A visit from mom & dad

We were so lucky to have mom and dad here for the first weekend in October. We were able to watch all sessions of General Conference, which was a highlight. Mom and I worked on putting a finishing touch on her Christmas cards (mom, you're putting me to shame ... I haven't even started). She helped me with an outdoor fall decoration -- it's adorable!! Jerry and Dad watched a BYU game and one of the debates -- I had to leave the room, not my cup of tea! I was very grateful for the yard work mom and dad did for us. I can't wait to see the results in the Spring!

Grissom was not the grandpuppy they were hoping for, I'm sure. He is still a puppy and not the calmest -- especially when we have company

. Poor mom was attacked more than once, she had the scratches to prove it. Dad just ignored him and didn't have too many problems with him.

Thanks for visiting mom and dad, we love you!

I Love the Fall

Ok, these pictures don't do the trees justice, they were just beautiful!! I really enjoy the changing of seasons. Mostly I like the fall because of the beautiful trees, the nip in the air and that Summer is still three seasons away! Yippee. I'm not much of a Summer/hot lover. Give me a rainy cool day other than a hot Summer day.

Mom, those kids wore me out!!!

We had some friends over for dessert tonight and for two and a half hours Grissom played, ran, jumped, frolicked and had a grand ole' time in the back yard. Not two minutes after they left I found Grissom on the couch asleep. He didn't move a muscle for about an hour. We ate dinner and I sat one cushon away from him and he didn't even stir. Ok, he opened one eye and looked at me ... which is a mircle that he wasn't begging (actually he waits very calmly at our feet hoping for a morsel -- he knows he won't get anything unless it is put in his bowl).

We had a great time with our friends, the Easley's! The kids are probably pretty worn out they had timed races, played with the dog, played ball, played with the dog, climed the apple tree, played with the dog, tried to learn how to text, played with the dog, did kartwheels up the hill (take it from me, it's not that easy-- I got worn out, Courtney beat me by just a hair though), played with the dog, Chrystal ate one of the dog treat, yuck, maybe my dessert wasn't that good after all! Did I mention, they played with the dog? Lois, just sat and basked in the glow of pregnancy -- she found out she's having another girl! Poor Gary, he's out numbered now!

Here's some great photo's of our good friends!

I'm Back!!

Boy, it has been a busy month ... but I'm not so sure what I have done. My most favorite part has been my parents visit -- even though Grissom was a little too hyper (I think I have some pictures to share soon) Another reason I haven't been posting anything is because my camera hasn't been working properly and I can't figure out how to download an article or pictures from the internet. Is there someone who could share with me how to download them, I would appreciate it! I'm going to work on my camera and try to post some things tomorrow!

A bountiful harvest

Apple Crisp, Apple Sauce, Apple jelly, Apples Apples Apples .... Anyone have any yummy recipes for apples? Last week I was walking around the yard and found an apple tree LOADED with apples. When we moved in there was a huge limb full of apples that had broken off due to the weather .. so I thought there weren't many apples left. Well, I found out differently. I have picked as many as I can and have worked at peeling, coring, cutting and freezing as much as I can -- more to go. However, there are still tons on the tree. I borrowed a six foot ladder from a friend and realized that wasn't tall enough ... then I borrowed a 10 foot ladder from my boss/landlord and it STILL wasn't tall enough (actually if I would have been brave enough to climb two more rungs .. maybe .. but unbeknownst to me .... I am scared of ladder heights. Luckily, Jerry was holding the ladder for me or I wouldn't have gone as far as I did.

Yesterday Jerry and I were sitting on the back porch watcing Grissom run around in our HUGE back yard and Jerry pointed out that he thought we had another apple tree. I went to investigate and they weren't apples, but walnuts. Wow! we are gonna have some fun times with these! I checked out the harvesting process for walnuts ... not so sure I'm smart enough, but we will give it a go! Oh, before I read about harvesting the walnuts I started hulling a couple and guess what ... the Walnut stain color is truely walnut! I didn't realize that if you don't wear gloves your hands will be stained ... you guessed it my hands are a beautiful walnut ... I guess I better go buy some gloves!

Youth Conference with Canadian Stake

Last week Lois, Bert and I went to Nauvoo with the youth of the church for them to meet youth from London Ontario Canada and have some fun times together. The young women enjoyed spending time together ... but didn't go beyond their comfort zones and meet new people. Except for Joslyn (a visitor) ... she meet someone, but I found out later she already has a boyfriend -- Girl, why were you even looking? Or more importantly why do you have a steady boyfriend??? Now, one young man has in his own words "found the woman he was going to marry". A week later he states that he is speaking to the "love of his life" everyday ... every minute that he can. Oh teenage love!!!

The young women and Lois and I stayed with a wonderful family who has a beautiful home w/ many picture windows that overlook the Mississippi river -- I could have stayed there all day. Lois and I had a wonderful time ... we stayed up talking later than the young woman. You would think that we never spend any time together. It was a great weekend! I love the youth and enjoy seeing them make decisions and have fun! I just hope and pray they continue to make good decisions .....

So You Think You Can Dance!!

Most of you don't know how wonderful my husband is. He can seem kinda brass and uncaring, but he honestly thinks of me and what I want over what he wants most of the time.



There is a summer dance program on Fox that picks 20 people from thousands to have a dance-off and narrow it down to "America's Favorite Dancer". I love this program!! Jerry can't stand it! He will tape it for me every week, but won't even stay in the room while I watch it. (I actually like that better because I don't have to listen to the comments about how stupid the dances are -- "that's not dancing" "what do they think they are doing" etc etc) After they declare the winner, the top 10 dancers go on tour around the country. My sister, Alisha, said that she and Matt went last year and it was wonderful. Well, I mentioned this several times to Jerry how fun it would be to watch the tour. I never really thought we would go because .... he hates the show. I came home from work last week and guess what??? Two tickets to the SYTYCD tour in KC, and the great thing .... it happens to fall on my birthday! What a great gift. He's so much better than I about birthday gifts. He's two months early. (I ordered his gift in March for his May birthday and it still hasn't gotten here, yet!)

Later, he did mention that if I would like to ask a friend to go with me, that would be ok with him. He did say he would go, IF I wanted him to.

I am so excited!! I can't wait to go!!! check out the website and check out the winner!http://soyouthinkyoucandance.com