Halloween Party

Tues, the 27th, was our ward Halloween party.

This year we went with the sports theme.  I had 2 

cheerleaders, a football player, and Chant and I were

the coaches.  Believe me, my girls we all into character.

They were screaming and bouncing all over before we 

left and it continued at the church.

This year we went all out, for us.  The girls and I had glitter 

spray on our arms.  Brinnley and Porter had red hair, even

more red than usual for Brinn ;)

And we even put face paint on the girls and Chant.

"GO Team!"

First we ate chili and cornbread, then played games created by the YM and YW.

My favorite was one by the Young Men.  It was a huge box filled with packing peanuts and then scattered throughout were gourds.  They picked the kids up and held them upside down in the box while the kids went fishing for a gourd.  Brinnley tried it and she was it there a long time.  They asked if she found one yet and she screamed from inside the depths of the box a victorious "Yeah!"  They pulled her out and she held up the prized possession.  Two hands full of packing peanuts!  Yes!  I didn't have the camera, but it was pretty darn cute!

The prize for the games at the church was a book.  Ainsley is reading to Daddy from her new Tigger and Pooh book.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween Prep

This year for Halloween the girls are going to be cheerleaders and Porter a football player.  They wanted to get out their costumes yesterday and make sure they fit.  We got Porter a football.  He was making touch-downs into a basket.  Every time he threw the ball in the girls would scream and cheer.  Then they started to chant, "Go team, go" until he threw the ball in again.  It was a very energetic afternoon!

Grafton, Illinois

Ains by the lighthouse

Saturday after the pumpkin patch, we loaded in the car and let the kids sleep while we took a scenic drive to St. Charles County.  We took the ferry across the river to Grafton, Illinois.  We didn't really know what there was to do in Grafton, but we couldn't pass up the excitement of a Ferry Ride!

When we got off the ferry, this little town of 620 people was so crowded we couldn't get down the street.  We parked the car and got out the strollers.  It was a beautiful day!  The sun was out and it was so fun.  We stopped for ice cream then continued on to the flea market where we found a set of children's books for cheap, conditional upon the promise we would read them to the children.  Yay!  We passed a group of Hippies who were putting on their own bicycle parade.  Hence the beads.  Pretty cool though.  Bunnies and dragons and clowns, not the people the BIKES.  We continued to stroll through various antique/flea market shops.  Then we found a lighthouse by the shore.  Perfect photo op.

The sun was too bright for poor Ains.

By the lighthouse

Waiting to get on the ferry

A beautiful fall day in Missouri, or rather Illinois.

It was a wonderful day and I am already making big plans for our next adventure!  Next time we will go apple picking, visit the local park (looked awesome!), visit a shop that was calling my name but with a forlorn look I had to pass by, and maybe make a stop at the local one room jail.  

3 Lil' Pumpkins

Last Saturday Chant was home, commitment free.  We decided to take advantage and have some fun.

First stop was Rambach Farms in Chesterfield.

Such a fun pumpkin patch!

Dorothy and Brinnley meet

Somewhere Over the Rainbow...

Exploring the Fort.

I'm Free!

"Too bright, I can't look!"

We tried to get Porter to climb through this big 

pipe the kids are sitting on, but he got scared and Chant had to go in after him.  He survived, but wanted nothing to do with this, even sitting on top of it.

The girls and Chant got to go on a train ride through the hay fields.  They loved it!  

Grandma, missing you, thinking of you, and loving you always

Today I was missing my Grandma.  Probably from an experience that I had with my daughter last night.  But I wanted to tell a little about my Grandma.  Her name was Ida Lucille Atchley, but everyone called her Molly.  My Grandpa sang a song to her that was popular and it was about Molly.  It was a term of endearment that became permanent.  

My Grandma always had a quilt on.  Always.  She made a quilt to give each of her grandchildren when they got married.  She made these quilts when they were born and then stowed them in the attic until it was time to gift them.  Each was labeled.  

Mom and I lived with her for a time after my parents divorced.  Mom was a waitress so nights were just me and Grandma.  Our favorite dinner was a cheese sandwich, one piece of bread with cheese melted on top.  

She loved The Price is Right.  I always promised her when I was old enough I would take her to the show and we would have matching t-shirts that said "I love Bob!"  I still hope to make it one day.  

One time Grandma came to stay with us when we lived in Twin Falls.  She shared a bed a with me.  I am not a good bed partner.  I am a bed hog- I like to sleep in the middle.  I woke up the next morning and she was gone.  I looked over the edge of the bed and she was on the floor.  I smiled and said, "What are you doing down their silly 

billy?"  

Grandma loved to look out the window.  She always new the coming and goings of the neighbors.  

She cut 2 half- circles on opposite sides of 2-liter pop bottles and hung them in the tree outside her living room window.  They made beautiful decorations when the wind blew.  

When she wasn't sewing she was resting on the love seat just in front of the front door.  There was a metal wind chime hung just inside the door that would tinkle when the door opened, announcing the arrival of visitors.  

Grandpa had rows of built in shelves across the length of one wall in her living room.  Those shelves were filled with pictures of family.  It was my job to dust all those pictures and those shelves.  It took a long time- we have a big family!  

She always had a fire going.  Plus she had a heat picture on the wall that was always turned on.  Her home was a furnace!  

She hung laundry on the line to dry.  

The day she switched from well water to city water is the day she become obsessed with water conservation.  The plants didn't look  so good from them on because she watered them with soapy bathwater.

I couldn't imagine my wedding without my Grandma there.  She was always supposed to be there.  She died in 2001, just weeks after Chant and I met.  Even though she wasn't at my wedding, she met the man I would marry, and I take great comfort in that.  I cried when I opened the black garbage sack that held my quilt.  Made just for me.  I love it with all my heart, lime-green material and all.  I will be thinking of her tonight while snuggled on the couch warm inside the quilt sewn with her stitches and her love. 

Update and Corrections

 Check!  The perfect pair of jeans FOUND.  Thanks Maurices.

Correction #1:  Mom left me for one month, not one week.

Correction #2:  Kasey was the brother with me the day I was electrocuted.  It was Kip who taught me how to shoot a BB gun.  I tested my newfound skill out on the neighbors' dog, although I think it was more from poor aim than on purpose.  I really am sorry!  

Jack Weyland, please?

When I was in high school, I was a homebody.  All my friends lived in Island Park, as least 20 minutes away.  We didn't do much together outside of school because of the distance.  I was content to sit in my room and read.  I read for hours at a time.  At that time my favorites were anything by Jack Weyland, Rachel Ann Nunes, and Anita Stansfield.  

Apparently my mother was concerned about my lack of socializing because one evening she gave me the keys to her car and told me not to come home before 10:00.  I spent the next couple hours aimlessly driving around town.  At 9:30 I came home and begged for her to let me in the house.

I bet she wishes she had just been content to let me be because one of those times I did decide to embrace my youth, I rolled her SUV 3 times.  It was a Saturday.  Up late the night before babysitting.  Early to rise.  ACT day.  Gone all day with a marathon date.  Pre-dance activities then off to MORP at Ricks College.  Air conditioning and loud music kept me going until just a few miles from town.  My eyes every so slowly slid closed.  Awakened by the sound of my car hitting a reflector post.  Jerked the wheel to get the car back to the road.  Overcorrected.  An explosion of glass.  Keep my hands on the wheel so my arms won't fling out the window and be broken or worse.  Once.  Twice.  Three times.  Sudden stop.  RIght way up.  Thank goodness for that!  Door won't open.  Out the window.  Can't leave the car, so I will have to wait for someone to come.  A car in the distance!  Will they see me?  In the road, waving my arms.  Too close.  Almost hit by the car.  Cell phone?  "Mom, I rolled the car."  "Are you kidding?"  "Mom, I rolled the car."  "Where are you?"  "Fall River."  "What, why are you there?"  "Fall River Electric."  "We're coming."  Anger and embarrassment.  All my things strewn on the road.  I picked them them one at a time.  Chucked each item back in the car, where it belonged.  A guy from school.  "You okay?"  "Yeah, just dead when my parents get here."  Continue to throw things.  My journal.  All my nicely sharpened #2 pencils.  One of them had jabbed into my hand, just below my right pinky, early that morning as I ran from the house.  Forever a lead mark left in my skin.  My jacket, my bag.  Two old ladies.  "You should sit down, you are going into shock."  Shock?  Chills, shaking.  I couldn't stop shaking!  Finally, Mom and Dad.  You okay?  Ankle hurts.  Blood on shirt.  Where did it come from?  Better take you to the hospital.  Cop came.  "Everything okay?" "Yep, driving her to the hospital."  "All right."  30 minutes in the truck.  Back to where I just came from.  Sprained ankle.  Nifty air brace.  A dent in my abdomen.  Still there today.  3 or 4 inches long.  From the seatbelt.  Thank goodness for that seatbelt!  Blood?  Little cuts on hands from the broken glass.  She's fine.  A miracle!  The 30 minute drive home.  A fox in the road.  A sudden stop.  Screaming.  Meant to die tonight?  A night on the couch.  No stairs to my room.  Dad in the rocking chair all night.  Sitting watch.  

So, how bout those books?  

A Stroll Down Yellowstone Ave

6 summers.  Starting at age 16 ending at 21.  Six books of memories.

A sixteen year old girl living at her Grandma's house with her best friend.  Mornings off watching the  "The Price is Right" with Grandma.  Walking to work at 6:00 a.m.  Crisp air, beautiful morning light peeking through the fluffy, white clouds.  Quiet, peace, time to enjoy the beauty of the place so special in her heart.  Sunday mornings pushing Grandma to church in her wheelchair.  Nights sitting on her bed, Steph  on her own.  Laughing while discussed co-workers, unhappy patrons, cute bus boys.

A seventeen year old girl dancing with her friends under the scattered light of a street lamp to "The smile on your face lets me know that you need me..."  Walks in the park.  Laughing.  Swinging.  Mornings off watching "The Price is Right" with Grandma.  Shakes at Canyon Street Grill.  The first boy she really liked.

An eighteen year old girl.  No longer living at Grandma's house (she had gone to the nursing home.)  Venturing into the world of being roommates with people she didn't know.  Loving those roommates like she would sisters.  Late nights with 3 sets of feet crossed on top of each other.  3 spoons.  One carton of Moose Tracks.  Laughing, lots of laughing.  Crying, sometimes crying.  Forging friendships that would last.

A nineteen year old.  Her first night in town.  Work at 6:00 a.m.  Just falling into a deep sleep.  A knock at the door.  Grabbing a blanket and groggily making her way to see who it was.  Two young men, one she knew one she didn't.  Both in Dairy Queen uniforms.  "Can we borrow a movie?"  "Come on it."  Jelly beans on the table, a souvenir from a recent trip to California with all her college roommates.  "Can I have some?"  Translation:  Can I eat the whole bag?  The boy she knew munching away while perusing the video selection.  The one she didn't know caught her eye.  They started to talk.  She couldn't sleep that night thinking of him.  Two years later she would marry that boy that stole her heart that night and never gave it back.

A twenty year old.  A new place, new roommates.  Her boyfriend's sister.  Nighttime.  Quiet.  Counting tip money and setting aside tithing.  Suddenly a shrill scream from the next room.  A shadow could be seen through the window that joined the two rooms.  What is going on?  Suddenly two girls ran from their room and shut the door.  Quick, grab a towel so it can't fly under the door!  It?  A bat.  Flew in the open window.  Screaming.  Screeching.  What do we do?  A broom?  Not gonna work.  A brave cousin come to save the damsels in distress!  Oh sweet mercy!  

The sound from the theater coming into the living room (we shared a wall with the movie theater).  Free entertainment!  A Walk to Remember.  A frustrating boss.  Broken cars.  Bookstores.  Smelling the pages.  Wonderful co-workers.  Chocolate chip cookies on Sunday nights.  Talking about the Gospel, strengthening testimonies.  Building friendships that would last a lifetime.  Mother there two nights a week.  Laughing at her inept story telling abilities, those stories still producing laughs to this day.  An anniversary package forget.  Tears, lots of tears.  An anniversary package hidden in the depths of the post office.  Forgotten.  A package retrieved by a dear, concerned friend, soon to be sister-in-law.  Tears of joy!  He remembered!

A twenty-one year old girl.  Two jobs.  Seven days a week.  Thinking, lots of thinking.  7 hotel rooms each day.  Toilets, lots of toilets.  A love returned after a long separation.  That first hug!  A diamond ring.  A wedding to plan!  A beautiful, funny roommate. Forging a friendship that would last.  Castle boy.  Theater boys.  Dancing and singing along with James Dean while pricing t-shirts.  Movies with our boss.  Arby's.  Laughing.  Lots of laughing.  Not much sleep.  Senior citizens for coworkers.  Oh the laughing!  Watching taped episodes of The Bachelor.  A wedding in September.

6 summers.  6 books of memories.         

Therapy Needed

Random Facts Day #2:

When I was 3 or 4 we lived in the country.  My brother Kip was taking care of some cows for a neighbor.  My Mom, Kip, and I  drove to the neighbors to feed the cows.  Mom stayed in the car and I went with Kip.  I was wearing a swimming suit and had bare feet.  Kip climbed to the top of the haystack and started throwing hay down for the cows.  The herd of cows saw the food and they hotfooted it over at a rapid pace.  I was standing at the foot of the haystack and watched with wide eyes as the stampede headed straight for me.  I screamed and ran.  There were two electric wires strung up on fence posts to keep the cows in.  I didn't pay attention to where I was running, I was just running.  All I knew was that I had to get out of there.  The banks of the creek had flooded and water spilled onto the ground.  When I hit the electric wires, I was also standing in the water.  ZAP!  Yep, I was fried like a turkey dropped in a vat of bubbling oil on Thanksgiving.  

When I was about 7 my family went to Lagoon.  We spent the day at Lagoona Beach.  My brother, Kasey (who was 17 at the time), took me with him to go down a water slide.  I was so excited!  To do something with Kasey was always a treat.  But then I saw which slide he was taking me to.  It was the longest slide there.  And not only that, it was a straight shot down.  There were no nice bumps or curves to slow things down a bit.  Just a straight shot.  I started to panic.  I couldn't go down that thing!  What was he thinking!?!  "Oh, you will be fine."  Then he pushed me up the stairs that lead to the killer slide.  All the while I was climbing I kept thinking, "get me out of here!"  Finally we reached the landing and he picked me up and plopped me on the top of the slide.  I told him I didn't want to go, panic rising in my voice.  His impatience grew and he gave me a shove.  Down I flew!  Now, I completely disregarded the instructions I was given by the person working at the slide.  "Cross your arms over your chest, please."  I was like a rocket shooting off.  I'm sure a cloud of smoke was visible behind me.  In an effort to slow myself, I put my arms against the slide.  The friction rubbed my skin off.  In a matter of seconds I had reached the bottom of the slide and shot of the end of it, skimmed across the landing pool and hit hard on the concrete on the other side.  I lay disoriented and in pain.  Oh the pain!  My mother and lifeguards were standing over me with concerned looks.  I sat up.  Then came the screaming.  From me.  At my brother.  "I told you I didn't want to go!  Why did you make me do that!"  Then came more screaming.  From my mother.  At my brother.

That same blessed year, my father went to Ecuador.  He flies planes that drop retardant on fires.  He was on contract there for a few months.  Mom flew to visit him for a week.  (She should never have left, this week is a huge black mark on the page of my existence.)  When my father returned he came bearing gifts.  One of them was a blow gun with darts included.  This is how the people of Ecuador hunt.  Before going on the big hunt, the darts are dipped in a poisonous concoction.  It is not the dart that kills the prey, but the poison.  One afternoon shortly after my father returned, I had a friend, Stephanie, over at my house to play.  Kasey also had one of his buddies at the house.  It was just us 4.  No adult supervision.  Kasey got the dart gun out to show his friend.  He was explaining all about it.  He started pointing the dart gun at Stephanie and me just to tease us.  We got scared and ran behind a padded chair, you know the kind with the fabric skirt around the bottom and that is attached to a base and turns.  Stephanie and I screamed as the taunting continued.  At one point I peeked around the corner of the chair to see what he was doing.  In that instant I saw the dart soaring from the long barrel of the dart gun.  It was as graceful as a bird.  Straight for the chair we were crouched behind.  And then the pain.  Oh, the pain!  The dart had pierced my leg.  Then came the screaming.  "Why did you do that?"  Then enters the mother.  And more screaming.  "What were you thinking?  What if that had been dipped in poison?"  I'm beginning to see a trend here.  

So about that therapy session.  Maybe I don't need it after all.  I know exactly what is wrong with me:  I have brothers!  

One Week of Random Facts

I got this idea from another blogger (cjane) but I am switching it up a bit.  She played "3 Truths and a Lie."  I like to think I am no good at lying, or maybe it's just the fact that I lack enough creativity to be a believable liar.  So I am just going to play random facts week.  7 days, or maybe only 6 or 5, of random facts about me and my crew.  Here goes...

Random Facts Day #1:

Ainsley's favorite names for her animals are Squamie and Sprocket.

When I lived in Burley, Idaho, from the 4th to the 6th grade, I was a creator of the finest commercials you have ever heard.  I perfected my talents in the shower.  Some like to sing to their shower heads, not me.  No, I was more of the infomercial type.  I expounded upon every miniscule detail about the shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.  The scent of the delicate foaming liquids was described with the finest of detail.  I am sure I was in their a good half hour.  Unbeknownst to me, I had an audience.  My favorite listener was my brother, Kirk.  He would stand at the door and listen to my rave product reviews while stifling the hyena-like laughs waiting to explode from his lips.  The day I realized that I had been discovered, it wasn't quite like I had imagined.  No cheers for how brilliant I had been.  From that point on I mumbled my commercials so only the shower curtain could hear.  But don't worry Kirk, you didn't deter me.  Occasionally I still conjure up the perfect terms to write reviews for my favorite products on-line.  

Also during my time in Burley, I was in training to replace Cher for the day she retired.  My mom had a set of blue candlesticks that doubled nicely as microphones.  I would crank "If I Could Turn Back Time" and "Just Like Jesse James."  I knew every word.  I was ready for my big debut.  But before taking my show on the road, I decided to test it out on my fam.  I gathered the parents and of course my biggest fan (Kirk) and Jenny.  We gathered on the lawn with my CD player and my candlestick in hand.  I was ready to go.  I made it flawlessly through my first line.  Just into the second line my cat started freaking out.  Only moments later a flash of lightning ended the party.  That was it.  I never got to finish my big show.  My microphone was retired to the candlestick never to be taken down again.  Even though I don't have my face plastered on the side of a tour bus (thank goodness!) I still belt it out at least once a day.  Good for the soul you know.  And if you pay me enough, I just might continue with my unfinished debut.  If I could turn back time, if I could find a way... I probably would have closed the curtains in the living room so no unsuspected neighbors or passersby had to witness me dance around the living room during my performances.  

Pumpkins and other such randomness

Last Saturday, Oct 10, we visited the pumpkin patch inside our local Wal-mart.  It was so excited searching through all those pumpkins to find the perfect ones!  We got 3, one for each child.  

This year the girls wanted to draw faces on their pumpkins as well as carve them.

Ainsley's very own artwork!

She liked her pumpkin man so much she even wanted to share her graham cracker with him.

Brinnley actually scooped the insides out of her pumpkin this year.  Last year that task was deemed too entirely disgusting.  This year it was kind of cool, as long as she had her apron on.

Gross, Dad!

When the knife came out, Ainsley couldn't bear to see that face cut into, so he stayed.  

After nap snack time.

We had to pull out the heavy coats Wednesday.  To tell the truth, I was really excited about it!

This is for you Jen and Kris.

One cool dude!

Supposed to be at the top, but oh well!

More pictures from the ball

Brinnley and Brayden

Kristy and Brinn

Jen, Kristy, and Chant

Aunt Linda and cousin Amy

Stephanie, Kristy, and David

Ainsley, Jen, Jordan, and Brinnley in the coat closet, earning their keep

Nightmare in Seat 17C, Dresses, Clips, and Shiny Shoes, One Wild Night

The 2nd through 4th of October we took a trip for the weekend to Reno, Nevada.  Every year Chant's uncle Jack hosts a fundraiser benefit for AIDS research and to help those who have AIDS.  This was a special one for Chant's family because 20 years ago his cousin, Jason, died of AIDS.  Jason had hemophilia and had to get a blood transfusion.  He was given infected blood.  They really wanted to whole family present at the benefit because they were going to be honoring Jason.  (Chant's mom gave the tribute.)  We were blessed to be able to fly to Reno for the weekend to attend this fabulous event.  So, there's the background.  Here's the story.

NIGHTMARE in SEAT 17C was not just a catchy phrase, but a real horror story.  My little man decided that he did not want to sit still for 3 hours.  he decided to protest in his loud, ear-piercing shriek.  Granted, we had a few good moments but those were far less than the bad.  After 3 hrs and 35 minutes we had to switch planes.  Chant stood in the back of the plane by the restroom bouncing Porter in an effort to keep him quiet for the entire 1 hour and 50 minutes to Reno.  By the time the plane landed, we couldn't wait to be off and neither could the other passengers ;)  Side note:  I just love all the nasty looks we got.  It was as if the other passengers thought I was pinching my baby or holding a treat just inches from his fingers in an effort to draw the loud screeches from him.  

Friday we spent the day at Jack's home.  It is beautiful!  He designed it himself.  We were fortunate to have all the family there besides Uncle Gary (I think that is the only one we were missing, sorry if I left someone out).  The girls had a blast playing with their cousin Brayden.  He is a few years older than Brinn.  They had a great time!

Saturday we took a walk around Reno.  In the spirit of being in gambling country, Chant dropped a few quarters in a claw machine in an effort to win a stuffed animal for the kids.  Well, not only did he win one toy, he got two.  The unsuspecting monkey's arm was squished up against the lion and there was no escaping.  Hot Dog!  A two for one!  The afternoon was spent getting everything ready for the evening festivities, or watching others do it would be more correct.

About 4:00 the pampering began.  First I got ready and then started on the girls' hair.  I spent more time on Brinnley's hair than I did on mine.  But they looked gorgeous!  I put ringlets in their hair then a fancy clip to hold back the bangs that are growing out.  Each girl got new shoes for the event.  Brinnley got red Dorothy shoes and Ainsley's were black.  Porter looked so handsome in his sweater.  And Chant in his 3-piece suit was enough to make me swoon!

We had a wonderful evening.  The dinner was fabulous!  Shrimp!!!  The entertainment amazing.  The Reno Dance Company Performed and they did a marvelous job.  And then to be there for the tribute to Jason was so special.  Margi did a wonderful job.  I am sure it was hard to talk about her nephew and still be composed.  It was just really special to all be there together.  Thank you Aunt Stephanie for making it possible for us to come.  We love you all and can't wait to see you again!

P.S.

The flight home was miraculously pleasant.  I was a little worried though because for the 15 minutes before boarding the plane Porter pulled his bloody-murder scream.  Everyone was staring at us with the shooting-daggers-out-of-my-eyes look.  But within a few minutes of getting on the plane, the cries stopped.  He did great!  Yay!!!  Thanks for the prayers all of those family members who were concerned about my sanity!  

Porter on the way to the party

Don't we look fabulous?

Jordan and Brinnley

The whole family

Too much fun for one little man to handle

"The Best Thing About Having a Sister is I Always have a Friend"

Yesterday was our first day home from our weekend trip to Reno (more on that to come when I get some pics from my fab sisters-in-law).  I was busy doing laundry and other such things that pile up when I am absent.  I try every day to play with the kids, but yesterday it didn't happen.  Not because I didn't want it to or because I was too busy.  In fact, I even asked the girls if they would like to play a game.  And what was the reply?  "No, thanks."  I didn't even see the girls most of the day.  They were off having adventures playing prince and princess or dad and brother (it is hardly ever mother and daughter) in their bedroom, the office, my bedroom, and even my bathroom.  As I peeked in on them at play throughout the day, I felt such overwhelming gratitude to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with these beautiful girls.  I too am grateful that they are friends.  Of course they have their moments, but those by far outweighed by the good times.  All through my childhood years I prayed for a sister.  Many a penny were tossed into the fountains at the power company each month as I went with Mom to pay the power bill.  Each and every month the wish was the same, a sister.  I am so grateful that my girls have each other.  They look after each other, play together, love each other.  I hope and pray that as they get older their relationship will stay strong and they will continue to be best friends.