Ghost Chase

Brandon took third place in the Ghost Chase at school today.  They race other 6th grade boys and try to catch the "ghost."  The "ghost" is one of the teachers.  I have never thought of Brandon as a fast runner.  I would have loved to have been there.  Maybe he finally showed his true speed to impress the girls!!!

Halloween Party

We played a game where you had to find the piece of bubble gum on a plate that was covered in whipping cream.  Of course they couldn't use their hands.  First one to blow a bubble wins!

This was another game where we had to use toilet paper to turn kids into mummies!  This is Krista getting wrapped up by Grant's team.

This is Kelsie getting wrapped up by my team.  Yeah, I think we won!

Magical Powers

Did you know that my bedroom floor has magical powers?  Last night it cured a toothache, a stomachache, and someone being scared.  They slept on my floor and magically this morning they are all better!

Best Surprise Ever

I met Becca at Kohl's today and I got a great surprise.  There was my mom!!!  I had no idea she was coming to Utah.  I didn't think I would see her until February or maybe May.  The only thing that would have made the surprise even better would have been if my dad were able to come.  I miss you dad!  I love you!! I really do have the best parents.  I can't wait until they can move out here so that I can see them more often.

Fox 13 News

Brandon and Krista had to be at school early this morning to be on the Fox 13 News.  Cherry Hill Elementary was the "Cool School of the Week."  I wanted to post the video clips tonight, but it is a process to get them from the DVR onto a DVD.  Then from the DVD onto the computer, then onto YouTube, then the blog.  Grant has to work late tomorrow night, so I don't think that we will get them on here until this weekend.

I tried a new crock pot recipe today.  Grant, Brandon, and I liked it.  Becca made it for her family as well.  I never talked to her to see how they liked it.  I found this recipe on http://jamiecooksitup.net/.

We made Meatball Minestrone Soup.

Art Class

This is what Brandon and Ethan have been working on.  This is Brandon's.

And Ethan's.

The Three Amigos

Have you guys ever seen this movie?  It's an older movie, 1986.  I just saw it for the first time.  Krista and Alex really like this song and dance.  This is just part of the real song.

Krista Singing

This is a link to a song that Krista is singing.  She sang it at a Christmas program when she was in Kindergarten.

Krista - Thank You Day

I really like the song.  I tried to find it online, but I couldn't.  I don't know the real name of the song.  Alex has the same teacher for Kindergarten this year.  I'm looking forward to when he learns it, so that I can ask the teacher more about it.

Max Zipline

Grant and I went up Provo Canyon today and went on a zipline course.  It took about an hour and a half.  I had never done it before.  I thought it was really fun.  Grant enjoyed it as well.  We are going to start looking for discount coupons because we would like to take the kids sometime.  They are open year round, but I think we will wait until spring to take them.

Night Games

Brandon has been getting together with friends from his class on Friday nights for night games.  Different friends in his class have hosted the party.  Tonight we had it at our house.

I had them stop for a picture, a couple of people had already left by this time.  They had a big group.  They played outside for a while.  Then, Grant taught them how to play, Do You Love Your Neighbor.  Of course they wanted to change the name to, Do You Like Your Neighbor.  I think they all had a great time.

Reflections

Reflections is a program at school.  It is definitely in schools throughout Utah, but it may even be nationwide. They do it once a year.  This year the theme is, "Magic of the Moment..."  You can enter artwork, a photo, a musical piece, or an essay that relates to the theme.  Ethan, Daniela, and Brandon participated this year.  Ethan's teacher had them all do it, but Brandon and Daniela were not required.  They finished up their projects tonight.  I will have to take pictures of them tomorrow morning and add them.  Ethan actually turned his in yesterday, so I will have to add a picture of his in the future when I get it back.  They all did a great job.

Here are Daniela's.  She had two entries.  She drew this...

 She entered this photo...

Brandon drew this...

Once Upon a TIme

Just posting this in case anyone is looking for a good show to watch.  It is in its second season.  If you have Netflix, they have the full first season.  Grant and I started watching it a while ago, we really like it.

Do you want cash back?

I was at Walmart today with Alex.  We were checking out and I used my debit card.  The cashier asked if I wanted cash back...I said no.  Alex asked me, "Why don't you get cash back?"  I told him that I didn't need any.  He said, "Yeah, but then you could get rich."  Ah, if only it was that easy!

Pumpkinland

Today Alex went on his first field trip.  He went to Pumpkinland and to BYU.  I got to go with him.  He had a lot of fun.  He especially liked it because he got to ride on a school bus.  This was his first time for that as well.  At BYU, they looked for different types of leaves.  It was a fast field trip, but fun!

Happy Birthday

Yesterday would have been my dad's 85th birthday. It's been almost 4 years since he passed away. After church, we took the kids to visit his grave and give him a rose. We took the time to talk to the kids about resurrection. It was a nice learning moment for them. Later that night most of my brothers and sister and their families came over to surprise my mom. We had taken her downstairs to show her a video while all the others snuck into the house. When we brought my mom upstairs there was everyone sitting in the living room. She was so surprised and very touched. We watched the video that we had put together for my dad's funeral that had some pictures and music. And then we all re-listened to his funeral with all of the talks and music. It was actually really good to relive some of the memories we had with him and be reminded of what an incredible man he is. We love him and look forward to a great reunion some day.

Chest Bump

Picture For Mom

Mom, these pictures are going in the right direction...which one do you want for your wall?

Family Fun

Last night Becca, Adam, Stephanie, and their families came over.  We have not gotten together for a long time.  We had dinner, visited, and played golf (a card game).  The kids had fun playing together.  We need to do it more often!

Built in Bunk Beds

This would be pretty cool!

Alex Singing

This was back in March, but I just came across it on my phone tonight.

Alex - President Song

Crazy Hair Day

Piano Lessons

We started piano lessons again today.  Krista has been so excited to start.  She was shy when it was her turn, she wanted me to go sit by her.  I really didn't have to in the end.  She did great.  I'm excited for them to start practicing again.  I don't know if they are, but I hope I can get them to keep working and practicing.  I think they will be grateful later.  Grant and I, both wish that we could play.

Do You Love Me?

Rumba, Rumba, Shake It!

Beignets for breakfast. Yummy!

Some pretty cool news from General Conference this morning!  We enjoyed conference today and look forward to more tomorrow!

Snake!

Brandon went to his friend's house after school.  They found a snake in the road.

He called me and asked if he could have a pet.  He told me it was a snake.  He would keep it in the backyard.  Of course I said, NO!

Tonight we took Daniela out to dinner for her birthday.  We went to Malawi's Pizza.  They have a delicious Cookie Crumble pizza.  It has Oreo cookies, marshmallows, and chocolate sauce drizzled over the top.  We also tried a Chicken Ranch pizza.  I really liked it.  After dinner, Grant took Daniela to the BYU game.

Parent Teacher Conferences

All five kids are doing great.  We met with their teachers tonight.  There were no problems.  They all seem to like going to school, they like their classes, they are having fun.  Grant and I are proud of all of them.

I went on a field trip with Daniela's class today.  We walked to Krispy Kreme and to a park across the street.  Someone talked to them about different types of trees and leaves.  The kids then went and collected some leaves to take back to school.  We had fun and it was good exercise.

A picture of Daniela with some of her friends.

Happy Birthday, Daniela!

Daniela is 10 today!  We had a fun day.  I checked her out of school and took her to lunch.  She wanted to go to Wendy's.  She ate quickly and we went to Ross.  She tried on a few shirts, but we didn't find any that she liked.  I'll have to take her out shopping some other time.  After school, she had Activity Days and then play practice.  When she came home, I had homemade pizza ready (that's what she wanted).  We ate, she chose to play marbles.  We all had a good time.  We had Mississippi Mud cake and opened presents.  She had a good day.  She's a good girl, we love her!

Cute Cheerleader

Best Buddies

Krista wanted me to post about how she and Alex are still BEST BUDDIES!!!!