Women's Conference

I wanted to go to the church and see the women's conference broadcast, but a few of us including myself are down with a flu bug today. I ended up watching it in my sweats, on my bed. It was great and what I needed to hear. My favorite talk was by President Uchtdorf. I think we all look at our faults and fail to see our triumphs. He had a great humorous tender way that helped me focus on others instead of my failings. I do know that service is the way to happiness, but his words were a good modivation and a gentle caution to not listen to the negative from within ourselves, but to turn our efforts to others and we will be happy. We are so fortunate as women to have general authorities that always put emphasis on our value as women and what we have to offer our families, neighbors and communities. Even though I feel awful, my spirit was lifted my the messages tonight. I hope all you women had the chance to hear the talks tonight.

Girls Night Out

Last week Cass had a sleepover with her best friend almost twin, that lives next door. Aubrey is a blond Cassie, their birthdays are three days apart and they love all the same things. They had fun at the sleepover by coloring on their faces and wearing matching pj's. They listened to music, danced around and watched a movie. These two know how to have fun together.

The pictures below are from a beehive activity at my house. We rocked out to CD's of Kid Rock and Mylie Cyrus while we gave each other pedicures complete with glitter toes! What can I say, these 13 girls keep me young and happening. :) I didn't get a picture of my toes, but they are currently bright purple sparkley things.

What a brother!

Cass posing with new bike and her sweet brother

This was safety week at the elementary school. The kids got visits from Cosmo, the BYU mascot, and the wolverine from UVU and a couple others. They got pedometers when they learned about safety when walking to school, they got helmets for bike safety, water bottles and who knows what else this week. Today was an outdoor assembly to wrap up the week. They had a drawing and gave away two bikes per class. When Mark heard about this earlier in the week, the first thing he said, was, "if I win the bike, I'm giving it to Cass!" I was amazed. He did just get a bike for his birthday, but he immediately thought of his sister. I didn't think much more about it until I got a call last night telling me Mark's name was drawn. It was to be a surprise today. Kelly and I went to the assembly and got some pictures of his reaction. They had all the bikes there, brand new from wal-mart. The kindergarden and first grade bikes were small. The first thing Mark said when he found the bike with his name on it was, "this won't fit Cass". I couldn't believe he was still looking out for his sister. Cass has been riding an old one of Josh's, but he wanted her to have a new one. So tonight we went to wal-mart and exchanged the bike for one for Cass. It was the sweetest thing I've ever seen. I wanted to document this story on the blog so in the future when he gets into mischief I can remember this day.

Mark waiting anxiously for the announcement

The smile of surprise on his face when his name was called

Mark standing up with the other winners

Fall Decorations

Ok, you asked for some pictures of my few fall decorations so I'm giving them to you. They are really basic, but I like feeling this season. Hope everyone is having a great day!

I love this season!!

I've decked my front porch and house out with my fall stuff, I have loved the change in weather. This season totally rocks as my son says. I've tried to keep this blog current, posting a couple times a week, but it's been a week and a half already! Have you missed me? :) I don't have any exciting pictures to put on, I think that means life has settled into a routine around here. Carpools, homework, sports, practicing, more homework, housework and the ever present laundry (the latter has taken the laundry room hostage, we are currently in serious negotiations, hopefully there won't be any fatalities except a lone sock or two).

Ryan is busy with high school and football. He is having a bit more freedom and isn't home nearly as much as I'd like. It's hard when your kids are away more than they are home. Josh is busy worrying about his A- 's and what he can do to make them A's. Cassie is loving 5th grade, but boy do they have a lot of homework. She is in a tumbling class and soon will be doing ariels and back handsprings I'm afraid. She is also getting ready to start a ballroom dance class at the elementary school. Mark has adjusted to being at school all day. His favorite part of the day is eating school lunch. His favorite sayings are "that totally rocks!" and "freakin' awesome".

That is the new news around here. I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the freakin' awesome fall weather!! (It's my favorite season or couldn't you tell!)

How High Can You Climb?

Last night I took Josh and Cass down to The Quarry in Provo. Josh had been doing some climbing at another indoor place before, but this was Cass's first time. She was fearless and just flew up the walls. She didn't seem to get tired, she just kept going and going wall after wall. Josh not wanting to be out done, climbed just as hard. I was amazed as I watched both of them from my safe perch on the ground. There is a reason gravity exists and I'd just as soon not try to challenge it. I'll keep both feet on the ground.