Although we had planned to be all in different places, we were privileged to all be together on Thanksgiving (at least the siblings).  It was fun to spend the week together.  Mark/Anne and I stayed at Jamie and Mike Booth's home (some very gracious friends of D&C) while Mike and Liv stayed at D&C's house. …

On Friday, the 19th, I had a playgroup "feast" at my house to celebrate Thanksgiving.  As I was visiting with one of my neighbors, she described her father's health problems including his recent triple bypass heart surgery.  I commented about how lucky we've been that my parents and their spouses have enjoyed relatively good health…

With everyone going separate ways for Thanksgiving (or so we thought at the time) we decided to get together at my Mom's house on the Monday night before for a pre-holiday turkey dinner.  And as we went around the room saying what we were thankful for, we were shocked when Mark said he was thankful…

Last week Derek was sustained as the Bishop of the Frisco 5th Ward.  He follows Bishop Ken Taylor, who he served as a counselor for several years ago.  This was a very humbling and surprising call for Derek (I was less surprised).  The night after the Stake President (Pres Alleman) and his 1st Counselor (Pres…

After totaling my old Suburban I was anxious to find a new one just like it – well, not JUST like it – but similar.  Little did we know we'd find another white Suburban with bucket seats and a DVD player, just was we had hoped.  It took several weeks, and lots of dud's before…

All the 5th graders at Jacob's school got to spend 3 days at Pine Cove – an educational camp – last week.  And Derek went as a chaperone so he got lots of great pictures from the experience.  This was pretty much Jacob's version of HEAVEN!  If only he could spend every school day out…

What do you get when you mix a pirate with a rocker with a skeleton?   Answer:  TROUBLE!  Just kidding, you get a fun Halloween crew!  We celebrated at the Ward's Trunk-or-Treat on Friday night the 29th.  And on the night of Halloween (a Sunday) we let the boys dress up to attend a family…

We have a tradition of pumpkin carving with Audra, Derek's sister who lives nearby.  She is always very creative – this year she came with a pumpkin she had spray-painted black.  The boys loved being able to do their own pumpkins this year.  Samuel got help from Daddy and his had a "wink" to it.…

  The first reason we went to NYC was to see Matt Hicken run the NY Marathon.  The second reason we went to NYC was to eat good food.  The third reason we went to NYC was to see the sights.  In that order!  Plus, we got to spend time as a couple, hang out…

I have SO much to blog about…going all the way back to Jacob's birthday at the end of September! I have the pictures downloaded and ready to go, I just need to do the writing.  And I will…I will.   I enjoyed a terrific birthday and appreciate all of my family and friends who loved…