Happy Halloween!

This halloween was pretty crazy.. we had to wait til Halloween day to do a lot of our things to prepare because of Dannys work schedule. Kelli every day was asking when we were going to carve pumpkins and she handled it well when we'd tell her day after day, not til Saturday. Saturday morning I woke up early, rolled out the halloween cookies and we started on the homemade rolls for the tradtional chili that my mom makes, and has made every year since I can remember. Danny and I figured that since we were already making rolls, we mind as well make some yummy cinnamon rolls. Man alive, that process takes forever, but the delicious treat at the end is so worth it. The rolls and cinnamon rolls were my wonderful mother in laws recipe, and everyone loves it!

I shockingly enough made Kellis costume.. and she insisted on not having anything else "Indian" on it.. cause its not how she looks on the cover.. I did my best.. she was pretty mad that I didn't go buy her a big diamond... she even told me that lots of stores in the mall that sell big diamonds, and I could run and pick one up real quick if I wanted to... I passed though!

My mom was in southern Califoria for a few weeks while my dad was there on business, and Josie at the last minute informed me that she wanted to be Tinkerbell.. so I had my mom run to the Disney store in Cali, and pick up a tinkerbell outfit.. I think it turned out so cute!

On Halloween, we couldn't find our pumpkin carving tools, so I was running around like a crazy person trying to find some, and I ran into the Dollar Store, and they didn't have anything, but I saw a couple pirate things, and bought em for Danny. We were going to make him an outfit, but ran out of time. Mind you, it was in the childrens section... so the hat was a little small.. but now Kelli has her pirate costume she's been asking for, and it cost me $2 bucks!

Real Family Pictures

Well, after being married for almost 6 years we finally got a real family picture taken! It was kind of a long shoot-- it was after my Grandmas funeral and lunch and my kids were so over it! We took a big group with all my siblings and their kids, and that will be posted soon cause its so fun to finally have a good picture taken. Its at kind of a funky angle, but whatever, i like it!

 

Good Night Sweetheart

Many of you know that I recently lost my Grandma. She fell a few months ago and broke her hip and we all knew that this was going to be the end. It was her first and only surgery in her life. She was cared for at Manor Care and they took such great care for her, and grew to have such a love her for. Which would of been hard to not love her.

She was the kindest, funniest, most clever, and endearing person. She loved to sew, paint, cook, and bake anything and everything. There are so many memories, vacations, holidays, and those intense game nights that we will all cherish, and hopefully remember forever. She was always so loving and so kind, and she will truly be missed.

You know, most people want to write all these amazing paragraphs about their loved ones, and are so poetic about things, but I'm not really that type. I'm more of a, straight to the point kind of person--- but for some reason, I can't think of anything to write about my grandma. All I can think is... how things wont be the same. I know the last 5 years she was going down hill and it was a slow "wearing out" process, but she just had so many good qualities and was such an example and was so balanced in her life that its hard to see someone end up at the point of not being able to care for herself.

But it just wont be the same to not have her around... to hear my Grandpa say his funny and weird saying to her, or to have her try and do the jitter bug in the middle of the room, or teach me the Charleston. Or to have to carry her purse around her own house so that no one would steal it. She was always dressed to kill and always had on her red lip stick. She always carried her money around in her envelopes and had my grandpa on a tight budget so she could buy all her grand children, and great grand children Christmas presents at the end of every year. Her and my Grandpa were such an amazing couple to be around. He talked to her, and will now talk about her with such love you can feel it in the air, and you can see it in his eyes... you dont come across that kind of love often. They were always holding hands, and looking out for one another. Towards the end of her life, she wasn't 'aware' about things that were going on around her, but I went there, on a Thurday afternoon, with my mom and Grandpa, and while my mom was working things out with the insurance, I sat in the room with my Grandparents. He just sat and sang songs to her, and sang 'their' song to her, and her eyes lit up with joy and she would mouth the words with him, while he sang to her. "I'll be seein'g you.... in all the old... familier places..." etc etc.. To see my Grandpa kneel at her bedside for hours, singing, and talking to her about "old times" while he's in his mid 80's... that couldn't of been comfortable, but he wanted to be as close and he could be to her. My Grandpa whispered to her, "its ok Sally, you can go" and her reply would be, "I can't leave you alone." It was so sweet. They loved eachother, and supported each other.. and were there with each other through so many trails, holding hands.



The funeral we held for her was amazing! My sister and 3 other cousins did such a great job, talking about memories, her past, and the gospel. I was a mess through the whole funeral... just when you think there aren't any tears left.. i surprise myself... all my cousins and our children got up and sang.."Families Can Be Together Forever" which I'm pretty sure I said "I have a family............" and I couldn't say anything word. The closing song, was this song called, "good night sweet heart" --- no not the one from Top Gun. and and that point, Danny leaned over and said with tears in his eyes.."this is cruel and unusual punishment." It was the sweetest song, and it was one of my Grandpa's picks, and favorite songs between them. There wasn't a dry eye in the church, and I'm so grateful for everyone who came and supported our family. There were so many family friends there, it just made it that much more special.




It was such a great day, and such a great way to remember some one.. thats what I love about the church, is focusing on the life that was lived and not the death! Its such a great way for everyone to get together and tell stories and share their memories.

Love you Grandma...

Who will I marry Mom????

A question that started with my 4 year old daughter the other day while driving in the car. Why in the world is this a major concern? I'm not real sure, but she was intent on finding out what she needed to look for. For a while now, when all my little nephew and nieces get together, they are always pretending who the Dad and Mom are, and who's married to each other... but the other day, after my MONTHS of drilling into her head, "you can't marry Thomas, Nate, or Seth... they are your cousins".... Finally set in her head, and panic started.. If I can't marry them, then who do I marry?? This is my conversation with my daughter while driving in the car:

Kelli: "mom turn the music off, I have to ask you a question."

*I turn off the music
Me: "whats up Kelli?"

Kelli: "so, if I cant marry my family, who am I going to marry?"

Me: "well, I dont know. You probably will meet him when you're going to school with you get older, like in college or something"

Kelli: "so he'll be my boyfriend? Like forever?"

Me: "yeah, but you shouldn't have a boyfriend til you're ready to get married. That way you can date and find who you want to marry"

Kelli: "what should I look for when I'm dating???"

Me: "He needs to be nice, go to church, funny, cute, smart... (and while i'm thinking of more things to say, and before I could say anything else, she says..)

Kelli: DANG! Sa-rissa (my SIL: Larissa) is SOO lucky, she got to marry Scott and he's all those things!!!




It was so cute, and the only thing I could think of to say was;

"Your RIGHT Kelli, Larissa is so lucky to have met and married your Uncle Scott."

She just nodded her head and said.... "well, I better start dating then to find another one like him...."

So here is to your Scott. You've always been such a great brother and willing to help family and friends out whenever its needed; Whether its done silently without anyone knowing, or ripping up carpet to lay wood floors down while on your vacations, or re-vamping a barn for your friends wedding. You are such a great example that even a 4 year old can see that you are something special. I'm so lucky to have you as my oldest brother, and your example I know has been so easy for the rest of your brothers to follow, since I'm lucky to have 4 brothers that are so willing to give, and to serve just like you. Thanks for your example, I'm so happy that Kelli recognizes such great qualities at such a young age, and has you and the other uncles to look to for love and guidance
Love you Scott. xoxo

Lagoon Trip

The day we drove home at 5:30 AM from the Cabin, we slept, woke up, and were at Lagoon before noon. The kids had so much fun. Isn't it funny that once you have kids, the only rides danny and I went on here a Dragon ride (me and kelli) and a Lady bug ride (danny and Kelli).. then the kids went on a bunch of kid rides and had a blast. We loved the train ride, and all the animals were walking around and doing things, so it was fun to see them get so excited about it. Danny and I were hoping to go back that night and have a baby sitter watch the kids but we never made it back... its sad when you spend about the same amount of money to get into disneyland, and you dont get to go and do any adult rides... oh well, i got my dippin' dots that I love and generously shared with my kids and husband, and we got to have a blast on all the rides with the kids....

note to self: next time dont leave the ferris wheel for last.... Josie MIGHT wrestle you and try and jump out at the top cause she's so exhausted from the last 24 hours of craziness.... ;)

Cabin Trip

Who doesn't love a quick trip up to the cabin?? We decided to go up for an over nighter.... which seemed like such a fun idea! We had stuff for smores, dinner, snacks, movie treats, breakfast.. it was gonna be great! Things were going fantastic, we went on some hikes, went exploring, ate dinner and treats, watched a movie and all stayed up late.... until.... bedtime. *dun dun dun* Josie was restless, crying, screaming, wandering around in the pitch dark.... meanwhile, kelli isn't doing much better... SO, finally at 5:30 AM I woke danny up from the couch, since Kelli was in the master down stairs, and i was taken my turn with the 2 year old monster upstairs in the loft... and I told Danny; "lets go home" We got home slept for a few hours and are now all scared from the whole experience. We went a couple weeks later with the whole family, minus our California family and danny since he had work, and we just did a day trip. It was better that way.. Here are a few pics of our happiest moments of the Cabin Trip...

She's 2... already!

Well I can't believe Josie is 2! Time just flies by so stinkin' fast! These pictures of her at a little party at her Grandma Bulls house totally is Josie to a T.

She can be the happiest little thing you'd ever meet in your life.. She has LITERALLY the biggest smile/mouth/and teeth you've ever seen on a 2 year old and when she smiles you can't help but smile back. She is quiet, sneaky, and mirrors anything and everything or older sister Kelli does. She can climb on, jump off of, and explore without being nervous about it or scared. She is major attached to her mom and dad which is a change cause Kelli could hardly wait to get rid of us, which is still the case. Josie loves to cuddle, hug, and give kisses but only on her terms. On the flip side: Josie can be the grouchiest, sour faced Grinch you'd ever meet in your life.. but Im here to tell you, its all an ACT. When she feels shy about something, she puts on this grouchy face, and she'll try her hardest not to smile... which means, her mouth gets turned to one side, and she tries to not show any emotion at all, and all you have to do is say: "josie, dont you DARE smile" and its all over, she can't keep it in anymore.





She's talking more, loves to count, love to watch Princess and the Frog/and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, she's learning her ABC's and loves to play with her ABC flash cards and sign language flash cards, she loves puzzles (which must be from danny cause I can't stand the things). She loves to listen to music and dance, and she loves to say her own prayers which are by far the cutest things you've ever heard. She's been sleeping in her big girl bed for a few months now and learned to open doors, and now will climb in my bed in the middle of the night--and when she does, she has that face on with her smile to the side, cause she knows she's not suppose to be in there. She loves animals, babies (real or fake) and she loves to play "mom"...

I know there are dozens of other things I should write but thats all I can think of for now.
Josie, we love you, you are a great addition to this family, and we love your sweet spirit and personality.