Crazy Hair Day!

The kids always look forward to crazy hair day at school.  Usually the boys grow their hair out a bit for it so we can do something really crazy. This time they had all just had hair cuts.  Laney's was the coolest this year.  We made it into a net.

Drew being a poser.  Silly boy!

Our Beautiful Turkey

 Hot out of the oven... Richard made our turkey this year.  This one was just for our family.  It looked so beautiful and tasted amazing!

Less than 30 minutes later, this is what it looked like.  No leftovers this year.  

Alger Thanksgiving 2012

I am so behind on blogging.  Here's a summary, Thanksgiving was great, but different.  We had a wonderful gathering with the Alger side.  Sadly, my sister Dandi and her family moved the week before to Colorado and my mom went with her to get her settled.  So... my dad had Thanksgiving with my brother Ben and his family and the rest of us did our own thing. 

A Whirlwind Day of Fun!

Kim and John are always crazy busy, so we were thrilled that they could squeeze in a day trip to Phoenix.  It was 12 hours of fun.  My dad and I picked them up at the airport at 9 am.  John took off with my dad to do his thing, speaking at 3 different events throughout the day and Kim and I were off to the Deseret Book Store to surprise Nan.

 

It was fun to walk into the back room of the store and surprise Nan.  We visited for a while and checked out all the new books.  Nan is such a sweetie so it was great to bring some fun into her work day.

Then we went to watch some serious soccer.  Jessi's little Gwen and Ben's little Ryan played on the tiniest soccer field I have ever seen.  They did great!  It was fun to sit and visit in the cool weather and warm sun.  

We dropped Jessi's girls off at my house and got a bite to eat at Chick-fil-a.  Then went shopping at the most amazing accessories shop.  Almost everything is a dollar!  Rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, headbands, pins, hair flowers, sequined fans,  and more and more.  It is like a candy store of pretty jewelry for super cheap!  (it's part of an alterations store next to Sally's Beauty Supply on 99th Ave and Lower Buckeye Rd.)  We bought lots of fun things.

Then we picked up John from his 2nd speaking gig and were on our way to gig #3, our Surprise Stake Youth Conference. 

It was awesome.  John really has a gift for teaching the gospel in way that kids can understand and be excited about living.  I can't tell you how many kids told me that the reason that they love to hear him speak was that they feel like he is their friend, not a just teacher, and that he really cares about them as individuals.  It truly was great and inspiring.

Tim and Josh were there too, somewhere in the crowd.  I guess I didn't get any pictures of them.

We ran home quickly so the rest of the kids could say hi and hug John and Kim before they left.  Then we took them to our favorite Thai restaurant.  It was great to have a little time to just chat and relax with some good food.  Sadly, the night came to end all too quickly and we had to return them to the airport.

(I couldn't get my flash to turn on. Bummer.)

John, thanks for spending the day serving so many young people.  They will never forget it.  And Kim, thanks for being my buddy.  I love you!  You are both dear friends and tons of fun and we can't wait to do it again!

Gila Valley Temple Trip

Sam, Josh, Tim and Sara got to go on a temple trip with these fine looking young women and young men to Gila Valley.  I heard that it was not only a beautiful and spiritually strengthening trip, but that it was full of entertaining silliness.  For example,  Sara was singing made up songs on the way home, for a really long time!

They are great kids and they have awesome leaders too!  Including my sweetheart, Richard.

I love that my kids are having so many of these faith building experiences.  It will be anchor to them when trials come, as they do for us all.

Shocking News!

We have a kitty!  I have said for years that I was done having pets, I don't have the patience for all the chores that come with dogs (though I can see their virtues) and I am allergic to cats.  I have plenty of  things and people to take care of already and did not want a pet to add to the list.  However, I had a moment of weakness when Dandi said that the house they were going to be renting in Colorado did not allow pets, I offered to adopt their kitty.  I don't know how it happened, but I am glad it did.  My kids are thrilled and she is a really sweet kitty.  

Her name is Lola Eevee.

 (yes, Eevee is a Pokemon)

She is a pretty cat and easy going.  Just the kind of pet I can handle.  Amazingly, she hasn't bothered my allergies much.  I don't touch her much and we vacuum everyday already, so it is working out great!