NOVEMBER CHICKS

We are really enjoying the chickens. They make us smile, laugh, and wonder if the neighbors will ever call us into Animal Control (it happened to another neighbor.)

Here are some pictures of the rascals.

THANKSGIVING TURKEY

It was right before Thanksgiving, when we got a picture text from Will Bohney. They had made these thankful turkeys for family home evening. (I'm going to steal your idea and do that next year by the way!)

The joke goes something like this. Anya thought that it was one of the kid's turkeys ... for days! If you notice on the top right hand corner, it says 'Dad.' We had a good chuckle about that.

We have so much to be grateful for this year. Among those are wonderful family and wonderful friends. We were missing Jason & Robyn and their kiddos along with the Warths and the Bohneys. I think that it has been helping us remember that we might not always have time together, and that we shouldn't let moments pass so quickly.

Love you all!!! Brandon, Zoey, Faith, Dawson, and Kate

SURPRISE VISIT

One afternoon, I was watching baby Grace and talking to Ang on the phone. She then asked me if she could call me right back. For the record (she already knows), Ang does not always call me back when she says that she will call me back. So, I groaned. She promised.

Next thing I knew, she opened my door. I didn't have any words. I was in shock! We surprised Brandon too!


Wednesday, we went to 'Old McDonalds' and visited for awhile. It was hard not to get one on one time, but just grateful that I got some time. Beggars can't be choosers!

Here are a few of the pictures that I took! I swore that I took a picture of Amy and Ang together too, but alas, they were not to be found.

Jodi & Ang

Remington

Bridger

Robbie

Sierra

Now, I can't wait to surprise her!!! This could be fun!!! (wink)

ANNIVERSARY SURPRISE #12

Our anniversary this year was on a Sunday... but Brandon had plenty in store for me on Saturday. 

 I came home and he gave me 2 beautiful pictures to have in our room.  He put so much time and effort into them.  They are fantastic.

This one has pictures of all of our kids that make up our picture.  (Jordan made it into this photo as well ...)

And this one sits on my dresser and is so fun!!!

Then, we went out to Sizzler for dinner and headed to Lava Hot Springs.  We went to the Hot Springs and then to the Lion's Gate Manor, which was a very nice bed and breakfast.  We stayed in the Persian Dream.  It was in the basement, but they had 10 foot ceilings, so it was wonderful!

Posing for the camera

The bed

Picture

The giant tub

The toilet

(Brandon's brother Justin has this thing about taking pictures of everything in the bathroom.  I guess that we are trying it out too.)

Sink and vanity

I am so very lucky to have a wonderful husband!!!  What a nice surprise for anniversary #12!

BITS OF ARTWORK

Yes, I am way behind, but just thought that I would post 2 pieces of artwork.

Kate colors several pictures everyday and doesn't want them to 'disappear.' She likes to use every color that she has in front of her.

Dawson drew this one at school, and I was very impressed. Dawson loves any type of birds, especially owls and penguins.

THAT'S MY MOM - 6 MONTH UPDATE

These particular posts have a way of sneaking up on me. I really like to re-read the previous posts before posting. And then I try to write something that will remind me of this time in our lives ...

6 months from May 14th. What a journey.

The first month really just consisted of recuperating and fighting off sicknesses that come with being sick. It is probably the only time in my life that I can remember seeing my mom just lay down and rest. It's what she needed to do to get her leg healthy. We wonder that if she hadn't had the sickness if she would have pushed too hard too soon. That's my mom, ya know.

The second month. It was marked by physical therapy. Pain. 3 times a week. Pain. Exercises at home. More pain. Did I mention pain? Cindy was cheery and happy and smiling through the tears. Life was hard, but worth working through the pain to get some sort of normalcy back in her knee. Wanting and willing to push through the pain. That's my mom, ya know.

The fourth month. Bending 115 degrees on her own. Impressive. Spectacular. Attending church for the entire block. Impressive. Spectacular. But, that's my mom, ya know.

And finally, it has been 6 months. From a wheelchair, to the walker, to crutches, to one crutch and now a cane. Physical therapy still. Working hard to reach her goals.

My mom was given this book and has read much of it.
It is interesting to note that the Lord knows what will happen in our lives and then helps prepare a way for the tender mercies as well. For example, my parents were happy and content in our home on Pershing. It was a beautiful home. Then, a few years ago, they were prompted to build their current home. They made the doorways and hallways wide. They even joked and laughed about putting in the walk in shower for when they were old. If this accident had happened in their other home, she wouldn't have been able to get into the bathroom or showered or anything. Another tender mercy and a reassurance that the Lord knows us and loves us.

My mom is a blessing in my life. She has taught me many things, like how to make a bed with square corners and like how to grow my own testimony. And now she has taught me that blessings come in many different forms and that perseverance and trust in Heavenly Father is all that we need to succeed in this life. She's wonderful and really super woman! (Don't tell her that - she'll try and pretend that she's not!) That's my mom!

SHAVING FOR A CAUSE

Inspired by Tyson, a little boy who has leukemia and who is in Kate's primary class, Brandon buzzed off his hair.  There was a fundraiser associated with it, St. Baldricks in Utah.  Dawson wasn't so thrilled about this one and we couldn't convince Faith or Kate to do it either.

Before

During

(I love that you can see the calendar behind us on this one)

After

We love you Tyson!

COUSIN'S HALLOWEEN

Jordan the dragon

Jadyn, Colt, Bristol, and Hallee

Hallee

Jadyn

Colt

Bristol

We hope you had a Happy Halloween!