Farewell to a Good Friend

Some things are harder to part with than others. Monday we parted with a "thing" that had become a friend. Ever since our van went to the graveyard, after serving us faithfully for many years, we have had a hard time keeping vehicles. I cant even count how many we have been through- T.C. (Texas Chili) that was smashed while sitting in Arby's parking lot, Mindy's "robin blue" whatever that was extremely crashed up, the cute green ford escort that died after a 6 day dash to Illinois during record heat, the hyundai that we sold to April and was hit on 17th, my dear Intrigue that Becca did a number on at Fred Meyer, Dave's enduring little red ford ranger that was left smashed against a cliff on the Ashton hill, and my birthday present Impala that we just swapped with Becca's Saturn in August. That's just the ones I remember most. So in February Dave broke down and bought a nice truck. I only got to ride in it once or twice before I went to Albuquerque and when I got home it was probably July before I even drove it. But I fell in love with it. I should know by now that you never fall in love with inanimate objects. In an effort to reduce our debt and the fact that we needed to replace Becca's Saturn (it isn't doing well) Dave put it up for sell. He knew that trucks of that size are not selling well, but guess what? He got a call on it within a day or two of advertising it on the INL trading post. The people loved it, it was just what they were looking for and they showed up Saturday with a cashiers check to buy it. Dave talked them into waiting till Monday and we met the lady at the bank and turned it over to her. They are a nice young family and I hope they enjoy it and take good care of it.
So here is my goodbye to my good friend "the truck"...thanks for safely taking Dave to Albuquerque to bring Ellie and I to Utah for my dad's funeral, thanks for getting us to California and back to help Becca move, and thanks for the countless trips to Utah, and not enough trips to Island Park. Becca and Millie loved driving "the truck", that is why it was so long before I drove it. Millie had it at school for a couple of weeks and it was a great guy magnet. I felt safe in "the truck" and even felt like I could drive at night because I was high enough to be above the glare of most other headlights.
You served us well, "truck" and we will miss you!

Thank You Voice Male!

I just wanted to publicly thank Voice Male for the free CD they sent me and let all my followers know that they are a great acappella singing group. I won their new "Kid Stuff" CD. It is full of fun songs like "Popcorn Popping" (or copporn as Ellie would say) and "Circle of Life". They also have CDs with Hymns and a great Christmas CD. Check them out at this link (Hope that works, this is the first time I have tried a link)
Anyway, Thanks Voice Male!

More Halloween Fun

So, when we went to the Pumpkin Patch and had the Halloween Party we didnt have time or energy to carve the pumpkins. So April, Caleb, Noni, Millie, and I carved pumpkins yesterday. They turned out so great that we had to share. We were amazed at how well Caleb and Noni did carving theirs with only a little help. The key...good pumpkin carving tools and patterns (most of ours came from a website called something like the "pumpkin lady". There is a better website that we used last year but it wasnt working for some reason yesterday. Anyway. . . drum roll please . . .






Camille's is certainly the most intricate one, it probably took her about 2 1/2 hours including cleaning out time, but she enjoyed it, she decided it is her talent! If you are having a hard time seeing what it is, it is three wolves baying in the trees. Wow! I'm impressed!

Logan and Stockton's First Halloween

Stockton: What's wrong Logan, why are you upset? Stockton: Oh! now I see what it is.
Stockton: Ha Ha, did that scare you Logan? That was so funny!
Logan: Ya, if you really think so.

These three pictures were just to cute to not share, they tell such a story!

Grammy B's Halloween Party

OK, so here is my next attempt at this blog thing. Last week Mindy, Ellie, Stockton, and Logan came to visit while Garry went on a business trip. When they come to visit April, Caleb, & Noni spend a lot of time at the house. Millie always tries to come sometime while they are here too. It is fun to get together.

With Halloween coming soon I decided to have a Halloween party for them. So on Wednesday after school we (the Carlsons and me) picked up Caleb and Noni (good thing Mindy has a van!) and went to the Pumpkin Patch, where April met us. The kids had a great time each picking out their own pumpkin while Stockton and Logan snoozed in the car.


Ellie and Noni had to show off their strength by pulling the wagon full of pumpkins across the field.


Then we took pictures, played on the "straw hill" and ran through the straw maze.

We loaded back up into the van and headed home for a treat (jello popcorn pumpkins...yum!), craft (foam candy corn guys), and a Halloween story. Of course they had to wear their costumes!
Be sure to notice the dragon working hard on his craft!

The crazy glasses were a hit too! Except that Stockton pulled his canula out trying to pull off the glasses.



This is the 3rd year we have gone to the Pumkin Patch. One year with Caleb and Noni, one year with Ellie, and now with all of them. This was the first time to do a party too. It just may have to become a tradition. (but only with the help of the MOM'S!) It was exhausting but what a lot of fun!