The Arts

Bryant's Masterpiece from his art class.

Our kids loved Damon and Makaley's art last night as part of the production Frozen Jr.

  They both did a fantastic job!

I'm not sure it counts as art, but Family Night Karoake is a favorite.

The Judges

Proud Moments

 Sure a great thing to go the Awards Nights for these two hard running cross country kids.

Sariah for Olds Junior High and their best Cross Country Team ever.

Bryant on Chiawana's best Cross Country Team ever.  11 of the top 20 times in Chiawana's history were made this year.

Sariah serving at the Bishop's Storehouse with the Young Women.

House Projects

Finally!  After 5 years, our stairwell gained some character thanks to a late night for James.
Thank you!  Thank you!

This job was up a ladder as well but much more uncomfortable straddling the gable.

After two winters of snow in the attic, we knew we had to do something.  We got a bid but it was pretty pricey.  Once again, James took to Youtube and his own two hands saving us thousands of dollars.  What he worries about not bringing home in a paycheck he makes up for with his determination, grit, and hands.

Games

Colder weather has brought everyone indoors a bit more.

Sunday Night Rock Games

Found this at RiteAid while we were there for Flu Shots.  Bought it as a gag gift.

Thought we would try it out for family night.  Turned out to be a lot of fun!

We decided to organize an "adopt the Bishop's Family" on the day of Tithing Settlement.  Played several games including this one, Hyrum playing Connect Four with Tyler.

Hayden got to be with us on a Saturday night.  The boys were ready earlier enough for church that morning to get in a game of CLUE.

And the favorite game that Mom lets them play occasionally, MADDEN.  Especially fun with Hayden as the 4th player with the Wells Kids here while Dax and Jen go on a date.

Guys Time

While James and I went to Severin's Grandpa's Viewing in Moses Lake, the three little guys got to hang out with Grandpa and watch football.  Win! Win!

Bryant's first autobody job.  A 1998 Honda Accord EX rear-ended.  Lucky enough to find a bumper at the junk yard in the same color!

Looking good Bryant!  Thanks Dad.

Cabins, Cars, and Coeur d' Alene

James's Fall Inservice was this week.  He spent Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday in Couer 'D Alene
His cabin.

He came home Friday night and was eager to get going on the Accord detailing project on Saturday morning.  Now it's a beautiful ride in addition to being a nice ride.

Sariah went with her friends to EFY in Coeur d' Alene on Saturday.  They are all part of her new YW class.  Grateful for good friends.

Mission Money

Divided out the Pumpkin Money.  We are amazed at the Lord's generosity despite being a low yield year.  Everyone is making progress towards their mission goals.

Saturday's Chores

With Spechts coming over while Dave and Taneil went to Makaley's District volleyball, kids got on Saturday's chores early.  It worked great!  I can't remember a time when chores were done by 10am.

Except for Lyle's "blue bathroom."  This is how I found it in his frustration.

This was my Saturday project--my new "Grandma Closet." Maybe a little premature for being a grandparent, but a great "Aunt Closet."  I'm excited!

Dentist and a Date

Took Hyrum to the dentist.  No cavities for either of us.  Phew.

Celebrated at Wendy's--his choice.  Sure enjoyed spending the afternoon with him.

Good Lookin' Kids

This year's school pictures.

Sariah (almost 14)

Bryant (16)

Football, Football, Football

Just about every afternoon and evening, Hyrum, Rex, and Lyle are in the backyard playing something with a football.  At dinnertime, when we share our "positive things of the day," it's almost always a "football highlight" from recess.  One morning as Rex and Lyle were reading before school, I noticed they had washrags tucked into their waistband.  Right as I was going to ask them why I realized what they were for.  Quarterback hand rags.  Of course.

Football makes them completely lose track of time.  Grandpa Wells gave them a Nintendo 64 with the classic game "Madden" even though I protested.  Since James was out of town and it was my first night to go to youth activity, I consented and told them they could play for one hour and then go to bed at 7:30.  When we got home at 8:45 they came upstairs from playing.  It was a tough week to learn about consequences--that even when you repent, the consequences remain.  They missed a sleepover with Hayden this weekend.

Note I found by my bed after the offense.

We had to talk about how love and consequences are not synonymous.  Heavenly Father and Dad and Mom always love us, but that doesn't change the consequences of our actions.

So, while James and I went to Moses Lake for Severin's grandpa's viewing, Hyrum, Rex and Lyle had to stay with Grandpa...and watch football (not sure how much of a consequence that is.)

Football wore 'em out.

Veteran's Day Program

Rex and Lyle's Pack were privileged to be the Color Guard at Markham's Veteran's Day Assembly.  They weren't too excited about wearing jeans and slacks to school but when I told them that a very select few have the honor of guarding The Colors they realized how important their job was.  I didn't get a snapshot at the school but they had the same honor at Pack Night that evening.

Rex posting The Colors

Rex and Lyle sharing their poster about how and what to pack for a hike.  They did a great job!

Because I was reluctant, Rex and Lyle decided to teach themselves the Indian War Dance on the piano.  This is why I was reluctant...three boys playing the Indian War Dance as LOUD as they possibly could all at the same time.

New Primary Chorister

James and I both were sustained into new callings today.  However, his was the one with the audible gasp from the congregation--primary chorister.

Mug shots of the new primary chorister.  He will be AWESOME!!

Mt. Tumbleweed

Monday night we had an incredible windstorm from an unusual direction.  We had a wall of tumbleweed against our grapes and along the back fence.  I was so impressed with these boys.  Without any prodding, they gathered the tumbleweed from the entire yard and James let them take turns torching Mt. Tumbleweed.

Cross Country Regionals

Bryant headed to Spokane Friday afternoon for his Regional meet.  He did a fantastic job!  PRed by 20 seconds and actually beat the times of 2 of the varsity runners

James and I surprised him thanks to Spechts taking the little guys for the afternoon.  So glad we got to be there!

Bryant has been super inspired and impressed by his new coaches.  Bryant didn't know about them when he was making decisions about whether or not to transfer to Connell, but his experience this season has been phenomenal and a great blessing in his life.

"New" Car

James and Bryant have a new project:

The interior is very nostalgic.  Just like our first green honda we bought when Talmage was on the way.

Halloween

Talmage sent us this picture.  Good use of his Mr. Riverhawk Maui costume.  He won "Most Gutsy" at his BYUI Halloween Costume Party.

Lyle and Rex as Spartans.  (Aunt Rhonda thought they were stripling warriors.  I like that.)

Kiersten and Sariah in their tutus of 6 yards of tulle each! 
(Sariah was up before 5am to curl her hair. That's dedication.)

Sariah dressed up twice that day.  She wanted to match Emma's Minnie Mouse costume.

The kids had come home with so much candy from the ward trunk or treat that we just tried to hit our special spots on Halloween: Rhonda and Kevin, Tim and Stacey, Spechts, Grandma Salisbury, and finally, Grandpa and Grandma.  Bryant went to a friend's house and watched a movie.