Friday when both D's 1 and 2 came home.



D1 brought home here roomies so we had a full house (12 if your are counting!)

While she was here, we celebrated her birthday.






On Saturday afternoon, Hubby, Only Son, D1 and 2 and roomies all went downtown to the afternoon session of conference. Afterwards the girls went to Gateway while Hubby and Only Son attended the Priesthood session.

Sunday we all watched it together at home. I can't tell you what an experience that was for us.





Sunday afternoon we also had dinner and just hung out and visited.













It really has been a great weekend.

Oh yeah... And I won this ...

How did this happen?

Yesterday they laid her in my arms for the first time. She was a little 6 pound 8 ounce bundle of beautiful, perfect joy.

Today she is 20. Did you get that? TWENTY!!!

I remember putting her in the car seat to drive her home for the first time, being in a car had never been as scary.

I remember the day when she ate the deodorant from the diaper pail, my prenatal vitamins and Tylenol all in the same day. (she was 2)

I remember when we shared naps and play time together because it was only the two of us. (I think I remember)

I remember taking her to kindergarten for the first time...and walking away.

I remember her first date- Homecoming- and how I wanted to just take a peek in at the dance and make sure she was having a good time.

I remember all these things and so many more and yet I think it all happened overnight because there is no way she can be twenty.




I am not sad or depressed; She is a beautiful women and I am so proud of her. I just don't know how it happened.

Happy Birthday Sweetie. I love you!

4th grade field trip

Did you know Murry had a Nature Center? A place in the middle of the city you can go for a walk and look for birds and wild animals? I had no idea.

This past week was D5's first field trip. I can't say it was fun but it was interesting.

The kids learned all about animals, how they protect themselves, what and how they eat and stuff like that. They also went on a little walk on the trails. It was actually really pretty.



The interesting part came when, (are you ready for this?) they dissected Owl Pellets. I learned that the pellets are not poop, the owls actually bring them back up through their mouths. (I am sorry if you are eating lunch!) The kids had to break open the pellets and look for mice and rat bones. It was kind of neat to see and kind of icky too. (some of them had maggots, luckily not D5's)





The things you learn on a 4th grade field trip.

Cross Country

Tuesday was a Cross Country Meet for only son. I have had a hard time getting to one (they are at such an awful time).

Only Son is not the fastest kid on the team. (However I think he might be the smallest), but he doesn't do half bad.

He ran the mile and half and came in 40th place out of 80 runners. Not bad for his very first year. I am so proud of him, he is a really hard worker and never gives up. It doesn't matter if he never wins a race, he will always be an example of determination for me! And as long as he is having fun. Look at the smile on his face...






You go Son.

Fall

Today is the first day of fall, not something I am excited about. But I decided to try and embrace it. Here is what I did to celebrate

Made me a cup of Fat Free Hot chocolate. (Add a dash of cinnamon and a drop of vanilla extract and its very yummy!)

I put a new scent in my scenty..Nutmeg and Orange Zest. It at least smells warm and cozy.

I put on this years new favorite hoodie (Blue-USU) and did a 3 mile walk after the kids all went to school. (the best part was I didn't even freeze- it actually felt nice.)

Then I came home and put Taco Soup in the crock pot. (recipe to follow).



Now I think I am going to go put some Laundry in the wash and start on some sewing projects.

So What did you do to celebrate fall?

Taco Soup
1 lb Ground Turkey Meat (or hamburger, cooked and drained
1 can Pinto Beans
1 Can Black Beans
1 Can Kidney Beans
1 Can Corn, drained
1 Sm Can Chopped Green Chilli's (if you like it spicier you can add another can but one works just well for me.)
1 Can Olives cut in half
1 Large can stewed tomatoes (I cheated and used about 5 tomatoes fresh from the garden.)
3 Tbs Dried Ranch Mix
1/4 Cup Taco seasoning.

Put it all in the crock pot, mix it and let simmer all day....
Serve with Sharp Cheddar cheese and fritos.
Yummy
(and for those who want to know its only 4 points per bowl. Before the cheese)

Ramblings

I hate being sick! I hate it when I don't feel well and I don't like it when the kids are sick either.

Thursday D4 "lost her cookies" at school (right after she told the teacher she didn't feel well and the teacher told her she was fine!)

For whatever reason, I guess I don't like to be left out of the sickness because I always get what the kids bring home and this time was no exception. The problem was it was stake conference. Lucky I didn't get it as bad as D4 and I was still able to participate and enjoy the weekend.

D2 Surprised us Saturday by showing up unannounced. It was nice to have her home even if it was only for about 24 hours.

Stake conference was wonderful. I am so grateful I was able to attend.

Tonight Only Son went to bed early... He has a fever and upset stomach. And a cross country meet tomorrow.

Did I mention, I hate sickness?!? Oh well here we go again

PS. did I mention that Only Son and D4 made the Musical? D4 is even a lead. They are both excited.