October

  October started out with a special trip to Utah! Josie had invited me to go to conference, using tickets given to her by Carole M. Stephens (the first counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency. They're tight... nbd.) I flew up Saturday morning and got to spend the afternoon with Christopher!! He picked me up from the airport and even had a sweet treat hidden for me in the glove box. SWIG!! Bring on the powdered sugar!!

 We stopped for lunch at Cubbys and snarfed on Buffalo fries.

 Then it was time to snarf on LUCY!!!! Oh Lucy Busi! I cannot describe my excitement to see her. It was pure heaven. I think I made my mom a little jealous. Isn't her smile the best?! She is squishy and mellow and I.just.wanna.eat her face off!!! 
It was also so fun to see their new house and neighborhood. I'm ashamed I forgot to take a picture! We got a few hours of chatting in while Lucy slept, then headed off for some authentic Italian food for dinner. 

 But first a quick detour to.... Vincent Drugstore! Christopher didn't tell me where we were going, he just pulled up in front and said, "This look familiar?" Hahaha, I died! Oh, Sandlot. I think I can quote the whole movie. I can see Wendy Peffercorn walking in front of it now. 

 Our pasta and bread was delightful! So was my Nielsen's concrete! Now that Nielsen's is closed in Mesa, a concrete is truly something to savor!

 It was about a 45 min. drive to Springville for Christopher to drop me off at Josies. I felt bad having him drive me all the way there but loved the extra time it gave us to talk. Back when Collin was one, Christopher came to visit us in New York and he still talks about how much he loved that trip. I think I get the depth of what he was talking about now. Getting to visit him in his territory, even for that short time, put me on cloud 9! My heart was smiling the whole time. 

I walked into Josie's about 9pm to Lisa, Bright, Jos and Olivia having a pow wow upstairs. My PEOPLE!!! I was jumping up and down, all over again! I love each of them so much! Once again, I got a house tour and soaked up all the details. I mean how cute is this abode?! It's over 100 years old and even has a secret cellar with old fashioned meat hook things hanging from the ceiling. It's eclectic and cozy and has so much character in all the good ways. I just love it! We stayed up for til the wee hours of the morning talking and laughing. My eyes were so heavy but I just didn't want the night to end. 

 The next morning we took our time getting ready and watching a couple of the morning session talks, then drove into Salt Lake City. Parking here flooded me with memories of doing this 10+years ago with Travis after he got home from his mission. We weren't dating yet, but it was such a fun trip. I haven't been back to conference since!

 Part of being Sis. Stephen's guests included going to the special luncheon they have between conference sessions. I guess ALL of the general authorities used to lunch together in the cafeteria, until the women decided to break off and have their own, nice meal together. It's held in the Relief Society building. 

 Confession: I was SUPER nervous. And I'm tall. So sticking out wasn't hard for me. But I put on my brave face and chatted up Sis. Burton in the food line! 

 Everyone took their seats at the table but I held back not wanting to take a seat someone wanted. Well, guess where that landed me? Right next to Carole. My anxiety went from a 7 to a 10 immediately! I tried to think of some semi-intelligent questions and keep conversation off of me and on to her. (I learned they don't have any set dress code when speaking in conference. She said Pres. Monson likes bright colors and encourages them!) She was extremely gracious and kind, but I honestly felt bad she was sitting next to me and not one of her daughters or granddaughters. Oh well. During the meal, a member of the Primary presidency stood up with a microphone to begin introductions. Then each woman took a turn introducing all the family and friends they had at their tables. We dined on prime rib, augratin potatoes, salad, rolls, green beans, cheesecake and COKE. Ok, ok, it was caffeine free. Haha.  

After lunch, we couldn't help ourselves and tried to meet a few other ladies. Sis. Marriot is as cheerful and fun as she seems! The others carried themselves very prim and proper, but she had an air of relaxation and playfulness. I really liked her. I commented on her last conference talk and she chimed right in with extra details, recounting the story I had mentioned. I wish I could be her friend. ;) 

 Then, she took us to see her office. 

I love the Costco sized bags of mints she keeps on hand to share for meetings! These are a few of her granddaughters. 

 How about that view out her window? My jaw hung open.

 We had to hurry after that to get to our seats! Security made me throw away my selfie stick! You can take it on an airplane, but not to the conference center. Harumpf! 

We were up close and personal with the general authorities wives. It was interesting to watch them. Poor, Sis. Ballard has been doing this a long time. She tried her best to stand, but couldn't do it. Sis. Oaks had to come to her rescue. 

 It was so neat to be there. It was Lisa's first time to conference EVER. She was like a kid in a candy store and it was entertaining to watch her. What I'll remember the most though is the choir. They were heavenly. The power of their voices and the spirit that accompanied them I won't soon forget. On his way out, Pres. Monson said, "Be GOOD!" with an impish smile. How can you not love him? 
I was back at the airport 28 hours after getting there. So quick, but with so much goodness squeezed in. The thing I kept pondering on was what an honor it was to meet those women. I was a bit star struck but it goes deeper than that. They all had such an aura... a light about them. It was inspiring and caused some self examination. Being around nobility makes you want to be noble. For all the good or bad that Hollywood celebrities represent, I would choose to have dinner with one of those ladies ANYDAY over even my biggest Hollywood crush.  I craved their goodness. I contemplated what it would take to be like them. Which really means, what it would be like to be that Christlike. It was an interesting experience that helped remind me of what's truly important in life. What qualities are actually worth developing. I think I needed that. 

 I should probably keep these hair pictures all in one place...
I just get so bored and like trying different things.

 FHE treat. And Weston looking naked. ;)

This girl prances and sings wherever we go. I think I might have a performer on my hands.

Wiggle Worms at the McQueen Rec Center!

Someone's fancy schmancy winter coat came in the mail! 

(It's Nov. 15, and we still haven't needed coats.)

 TRYING to produce some healthier after school snacks. 

 This is evidence of how amazing my husband is!! I made this with a CAULIFLOWER crust. Cuz I hate myself or something. It didn't turn out at all like a normal crust. It was wilty and fell apart. I made a separate pizza for the kids and Trav. He still ate this one.

 His family was prepping for a triathalon so he and Reddin would wake up at 5am on Wednesdays and cycle it up!

 This.

The long awaited day came!!!!! Della Stephanie Goodman was born! The night before I did a face plant on my bed at 8:30pm and fell asleep. Contacts in, teeth unbrushed, clothes on. So when a text came in at 4am that Shelley had had her baby, I was all up and ready to tackle the day! BEST NEWS to wake up to.

It was bread making day, but I managed to get to the store for some flowers before Trav left for work and get both batches of bread made by 11am! That gave me a small window that Olive and I could jet over to see her before people started coming to pick up their loaves.

Smitten doesn't even cover it. She's PERFECT. I still remember the first time I laid eyes on Lane in the hospital and I loved him instantly. That's how I felt about this little Miss. 

I wasn't sure how to go about non-obtusely asking about her name, but I had to try. I was just SO caught off guard by it. Flabbergasted, really. Marcie actually slipped at the beach house and told me they were thinking about naming her middle name after me and oh how I WISH a video camera had been rolling. I don't think I moved a muscle for 10 seconds. Then I felt like I should whip around to see if someone was taping me.... like was I being punked or something?? I could not wrap my mind around it. And maybe I'm making too big a deal out of it, but it feels like the BIGGEST deal to me! I mean, ME?? Wow. It's such an honor. One I don't deserve, but I will do my darndest to live up to. I know some people get  buildings named after them, or even football stadiums,.. but an entire, breathing human???! 

Humbled to the earth. 

(Take that, Wilkinson Center. Hehe!)

((I just can't be serious for too long, can I?))

I brought my camera and I had, like SO MUCH FUN snapping some pictures. They were very tolerant models of my amateur skills. 

Happy family of 6!

My favorite, by far! Ohhhhhh, how I love her!!!
Newborns scare the heck out of me, but her? I could have smuggled away in my purse.

Feels like I haven't used my sewing machine in forever. Loved an excuse to make a few things.

On to all things PuMpKiN!!

These preschoolers went on a field trip to Mother Nature's Farm. 

It was hot, and crowded and I had hay alllll through my Berks. 

After two hours I felt like I had done more than my motherly duty to ensure she had a pumpkin farm experience.... Between parking lots in Arizona. Sigh.

Thursday evenings are Collin's soccer practice at Adora Trails. There is always a food truck and I have always resisted. 
Until this day. 

Olive and I mustache you a question?! Who likes to eat the most in all the land?!! ;) 
That would be us. 
(Also, Olive's first picture with an Iphone. Slow clap please!)

I got an email from the stake Primary presidency about a CPR class being offered one Saturday morning. I figured that is always beneficial knowledge, so I signed up! Oh boy howdy, I'm so glad I did!! My cousin's father in law was the teacher and he is a RIOT! I literally laughed for 3 straight hours (hard to manage with this subject matter, right?!) AND walked away with life saving knowledge. Win flippin' win. Who knew anybody could use a defibrillator?! 

Oh soccer. Played in the fall so as to enjoy cooler temperatures... but jokes on you if you live in Gilbert. We enjoyed BLAZING heat every single Saturday. The boys' games ranged throughout the day so we spent a lot of time hauling chairs, water bottles and equipment through parking lots and fields. We finally succumbed to buying a wagon and sports umbrella. Travis coached Weston's team... the Green Sharks. I think Collin's team was Yellow Lightening?? I don't know if I'd call Collin a natural but he improved a lot this season. Weston surprised us by being aggressive and going after that ball! He's actually a pretty good player.

We ALL wanted to do this. 100 degrees at the end of October. Whut.

One weekend we had Shelley's kids with us and it happened to be another 100 degree afternoon. We rewarded them with a swim in Grandma's freezing pool. I thought I'd get in. But nope. Me no likey cold water no matter how hot it is.

Praying over their pretend food. Such good little doobies. 

As luck would have it, Collin started a fever that night. Of. course. 
So I took the rest of the gang to church by myself. They did awesome. Except Lindi started crying in Sacrament meeting anticipating nursery. So I stayed in nursery with them for the whole two hours. Except for when I had to go to Primary to share a personal story for Sharing Time. Then I had two little shadows in the back waiting for me. 

The weather hadn't QUITE changed yet, but Olive was growing out of her summer clothes, so on to long sleeves it is! Bet ya can't guess her favorite color.

We visited Grandma and Grandpa one afternoon and Grandma brought out this classic picture of us 5, older girl cousins. I LOVE this picture. Maybe you can see the resemblance between the two of us!

Melt my heart. Another picture worthy of a frame. Olive and one of her namesakes!

I had been trying to think of a way I could earn money to help out the Neus'. Megan had baked bread to earn money for Tania's adoption so I decided that could work. I advertised one day on Facebook and have been filling orders every Wednesday for the past 6 weeks. I had no idea I'd get such a positive response and it has been one of the most humbling experiences of my life. That entire day, I just cried every time I read a new message on Facebook. And the tears really haven't stopped. The love has been overwhelming. To the point that I just feel like a big, mushy mess of emotions. People are incredible. I had a cousin just donate directly on their fundraising website, an undisclosed amount, that I knew was substantial, along with the most incredible message. I had a friend from dental school send a large check, knowing she couldn't help by buying bread. How do you repay this kind of generosity?? I really can't describe how this has affected me. I'm crying again just writing about it!! To me, all of this goodness, testifies of Christ. He is still alive in so many people's hearts and that, more than anything else I've witnessed lately, has given me hope in this world we live in.

(Just don't forget the salt. Salt. Salt. Salty salt salt. I very begrudgingly had to give the garbage 5 loaves that day.)

Costume day at preschool and the Elsa obsession captures two more this year!

Abbey had a birthday, shout HooRay! I so love this girl. She is thoughtful, kind and loves our family like her own. It's the best calling her sister!
(Also, the guacamole appetizer at Oreganos is ah-mazing.)

Our bedtime story this month was the first book in The Boxcar Children series. I know I had read several of these as a child, but of course have just about zero memory of it. The language is very old fashioned, but the kids loved it. They wanted to keep reading the series, but my ADD demanded a new book. ;)

For the past couple of years I've liked doing a fun, Halloween-themed dinner with the family.
Wellll, this year I kind of crapped out. I ordered a pumpkin shaped pizza from Papa Murphys. Never tried them before. I left the kids in the car to run in and grab it and when I got back in and put it on the seat, Collin was dismayed. Confused, he shouted, "But wait! They forgot to bake it!" I said, "Yeah, I know. That's how this place works. You bake it at home." To which his face contorted in disgust and he vehemently exclaimed, "What?! This is the WORST pizza place EVER!!"  
I kinda agree, Collin.

That's a pretty sad looking pumpkin pizza if you ask me.  

I really didn't have the heart for another ugly, hot pumpkin farm this year, but I heard repeated positive reviews of Vertuccio Farms. So we went on a late Friday afternoon and found out it's true.... this place is awesome. Especially when you get there before the crowds and the weather is perfect. 

The tongue!

All the fun pooped her out, I guess!

We "Booed" some families in our ward with treats after we got home (the people who did it to us were SO thoughtful! I wish I could thank them) and then made our scaryyyy Halloween treats. Frankenstein ain't got nothin' on these boys!

I ALMOST forgot about caramel apple making this year. What is wrong with me?! I learned that when you are only making 6, it's not that big an undertaking. Yet I've still not learned that you can think you're only going to eat a slice all day long. But you WILL eat the whole dang apple. 

A little 7 layer bean dip to bring to the Porter's Halloween party!

I had no idea what to be this year. Then good ol' Rachel Shaw came to the rescue (as she always does) and sent me a picture of this combo. I. mean, really? Could there be a costume better suited for me?!! 

(Side note: I ordered the horse mask on Amazon and when it came in the mail, I thought I'd scare the kids. I secretly put it on, then entered the bathroom where all three were getting ready for bed. I thought Olive would scream the loudest. She GIGGLED! And thought it was hysterical. Weston smiled and wanted to touch it. It was several moments later that I realized Collin was literally cowering in the corner, crying and screaming as though an armed robber had entered the house. He was SO disturbed that it took us a long time just to calm him down. Whoops. Should have had the camera on him!) 

The only glitch to this costume (besides the fact that Travis couldn't have it on more than 60 seconds before he needed mouth to mouth) was that older folks didn't quite get it. We had to explain it to lots of people. I guess we more belonged at a YSA party.

The Scholes thought it was be funny to have Trav in the background of their picture. Funny.. creepy.. whatever. ;)

Yay for Dads who tackle the worst part of Halloween!! The pumpkin carving!

What you are looking at is a size up in my jeans.
 3 pans of pumpkin bars later, and I know that Halloween is over. 

My Aunt MaryAnn invited us over for dinner the Sunday before Halloween. It's a tradition in their family to have dinner, then have the grandkids dress up in their costumes and recite their Primary program part. It was really nice of her to invite us this year to the party. My grandparents were there too which always makes it extra special.

I wasn't planning on going to Weston's school party, but it just happened to work out that I was driving by the school at the exact time it was starting and I knew his teacher needed help, so Olive and I stopped in. Praise the heavens for Kindegarten teachers. I was exhausted afterward.

I'm glad it worked out because it was good to spend time with him and get to know some of the other students. 

That's m'girl! Lickin' the plate clean.

OK! Actual Halloween! It was on a Monday, for heaven's sakes. I wish Halloween could just always be the last Friday in October or something. Knowing it was a school night, we scarfed down an early dinner, took pictures and headed out! 
Collin saw Hook for the first time this month and wanted to be Peter Pan. Oh, he was hamming it up for his pictures! Every shot was a new pose. But this first one... swoon.

Weston was very serious about this ninja turtle business. 

And Elsa... she just wants to sing. ;)

The most gorgeous sunset accompanied us down the street. Streaks of pink, then OrAnGe lit up the sky. It was like nature knew it was Halloween.

Elsa got tired of her hair so Trav jokingly threw it on. And was suddenly transformed into Dr. Castledine (the doctor we bought our practice from) for Halloween, lol. A very becoming look for him. ;)

We hit up the Grandma's houses after we finished our neighborhood. Grandma Cat enthusiastically met them at the door with garden tomatoes, teasing them that she'd run out of candy. Silly, Grandma. 

We had to do our dance, one last time. 

Marcie is always so creative with their costumes! Scarlett was killing me, haha! And David.. pay no mind to the boy who came unprepared and pulled random objects out of the costume box. ;)

That's it! October is gone, and as I type this November almost is too. When will I ever get caught up on life, let alone write about Africa??  That's it. I'm asking for a personal assistant for Christmas. ;)