Elephant Hair Jewelry

Since Kim asked, and others may wonder too...go to www.safarijewelry.com and you can see what Elephant Hair jewelry looks like, and find out about the legend of it. I have the bracelet, earrings, ring, and now the necklace!

I first saw it about 5 years ago when my brother-in-law gave a bracelet to his wife he got a the Safari Club International convention here in town, and I've been hooked, slowly getting each piece...ever since. It's very different, and it's not jewelry a lot of other people have. You know me, always have to be different.

Christmas 2006

I had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends this year.

Saturday, Jason and I and the kids every so often, made cookies and goodies. I worked on getting all the laundry for 5 people, and a small house clean. We heard that Santa only comes to clean houses, and only leaves presents for children with clean bedrooms.

Sunday, everyone put on new dresses or white shirts and ties (kids, not mom and dad) and headed off to church. The kids looked so good. Kylie had a beautiful red dress with a black sweater, black tights and shiny black shoes. Both boys had red and black ties on their necks, and their white shirts and black pants and shoes. They all looked so nice. Rhett's cowlick even laid down nicely. I wore a red, black and gold shirt, black skirt, tights and shoes. Jason had his white shirt, a red and black tie, and black pants and shoes. We were the Merry Red and Black family.

After church, we made up plates of goodies to take to some friends and to my in-laws. At the in-laws, we opened gifts from them. I'll list all the gifts we got later in this blog... We headed to Wing Stop to pick up Christmas Eve dinner of chicken wings and headed home. After dinner, we sat and watched A Year Without a Santa Claus, and sipped homemade apple cider. Kids were all in bed by 9, and Jason and I were in bed by 11.

Up the next morning at 7...to see that Santa had gone overboard. All the gifts were opened and the living room cleaned by 8. Anthony and I played Name That Tune 80's edition while Jason prepared the prime rib. That game is so fun, but kind of hard. I thought I knew my 80's music, but I guess not as well as I thought.

I made breakfast, and by the time we ate and got cleaned up, it was time to start lunch/dinner...we had to eat early for my dad...He and my sister-in-law, Jaclyn, came over for dinner at 1. The prime rib turned out great, and the best part is, we still have left overs! Opened more gifts, then took naps.

Went over to my brother-in-laws for a little while so we could see other family. Since we had dinner already, we didn't eat with them. We headed over to our buddy Johnnie's and opened gifts with him and his 2 kids, Brad and Jackie, and had pumpkin pie for dessert.

I am still full from all the food we ate. The Woodward family never lacks for food on holidays and get togethers!

So, gift list...
Jason...tools for his truck...power tool parts...hunting vest...tool for sharpening his hunting knives...socks for his shot guns...money...gift certificates...

Dove...picture printer for my camera..."PINK" perfume from Victoria's Secrets...gift cards...money...Trivial Pursuit 80's...i-pod...homemade gifts the two little kids made at school...gift certificates...elephant hair necklace...

Anthony...clothes...money...i-pod money...Name That Tune 80's...snowboard...bear tooth pendant (from the bear he shot in Canada)...necklace for pendant...dvd player...Nintendo DS games...X-box games...movies...gift cards...

Rhett...dvd player...snowboard...movies...Nintendo DS games...clothes...shoes...Pirates of the Carribean lego sets...gift cards...watch...Cars bedroom stuff...

Kylie...clothes...shoes...underware...art set...Princess diary and pen set...matching clothes for her and her American Girl doll...Game Boy game...movies...ear rings...jewelry box...lip gloss...purse...

Kodi, Sienna, Kirby...Scooby snacks, braided rawhide bones, Dingo bones...dog cookies...

Re-cap of the busy weekend

The weekend was TOTALLY busy, but even more fun than that. I left work early on Friday because I had to go home and wait for the satellite repair man that never showed up, to come fix one of our receivers that hasn't been working. While I was waiting, I pulled EVERYTHING out of my kitchen cupboards and cleaned and organized them. Jason was on the phone with the satellite company trying to find out what was going on, and I never really understood why the repair man never made it, but the final outcome was we are getting TiVo for free, and a bunch of other things like local and premium free and they aren't showing up until the 26th now. But whatever.

We went to my 2nd councilors house and as a presidency we made little Christmas ornaments for all the teachers and staff. It was fun and the ornaments turned out super cute.

Saturday we were up with the sun to get ready for our annual ward Christmas breakfast. The bishopric makes all the food and everyone eats and sits around and visits, and a man in a red suit shows up to find out what all the kids want for Christmas. Rhett was beside himself with excitement and asked for a new DVD player. Kylie was terrified and wouldn't go anywhere near Santa, so she isn't getting anything from him probably.

I went and did some visiting teaching after breakfast. One of my sisters just had a baby on the 12th, so we stopped by to visit her and meet little Oliver. I am taking dinner tomorrow. I can't forget.

It stated snowing around 3:00 Saturday afternoon, and as luck would have it, I had a massage scheduled at 4:00 clear across town, so I was able to drive in the crap and get all stressed out before my massage. I never let up while I was at the day spa, and got all stressed out driving back home. Have I mentioned before that I hate winter and snow?

I had to rush to get ready for our Christmas party. It was such fun. Jason's co-workers are great fun. We actually do a lot of stuff together, so even though he's only been there a year, we all really get along and have fun. The dinner was good, but unfortunately, Jason and I are like the only ones that don't drink, so we didn't stick around too long after people stated having too many drinks.

It never stopped snowing all evening, and was still snowing at 3 in the morning when I had to get up to go potty. They ended up canceling church, and I had to help call a bunch of members to get the word out. I think we ended up getting about 3 inches or so of snow.

The two little ones sled down the driveway (it's super steep) and got wet and then came in when it started to melt. Our elders quorum leader came over to shovel the snow at Andrea's house just as we were leaving to go pick up my sister, Elaine from the bus depot, and they shoveled our snow while we were gone.

It was great having my sister here for the weekend. We visited and enjoyed our selves until we had family dinner at PF Chang's with Jason's family. My dad ended up not coming in due to the weather. After dinner we drove around and looked at Christmas lights, then went home and hit the hay. We were tired and stuffed from dinner.

I have some pictures from dinner I have to post later when I am sitting at my home computer.

Photos of Anthony's concert

The weather

is cold, dark, windy, rain mixed with snow, and it makes me sad. I get depressed during the long cold winter months, so to help keep my spirits up on days like today, I have a picutre of Wild Island on my computer screen, and remind my self there are only 188 days until the first day of summer!

Tonight...

Anthony has his band concert.(He plays the alto and baritone sax) He has straight A's(even in math), he took out the garbage without being asked, he thought about picking up his friend for the YM/YW spaghetti feed dinner last night, and he picked out the white elephant gift everyone wanted and was fighting over. He got a hair cut, and now he has big ears and his bangs don't cover his zits. Who took my child and what have you done with him?

Happenings today

Today is my sister, Christy's 50th birthday. Happy Birthday to one of the greatest sisters ever! I'm so glad she is mine!

But on a sad note, a co-worker of mine had his wife passed away earlier this morning. Only in her late 40's, but she has been very sick. She had leukemia, and her kidney's failed when she was going thru the chemo and radiation, so she's been going to dialysis for years. My heart goes out to my co-worker at this time. My prayers are with him.

We didn't get the snow they thought we would. It hit the west side of the mountains, and my sister in Sacramento said it rained a lot all weekend, but all we got was wind. Come to think of it, that's all we ever seem to get. We're hoping for snow on or before Christmas at least. We'd like to go up in the hills on the quads and let the kids use their new Christmas gifts in the snow. There isn't enough snow up on Peavine to do that as of right now. Quads, yes, snowboards and sleds, no.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

A picture history of the Woodward Family

Rhett looses another tooth

Destruction of the living room...what a mess....!!!
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Rhett has put on a little weight...
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Several Halloween pictures
Little Miss Student of the Month

Oh, yeah,

and the heater here at work is not working, and it's only 15 degrees out side. I can't feel my toes, and my hands are starting to hurt.

I try not to complain....

but I have to get it off my chest...I work with this guys that is such a know-it-all and I am just about out of patience with him. This guy knows everything about everything. It's really annoying. He is in his late 40's, grew up an army brat, is the baby of 4, has never been married or had kids, and still lives at home with his mother. He does seem to have a good memory about stuff, but man, he has been there done that with just about everything in life. I'm sick of hearing about it. About 15,16 years ago, he dated Marta Larsen's oldest daughter, Shannon. He thinks that gives us a connection. He know everything about Dayton, and all the people that ever lived there.(he doesn't) Any time I mention my mother, he has to tell me all about Alzheimers and what my mom did wrong, and how I can prevent it in my own brain, and how to help my kids, and how to help fund it, and how to get the government to help fund it, what kinds of drugs to give her, and on and on and on. The man doesn't have a medical degree. He works for a stinking fish company. He needs to get over him self.

For some reason, he feels it is his duty in life to make me drive 55 mph on all Nevada roads. Who the #*%& cares? If the sign says 65, I'm going to drive 65. My brother-in-law is a Reno PD. He says the limit is what the sign says, or what the conditions warrant. Obviously, if the jerks in front of me are only doing 55, I will also, but if everyone else is doing 65, you have to keep up with the speed of traffic.

And don't even get me started on how to raise a child and own a Scottish Terrier. Two things he has never done.

I just hate know it alls, and this guy takes the cake. It is next to impossible for me to tell him to just go *&$# himself and the know-it-all horse he rode in on. But it may just come to that if he can't learn to keep all his unwanted knowledge to him self!!!!

A moment to update

So, since I wasn't felling well last week, my posts were sort of sad, so I have to fill you in.

Last Friday, December 1, was my 16th wedding anniversary. I can't believe Jason and I have been married for so long. I keep saying "old" people have been married for this long. Remember, I'm not old, as I am still only 25, so I must have gotten married when I was like 9. Yeah, right. We agreed before hand to not do anything, save the money for Christmas, and celebrate when Jason has his work Christmas party on the 16th. I was going to go get him a card, just to let him know I love him, but Rhett wasn't feeling good and feel asleep while I was fixing dinner, and Anthony was on a scout camp out so I didn't have a babysitter. But Jason got me one. 16 wasn't anything big. I figure 20 will be though. I have already told Jason I want to go on a cruise to the Caribbean.

As I said, Anthony was on a scout camp-out in winning Friday night for his order of the arrow brotherhood. Whatever that is. They stayed in-doors at the convention center, and cleaned it up as their service project. They had more fun than work.

Jason, the little ones, and I spent all day Saturday putting up the out-door Christmas decorations. Somehow, I cut the palm of my hand pretty deep. It got infected, and keep getting bigger when I opened my hand, so I poured rubbing alcohol on it, globbed neosporin on it, and wrapped it up with gauze and tape, since I couldn't keep a band-aid on my palm. By Monday is was much better, and I put super glue on it to keep it from tearing more. It is almost gone now.

I took pictures of the house and all the lights. It looks like Griswold Family Christmas, almost. Someone at church asked me if I thought I lived in Hidden Valley, a posh community that is know for their Christmas decorations where they compete against their neighbors and the Country Club or homeowner association gives out awards east of town here. I said not, but almost. We are the only house on our street with lights and decorations out. The old people don't decorate, the Korean family doesn't celebrate Christmas, and the college kids probably can't afford to decorate. My friend isn't putting up decorations because she is going to Utah for Christmas next week, and will be gone until after the new year.

Anthony had a temple trip last night. Did baptisms for French men. The names were so hard to pronounce, they spelled several of them he said. I guess our temple likes to have the foreign names. Last time he went he did work for Mexican brothers. Couldn't pronounce those names too well, either.

Now the crazy time begins. I seem to have something going on every night for like the next two weeks. I am not looking forward to it. There is a court of honor tonight. I have a presidency meeting tomorrow. Friday, a lady in our ward is getting baptized, her daughters are in Primary. Saturday, I'm going to Yerington, weather permitting. Sunday, church and a meeting. Monday and Tuesday, visit teaching and being visit taught. Wednesday, YM/YW Christmas spaghetti dinner/gift exchange I have to take Anthony to. Thursday, 12/14, Anthony's band concert. Friday, another baptism for 3 boys, 2 are Anthony's age, 1 is in Primary. Saturday is our Ward Christmas breakfast, and Jason's Christmas party. Sunday, the 17th, I am in charge of sharing time, and my father in law is taking the ENTIRE family (all his kids, their spouses, their spouses parents, grandkids, etc) to dinner at PF Chang's. As of this moment, the 18th looks wide open. May the stars stay aligned to keep it that way!

I don't do well with going, going all the time. I like staying home on my evenings. Especially around Christmas time. And after being sick last week, I know my resistance is down, and I don't want to get sick again. I had the flu last Christmas, I don't need a repeat!

Out of the mouth of babes

My daughter gave us a good laugh last night.

I was at the church sitting in on a Board of Review for 2 of our 11 year old scouts, and while there, my monthly "friend" arrived, early and heavy. I rushed home to clean up, and Rhett saw all the blood and was concerned, so he was asking me about it. Kylie then came in and asked if there was a mess because I didn't have my "crouton" in.

I haven't laughed so hard in a while. And needless to say, feminine products will now be called croutons by my family. We can discuss them freely without others knowing what the heck we're talking about.

Jason says he dreads when Kylie and I both need croutons. Luckily we have a few years for Kylie.

Aren't kids cute?

It's Thursday...

I am still feeling crummy, but despite that, I have almost all the Christmas decorations up. I just do a little at a time, and get myself to bed early. I took Kim's advise and got some Airborne last night when I went shopping. Hopefully that will help. I have a busy next couple of days.

With the current re-model, I am down a room for decorations, and I have too many for the amount of space I have. Anthony's room use to be the den. He doesn't want decorations all over his room. He hardly wanted to put his "special" ornaments on the tree, until his friend told him to go do it.

Dad and Pat Christensen we almost in a very bad accident on Monday. Dad was headed to Lovelock for work, and he hit some black ice just as a semi-truck FLEW past him, and he said his truck went up on 2 wheels at about a 45 degree angle, but luckily it came back down, they both had their seat-belts on, and they were fine, just a little shaken up. The semi kept on going on his merry way, but some other drivers stopped to make sure they were ok. I'm glad they were ok. With mom being sick, and Dad just buying a new house, he didn't need a bad accident to create more problems. The Lord was watching out for him.

Well, I need to hit the road...have to take the work cash to the bank, and I don't want to get stuck in the 5pm traffic.

Here's what's up...

We didn't get much snow...for which I am very happy, but it is COLD. The highs are in the high 30's.

Even though no snow stuck to the ground, the drivers were being dumb, and driving like there was 6 inches of snow and ice. All these California transplants have no clue how to drive in the snow;they see a flake or two and panic! And here's me, in my big old 4 wheel drive, and pass them up and say mean things about them, even though I am scared to drive in bad snow myself.

We dug out all the Christmas decos last night after we got the living room put back together (one wall is just taped and mudded, the other wall is just sheetrock with exposed screws, but it'll be that way until I put the decos away after Christmas, I don't want all the dry wall dust on my Christmas stuff) At least the furniture is back in it's place.

I put the tree up with Anthony's help, plugged the lights in to make sure they worked (they did), strung the lights on the tree, plugged them in, they no longer worked. With my cold, I had had enough and went to bed. I'm going to buy NEW lights tonight and re-do the tree. I just hate Christmas lights. Who ever wrote that song about the 12 pains of Christmas sure knew me!

We thought about getting a pre-lit tree, but thought, those lights have to burn out too, and then you have to buy a whole new tree. Yeah, I just don't have that kind of patience or tolerance.

The worse has finally happened...

Woke up to snow this morning...last time it snow was May 20...not looking forward to the drive...and I have a small cold to boot(stuffy, runny nose, achy, and sore throat)...chains are required over 50, 80, and Mt.Rose. Poor Jason has to go to Carson, Dayton, G-Ville and Tahoe today...poor guy.

I became a statistic...

Jason and I got up and left the house at 4:30 this morning to hit the sales for a few Christmas items...we were at Wal*Mart by 4:55, but they wouldn't let you even touch the items until 5:00, when someone announced on the loud speaker that we could shop. Rhett and Kylie are getting a TV and DVD player. We picked up some more lighted candy canes for the yard...for a total of 36 now...then we headed to Target. It didn't open until 6, so we sat in the warm truck and made fun of all the people lining up in front, and around the side clear to the back of the store in the freezing cold. We got out of the truck about 5:55 and waiting in the shorter of the two lines that moved pretty fast, and got in and out with Anthony's TV he bought with his birthday money in about 3 minutes. Then we headed across the street to home depot so Jason could get a new ladder for only $20. We stopped at McDonald's for breakfast, and we got home by 7:00. Only 3 more gifts to go, and stocking stuffers, and we are done!!!! The decorations go up tomorrow, after Jason gets done ripping out the front wall today...

Yesterday, Rhett donned his hammer and helped Jason rip out the wall. He had so much fun, did a good job, and took great pride in getting more done than dad. Dad was removing the sheetrock from the 12 inch beam above the window, so he couldn't just hammer and tear, he had to use a pry bar and a flat edge screwdriver...it was fun to watch them, but what a mess. My home is in utter chaos right now. I'm looking forward to the holiday's when the house stays nice and clean.

Jason is off today, but I'm stuck working because my company is at the fiscal year end, and it is monthly inventory...so I get to sit her and wait for trucks to come back from their deliveries so I can post monies and do the deposit. Fun, fun...not!

Turkey day was nice. I got up and made pancakes and sausage. Dinner was at my sister-in-law's house. She did all the work. All we had to do was show up and eat. She's a great cook, and really enjoys cooking, unlike myself.

However, on a pretty funny, yet disappointing note...about 16 years ago, Jason's grandmother made the pumpkin pie and forgot to add the sugar. It has been a joke for all these years now, and we all remind everyone about it. Well, guess what Tami did? She forgot to add the sugar! I think forgetting sugar in the pumpkin pie is a family trait. Anyways, it just didn't feel quite like Thanksgiving without the pumpkin pie, but I guess I don't need it anyways...a moment on the lips, forever on the hips.

You can never surrender...

With a little perserverence you can get things done
Without the blind adherence that has conquered some...
And nobody wants to show you how
So if you're lost and on your own
You can never surrender
And if your path won't lead you home
You can never surrender
And when the night is cold and dark
You can see, you can see light
Cause no one can take away your right
To fight and never surrender

~Corey Hart

I hate the wind...here's why...

When I was 7, and we were building our house, a huge wind storm blew the roof off our house, and the trailer we were staying in was very noisy, and shook a lot. Because I was only 7, I was scared to death, and ever since then, I have hated the wind.

I drive a Suburban. It is high profile. The winds just blow me all over. You'd think as heavy as the Suburban is, it wouldn't be so bad, but it is. I don't like driving much anyways, and the wind doesn't help.

Several years back, the winds were getting up to like 80 mph, and it busted my flag pole, blew some cement off the top of the chimney, and blew down the fence in the back yard.

Jason replaced the fence,but the wind yesterday decided to undo that. The wind must have gusted so hard, it snapped the 4x4 right at ground level where it was cemented in the ground. The fence fell, Kirby and Sienna got out.

I was sitting at a friends house doing my visiting teaching, and I got a call from my vet office that a lady had found Kirby and had her, but she couldn't get Sienna to come to her.

I went and picked up Kirby, luckily no harm done, and went home to drop her off. Sienna came home on her own, and the kids were out looking for Kirby, not knowing I had gotten her.

Jason had to go in late to his security job to be able to fix the fence so we could let the dogs out to go potty. The fix is only temporary, and I'm totally afraid the wind today will undo the fix, and the dogs will get out again. (or have to be stuck inside, with us going out to watch them go potty so they don't get out...)

Anyways, to make a long story short, I HATE WIND!!!!

Life goes on...

I found some Christmas cards that will do. But they aren't hunting themed, but they do have Christmas trees on them.

A winter storm is blowing in. It actually snowed a little bit earlier in the day. YUCK! But, on a happy note, Wild Island will open in only 6 months! In the meantime, this wind is BAD. And I am so afraid of the wind since it blew the roof off the house in Dayton while we were building it when I was 7 and very impressionable.

Jason's _6th birthday was Sunday. We went out Saturday on a nice date to celebrate. Dinner with some friends at Outback, and then we went to the UNR basketball game. GO PACK! They won, of course, and we got to see Nick Fazekis break the all time scoring record that had held for 27 years. The team is ranked 21st nationally. We hope they go better than the Sweet 16 or Elite 8 this year.

Speaking of dating my hubby...it is SO nice to have a live in babysitter now that Anthony is old enough. When my mother in law was still alive, she was our babysitter, but after she passed away, we couldn't really afford to pay someone, and the rest of the family was busy...but now we give Anthony $10 and tell him to watch the kids. It's great.

Other than that, it's quiet. Good. Thanksgiving dinner will be at my sister-in-laws's house, and I don't have to do anything but show up and eat. It's great.

Then, Saturday, watch out Christmas. We will become the Griswal's National Lampoons Christmas in Reno. Lights on the house, in the bushes, the lawn decorations, candle lights in the windows, decorations on the porch, and don't even get me going on the inside of the house. I'll have to post pictures...

Happy Thanksgiving Friends! And I miss Devanie, too. Hurry back!

Why is it?

Being hunters, my hubby and I always try to find hunting themed Christmas cards each year. We like the ones with deer, elk, moose, pheasants, etc for the picture. However, I am very picky, the inside of the card must say Merry Christmas, NOT happy holidays. It is not holiday, it is Christmas.

Well, this year, I am having a VERY difficult time finding ANY cards that say Merry Christmas. They all seem to say happy holiday, or festive season, or something along those lines that stay away from the word CHRISTMAS!

At the risk of offending people, this world has been forced to eliminate anything relating to GOD or CHRIST. In so doing, I have become offended! I celebrate Christmas, and I believe in GOD and CHRIST! I'd like to be able to send out CHRISTMAS cards, not holiday or season cards!

Thanks to all you "do-gooders" in the world for raining on my parade!

I'll let you know how I do on my card shopping...

Only a moment to post...

I have to run to Kylie's parent-teacher conference, but I wanted to update quickly.

We now have 2 walls torn out and put back up in the house. I have white powder from the dry wall all over, but the furniture is back in some form of order. Jason's goal is to get the living room done by next Saturday so the Christmas decorations can go up.

I had a dentist appt. yesterday...no cavities, but I am grinding bad and need a new night guard. Dentist will pre-auth with the insurance for that. I should sleep better when I get a new one. It'll be nice not to have my jaw popping all the time.

The primary program went great on Sunday. We were worried about the time, but we did fine, the kids did great on their parts and on the songs.

Anthony was ordained a teacher by my father-in-law in Priesthood on Sunday. It was nice.

But, gotta run!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY #14

Anthony is 14 now! Yikes! I'm not old enough to have a kid so old! But anyways, I just love the kid. We have so much fun together. He is so very talented, is a good student, and funny, and is my very good friend. He is a teenager however, and does need to be reminded often of the things he needs to do (homework, chores, etc.)

So 14 years ago right now I was in labor with him...he entered the world at 9:43 am. He weighed in at 7 lb. 8 1/2 oz. and was 20 inches long. He had a couple of dark brown hairs that fell out pretty quickly, and remained bald until he was about 2...now he makes up for that lack of hair...he has SUPER thick hair that grows like a weed.

He is getting tall. I have really noticed it lately. He's almost as tall as me. I'd say he's about 5'3" or so. I'm 5'5".

He's having some friends over for pizza tonight and then a sleep-over. I may take them to Coconut Bowl so they can bowl and have some fun OUTSIDE of my house.

He's already received $200 in cash from his Great Aunt and Great Grandma...an art book from his dad and I...and I'm sure more gifts and money to follow as the day goes on.

The lucky kid even gets to have his birthday off from school today to celebrate Vetran's Day. He isn't planning on getting dressed, and hopes to kick back all day long.

He will be ordained a Teacher in church on Sunday. I'm so proud of him. I couldn't have asked for a better kid.

Anyways...Here's wishing a very happy birthday to my #1 son!

It's cloudy and windy...

but there is the prettiest rainbow on the horizon. I don't have a camera or a picture phone, so just imagine it in your mind...Pretty, huh?

Here I am!

I have just not felt like blogging...I have pictures to post, but I don't feel like fighting with the scanner, the disk, and the computer. I have the end of day light savings time blues...I get home, it's almost dark, and I just want to sit and veg.

I just wanted all my friends out there to know I haven't forgotten them, and I am still here.

I'd fill you in, but I don't have that much time right now. I don't want to bore you either!

Anyways, maybe I'll post later, but no promises!

Happy Halloween

The kids dressed up for the ward party on Friday night...they had a lot of fun. I told Anthony he is too old to dress up for school now...but the two little ones dressed up today for school. They both have parties and a costume parade. I'll post pictures later.

Jason carved the 3 pumpkins, and they turned out great...also, pictures to follow. It was hard work, but he enjoyed doing it, and he's so darn artistic, they just turned out great.

It has gotten pretty cold...only 28* right now. Trees are still so pretty. I can't remember when the trees have been so bright before. I think because we haven't had a real hard freeze yet, the trees are really able to show off their colors. It is one of the few things about fall I don't mind.

The time change on Sunday has messed up the kids and the dogs. They can't tell time. I really think turning clocks ahead and back is just plain stupid. And I hate getting off work in the evening, and it's practically dark already, so I don't get to enjoy my evening. Only 6 more month until we do it all again, and it will be light in the evening again, and the kids and dogs will be all messed up again. Oh boy...

Sunday, the Primary practiced the program for the first time. It went SO well, that we're a little afraid. You know, like it should not be this easy and calm. Becky said usually the practices go totally crazy and the program it self ends up being great. We hope this isn't a sign of bad things to come. I'm sure we'll be fine though.

Have a great Halloween friends! Stay safe, and don't eat too much candy!

What a morning!

I just have to share with you an event that happened this morning that helped to boost my testimony of our Heavenly Father, and that he does indeed answer prayers.

I was on my way to work, and a very serious accident happend not six inches in front of me. A man turned left into a girl going straight right in front of me, and after calling 9-1-1 and filling out a police witness report, I realized just how close the girl came to plowing into me after being hit. The officer taking the pictures and doing the measuring told me that the girl literally missed me by 6 inches. You could tell by the skid marks. I was turning left onto the slow lane, she was in the fast lane, and came across both lanes, up onto the dirt sholder by my suburban, back across the two lanes, and came to a stop on the middle island. The guy in the truck was not hurt, but the girl (only 18) had to be cut from her little Saturn with the jaws of life. She definatly had a broken nose, and something happened to her arm or her sholder. There was one other witness who was behind the truck that caused the accident, but out of no where, a man appeared who tried to stop her bleeding with the napkins and kleenex I had, and when the firemen arrived, he just disappered. The other witness and I think he may have been an angel, by the way he appeared and the way he left so suddenly.

So, to make this long story short, I know that Heavenly Father was answering my daily prayers of watching over my and keeping me safe from harm or accident as I travel to my various destinations. 6 inches. 6. Divine protection. And the man that helped. Where did he come from? Where did he go? Who was he? He was an angel sent by the Lord to help that girl out in her moment of need. She is Heavenly Father's daughter, and she needed him, so he sent an angel to be there in his place.

I testify that Heavenly Father knows us and does answer prayers. I saw it first hand today.

A re-cap of the weekend...

Had Friday off...Kylie had her little student of the month gathering. The principal took pictures with each of the kids, the kids got ice cream bars, and then one of the teachers son played his guitar and sang for the kids. It was a nice time for the kids to get out of class and relax.

I went to the temple Friday night. I did work for a lady named Rilla Tyrell, born 1874 in Minnesota. A ward member was one of the officiators, and the other couple owns the place where we buy tires for our cars. There were only about 15 people in the session, so it was nice. I got to stand in the prayer circle, which I haven't done in just about forever, so it was nice.

Saturday, I just really kicked back and relaxed. It was great. Did laundry, and that was pretty much it. Jason and his dad had to replace the power steering pump in Jason's truck, and it took ALL day and still didn't get done, so Jason had to use my Suburban to go to work at the water park, so the kids and I were stuck at home all night.

Sunday, Jason and his dad had to finish the truck...Jason had to leave for a meeting with security, so Lyle finished up by himself around 5 pm. They spent around 18 hours getting the job done. Next time, Jason's just going to take it to our mechanic.

In primary, we are preparing for our annual Primary Sacrament Program. My first councilor is just great, the outline is awesome, and the kids are leaning the songs really good. I am really looking forward to it. It's on the 12th of November. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Anthony got his school pictures yesterday. They turned out really nice. I put this years picture next to last years, and man, what a difference a year makes. He has grown up so much. I still can't believe he's going to be 14 next month. I still say I'm not old enough to have a child that old. YIKES! Anyways, I'll try to post the picture later, if the blog decides to work!

241 more days until summer...

Janika, this thought is for you...

"We have not passed that subtle line between childhood and adulthood until we move from the passive voice to the active voice - that is, until we have stopped saying, 'It got lost' and say 'I lost it.' ~ Sydney J. Harris

"loosing it" took me back to Girls Camp...and stuff...

"We can respond to irritation with a smile instead of scowl, or by giving warm praise instead of icy indifference. By our being understanding instead of abrupt, others, in turn, may decide to hold on a little longer rathr than give way. Love, patience, and meekness can be just as contagious as rudeness and crudeness."

~Elder Neal A. Maxwell

A nice quite week...

I have hardly anything going on this week, and I couldn't be happier. So to celebrate, I have downloaded a bunch of pictures and stuff.

It is raining and cold today. And someone has stolen the pins out of my windshield wipers, so I may loose my wipers if this stuff keeps up. What must people do things like that? I guess that person wasn't wearing his sign, so I wasn't aware...

Bill Engvale was in town this weekend, and Anthony and I wanted to go so bad, but Jason couldn't get us in on short notice with his security company. So Anthony and I did our own "Here's your sign" jokes...

Rhett to Anthony: "You gonna play a video game?" Anthony to Rhett: "Nope, just turning it on to watch the opening credits....here's your sign."

Friend to Anthony: "You get a new cell phone?" Anthony to friend: "Nope, got a new camera, and the phone was just built in.Here's your sign."

Pumpkin patch vendor to Jason:"You all here to get some pumpkins for Halloween?" Jason to pumpkin patch vendor: "Nope, thought you might have Christmas trees out for Christmas already.Here's your sign."

Rhett and Kylie to Mom:"You putting out the Halloween decorations?: Mom to Rhett and Kylie: "Nope, these are Easter Decorations. Here's your sign."

Former co-worker to Jason:"You guys get a puppy?" Jason to former co-worker:"Nope, got a cat. Here's your sign."

Neighbor to Jason:"You go hunting this weekend?" Jason to neighbor:"Nope, these birds just put their heads in this lanyard and hung themselves. Here's your sign."

We haven't really said these to people, other than the get a puppy one, but man, we sure feel like it sometimes...but we sure do think it an awful lot.

Jason and his brother went duck hunting in Fallon on Saturday. They got 7 ducks betweent the two of them. Game warden said they had the most, and they were the only hunter that had gotten a buffle head duck.(Pretty rare in this area) But get this...on the way out, the game warden had to do swab tests on each bird to submit for bird flu test, however, they don't take the hunters info so if the birds happen to have the flu, you never know, eat the bird, get the flu and die. Is this another here's your sign? What's the point of testing the birds to keep the flu from hurting people if you don't warn the people the birds they have could hurt them? Or something like that?

Anyways, while they were out getting bird flu, I mean hunting, the kids and I did work in the back yard, pulling weeds, raking, mowing the lawn, putting toys away for the winter, and picking up the dead apples (I have a tree, don't know what kind of apples they are, taste like crap, and fall off the trees in August...I should just cut the tree down, but I feel sorry for it.)

Sunday was Stake Conference, but I didn't make it, because it started earlier than we are use to, and we didn't get ready fast enough, so I fixed a nice breakfast for the family, and kicked back all day reading my scriptres. Then we had a family dinner to celebrate my nieces 3rd birthday.

Jason and I rented Inside Man with Denzel Washington last night. I don't really recomend it...it was slow.

Now, I'm just looking forward to being off again on Friday...

Costumes Kirby WON'T be wearing for Halloween...

What are these pet owners thinking?...

I feel sorry for these guys...


These pet owners must be on some kind of drug...
Notice not one of these dogs looks amused...

Rhett is a one of a kind...

Here, he threw his wet wash cloth on the shower wall, and left it there...we are leaving it there to see how long it sticks...


Here, he put his yard gloves on his toy Harley to "dry out"...they didn't get wet, all he did was rake weeds, leaves and dead apples...

A Beautiful Nevada Sunset

Student of the Month

As you can see, Kylie has been chosen to be a Student of the Month. I am so proud! She is such a great little girl.

Oh, yeah...

Kirby came into heat this week, too; just to add to all the other fun we've been having. She hates her little doggie panties, so I won't make it worse by taking and posting a picture of her...poor little scottie dog.

Anthony is such a teenager...

Pumpkins...

Chili-fest face painting...

Rhett's chili fest banner...

The banner was amazing...the kids did it all themselves, the Principal was so impressed with it, it now hangs in the lunch room for the whole world to see...

Rhett pointing to the part of the banner he painted...

Rhett and his buddy Zack...

Kylie in curlers...

Very Busy Week

I took Tuesday and Wednesday off work...Tuesday was the school's annual Chili Fest Cook-off. I helped in Rhett's class making the chili, which was really very good, and we all thought we should win at least something. We didn't, and Rhett is really upset...probably because Kylie's class won. We can't really talk about it now, it just upsets Rhett too much.

Wednesday was picture day at school. I just had way too much fun getting Kylie ready for it. As my only girl, and this being the very first school pictures, well, you know, I probably went overboard...We curled her hair the night before in the sponge rollers we have; she had to wear a pretty dress, black dress shoes included, and she had to wear matching earrings. I took a picture of her in curlers I'll post later, and when the pictures come in next month, I'll post those. I sure hope they turn out.

Weather here has been great. Nice and warm and sunny. Except for Tuesday, when we were trying to have the Chili-Fest outside, it was a little "chili" (get it?) But no complaints from me.

Anthony shot a VERY small deer on Monday. We have 5 gallon bags of deer in the freezer now. That is about 3 meals for my family. We think it was a buck that was born this spring, so it should be very tasty and tender.

On Monday I met with Rhett's teacher, councilor, the district physcologist (sp?), the principal, and the speech and hearing teacher to go over where Rhett is at and see if he needs to start special ed. He is about 8 months to a year behind the other kids in the class in reading, and no one wants to hold him back, so we have many things in place to try to get him to at least 6 months behind by Thanksgiving. He has about 4 different reading buddies and tutors to help him out, and this past week, Rhett and I have worked really hard on his spelling words. Hope he does good on the test today. He is very young; the youngest kid in his grade in the entire school, and he is more athletic than academic. It was great to see so many people being involved in his welfare, and I now know that everyone involved will do whatever it takes to make Rhett a great school boy.

This morning, Rhett had to have a filling on a tooth. He did well. He got numb very fast. He kept drooling on himself though, and felt that would warrant a day off of school. He was no longer numb by school time...he went...

Last night we took the kids to the Pumpkin patch and picked out 4 great pumpkins. Rhett's probably weighs about 40 pounds. It's huge. I'll post pictures of those, too. We spent $33 on all four. I don't know if that's a good deal or not. We usually get our pumpkins at Apple Hill in Placerville, and my father-in-law pays...We just wanted to get our own this year, and I'm glad we did. The kids had fun.

I'm looking forward to the weekend;things should settle down a bit...

Rhett hard at work...or is he ?

Cleaning a room is hard work, as you can tell by how it wore Rhett out so much he fell asleep on the floor he was supposed to be cleaning.

Anthony at the Scout court of honor...8 merit badges!