Donuts

The kids have been begging for Camilla Freeman's donuts forever.  One Sunday afternoon James said he felt ambitious.  Thus, donuts.

Huge success!

Thanksgiving I and II

James took the boys to the annual Turkey Trot

They love their free T-shirts from Whitby Farms

Hyrum first, Lyle second, Rex third.  Way to go boys!

Since Sariah woke up not feeling well on the actual Thanksgiving, I told her and James I would make it up to them.  To start December Fast Sunday we enjoyed a Thanksgiving re-run.

Bryant and Hyrum trying to find comfort after overdoing it.

Makaley's "Beauty and the Beast"

The little guys thought they didn't want to go, but everyone ended up enjoying Connell's "Beauty and the Beast."  Mrs. Pott's was a hit!

Just Life

These are just photos of screen shots, a few of my favorites.  Hope to get better copies.

Idolizing a big brother while he reads Big Nate.

Hi Lyle.

After 15 years (we bought our last washer when Bryant was a baby), the new model is entertainment too!

Another lost tooth.

Proud Mama

Bryant helping his teacher's quorum at a service project at Peter and Kira Nielson's.

James and Talmage changing the oil on "Green Bean."

Hyrum getting ready to carry the state flag at the Markham Veteran's Day Assembly.

Halloween

The Gingerbread Haunted House that Sariah made with a kit that Lizza brought.

Trick or Treating at Aunt Stacey's

After Halloween festivities: shooting pumpkins--snowman pumpkin and Lesosaurus pumpkin 

(book report pumpkins that they created the week before.)

Senior Night

October 26, 2018 at Edgar Brown Stadium.

Talmage was chosen to be a Captain for Senior Night.  

We love #24!

A few days later, we found out he won the Heisman :)!

...the Wendy's High School Heisman honor for athletics and academics.

Harvest Time

Over 100 quarts of grape juice from our own row of grapes.

Apple juicing at Warren's this year:

And selling pumpkins:

We even have enjoyed the end of the fall bearing raspberries on the 20th of October!

Heavenly Father's hand is so apparent in the harvest!

Looking Unstoppable

This week under the lights at Lampson, Chiawana looked pretty unstoppable.  Talmage got in for several plays both offense and defense during the 3rd and 4th quarters.

We have had beautiful nights for football games this year, and this week was no exception.

Life Rank

Not the greatest of pictures with me mid-word and B with his eyes closed, but I was sure proud of him.  Now he is onto Eagle!

Teenage Girl!

Sariah turned 13!

Spechts gave her fairy lights, Gp and Gm Wells gave her a gift card and Gm Hales sent a beautiful handmade card.  James and I gave her a super soft blanket which she has affectionately named "lamby."  She got herself a glass microwave popcorn bowl that she uses almost daily.

Even though it was HER birthday, when I went out to the van to take her to school, I found 13 handmade envelopes tied with baker's twine.  Inside each one was an inspirational quote--just perfect for my concerns.  

I can't even imagine what our family and our lives would be like without this amazing girl!  The night before her birthday was Young Women in Excellence.  She came so, so close to earning her entire Young Womanhood Award in one year.  Even though she just finished reading the Book of Mormon for her Personal Progress, she jumped right on the challenge from the prophet when he asked the women of the church to read it before the end of the year.

This is what she did for her YW's leader.  She makes everything more beautiful!

Rollerena---finally!

The kids earned a free trip to the roller rink this summer when they finished the summer reading program.  After begging and begging, I finally took them.  I was super proud of them when they realized it wasn't as easy as they thought it would be.  They kept at it and greatly improved in the hour and a half that we were there.  It had been years since I had been roller skating.  After awhile, it came back and I actually had fun.  

Homecoming 2018

Talmage and Kassidy

Chandler Woodward, Talmage, Coleson Beus, Even Dawes, Kolton Beus, Tyler Jenkins, Carson Woodward

A bunch of good looking kids!

Oliver

I came to pick up Bryant one day at Sister Naef's after he mowed her lawn and he had a surprise for me.  

He had rescued a beautiful bird of prey that had a broken wing.  

He had already named it Oliver after "Arrow."

Talmage knew it was an American Kestrel right away and was in heaven holding it.

We called the Blue Mountain Wildlife Rescue and we handed the beautiful bird off the next morning.  Unfortunately, Oliver didn't make it.

Feeling Loved

How can I not feel loved when little friends like these show up to lift my spirits?

Found this little blue friend one night when I went in to go to bed.  Thanks Rex!

Next day, I found him on the other side of the bed with a new message. 
Made me smile BIG both time.

Sariah came home from school with this "tree of life" that she made me.  

During rough days, I get extra hugs and I really am touched by how kind and sensitive my kids can be.  

Sariah's First Girl's Camp

Sariah's first Girl's Camp may not have been all that we were hoping for, but she was part of this masterpiece.  Each girl did a color by number square and when all the squares were put together there appeared this amazing picture of the Savior.  When we do our part, however insignificant it may seem, we are part of God's great masterpiece.