Christmas............

I love Christmas.........I wish I could do all the things I would like to do during this time of year. But, never enough time. But, in the end it is all okay no matter what you get done. From attending spiritual events that bring to mind the real meaning of Christmas to the little ones that love the many fun things of Christmas. Memories of Christmas past always spurs me on to continue traditions and create new ones. This year we spent our usual Christmas Eve at Dads house, though few in number we had a good time. We missed those that weren't there but had fun remembering those years gone by. Christmas morning it was chaos as usual, Vanessa was so excited and Jake was in the middle of everything. Then in the afternoon we went to Brians family in Inkom. Everyone was there and it was a good day. Last night we came home and realized another Christmas just became a memory!!!!

Just another memory................................

RUDY'S VACATION.......

We have had the pleasure of having Rudy come visit with us this week. I am sure he thinks he is on vacation, because as you can see he is pretty relaxed!!!!
The "cousins" as Vanessa calls them are just lounging around the living room, after having played all day.

This is what I wake to every morning, all three boys sound alseep. Don't ever tell Brian I posted this!!!!!!!!

Thanksgiving........ I love thanksgiving. It is for me one of the best holidays. Number one you eat wonderful food, but, there is no commercialism, no competition, no feelings of inadequacy because you can't get for your family what others can for theirs. It is just a time for reflection, a time for being together and just hanging out, a time for realizing how much you love your family and how much they love you. For me, this year, I have so many things to be thankful for.......It has been a year full of good things, even a few miracles, that completely overshadow the things that weren't so good. I could list all these things one by one, but, I would be typing all day long. I am most thankful to a Heavenly father that loves us enough to allow us to have these things to be thankful for.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Entrance to the Haunted House....

Vanessa and her Zombie friends..............

Creepy thing on a bike that talks to everyone...........

Dancing monsters....................

Dancing mummies.....

As you can see Halloween is alive and well at our house. We go to this haunted house in Idaho Falls every year. I think Vanessa's most favorite part is to listen to her mother freaking out because she is not a haunted house fan. It is fun, we know the people who run it, so that makes me feel somewhat safe!!! (not completely safe however). These dancers entertain you while you are waiting, then the haunted house itself is about 30 minutes (too) long. Vanessa asked me and Brian what our favorite part was and my answer is always the same "the end". We decorate Vanessa's room too, it has all sorts of creatures that make all sorts of noises. Flashing skull lights, dancing skeletons, floating ghosts, talking heads and much much more. She loves this time of year. Today we are going to a costume party that some friends are having. Personally, Christmas is my favorite time of the year. Hope everyone has a very SPOOKY day.

50 YEARS AGO........

Once upon a time in a land far away (Savannah Georgia) on Wednesday, October 28th 1959, two awesome parents brought in to this world a 5 1/4 pound baby girl. (I am sure she looked like a princess) She was two weeks late, there was a storm coming in when she was actually due that was being named Hurrican Grace, if she had been born during that storm her mom said she would have been named GRACE!! Trust me I know this little girl and she is definitely not a GRACE!! 50 years later around October 14th 2009 another storm was coming in to that part of the country and they named her GRACE!!! Any way.... mom and dad brought their little girl home to her wonderful brothers, one of which slapped his mom when he saw her. But, I am sure they soon were both overwhelmed with happiness and joy to have this adoreable little sister. Through the years, they grew together, laughed, played and even fought. In fact, I think this sweet little girl may have tattled on them once or twice!! OOPS!! They moved lots of times because of the military. Finally, they settled in Idaho. Soon, the boys(her bubbies), grew up and fell in love and moved away. However, it brought two sister in laws and nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews that have touched her life. Now the little girl was all alone with her mom and dad, rumor has it she was spoiled, or maybe spoiled rotten. But, if you asked her she would say "I don't think so..." ( with a smile and a grin on her face). Soon she too fell in love with a wonderful man named Brian. They had dreams of their own now. Then 2 years later a little girl was born, The Circle was complete........... During these 50 years, I have made life long friends, I have seen sad things and great and wonderful things. I have lost loved ones and some of those life long friends. I miss my mom most today and thank her for giving me life. Today, on this 50th birthday, it is definitely not my favorite, but, I am grateful to my Heavenly father for allowing me to have the experiences of this world and especially for all those people who have been a part of my world.

RANDOM THOUGHTS FROM JAKE

Are you going to take me hunting? Are you huh? PLEASE!!!!!!!!

Ahhhh! This is the life!!!!

As long as I am with those I love, it will be okay.

As Jake sat by me tonight on the couch and as he laid his head on my lap, I could not help but think what a world this would be if we could love eachother like a sweet dog or young child can love so unconditionally. No judgements, not pretences, no two face notions, just pure love. My dear sweet mother once told me when I was trying to understand how people are, "it doesn't matter what they do or say, we need to love them anyway".

TIME FOR REFLECTION

This week Brian and I went up to the Persimeroi Valley in Central Idaho, beautiful country.

We had the opportunity to take in beautiful scenery. I climbed a mountain to the elevation of 8600 feet. It was a ton of work on my part and a whole lot of patience on Brians part, but we made it to the top together, what a feeling that was, despite the challenges getting there. We saw many Elk that had no idea we were even watching them. I reflected upon all the blessings that we have with the great outdoors. I also found myself reflecting on family. On Tuesday, September 29th, 2009, just before we left for our trip we got word that Aunt Winnie passed away. Aunt Winnie brings to my mind lots of memories. Aunt Winnie was married to my moms brother Elmo. I had the opportunity to visit with a couple of her children and it was nice to hear their voices and reflect upon their loss along with them. I remember their old farm house that used to be our grandpa and grandma Thalers. I remember rolling down what seemed like a huge hill into the little apple orchard just down from the house, thinking it was such a fun thing to do and was SO-oooo big. I have seen that hill since and it really isn't all that big!!! I am so greatful for the knowledge that she is being runited with her family, especially Uncle Elmo. What a grand reunion.

Last two weekends have been busy!!!

Last weekend we went to the Eastern Idaho State Fair. We took in the Demolition derby, we were right up front and even got mud splashed on us, vanessa thought that was wonderful

For what ever reason this is Vanessa's favorite ride, the haunted house. She loves Halloween and this is the prelude to the real haunted house we take her to every year!!!

I always loved the carousel and so does she.

Me and Vanessa took a ride in the bumper cars. There is a reason she does not have a license!!!

Today, we went to Rexburg with the Special Olympic team for a soccer tournament. They had a blast, Vanessa made a goal and she thought she was wonderful. We lost the tournament, but it was a wonderful day!!!

She loves soccer, she really tries so hard.

She is a maniac!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SUPER SATURDAY IDEAS FOR OUR WARD

We started out with no ideas, and then we couln't stop the madness!!! This saying up above is on a clear glass with frame by President Monson it.. We have it up against a door, it turned out really nice. You could do it in any color Vinyl.

This is a pizza pan we bought at walmart for $4.00 and then had the vinyl made for $5.00. I have seen them on line with different colors. It is an advent calendar and you put the vinyl on and sprayed it with silver sparkle spray. There is a wooden star with a magnet on the back to move each day, then a ribbon is glued to the back and it can be hung on the wall, or you can drill holes and put the ribbon through, there is another one furthr down, that is a little different.

Fun little snowman made out of landscaping wood.

Crayon holder, made out of flannel that is supper easy to make. It rolls up and ties with ribbon, neat idar for little children to just thow in your purse or diaper bag for something to do.

This is a picture of the same one as above it says Wise Men still Seek him.

Another Picture of the Monson Saying.

For these, you buy the little Book of mormons, that are pocket size, then you get a piece of material, I have the exact size written down, and then you mod podge it to the book and then velcro it shout, and then you can decorate them and then throw them in your purse too. I have the instructions

These are HAPPY PILLOWS. Made from a Yard of Fleece and tied just like the Blankets. They are wonderful. The cost of the Fleece and a standard size pillow, is all that is involved and alot of times you can find fleece for 50 percent off.

This is just a 8 X 10 frame from walmart, that was painted black and then the saying Wise Men Still Seek him and the Wise men in Vinyl. We also have one that has Believe in Blue with Snow flakes around it, you can put anything on these in Vinyl, I have even seen some for Thanksgiving and Halloween, very easy and not costly.

THis is the other pizza pan, You would also buy a snowman or some kind of little ornament and put a magnet on the back and then hank it with a ribbon. You could do your own colors on this as well.

CANNING SEASON HAS ARRIVED

I took Friday off, so I could get starting on canning, I am just beginning.............

I have tons of carrots if anyone wants some PLEASE call me!!!!!!!

19 pints of pickled beets!! Too bad I am the only one who likes them at my house!! I am sure Jake would share them with me, he will eat anything!

Zuchinni............... you can never have enough zuchini!!!!!!!!!!!!