Halloween 2009

It's been a while since I've done a post. I've been meaning to put up some Halloween pictures. The kids chose their own costumes when we got down the costume box down. This was the tradition my family always did because we didn't have a lot of extra money to make or buy a new costume each year. I remember Danny always choosing the funniest combinations out. Well watch out Danny I think Conrad and Traeden will be putting some competition to the weird costume contest you won in years past.

Abigail was a little devil (although she would not keep that cute hat on)

Samantha was a Dalmatian puppy

Conrad was a Pumpkin Wolf

Traeden was something different every time he dressed up, magician, and a devil

We had a great time Halloween. I stayed home and gave out candy and Devin took the kids around with Greg and Deonne's kids. The kids got so much candy because we tried the Mall trunk or treat this year which was in the morning. The kids really enjoyed doing this. There favorite treat were these cool rings that glowed and sparkled. I'm still finding candy wrappers around the house as evidence that we still have candy circulating around.

Family Update

It's been a while since I've written. So I thought I'd give a family update. Well this weekend we have all been sick with the stomach flu. It has gotten to everyone but Devin. Lucky him. It hits like a wave and you feel awful for about 3-4 hours and then slowly start feeling like you can eat something. It was really weird. We'll have to see how it goes tonight but so far no one has thrown up all day so if it stays that way the boys will go to school tomorrow.

Abigail is the little gabber girl. Most of it's not anything you can understand, but she is getting more words that we understand. She said Bye Bye for the first time yesterday. She has been so much fun and we just love the little things she does to make us laugh. Lately she wakes up and sings in her crib before we get her out. She was doing scales the other day and Devin and I laid in bed laughing.

Samantha is talking more and more to people other then us. Lately we have had friends say this is the first time they have heard her say a word. She is loving dancing lessons and her favorite activity there is ring a round the rosies. She has been playing on the piano for a few months and had her first recital. She played all the two black keys. She is working on finding all the notes on the piano and identifying letters. She is getting great at her piano bow.

Conrad has been learning Spanish at school and has shown a desire to learn more so we got a CD course he got from the library. He is loving school and has many friends. He got a new orchestra teacher and really enjoys it because he shares his name, Conrad.

Traeden is working really hard at school. We have seen a huge improvement in his phonograms and spelling lately. He is doing well at scouts and loves learning new things there. He is such a great helper at home. He is also really into reading right now. Saturday Morning I got up at 6:00 to exercise and he had his lamp on reading a book. He has been reading the Harry Potter books, Leventhumps and Far World. We are very proud of him.

Devin and I are enjoying choir but have been really busy with it to the point that we feel like this will be our last semester for a while. We are doing a Christmas concert this year which will be fun but we have to learn a lot of music in a short amount of time. I have made some great friends in the choir and it's been really fun to sing with Deonne. In the last concert I was lucky enough to sing right next to her. Another big factor in not singing in the choir is Devin will be doing scouts next year on the same night as choir so he won't be able to do it. We will look forward to joining the choir again when our kids are older.

Traeden's Talk

Traeden gave a talk today in church. His grandpa T. helped him write it while Devin and I were at the dress rehearsal for the John Rutter concert. He did a great job and I thought it would be great to have on record.

My talk is about family prayer. My family tries to have family prayer each morning and evening. One family prayer I especially remember was when my mom had the flu for a week. We all took turns praying for her to get better. She got better and we thanked Heavenly Father for that blessing. Jesus told the people in the Book of Mormon, "Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name that your wives and your children may be blessed." I know that prayer is a true principle of the gospel because it blessed my mom.

My parents were so sweet to help us out yesterday. Grandpa even helped Traeden build a birdhouse out of their left over decking material. This is one of his scout requirements. Traeden has had two grandpa's help with scouting and it's such a blessing.

The concert last night was so fun. We had a lot of music to learn and we had an intense week of practices. Thankfully we have some great friends and neighbors who helped watch our kids. I sure love John Rutter's music. Some of the music I have sung before in high school. One of the songs, "The Lord Bless you and Keep you" I especially remember because I had a small ensemble sing it for Solo and Ensemble. We practiced so hard for that. It was fun to sing it again and remember the good old times. We even sang a few of his Christmas pieces. I love the "Candlelight Carol". There were many touching points in the concert when it was hard to keep back the tears. The music is filled with God and Love that the spirit can't help but fill the room and hearts of those who hear and sing.

I have joined the 'No cell phone club'. So far we have about four members of our club. It can be inconvenient at times but I really have enjoyed not worrying about losing my phone, or always being in reach when I'm not at home. So if you ever need to call me, just call at home and leave a message and I'll be sure to call you back. If it's long distance I have to wait till Devin gets home because we don't have long distance at home. Let me know if you want to join the club we are always accepting members. =)

Have a peaceful sabbath!