Introducing Hermione Granger and Harry Potter

 

Pulling out seeds

Aubrey went are Laura from Little House on the Prairie, I'm so glad we were able to recycle come costumes this year!

 

M as Hermione

 

Jo made an adorable Belle

the only and only Harry Potter

The girls hit the candy jackpot, staying out until almost 9:00.  Big girls wanted to get their fill, this was their last year trick-or-treating.

Our dentist was offering $2 a pound for candy.  They ate all they wanted Halloween night, which ended up not being much.  I splurged and had a tummy ache and headache for the rest of the evening.  They then filled a small container with their favorites and dropped the rest off at the dentist's office the next day and came home with a pocket of $ 

Go Vote

Have you been to the polls today?

Rob and I went last week, not sure if he was going to be around today

So happy that he's home

The kids want to stay up and see who wins the election,

we are planning on having a little party of sorts

If you're a California reader please vote YES for 37 if you are undecided or not sure

It would get my vote!

The truth about Prop 37

• Just a simple label—like in 61 other countries, indicating if our food has been genetically engineered
• Put on the ballot by a million Californians just like you
• Enables us to make an informed choice about what foods are right for our families
• Supported by consumers, farmers, nurses, doctors and a broad coalition

Samantha for President

Cloverly will fly high with Samantha as President!

 

 

 

 

 

A few weeks back M & S came home from school with a glow on their faces...

they had both been elected by their 5th grade student body to advance in the Primary Election held at their school

Both running for student body President.

I was worried about them running against one another and the outcome

The primaries came and only S was elected to run

M was disappointed but chirped up when S asked her to be campaign manager

 

They both (M more than S), spent a lot of time on the posters

S wrote her speech, with very  little assistance

I worked on a tee-shirt for her to wear for the big day

And we almost missed our bus to NYC waiting for the results

 

S lost, but she was o.k. about the situation.  The winner is now asking if he can use all of her campaign ideas because kids keep bugging him about having "super hero day"

 

Enjoy the video Grandma

Happy Fall, Yall'

 

 

Back to School

The infamous school list...I remember as a kid waiting and waiting and waiting for the school list to be posted on the doors at Tolman Elementary.  I would have my mom drive us by the school everyday looking to see if the white paper was posted to the door.  Now the day/time/second is announced ahead of time as to when the school will post the list but my kids are still bugging me to go early and see the "list"

All were happy with their teachers for this year

S has her first male teacher

A has her same teacher from last year.  The class is "looping", the teacher and students are staying  the same as last years group.  It's a trial being run at the school, I think it will be a good idea.

 

 

Not yet little one

 My big girls entering 5th grade...where has the time gone?

 

 They get to wear the bright yellow belts everyday, signifying safety patrol

 

 A, enetering the 3rd grade

 

 The bus is off

 

 Each year we have a back to school feast.  Girls were happy to have "Jerusalem" night for dinner.  Grilled chicken, lamb, cucumber & tomato salad, nann, rice and watermelon punch.
Rob was able to give them all blessings and we introcdued our family theme for the year.

Be kind, and be grateful that God is kind.    It is a happy way to live.

                                                Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

A funny side note...as Rob was blessing Jo he started saying her full name and she responed with,"what?"  We all had a hard time holding back snickers, as she thought she was probably in trouble for doing something

Back West

Let's just say our family trip to Utah was the highlight of my girls summer.  Countdown chains had started in April.  Jo asking when she would get to see nana & papa & cousins.  It was a wonderful two weeks.  Anyone in the family want to work for the airlines so we can visit more? 

*Time spent at a house in Eden, Utah with the Holman family.  It was awesome watching cousins play together, stay up late, take hikes and get to know one another better. 

*Sleepovers with the Hauze cousins=trampoline fun, swimming, wrestling, craming lots of kiddos into minivans, visit to the Children's museum and Planetarium

*Cabin fun with the Bonner family.  The kiddos teeth turning black from riding 4-wheelers all day, catching fish, roasting marshmallows, playing in the creek

 

Thanks family, it was an awesome trip!





The Whole Holman Family, almost

 

Nana and her grandkiddos

 

 

Our family ready to hike

 

The daring cousins, Aunt Ren and the crazy uncles that lead the "real" hike.  The kids all made it make alive, with stories to tell

 

A day in SLC with a lot of kids, a few adults and sights to see

 

 

Rob and I took the girls to see my Aunt Marion's tombstone

 

Jo Jo and uncle Jeff, lovin the 4-wheeler

 

Family pic with beautiful views

My Dad will know where we were

Welcome Home!!  Costco was my best friend the next morning :)

Ski trip

Spent a week in Deep Creek with some close family friends

A huge storm had just come through our area,

it was nice to leave the mess and get away for awhile

Catch up on some reading, play on the boat, watch fireworks,

eat good food and be with family and friends

All of the girls had lots of time to practice their skiing

 

A & J working up their nerve, learning on the "trainer" ski

They both did great

J had a HUGE grin on her face the whole time and did not want to stop

 

S made it up after a few tries

 

M...waiting for the boat to pull

 

Almost there and then

 

down

 

This was as close as she got, very frustrating as she tried 15 + times

There will be next year :)

In a mess

I have been cooking a lot lately

Eating very few processed foods in our house means lots of bowls,

spoons and dishes to get clean

I have recently found an awesome recipe for

honey whole wheat bread, my fam raves about. 

It's supposed to taste like Great Harvest bread